Will the removal of a lipoma leave a scar?

Written by He Zong Quan

General Surgery

Updated on May 23, 2025

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The removal of a lipoma generally does not significantly affect wound recovery, as the incision for a lipoma is a clean cut with no infection or contamination. However, some patients may develop significant scarring not due to infection but due to their scar-prone nature. Over time, the scarring from such cuts does not decrease in these patients, and corrective cosmetic surgery might be necessary to address the prominent scars. Therefore, it is important to consult with patients before lipoma surgery to determine if they are prone to scarring. If not, normal lipoma removal does not usually leave noticeable scars.

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Written by Zhang Peng

General Surgery

47sec

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What is lipoma surgery?

The necessity of surgery for lipomas depends on their location. Lipomas are commonly found on the limbs. Whether surgery is needed depends on the size, location, and impact of the lipoma on the body. Surgery is generally recommended for lipomas that are particularly large or symptomatic. The surgical procedure involves excision followed by a pathological examination, as there is still a possibility that some lipomas could be liposarcomas, especially when located on the limbs, where such cases are more common. Therefore, for lipomas with significant symptoms and prominent manifestation, surgical removal is usually advised.

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Written by Zhang Peng

General Surgery

42sec

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Lipoma surgery cost

Small lipomas are generally treated on an outpatient basis in some top-tier municipal hospitals, including local anesthesia. The cost of anesthesia generally ranges from 200 to 300 yuan. However, this depends on the size and location of the lipoma. If the lipoma is in a special area or is relatively large, the surgery costs may increase. It also depends on whether the lipoma is a liposarcoma. If liposarcoma cannot be ruled out, then further extensive excision during hospitalization is needed after a pathological examination. Thus, the cost of the surgery for removing the tumor will depend on the specific condition.

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Written by Ma Xian Shi

General Surgery

43sec

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How is lipoma treated?

Lipoma is a common disease in our clinical practice. Most lipoma patients have a benign tumor, which is a tumorous mass of normal fatty tissue, commonly found on the limbs and trunk, with clear boundaries, lobulated, soft in texture, possibly pseudo-cystic, painless, slow-growing, and some may be very large. For deep lipomas that may have the potential for malignancy, timely surgical removal is necessary. For small lipomas, we generally observe them periodically. If the tumor is large and affects normal life or aesthetics, surgical removal can be considered. For deep lipomas, where there is a suspicion of malignant transformation, timely surgery is advisable for treatment.

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Written by Zhang Peng

General Surgery

45sec

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Do lipomas need surgery?

Lipomas do not necessarily require surgical treatment. They can occur in various parts of the body and are usually characterized by good mobility, a complete capsule, no tenderness, a firm texture, and mostly clear boundaries. They often present no clinical symptoms and are found incidentally. Diagnosis can be confirmed through ultrasonography. In most cases, patients only need follow-up observation. However, for lipomas in special locations, if they affect appearance or grow rapidly causing symptoms, surgical treatment may be considered. After a complete excision, pathological examination is necessary because a very small number of cases may turn out to be liposarcomas, which might require further treatment.

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Written by Ai Bing Quan

General Surgery

30sec

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How to prevent lipomas

For the prevention of lipomas, it is first necessary for patients to strictly control their weight. This is because if there is an excess of fat in the body, it is very easy for lipomas to form. Therefore, it is recommended that patients maintain a light diet in everyday life, avoiding the intake of too much high-fat and high-cholesterol food. They should eat more fresh vegetables and fruits, maintain a pleasant mood, relieve worries, avoid emotional tension, and regularly participate in exercise.