What is Lipoma Evaluation & Removal?

A lipoma is a benign collection of fat cells wrapped in a thin capsule. It usually feels soft or rubbery, moves slightly when pressed and is not painful. Lipomas often appear on the shoulders, back, neck, arms and trunk, and some people develop several. They typically grow slowly over months or years. Although they are almost always harmless, a lump that grows quickly, feels hard, is painful or sits deep in the tissue needs careful evaluation to rule out other conditions.

Who it's for

Consider an evaluation if you notice:

• A soft, rounded lump under the skin that moves when you press it
• A lump that is slowly getting larger
• Discomfort when the lump is pressed by clothing, bags or straps
• Several similar lumps in different areas
• A lump that is hard, fixed, painful or growing rapidly, which should be assessed promptly

How we treat it at Egg Clinic

Every lipoma consultation begins with a physical examination by a dermatologist. Ultrasound may be used to check the size, depth and borders of the lump and to distinguish a lipoma from a cyst or other growth. Very large, deep or unusual lumps may be referred for imaging or to a surgical specialist.

Small, stable lipomas that cause no symptoms can simply be monitored. If you prefer removal, the standard approach is surgical excision under local anesthesia, where the fat lump and its capsule are removed through an incision and the skin is closed with fine stitches. Removing the capsule may help reduce the chance of regrowth. The removed tissue may be sent for pathology to confirm the diagnosis.

What to expect

After a consultation and, if needed, an ultrasound, the procedure is scheduled. The area is numbed with local anesthetic, so you should feel pressure but little sharp pain. Most removals take 30 to 60 minutes depending on size and location. Mild swelling, bruising, tenderness and a small amount of oozing are common for several days. Stitches are usually removed in about one to two weeks. The scar is generally shorter than the lump itself and tends to fade over months, though healing varies from person to person.

Aftercare

• Keep the wound dressing clean and dry as instructed
• Avoid strenuous exercise, heavy lifting, alcohol and saunas until stitches are out
• Take any prescribed medication as directed
• Do not pick at the wound or stitches
• Protect the scar from sun exposure for several months
• Call us if you notice spreading redness, pus, fever or increasing pain

Frequently asked questions

Does a lipoma need to be removed?

Not always. Many lipomas can be safely observed. Removal is considered when a lump grows, causes discomfort, or when the diagnosis needs confirmation.

Can a lipoma turn into cancer?

Lipomas are benign and very rarely change. Rapid growth, hardness or pain are reasons for further evaluation, which is why we examine every lump first.

Can a lipoma come back after removal?

Recurrence is uncommon when the capsule is removed intact, but it is possible, and new lipomas can form in other areas.

Visit Egg Clinic in Sinsa

Egg Clinic is located at 613 Gangnam-daero, Seocho-gu, Seoul (3rd, 5th, 6th and 7th floors), directly in front of Sinsa Station Exit 5 on Line 3. We are open weekdays 11:00–20:30 and Saturday and Sunday 11:00–17:00, with a lunch break from 14:00 to 15:00. To book a consultation, call +82-2-542-5540, email eggclinic1@gmail.com, or message us on WhatsApp or KakaoTalk.