The lipoma develops beneath the skin, in the subcutaneous tissue, and consists of a soft, smooth-surfaced mass that can be moved upon palpation but is painless.
Lipomas occur more frequently in men than in women and are most commonly found on the upper part of the body.
Although a lipoma does not transform into a malignant tumor, it is advisable to remove it when it grows larger than 10 centimeters, when it presses on nerves or joints causing numbness or a sensation of heaviness, or when it creates a visible aesthetic concern. Removal is imperative if the lipoma becomes infected.
Plastic Surgeon Georgia Chorti has extensive experience in the removal of even large lipomas, achieving the smallest possible impact on the skin.
Lipoma removal is performed under local anesthesia at the clinic, unless its location or size requires, for safety reasons, an operating room setting and anesthesia.
In special cases where a lipoma is located in a hard-to-access area and surgical removal is not indicated, the doctor applies injectable lipolysis treatment. The substance phosphatidylcholine is used, which is derived from specially processed soy; when injected into the lipoma, it causes a reduction in its volume.
