Lipoma Removal Surgery: Everything You Need To Know
Lipomas are benign tumors made up of fat cells that commonly appear on the upper arms, shoulder blades, neck, back, abdomen, and thighs.
While these tumors are not life-threatening in any way, they can cause discomfort and embarrassment for many people. This is why several patients seek out lipoma removal surgery.
If you’re thinking about getting lipoma removal surgery in Singapore or elsewhere, here are a few things you need to know from a plastic surgeon’s perspective.
What Are Lipomas And What Causes Them?
Lipomas, also known as harmless fatty tumors, are growths that form beneath the skin. They can vary in size, ranging from small millimeters to several centimeters, and commonly appear in multiple areas of the body. While the exact cause of lipoma remains unknown, medical professionals speculate that genetics may play a role in its development. Although generally non-threatening, lipomas can cause discomfort or be cosmetically undesirable, leading individuals to seek medical advice for potential treatment options.
What Are My Treatment Options?
Surgery is the most common treatment for lipomas. The doctor will make a small incision and remove the fatty lump. In certain cases, ultrasound or cryosurgery may be suggested by physicians as alternative options. It’s crucial to have a discussion with your doctor about all available treatments before finalizing a plan of action.
How Does Lipoma Removal Surgery Works?
Lipoma removal surgery is the process of surgically removing a lipoma—a benign tumor composed of fatty tissue—from your body.
During the procedure, your plastic surgeon will make an incision over the growth and carefully remove it from your body before closing the wound with sutures or surgical staples.
Depending on the size of the tumor, local anesthesia may be used to numb the area during surgery.
How Long Does It Take?
The length of time for this procedure varies depending on factors such as location, size, complexity, etc. but generally speaking, most procedures take between 30 minutes to one hour to complete if only one lipoma needs to be removed.
If multiple lipomas need to be removed then it could take longer than an hour depending on how many need to be taken out.
What Are The Risks Of Lipoma Removal Surgery?
Though rare, there are some risks associated with this type of procedure including infection, bleeding, scarring, nerve damage, and recurrence (lipomas tend to come back).
Additionally, some patients experience pain or discomfort following their procedure so it’s important to discuss these possible risks with your plastic surgeon before undergoing any sort of surgery.
What Is The Recovery Time?
Most people can return home within 1-2 days after having their lipomas removed without any problems or complications.
However, recovery times can vary depending on individual circumstances and how extensive your procedure was (for example if multiple tumors were removed).
Generally speaking though most people can expect some degree of soreness or swelling in the affected area for up to two weeks after their surgery which should gradually subside over time as healing progresses naturally (and more quickly) in healthy individuals who follow all post-operative instructions provided by their doctor/surgeon closely.
What Should I Expect After Lipoma Removal Surgery?
It is normal for some bruising and swelling at the site where your lipomas were removed; however, these symptoms should begin subsiding within 1-2 weeks after your surgery as long as you follow all post-operative instructions provided by your doctor/surgeon closely (such as taking prescribed medications appropriately).
Additionally, you may also experience some numbness in the area which should eventually go away as well once healing has finished which usually takes around 4-6 weeks from the start date (depending on individual circumstances and how extensive your procedure was).
When Can I Return To Work After The Lipoma Surgery?
Most people can return to work within 1-2 days after having their lipomas removed without any problems or complications.
However, if you had more than one tumor removed then you may need more time off work especially if those tumors were located in areas where normal daily activities might put stress on them while they heal properly (for example if they were located close joints/muscles that require frequent use).
It’s always best practice to consult with your doctor before returning to work just as a precautionary measure to ensure everything is progressing normally before resuming regular activity levels again!
How Much Does Lipoma Removal Surgery Cost In Singapore?
The cost for lipoma removal in Singapore typically is different depending on factors such as location size etc but please keep in mind that these prices may vary based on individual circumstances and the type of treatment needed.
Where Can I Find A Plastic Surgeon In Singapore Experienced With Lipoma Removal?
We highly recommend finding experienced plastic surgeons who specialize specifically in treatments like this because they understand the nuances associated with such procedures better than general practitioners would.
Some great resources include HealthXchange, Doctor Finder SG, ActiveMD, MediShield Life Portal, Doctify, etc.
Are There Any Alternatives To Consider Instead Of Having A Surgical Procedure Done?
Yes! Depending upon the specific situation many people opt to try non-surgical options such as cryotherapy laser therapy injections etc order to shrink and downsize existing growths and stimulate collagen production reducing the appearance of existing ones respectively.
Am I Eligible For Insurance Coverage for This Procedure?
This depends largely upon the type of insurance policy you have so best check directly with the provider to find out the details of coverage terms and conditions regarding medical costs incurred through obtaining treatments like this one.
Conclusion
As we can see from above there are plenty of things to consider when looking into getting lipoma removal done whether that means going under the knife or opting alternative approach entirely.
It’s always a good idea to talk experienced plastic surgeon and go through the benefits and drawbacks of each option available to make an informed decision about what’s right for you, always do thorough research.
Learn about lipoma by clicking the link below.