Finding an unusual lump on your body can be concerning, and you should always speak with your doctor to determine if it needs to be removed by a surgeon. However, there’s also a chance that the lump could be a lipoma, which isn’t as serious as it sounds. Below is a brief guide to what they are and how they can be removed.

What Is a Lipoma?

A lipoma is a deposit of fat situated between your skin and muscles. While it sounds intimidating, a lipoma is usually nothing to worry about. It will feel like a sponge-y lump under your skin that you can manipulate easily with your fingers. Most lipomas are painless but, if they have a healthy supply of blood or are crowding a nerve, they can cause some discomfort. Lipomas grow at a gradual rate over time, but they tend to stay smaller than a couple of inches in diameter. You can have one or multiple lipomas, and they can grow anywhere on your body. While they mostly affect the middle-aged to senior population, anyone can get them, and a family history increases your risk of having them.

Can They Be Removed?

Since a lipoma generally poses no health risks, removal by a surgeon is rarely needed. If you’ve found a lump on your body, you should always have it checked by your physician, so they can determine whether it’s a lipoma, cyst, or another anomaly. If your lipoma is causing you pain, worry, or distress, let your physician know. Removal is possible, and they can refer you to an experienced surgeon for treatment. Depending on their size and placement, lipomas can be removed through liposuction or surgery. After removal, you’ll need to follow proper wound care instructions, but the lipoma should not come back.

If your lipoma needs to be removed by an experienced surgeon, turn to Lincoln Surgical Group PC for help. Since the 1930s, they’ve focused on providing quality surgical services for conditions like breast cancer, colorectal cancer, abdominal aneurysms, and lipomas. They offer minimally-invasive laparoscopic procedures when possible to minimize discomfort, risks, and scarring. They also provide preventive care, such as colonoscopies, and wound care for burns and non-healing wounds. See their offerings online, and call (402) 483-7825 to schedule an appointment in the Lincoln, NE, area.