Lipoma in Paris

Recognising a lipoma

a soft, regular lump, mobile under the fingers, which grows slowly over months or years;
usually painless (some forms may be tender);
highly variable in size, from a few millimetres to several centimetres.

An important point: any lump that grows rapidly, becomes hard, painful or fixed, or exceeds several centimetres warrants prompt medical advice and, if necessary, imaging. This is one of the reasons why the removed specimen is systematically analysed.

Why remove it?

Excision of a lipoma is considered when it:

causes functional or mechanical discomfort (pressure, rubbing, belt, strap);
becomes visible or unsightly;
increases in size;
or when diagnostic doubt warrants its analysis.

The procedure

Local anaesthesia as day surgery for most lipomas; deeper anaesthesia may be proposed for large, deep or multiple lipomas.
An incision placed as far as possible within the natural creases of the skin, of a length adapted to the lump.
Complete removal of the lipoma with its capsule, then closure with sutures, sometimes with a lightly compressive dressing.
Systematic histopathological analysis of the specimen.

The procedure takes from 20 minutes to an hour depending on size and depth.

Recovery and healing

Recovery is straightforward: moderate discomfort for a few days, a dressing for one to two weeks, and a rapid return to usual activities (sport involving the area waits until healing is complete). A small fluid collection or temporary firmness of the operated area may be observed and resolves gradually. The scar fades over several months.

Recognising a lipoma

a soft, regular lump, mobile under the fingers, which grows slowly over months or years;

usually painless (some forms may be tender);

highly variable in size, from a few millimetres to several centimetres.

The procedure

Local anaesthesia as day surgery for most lipomas; deeper anaesthesia may be proposed for large, deep or multiple lipomas.

An incision placed as far as possible within the natural creases of the skin, of a length adapted to the lump.

Complete removal of the lipoma with its capsule, then closure with sutures, sometimes with a lightly compressive dressing.

Systematic histopathological analysis of the specimen.

The procedure takes from 20 minutes to an hour depending on size and depth.

Recovery and healing

Your questions, our answers

Can a lipoma come back after the operation?

When the excision is complete, recurrence at the same site is rare. However, a person who has developed one lipoma may develop others elsewhere — this is not a recurrence but a predisposition.

I have several lipomas — can they be removed in one session?

Yes, several lipomas can often be removed in the same session, depending on their number, size and location. The strategy is defined at the consultation.

Is the operation painful?

No, it is performed under anaesthesia. Recovery is generally limited to local tenderness for a few days, controlled with simple analgesics.

Why analyse an "unremarkable" lump?

Because only examination under the microscope can confirm with certainty the benign nature of a fatty lump. It is a systematic safety rule, which also allows the detection of the very rare forms that are not simple lipomas.