SKIN SURGERY
Lipoma removal
Assessment and removal of lipomas—fatty lumps beneath the skin that may be uncomfortable or unwanted.
- Doctor assessment before surgery
- Removal under local anaesthetic
- Medicare rebates may apply
- No referral needed
What is a lipoma?
A lipoma is a benign lump made up of fat cells. Lipomas usually sit under the skin and may feel soft, smooth and mobile.
They are common on the neck, shoulders, back, chest, arms and thighs. Many lipomas remain stable for years and do not need removal.
When is lipoma removal considered?
Lipoma removal may be considered when the lump is:
- growing
- painful or uncomfortable
- catching on clothing, straps or equipment
- cosmetically unwanted
- restricting movement
- of uncertain diagnosis
Assessment before removal
Not every lump beneath the skin is a lipoma. A skin surgery assessment allows your doctor to examine it and decide whether removal at the clinic is appropriate.
For some lumps, ultrasound, biopsy, delayed excision or referral may be recommended before treatment.
How lipoma removal works
If removal is suitable, lipoma surgery is usually performed under local anaesthetic.
The doctor makes an incision over the lump, separates the lipoma from surrounding tissue and removes it. The wound is then closed with stitches.
The tissue may be sent for pathology depending on the diagnosis and clinical judgement.
Recovery after lipoma removal
Recovery depends on the size and location of the lipoma and the type of procedure performed.
You may need a dressing, wound care and a follow-up appointment for suture removal. Temporary soreness, bruising, swelling or bleeding can occur after the procedure.
The doctor or nurse will explain aftercare and when to return for review.
When referral may be better
Referral may be recommended if a lump is large, deep, fixed, rapidly growing, recurrent, close to important structures or in a complex location.
If referral is the better option, the doctor will explain why and guide the next step.
Fees and Medicare rebates
Lipoma removal fees vary according to the size, location and complexity of the procedure.
Medicare rebates may apply when removal is medically indicated. Your doctor will explain the likely fee and rebate after assessment.
See our pricing page for indicative fees for:
Frequently asked questions
How can I tell if a lump is a lipoma?
Lipomas are often soft, mobile and slow-growing, but it is not always possible to confirm the diagnosis by appearance alone. Assessment by a doctor helps determine whether the lump is likely to be a lipoma and whether further investigation is needed.
Is a lipoma cancer?
A lipoma is benign. However, assessment is important if a lump is rapidly growing, painful, fixed, deep or otherwise unusual.
Can a GP remove a lipoma?
At Spot Check Clinic, lipoma removal is performed by doctors with procedural training. More complex lipomas may need referral to a specialist surgeon.
Will my lipoma come back after removal?
Recurrence is possible but is less likely when the lipoma is completely removed. Recurrence risk depends on the size, depth, location and whether the lump is a typical lipoma.
Does lipoma removal leave a scar?
Any surgical procedure that removes a lipoma will leave a scar. The size and appearance depend on the location, size of the lipoma and the type of procedure performed.
