Lipoma Removal

What is a lipoma?

A lipoma is a slow-growing lump of fatty tissue located under the skin. It feels soft and moves easily under gentle pressure.

How is a lipoma diagnosed?

Dr. Shafa can diagnose a lipoma simply by feeling it. Lipomas are doughy, not attached to surrounding tissue, and usually painless.

Do I need to have my lipoma removed?

Lipomas are harmless and don’t always require removal. However, Dr. Shafa may recommend removal if:

The diagnosis is uncertain.
The lump is growing rapidly.
There are multiple lipomas.
It’s large, unsightly, or cosmetically bothersome.

What is the best treatment option?

Surgical removal is the best and most effective treatment. The procedure is:

• Quick and pain-free.
• Typically removes the entire fatty lump in one piece.
• Prevents recurrence at the same site.
• Allows for a pathology review if needed.

How is a lipoma surgically removed?

Dr. Shafa will answer all your questions and obtain your consent. The area is cleaned, marked, and numbed with a local anesthetic. A tiny incision (much smaller than the lipoma itself) is made. The fatty tissue is carefully extracted—imagine a slippery fish sliding through a net! The incision is then closed, leaving minimal scarring.

Is laser an option for lipoma removal?

No. While lasers can thin out fat layers (e.g., under the chin or abdomen), they are not effective for removing lipomas. Laser treatment is invasive, costly, and does not remove the lump.

Can Kybella dissolve a lipoma?

Not effectively. While Kybella can reduce fat volume, it doesn’t permanently remove the lipoma. It requires multiple treatments, has a long downtime (about two weeks), and can be painful and costly.

Is the procedure painful?

Not at all! The area is completely numbed before the procedure. Even after the anesthesia wears off, pain is minimal to nonexistent.

Will the lipoma come back?

No, in most cases, a properly removed lipoma does not return.

How long is the recovery time?

Typically, 1–2 weeks, depending on the size and location of the lipoma.

Who performs the surgery?

At OC MedDerm, all skin surgeries are performed by Dr. Shafa, a skin surgeon with 30 years of hands-on experience in lipoma removal and other cosmetic procedures.

Want a Consultation?

• We offer complimentary consultations for cosmetic lipoma removal.
• If you have a lump that concerns you or need a medical diagnosis, schedule an appointment for a full evaluation.
• We accept all PPO health insurances and Medicare.

Contact us

Feel free to ask a question or call us (949) 551-1113 to make an appointment for a medical visit.