Lipoma Removal Surgery, Diagnosis & Treatment in Sydney

We perform more lipoma surgeries under local anesthesia than any other doctor in Sydney, with over a thousand successful procedures. Our services are professional and affordable.

Did you know that lipoma can be removed on the same day as the consultation?

At the Minor Skin Surgery Clinic in Sydney, we offer diagnosis, treatment, and minor surgical removal of lipomas under local anesthesia.

Our commitment is to provide:

✅ high-quality care. We have performed thousands of lipoma surgeries.

✅ at an affordable price. The average cost to remove lipoma surgically is $300 – $500 (gap).

✅ same-day surgery as the consultation.

We believe we have done more lipoma surgeries than other clinics in Sydney.

A lipoma is a non-cancerous growth of fat cells that typically forms just below the skin. It feels soft and doughy to the touch and can occur anywhere on the body.

Lipomas, characterized by fatty tissue growth under the skin, come in two forms:

  1. Simple Lipoma:
    • Definition: A discrete fatty tissue that freely floats in the soft tissue beneath the skin.
    • Removal: Simple lipomas are easily removable through minor surgery.
    • Recurrence: They typically do not recur, providing a favourable outcome.
  2. Complex Lipoma:
    • Definition: Fatty tissue that is tethered to the soft tissue and/or muscle beneath the skin.
    • Removal Challenge: Complex lipomas pose a greater challenge during removal due to their attachment.
    • Recurrence Risk: There is a higher likelihood of recurrence with complex lipomas.

Q: How much does the lipoma surgery cost?

The cost for a single lipoma surgery is generally $300 or $500 (gap). The fee is $300 for a simple lipoma and $500 for a more complex and recurrent lipoma, as shown below. 

The gap fee is the out-of-pocket expense. This is the fee that you will not receive any reimbursement.

Q: When is lipoma surgery recommended?

A: Most lipomas are small and don’t cause symptoms, so they usually don’t need surgery.

Surgery is recommended if a lipoma causes discomfort, pain, or is getting bigger.

We had a patient who chose to remove a lipoma due to a family history of liposarcoma (a rare cancer that can develop from a lipoma).

Surgery may also be needed for a small lipoma if it’s in a noticeable area or pressing on nerves or other tissues.

This relatively small lipoma on the forehead was removed under local anesthesia. Leaving the lipoma in this area could lead to potential growth, resulting in a larger scar and putting pressure on local nerves.

Q: What does lipoma surgery involve?

A: Lipoma surgery is a simple procedure done under local anesthesia at one of our clinics (Chatswood, Eastwood, or Cabramatta).

First, we numb the area around the lipoma. Dr. Kim makes a small cut over the lipoma, just big enough to remove it. After it’s removed, he closes the cut with two layers of stitches for the best cosmetic and functional result.

With Dr. Kim’s extensive experience in cosmetic surgery, most patients find the scar to be cosmetically satisfactory.

Lipoma of the back, surgical removal, after internal sutures.

Q: Is lipoma surgery painful?

A: Surgery is done after a local anesthetic injection. For most patients, there is no pain once the anesthesia works.

For larger lipomas, some patients might feel a bit of pain during the surgery. If this happens, we give more local anesthesia. Most patients say the procedure is either painless or only slightly uncomfortable.

Lipoma removed from the upper eyelid. This was an interesting case.

Q: What are the risks associated with lipoma surgery?

A: Lipoma surgery is generally considered a safe minor operation. However, as with any surgical procedure, there are inherent risks, including the following:

  • infection,
  • numbness or pain (neuralgia or neuropraxia),
  • bleeding (hematoma),
  • seroma (for larger lipomas)
  • scarring, and
  • the potential for the lipoma to recur.

To minimise these risks, the doctor will meticulously perform the procedure with due care and skill.

Q: Is there a special complication for lipoma surgery in the forehead?

A: Yes, there is a special risk in this area. There are two nerves called supraorbital or supratrochlear nerves that run upward in this area under the skin. Due to their variable anatomical position, sometimes these nerves get injured. Usually, it means a small part of the scalp skin will become numb. They generally recover after a few weeks, but sometimes the sensation may not return.

 

A lipoma in the forehead was removed under local anesthesia. This is a sensitive area as there are sensory nerves travelling beneath the lipoma. Despite meticulous surgical technique and suturing, some patients may experience numbness and sensitivity in this area after the surgery. 

Q: How long does it take to recover from lipoma surgery?

A: Recovery time can vary depending on the size and location of the lipoma, as well as individual factors. In most cases, you can expect to resume normal activities within a few days to a week after the surgery. Strenuous activities may need to be avoided for a few weeks.

We request you return to our clinic to remove sutures need to be removed after one to two weeks.

The Lipoma of the neck was surgically removed under local anaesthesia. This patient was on blood thinners which were stopped for few days. 

Q: Will there be a scar after lipoma surgery?

A: Yes, all surgeries leave a scar, and there will likely be a scar after lipoma surgery. However, the size and visibility of the scar depend on where the lipoma is and how big it is, as well as the surgical method used. Over time, the scar may fade and become less noticeable. Dr. Kim will use his cosmetic surgery experience to create a scar that looks good.

 
Lipoma removed from the back of the neck under local anaesthesia.
Lipoma removed from the back of the neck under local anaesthesia.

Q: Can a lipoma grow back after surgery?

A: A lipoma should not return if it is completely removed the first time. In more complex surgeries, small fat cells might be left behind, which could lead to a recurrence. However, this is rare for simple and smaller lipomas. Dr. Kim will take some photos during the surgery to show you that the lipoma was completely removed.

Q: Are there alternative treatments to surgery for lipomas?

A: Lipomas usually don’t need treatment if they are small, painless, and not causing any problems. However, if a lipoma is uncomfortable or bothersome, surgery is often the best option. Other treatments like liposuction, fat-dissolving injections, or laser therapy can be considered, but results may vary.

About 90% of lipomas are removed surgically at our Minor Skin Surgery Clinic. If surgery isn’t possible, Dr. Kim will refer you to a specialist plastic surgeon, but their fees are usually much higher and can often be avoided in most cases.

Q: More information?

Link to an article written about the cause, risk factors, diagnosis and treatment of lipomas.

 

Case Studies of Lipoma Surgery

Case Studies of Lipoma Surgery

LIPOMA FROM THE FACE

Lipoma of the left forehead removed under local anaesthesia.

 

A lipoma on the forehead was removed under local anesthesia.

 

A lipoma on the forehead was removed under local anesthesia.

 

A lipoma of the forehead was removed under local anaesthesia. A particular care is needed when operating in this region as there is supratrochlear nerve which traversese around the lipoma.
 

 

Two lipomas were removed fromt he forehead under local anaesthesia. Surgery in this area can complicate with numberss of the forehead/scalp skin due to injury to supraorbital nerve.

 

Lipoma of the forehead removed under local anaesthesia.

 

 

lipom

 

Two lipomas were removed fromt he forehead under local anaesthesia. Surgery in this area can complicate with numberss of the forehead/scalp skin due to injury to supraorbital nerve. 

 

Lipoma removed from the upper eyelid. An interesting case.

 

Case Studies of Lipoma Surgery

LIPOMA FROM THE SCALP & NECK

A lipoma of the post scalp was removed under local anaesthesia. Lipomas in this area tend to be “complex” and are difficult to remove in a single piece.

 

Lipoma removed from the back of the neck.

 

This lipoma was removed by his local GP about 10 years ago. It was not completely excised, and as a result, it recurred. He was told that it would not cause any harm, so the patient did not have it removed while it was smaller. However, recently, it started causing pressure in the neck. The lipoma was removed under local anesthesia.

 

Lipoma from the back of the scalp removed under local anaesthesia in our Cabramatta Clinic in Sydney. $300 (gap).

 

A lipoma was removed from the back of the scalp under local anaesthesia.
 

Multiple lipomas of the arm were removed at once under local anesthesia.
Multiple lipomas were removed from the buttock area under local anesthesia.


A very large lipoma, measuring 90mm, was removed from the back under local anesthesia. Procedures like this typically take around 60 minutes. The gap cost for this procedure is $750.

 

This patient had a lump in her forearm. The GP arranged for an ultrasound and MRI scan, but they didn’t provide a diagnosis. Dr. Peter Kim explored the lump under local anesthesia and identified it as a lipoma, which was then removed.

A lipoma of the left shoulder removed under local anaesthesia.

 

A lipoma from the forearm that was growing for 2-3 years was removed under local anaesthesia.

 

These lipomas was growing over the past 12 months. They were removed under local anaesthesia.

 

A lipoma was removed from the upper arm of a gentleman of Indian descent under local anesthesia.

A large lipoma of the shoulder removed under local anaesthesia.

 

Lipoma of the forearm surgically removed under local anaesthesia.

 

Lipoma removed from the arm under local anaesthesia.

 

A large lipoma removed from the back of knee.
 

A lipoma was removed from the triceps area under local anesthesia.