Lipoma Removal in Atlanta, GA
Rids of fatty lumps and bumps on the body and face.
COST $500+
TYPE OF PROCEDURE Surgery
WHERE Body & Face
What Is a Lipoma?
A lipoma is a benign soft tissue tumor that presents as a clump of fatty tissue that forms beneath the skin. They are usually round or oval in shape and feel squishy or rubbery and not hard. Fatty bumps normally move around when they are pressed on. Generally, these tumors do not cause pain or other health issues and rarely require medical treatment.
Traits Of A Lipoma
- Encapsulated so they do not spread to other areas.
- Usually not painful themselves, but some can cause discomfort indirectly because of their location or size.
- Oval or round in shape and the rubbery fatty tissue lumps within are usually symmetrical.
- Not stationary or hard and can move around a bit when you press on them.
- Generally, they are less than 2 inches in width but in rarer cases, they can be as large as 6 inches wide.
Where Do They Occur?
Most people who experience lipomas only have one but it is possible to have more. They can form anywhere on the body and develop under the skin in locations including:
- Forehead;
- Back;
- Neck;
- Shoulders;
- Arms;
- Legs;
- Torso;
- Brain or muscles (rare).
Lipoma Types
Every lipoma is made from fat but some also contain other tissue or blood vessels. The most common type is made of white fat cells and is called a “Conventional Lipoma” other types of fatty lumps include:
- Angiolipoma;
- Fibrolipoma;
- Hibernoma;
- Myelolipoma;
- Spindle cell;
- Pleomorphic.
What Causes Them To Grow?
Although medical experts do not know exactly what causes the growth of fatty tumors, it is known that they can be inherited and there are also a few conditions that are associated with their presence: Dercum’s disease, Gardner syndrome, familial multiple lipomatosis, and Madelung’s disease.
How Are Lipomas Diagnosed?
Doctors normally do a physical inspection of the suspected skin bump and then may order imaging tests to determine if the growth is a lipoma, a cyst, or a rare type of cancer that looks similar to it but is usually painful. The imaging test will also help determine the exact location of the growth, how deep it has grown, whether it is interfering with any nerves, and if it has visible blood vessels. Once the doctor has determined that the growth is a fatty tumor the patient and doctor together can determine the best treatment plan.
Lipoma Treatment Options
Normally, fatty tumors do not require any treatment unless they are painful or unsightly and you would like them removed. Some of them must be removed surgically while others can be done using liposuction.
Surgical Removal
The area will be numbed and the surgeon will create an incision directly over the growth and then it is squeezed or pulled out. Depending on the size of the lump, tiny stitches may be required but the cosmetic surgeon will strategically place the stitches and do everything possible to prevent a lipoma removal scar.
The procedure is done in the office and patients can go home the same day. Surgically removing a skin lump is safe and effective and they do not normally come back.
Watch this video of real surgery performed by Dr. Angelina Postoev on a patient who had a lipoma on his forehead.
Liposuction Removal
Some fatty lumps can be removed through liposuction and can be done as an outpatient procedure using just local anesthesia.
During the procedure, the cosmetic surgeon will make a small incision and insert a thin hollow surgical tube called a cannula. The cannula is like a tiny fat vacuum and when moved back and forth it loosens the fatty tissue and extracts it out. Although lipomas that are removed rarely come back, ones removed using liposuction have a higher chance of recurring than those removed through lipoma removal surgery.
Does Insurance Cover the Procedure?
The qualifications for removal will vary by the insurance carrier. Most lipomas are not dangerous and do not create any medical problems but they may be cosmetically unappealing. Most insurance companies do not provide coverage for procedures that are performed only for cosmetic purposes. It may be necessary for the doctor to order the removal stating it is being done to treat a disease or it is a threat to the patient’s health or well-being.
Where to Get A Fatty Lump Removed In Atlanta, GA?
Angelina Postoev, MD, FACS, a triple board-certified cosmetic surgeon, and Christopher Ibikunle, MD, FACS, offer lipoma removal for men and women in Buckhead, Lawrenceville, Suwanee, Johns Creek, and the surrounding areas of Atlanta, Georgia. Contact SurgiCare Arts & Aesthetics today to schedule a personal consultation.
