5 Encouraging Facts About Lipoma Removal Surgery

It can be a relief to find out that the lump beneath your skin isn’t a cancerous tumor but a lipoma. While these common masses of fatty tissue aren’t dangerous, they can still cause problems, such as pain, discomfort, or embarrassment. That’s where lipoma removal comes in.

Dermatologic surgeons at  Ali Hendi, MD, PC, serving the Washington, DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia areas, provides this procedure to help ease your concern and restore your quality of life. Drs. Hendi and Dong are exprerts in removal of lipoma using advanced techniques that minimize scarring. 

Let’s dive deeper into lipomas, including encouraging facts about the surgery to remove them.

The basics of lipomas

Lipomas usually sit between your skin and the muscle layer beneath. When you push on the lump, it feels doughy and moves easily. You can develop one or numerous lipomas. Most crop up during middle age and affect your face, back, chest, or neck.

The majority of lipomas are less than an inch across, though they can grow larger over time. And if they grow to the point that they press on nearby nerves, pain is likely. Lipomas that contain quite a few blood vessels tend to be painful too.

While lipomas aren’t cancerous, getting a proper diagnosis is important, given the slight chance that a lipoma-like lump could be liposarcoma, a cancer that affects fatty tissue. The diagnosis usually involves a physical exam and biopsy. You might also have an imaging test such as an X-ray, if the mass is particularly large. 

Encouraging facts about lipoma removal surgery

Most lipoma removal surgeries involve suctioning the mass out through an incision using a technique that’s similar to liposuction. In other words, lipoma removal is typically minimally invasive — so you won’t have to worry about severe pain or a lengthy recovery.

Numerous related facts about lipoma removal should help ease your anxiety, such as:

1. The surgery takes less than an hour
2. It only requires one incision the size of the lipoma or smaller
3. You won’t feel pain or discomfort during lipoma removal, thanks to local anesthesia
4. Pain or tenderness after surgery can usually be managed with over-the-counter medication
5. Dr. Hendi and Dong  take special care to minimize scarring

As an added bonus, lipomas are unlikely to return after removal, especially with the proper technique used in our office. For best results, follow your aftercare instructions, such as waiting several days or more before engaging in intense exercise or sports. 

To learn more about lipoma removal surgery or to get the skin care you need, call 301-812-4591 the practice of Ali Hendi, MD, and Joanna Dong, MD  in Chevy Chase, Maryland, today.