A lipoma is a soft lump or swelling that occurs underneath your skin. It consists of fatty tissues and is harmless.
A lipoma generally does not need any treatment unless they are causing symptoms like pain, infection, growing in size, and interfering with the surrounding nerve or blood vessels. Some people may find lipomas unsightly and want them to be removed for aesthetic reasons.
A lipoma excision surgery or liposuction can be performed to remove the lipoma. They are minor procedures that are relatively straightforward, and performed under local anesthesia.
A lipoma surgery is a speedy procedure where a small incision is made over the skin of the lipoma. The lipoma is then removed and the skin is stitched. The whole procedure is painless and will take 20 to 30 minutes to perform. For deep-rooted or large lipomas, the surgery may be longer and may take even 2 hours.
Recovery time may vary and depends on factors like:
After surgery, you have to stay in the recovery room for an hour or two before you can go home. If the surgeon has used absorbable stitches, they will dissolve on their own or else they need to be removed within 7 to 10 days post-surgery.
You may resume normal activities after surgery and return to work within one to three days. If the lipoma is larger in size, recovery will take longer about two to three weeks. For physically demanding jobs, you have to take leave from work for a minimum of two weeks.
Aftercare is crucial for faster and complete recovery. Take proper care of the stitches and protect the wound for healing.
Don't just jump into a surgery because your doctor is advising you to go for it. Consult our doctors to know if you need a surgery at all. Rest assured, we WON'T recommend you surgery unless it's the last resort.
For faster recovery, avoid certain activities such as:
Lipomas are benign tumors that may not need any treatment unless they are bothering you for cosmetic reasons, growing larger, or causing discomfort. Surgical excision is the most common and preferred method for lipoma removal.
Lipoma surgery is a simple procedure. It is crucial to understand the procedure and aftercare instructions for proper healing as there may be small risks of bleeding and infection or the development of scars after surgery. The recovery depends on how well you take care of the incision site and your health post-surgery.
