TMSC’s board-certified surgeons use local anesthesia for lipoma surgery in Toronto. The procedure involves direct surgical excision, which consists of a direct incision over the lipoma, a surgical extraction of the lipoma, and finally, the stitching of the skin. This allows patients to feel numb and feel relaxed during the process.
How is a lipoma removed?
A lipoma is benign, and there's no need for removal unless it causes cosmetic issues. This means that it's visible on the skin and looks unpleasant. Typically, dermatologists or plastic surgeons perform lipoma removal under local anesthesia. This involves injecting a local anesthetic into the skin around the lipoma, numbing the area, and allowing the surgeon to remove it without causing pain. Local anesthesia doesn't induce sleep; you'll remain conscious throughout the procedure. During your initial consultation with our surgeon, they'll examine the lipoma and the surrounding area. If they determine that the lipoma is excessively large, they might arrange for you to be sedated during the procedure.
What is lipoma removal surgery?
Our surgeons perform lipoma removal surgery if the lipoma is disturbing you. It usually happens if you feel pain in the area or for aesthetic reasons. Do not confuse lipoma, which is benign, with liposarcoma, a malignant tumour of the adipose tissue. The non-cancerous lipoma can occur anywhere on the body, e.g. thighs, chest, arms, armpits, neck, shoulders, and more. Studies have observed that men between the ages of 40 and 60 develop lipomas more than anyone else. When you come to TMSC for a lipoma removal surgery, our surgeon will numb the area and then surgically cut the lipoma. If there is fluid in the lipoma, the surgeons will squeeze the content out.
What happens during lipoma removal surgery?
The most common way to remove a lipoma permanently is through surgery. That is where our board-certified plastic surgeons come in. They surgically remove the lipoma from the root. Typically, one of our surgeons performs the procedure under local anesthesia, but they might choose general anesthesia depending on the location and lipoma size. Their primary concern is the patient’s comfort and for them to not feel any pain through the procedure. They might make a small incision near the lipoma to remove the fat or use the incision and squeeze technique. Afterward, they will close the incision with a stitch or two. Once they remove everything and clean up the site, the surgeon puts bandages on the site. Unless the lipoma is too large, you will not need any drains put in.
What are the pros and cons of lipoma removal surgery?
Pros:
When you come to TMSC for lipoma removal surgery, you’re giving yourself a favor by stopping it from getting any bigger. When our surgeon removes the lipoma, they confirm that there is nothing cancerous about the growth. Also, after the lipoma removal surgery, you will feel more confident about your appearance and more comfortable in your skin. You won’t have to put up with the unnecessary pain and discomfort.
Cons:
Just like any surgery, lipoma removal surgery comes with a risk of infection or irritation. There will be a scar, albeit a tiny one, on the location of the lipoma. However, our surgeons perform all their surgeries in a way that minimizes scars. They also provide aftercare tips so the scar won’t be too unsightly and disappear quickly. Please note that sometimes a lipoma recurs after its removal.
What is the Downtime After a Lipoma Removal Surgery?
There is minimal downtime after a lipoma removal surgery. There might be some discomfort, but it will not be for long. The discomfort lasts for a couple of days after the procedure, but it doesn’t stop performing your normal activities. Depending on the location of the lipoma, our surgeon might ask you to wait for a couple of weeks before going back to your routine.
Scars
Usually, the size of the incision is ½ to ⅔ as compared to the lipoma being operated on. Some lipomas need larger incisions if they are securely attached to neighbouring tissues. Because we understand and respect your desire for minimal scarring, our surgeons make sure the scar is as small as possible. That’s why we usually make the incision only large enough to remove the lipoma but ensure your results are optimal. We also use scar management gels after surgery.
Our surgeons are highly trained and experienced professionals who care deeply about their patients. Rest assured all of our procedures are carried out with the utmost care, precision, regard for aesthetics, and in a safe environment.
