Lipomas are soft, fatty lumps that develop beneath the skin. Many remain small and painless for years, while others become larger, more noticeable, uncomfortable or simply bothersome because of where they are located.
For patients considering removal, the practical questions are usually straightforward: Is the lump definitely a lipoma? Does prior imaging matter? Can it be removed safely? Will there be a scar? And can assessment and removal happen during the same appointment?
At our Newmarket clinic, lipoma removal is performed by Dr. Victoria Hayward, Chief of Plastic Surgery at Southlake Regional Health Centre and a board-certified plastic surgeon with extensive experience in minor procedures and scar management. Lipoma removal is one of several minor procedures offered at our clinic. PSSC also sees patients from surrounding communities and the broader region.
What is a lipoma?
A lipoma is a benign growth of fatty tissue that develops beneath the skin.
Lipomas are often soft and moveable, but not every lump beneath the skin is a lipoma.
That is why assessment matters, particularly when a lump is new, changing, painful, unusually firm, growing quickly, fixed in place or otherwise behaving differently.
If a lump has already been investigated by ultrasound or another imaging study, that information can be helpful during the consultation.
What if I already had an ultrasound?
Many patients arrive with imaging that has already suggested the lump is consistent with a lipoma.
Please provide any available ultrasound report or other relevant imaging information.
After requesting a consultation, you can upload reports and images through the secure patient portal so they can be reviewed as part of the assessment.
Prior imaging can be particularly useful for larger or deeper lipomas, but it does not replace Dr. Hayward's own clinical assessment.
Why people choose to have a lipoma removed
Some lipomas are removed because they are painful or become uncomfortable with pressure, clothing or movement.
Others are removed because they continue to enlarge or because they are prominent in a visible area.
A lipoma near the collarbone, neck, shoulder, arm or another visible location can create a different concern from one in a less visible area: the appearance and placement of the scar may matter almost as much as removing the lump itself.
The decision to remove a lipoma therefore takes into account the lump itself, its location and the patient's goals.
What actually happens during lipoma removal?
The first step is assessment.
Dr. Hayward will consider the lump's size, depth, location, symptoms, previous imaging and relationship to surrounding structures.
If removal is appropriate, the proposed approach and pricing are discussed before anything is performed.
The area is numbed using local anesthetic.
An incision is then made over or near the lipoma, the fatty lump is carefully removed, and the skin is closed with sutures where required.
The exact technique varies based on the individual lipoma.
A small superficial lipoma may be quite different from a larger, deeper growth or one located near important structures.
Dr. Hayward has performed thousands of minor procedures over the course of her practice, and the treatment plan is based on the individual lump rather than applying exactly the same approach in every case.
Large or painful lipomas
Large or painful lipomas can often be removed, but the procedure may be more involved.
Size, depth, location, symptoms and proximity to surrounding structures can all influence the recommended approach.
If a lump is growing quickly, unusually firm, fixed or otherwise atypical, additional investigation may be appropriate before removal.
Lipomas in visible areas
The location of the incision matters, particularly when a lipoma is in a visible or cosmetically sensitive area.
Dr. Hayward considers not only how to remove the lipoma, but also how the incision is placed and how the skin is closed.
Any surgical procedure can leave a scar.
The final appearance of the scar depends on factors including the lipoma's size and depth, its location, the incision required and the way the patient heals.
Our Advanced Medical Aesthetician is also available before and after treatment to discuss scar-management strategies, including topical products that may support healing and help improve the appearance of the scar over time.
Can multiple lipomas be removed at the same appointment?
Often, yes.
How many lipomas can reasonably be removed at once depends on their size, depth, location and the amount of surgical work required.
We appreciate that most patients prefer to address multiple concerns in one visit where possible.
When medically appropriate, multiple lipomas can often be treated during the same appointment.
Multiple lipomas are priced together rather than simply charging the full individual rate for each one.
Can a lipoma come back?
Recurrence after complete surgical removal is not common, but it can occur.
Some people may also develop new lipomas in other areas of the body over time.
If a lump returns in the same area after removal, it should be reassessed.
Dr. Hayward will review the area and any previous treatment history and discuss the appropriate next step.
How much does lipoma removal cost?
Lipoma removal at our clinic starts at $450.
The final cost depends on the lipoma's size, depth, location, procedure required and whether multiple lipomas are being treated.
The recommended treatment and pricing are reviewed before anything is performed.
No procedure is performed until the treatment plan and cost have been discussed and the patient has agreed to proceed.
Can assessment and removal happen during the same visit?
In many cases, yes.
Dr. Hayward can assess the lump and, where medically appropriate, remove it during the same appointment.
We appreciate that most patients prefer to avoid an unnecessary second visit and aim to accommodate that whenever possible.
If further imaging or investigation is appropriate, that will be discussed before treatment.
What happens after lipoma removal?
Patients receive wound-care instructions before leaving the clinic and written aftercare instructions by email.
If sutures are used, patients are told whether they dissolve or need to be removed.
Instructions may also cover showering, activity, dressings, signs of infection or delayed healing and when follow-up is appropriate.
Our Advanced Medical Aesthetician is available to discuss scar-management strategies as the incision heals.