Lipoma removal in Devon.
Lipomas are soft, fatty lumps that grow under the skin. They’re harmless and can usually be left alone if they’re small and painless.
Lipomas are non-cancerous (benign) and are caused by an overgrowth of fat cells.
Lipomas can grow anywhere in the body where there are fat cells, but are usually seen on the:
- shoulders
- neck
- chest
- arms
- back
- buttock
- thigh
They feel soft and “doughy” to touch and range from the size of a pea to a few centimetres across. They grow very slowly and don’t usually cause any other problems.
Occasionally, lipomas can develop deeper inside the body, so you won’t be able to see or feel them.
Who gets lipomas
Lipomas are fairly common, with about one in 100 people developing them. It’s unusual to develop more than one or two lipomas, unless you have a rare inherited condition called familial multiple lipomatosis, which causes lipomas to develop all over the body.
When to see your GP
You should see your GP if you develop a growth or swelling on your body. They can examine it and confirm whether it’s a lipoma.
When a lipoma is pressed, it should feel smooth and soft, like rubber or dough. It may move about under the skin.
If there’s any doubt, your GP may recommend that you have an ultrasound scan, a biopsy or that the lump is removed altogether. They may also refer you to a specialist centre if the lump isn’t typical of a harmless lipoma.
You should also see your GP if you have a lump that:
- is getting bigger
- is painful
- feels hard
- grows back after it’s been removed
In this case, your doctor will want to rule out other types of lump, such as a sarcoma (a very rare type of soft tissue cancer). You can read more about different types of soft tissue sarcoma on the Cancer Research UK website.
Getting a lipoma removed
Lipomas don’t usually need to be removed unless they’re causing problems, such as pain, or if there’s uncertainty about whether it’s a lipoma.
You may want your lipoma removed if it’s large or in an obvious place and it’s affecting your self-esteem.
However, you may have to pay for this privately.
Removing a lipoma under these circumstances is regarded as cosmetic surgery, which is rarely available through the NHS. The NHS will usually only fund cosmetic surgery if the problem is affecting your physical or mental health.
Small lipomas can be removed, with local anaesthetic used to numb the area. The doctor will cut the skin over the lump and remove the lipoma, before closing the wound with stitches. After the wound has healed, you’ll be left with a thin scar.
We offer a lipoma removal service for private patients. Please contact us to arrange an appointment.
How does it work?
Our private treatments are carried out by highly experienced local GPs and Associate Clinicians. They have a specific interest in dermatology in general practice and extensive expertise in minor surgery. You will receive a single appointment, including consultation and the procedure.
The price is fixed and includes treatment at our modern clinics and includes all consulting and surgical facilities, nursing staff, consumables including surgical treatment room, surgical instrumentation, local anaesthetic, dressings, biopsy assessment of lesions where appropriate together with a follow-up letter.
I have a lipoma I’d like removed
Please contact us to find out more about our lipoma removal service in Plymouth, Devon. Call us on 0333 332 2105 or complete the below form.
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BEFORE YOUR APPOINTMENT
We will send you a confirmation email or letter, directions to the clinic, your payment receipt and a consent form which you should read but which you do not need to sign until you are certain you wish to proceed with the removal of your lesion.
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CONSULTATION
Your appointment includes a consultation with the clinician followed by the procedure, where it is agreed to proceed. The clinician will discuss your general health and medication. They will explain the procedure, whether there is a likelihood of recurrence and scarring, and how to prevent infection.
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TREATMENT
If you wish to proceed, you will sign a consent form. You will be awake throughout the operation and can ask questions. You will feel an initial sting from the local anaesthetic injection. The anaesthetic will wear off after a few hours and you can take paracetamol (not aspirin) if you have any mild discomfort.
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THE PROCEDURE
Clinicians use a variety of techniques to remove skin lesions including excision and cautery. The procedure sometimes involves stitches or sutures. The clinician will advise you when you will need to make an appointment at your own surgery to have the stitches removed.
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AFTERWARDS
Although it is unlikely that your lesion represents a danger to your health, we may send it for examination and let you and your GP know the result as soon as we receive it. We will also send you a patient satisfaction questionnaire which we hope you will complete.
