If you’ve discovered a soft lump under your skin, it’s understandable to feel concerned. Fortunately, if your doctor diagnoses it as a lipoma, you’re likely dealing with a benign (non-cancerous) growth. While treatment isn’t always necessary, lipoma removal is a safe and effective option—especially if the lump becomes uncomfortable or affects your confidence.
At The Centre for Minor Surgery in Toronto, our Royal College-certified plastic surgeons specialize in fast, minimally invasive lipoma removal. Here’s what to know about diagnosing, treating, and removing lipomas.
What Is a Lipoma?
Lipomas are round or oval-shaped fatty growths that develop just beneath the skin. They tend to be:
- Soft and rubbery to the touch
- Movable when pressed
- Painless (in most cases)
- Found on the shoulders, back, neck, abdomen, arms, and thighs
These growths are very common, affecting about 1 in every 1,000 people—most often between the ages of 40 and 60. Lipomas tend to run in families and are slightly more common in women.
How Is a Lipoma Diagnosed?
Most lipomas can be diagnosed through a physical exam. Your doctor will evaluate the lump by touch and ask whether it’s tender or growing.
However, lipomas can sometimes be mistaken for skin cysts, which is why an imaging test (such as an ultrasound or MRI) may be recommended. In some cases, a biopsy may also be performed to rule out a rare form of liposarcoma (a cancerous tumor of fatty tissue).
When Should You Treat Lipomas?
Not all lipomas need treatment. Many don’t cause any symptoms and may be in areas that are typically covered by clothing. Still, some patients choose to have them removed when:
- The lipoma is growing in size
- It causes tenderness or pressure (e.g., when lying down)
- It rubs against clothing
- It’s in a cosmetically sensitive location, such as the forehead or arms
Even though they aren’t dangerous, lipomas won’t go away on their own—and many patients feel relieved after having them removed.
How Are Lipomas Removed?
Lipomas don’t disappear on their own, and home remedies you might see advertised online don’t work. If you decide to have a lipoma removed, it’s important to meet with a Royal College-certified plastic surgeon to discuss your concerns. Because patients typically want lipomas removed for aesthetic reasons, an experienced plastic surgeon ensures that the incisions made when removing the lipoma will be as small and discreet as possible.
Here is what to expect during the procedure:
- Local anesthesia is used to numb the area.
- A small incision is made directly over the lipoma.
- The fatty tissue is carefully excised.
- The incision is finely sutured closed for minimal scarring.
The procedure typically takes less than an hour, and you can go home the same day. Most patients return to light activity the next day.
How Much Does Lipoma Removal Cost?
The cost of removing a lipoma depends on the area and the size of the growth. The cost of lipoma removal at our Toronto practice starts at $595. Because lipomas are benign, their removal isn’t covered by OHIP.
Get Started Today
Whether your goal is peace of mind, comfort, or cosmetic improvement, our experienced plastic surgeons are here to help. You can book a consultation using the online form, or you can schedule an appointment by calling us at (416) 663-9649. No referral is necessary, and we can typically perform the procedure the same day as the consultation.
This blog post was originally published in November 2021 and has been updated.
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