Lipomas
A lipoma is a benign growth of fatty tissue that develops gradually in the subcutaneous fat tissue. Although these fatty tumors are usually medically harmless, they often cause cosmetic concerns or physical or functional symptoms.
If you’d like to have a lipoma removed, our dermatology practice in Frankfurt am Main offers a procedure that minimizes tissue damage and leaves minimal scarring. Learn here how lipomas develop and how we surgically remove them.
What is a lipoma, and how does it develop?
A lipoma is a benign tumor of the subcutaneous fatty tissue. It consists of a cluster of fat cells enclosed by a connective tissue capsule. The lump usually feels soft to doughy, can be easily moved under the skin, and generally grows very slowly.
Symptoms: Lipomas are often painless. However, depending on their location and size, they can press on surrounding nerves, muscles, or blood vessels, causing local pain, a feeling of pressure, or limited range of motion.
Common locations: Lipomas occur particularly frequently on the neck, back, shoulders, arms, thighs, or abdomen.
Causes: The exact cause has not yet been conclusively determined by science. However, a genetic predisposition (familial clustering) plays a key role in many patients.
Important Note: Any new or noticeably growing skin lesion should always be evaluated by a dermatologist to definitively rule out malignant changes in the tissue (such as a rare liposarcoma) or other subcutaneous lumps.
Why is surgical removal the only effective method?
Lipomas do not disappear on their own. Wound ointments, massages, diets, or medication have no effect, since the tissue is isolated from normal fat metabolism by its capsule.
The indications for surgical removal include:
- Impact on Quality of Life: If the lesion is clearly visible and causes significant distress or a relevant impact on quality of life, surgical removal may be medically justified.
- Physical discomfort: Annoying pressure pain or chafing caused by tight-fitting clothing.
- Preventing Further Growth: Smaller lipomas require smaller incisions—the sooner the procedure is performed, the less noticeable the resulting scar will be.
Lipoma Removal in Frankfurt – The Process
As experienced dermatologists, we place the highest priority on medical precision, minimal tissue trauma, and a cosmetically pleasing scar when performing the surgical removal of skin lesions.
1. Initial Examination & Counseling
Before the procedure, we thoroughly examine the lesion by visual inspection and palpation (using ultrasound imaging if necessary). We will discuss the procedure with you in a transparent manner and answer all your questions.
2. The Outpatient Procedure
Lipoma removal is performed entirely on an outpatient basis at our practice in Frankfurt:
Local Anesthesia: The area is numbed with a local anesthetic. This makes the procedure virtually painless for you.
Surgical removal: The lipoma, along with its tissue capsule, is completely excised through a small incision in the skin. Removing the entire capsule is crucial to prevent recurrence at the same site. The area is then carefully sutured to ensure optimal wound healing.
Histological confirmation: The excised tissue is routinely sent for microscopic examination (histology) to definitively confirm that it is benign.
Potential Risks Associated with Lipoma Removal
The surgical removal of lipomas is one of the low-risk routine procedures in outpatient dermatology. Nevertheless, it is a surgical procedure in which, as with any skin surgery, minimal side effects may occur. These include minor post-operative bleeding, redness, bruising, or temporary numbness around the incision site, which usually subside quickly on their own. Thanks to our strict hygiene and sterility standards, infections or wound healing complications are extremely rare.
Aftercare Following Lipoma Removal
Careful post-operative care is the key to rapid, complication-free wound healing and a visually inconspicuous scar. After your outpatient procedure, we’ll provide you with clear recommendations for the days that follow:
Wound Care & Hygiene: During the first few days, a sterile bandage protects the small surgical wound from contamination and bacteria. Be sure to keep the wound dry. You can usually take a quick shower again after just a few days using a special waterproof bandage.
Recovery & Daily Life: You’ll be able to resume normal social activities immediately after the procedure. However, avoid strenuous physical activity and lifting heavy objects for the first few days to prevent pressure on the incision.
Suture Removal: If non-absorbable sutures were used, we will check the healing process during a brief follow-up appointment after about 10 to 14 days and remove the sutures.
Exercise & Recovery: You should avoid strenuous exercise, swimming pools, saunas, and tanning beds for about 2 to 4 weeks, until the layers of skin have fully healed.
Targeted scar care: Once the wound has completely healed, gentle scar creams and light massages help maintain the tissue’s elasticity. You should also protect the area from direct UV exposure during the first few months to prevent changes in the scar’s pigmentation.
Do you have any questions, or would you like to have a lipoma examined?
Have any bothersome lipomas professionally and safely evaluated. We would be happy to consult with you in person at our dermatology practice in Frankfurt am Main.