Lipoma excision removes a benign fatty lump under the skin to relieve discomfort or improve appearance. Learn more and find the right surgeon that fits your needs below, serving Canadians in major cities like Vancouver, British Columbia; Calgary, Alberta; Toronto, Ontario; and Montréal, Québec.
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Informational purposes only, not medical or legal advice. Please consult your doctor or surgeon.
Lipoma excision is a minor surgical procedure where a lipoma—a soft, usually painless, benign lump made of fatty tissue under the skin—is removed.
Lipomas commonly appear on the neck, shoulders, back, arms, thighs, or torso. They tend to feel rubbery, move slightly under the skin, and grow slowly over time. While most are harmless, some become uncomfortable, noticeable, or confusing to diagnose without removal.
In a lipoma excision, the surgeon makes a small incision over the lump, gently separates the lipoma from the surrounding tissue (it’s often encapsulated), and removes it—usually in one piece. The incision is then closed with stitches. The goal is to remove the lump completely, relieve discomfort or cosmetic concern, and—when appropriate—send it to pathology to confirm it’s benign.
This procedure is usually considered when the lump is growing, painful or tender, restricting movement, located in an irritating spot, or when there’s any uncertainty about the diagnosis.
Time matters when a lump is growing, painful, catching on clothing, or constantly on your mind. Instead of waiting months for a consult and procedure slot, private clinics can often book excision within weeks. That means less time with discomfort or irritation—and faster closure if you want it checked by pathology.
You know exactly who will remove it, when, and what the plan is. Clear timelines and an itemized quote make it easier to arrange time off, transportation (if needed), and follow‑up visits. Many people also value the ability to get a pathology result sooner.
Lipoma excision is usually a short outpatient procedure. Many removals take 20–60 minutes depending on the lipoma’s size, depth, and location. Expect to be at the clinic or day surgery unit for a few hours total (check‑in, procedure, and short recovery).
Most lipomas are removed with:
You should not feel sharp pain—mostly pressure or tugging.
Your exact recovery plan comes from your surgeon, but here’s the general idea. Recovery depends on the lipoma’s size, depth, and location (e.g., back vs. face vs. near a joint). The main goals are to protect the incision, prevent fluid build-up, and minimize scarring.
Lipoma excision is usually a minor outpatient procedure, so pricing is often closer to “in‑clinic surgery” than full operating-room surgery. Costs vary mainly byLipoma excision is a minor soft-tissue procedure, so costs are generally lower than major surgeries—but they vary widely based on size, depth, location, and complexity.
Typical range: $300–$3,000 per lipoma
Typical range: $1,500 - $6,800+
Most private quotes bundle:
Often billed separately or handled elsewhere:
Choosing your surgeon is one of the benefits of going private. Here’s how to choose wisely for lipoma excision.
Ask about:
Make sure you’ll get:
Lipoma excision is usually not the first step if a lump is clearly a benign, stable lipoma. It’s something you and a clinician consider when the lipoma is bothering you, changing, or uncertain.
Excision is often recommended when:
Some lipomas are harmless but create constant anxiety or self-consciousness. If it’s affecting your peace of mind and the surgeon agrees it’s safe to remove, excision can be a reasonable choice.
Surgery may not be right now if:
Before jumping to excision, see a clinician promptly if the lump is:
If a lump is clearly a lipoma but it’s painful, growing, irritating, limiting your movement, cosmetically bothersome, or causing uncertainty, lipoma excision can be a reasonable next step. The decision should be made with a surgeon who explains the trade-offs—scar, infection/bleeding risk, possible numbness, and the recovery plan.
No, you do not need a referral for private lipoma excision in Canada. You can book a consultation directly with a surgeon, and they will review your condition, symptoms, and any previous treatments or diagnostics.
Your surgeon will give you a plan that fits you, but here’s the basic roadmap. Good prep helps reduce bleeding, infection risk, and makes the day smoother.
Your situation depends on the lump’s size, location, symptoms, and how confident your clinician is that it’s a simple lipoma. Most lipomas are benign and can be safely observed—but there are a few real downsides to delaying or not removing one. Consult your doctor or a surgeon for a better understanding of your situation.
Most “lipomas” are harmless, but if a lump is not clearly a lipoma, delaying evaluation (and possible removal/biopsy) can delay diagnosis of a more serious condition. This is why changing or atypical lumps should be assessed.
Delaying excision often makes sense if the lump is:
In that case, monitoring and taking note of size/symptoms is common.
You and your clinician should take a closer look (often with imaging or referral) if the lump is:
Every surgery has risks. Your personal risk depends on your overall health, the lipoma’s size/depth/location, and how well you follow wound-care instructions. Review your specific situation with your doctor or surgeon.
These are annoying but expected for many people:
These happen less often but are important to know about:
Rare, but you should know they exist:
You can’t get risk to zero, but you can help:
Contact your care team or seek urgent help if you notice:
If you still have questions, then feel free to contact us directly.
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