What is a minor surgical procedure?

Lipoma excision is a type of minor surgery which involves making an incision in the skin to get rid of soft tissue growth. A lipoma is a harmless lump that forms underneath the surface of the skin. In most cases, lipomas are not considered serious and are removed mainly for cosmetic reasons. However, a lipoma can result in pain, which may be another reason for its removal.

Typical signs of a lipoma include the following:

• A soft lump beneath the skin
• A mobile lump that moves when you apply pressure to the skin
• Slow-growing lump (ranges in 2 inches but can grow up to 6 inches in diameter).

Lipomas commonly occur in specific body parts such as the back, arms, shoulders, buttocks and thighs. Less common areas lipomas are expected to show up include the calves, shoulders and thighs.

Although many healthcare providers cannot pinpoint the exact cause of lipomas, the condition may be passed down from one family member to the next or may occur due to conditions such as:

• Dercum’s disease is an uncommon condition that prompts the growth of lipomas in areas of the body such as the legs, arms and trunk.
• Gardner syndrome, or familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP), stimulates the growth of lipomas.

How do you perform lipoma excision?

Lipoma removal involves injecting local anaesthetic near the lump to numb the region so you don’t feel any pain. Afterwards, Dr Viljoen creates an incision over the lump. Next, he removes the lipoma and closes the area using stitches.

Fortunately, because lipoma excision is such a quick procedure, you can return home the same day. At a follow-up consultation within seven to ten days, Dr Viljoen will inspect the wound and, if necessary, will remove the stitches. In addition, your doctor will prescribe medications to alleviate pain after the procedure.