Lipoma removal

A lipoma is a benign tumour made up of fatty tissue. Lipomas predominantly occur in the neck and head region but can also develop in other parts of the body, where they feel like moveable knots under the skin. In most cases, these indurations do not cause any issues. Nevertheless, many people with lipomas decide to have them removed for aesthetic reasons.

We offer lipoma removal in Düsseldorf to all patients who are troubled by these knots and wish to have them removed for aesthetic reasons. Lipomas can sometimes also cause complaints, such as when they cause pain by exerting pressure on surrounding areas. This is another instance when surgical removal may be worthwhile.

If you would like to have a lipoma removed, our specialist doctors will start by conducting a thorough initial examination. They will then discuss potential treatment options with you. The rest of the treatment and the treatment date will then be planned with you.

Depending on the size and location of the lipoma, the removal procedure takes around an hour. In most cases, the tumour is removed in a surgical procedure. The surgeon makes an incision in the skin and removes the lipoma along with the surrounding capsule of tissue. They then suture the wound and apply an adhesive bandage.

Depending on their number, size and composition, it may also be possible to remove lipomas through liposuction. In this case, the outer shell of the lipoma is left in place, which can result in fat accumulating in the shell again. However, this method can be suitable for patients with numerous lipomas as it does not cause any scarring. The doctor treating you will discuss whether this method would be suitable for you during the initial consultation.

Following lipoma removal, a histological examination can be carried out to exclude the risk of malignant changes.

There is very little preparation required on your part before lipoma removal surgery. However, you should stop taking any blood-thinning or anticoagulant medication before the operation. It is also important that you inform us of any allergies and pre-existing conditions before the procedure.

Following lipoma removal, we recommend getting plenty of rest. Recovery times vary depending on the part of the body treated during the procedure. If you experience slight wound pain, we can prescribe suitable painkillers. The first check-up appointment then takes place here in Düsseldorf a few days after the removal procedure.

As a general rule, patients are presentable immediately after the procedure. If your treatment is more extensive, you should allow yourself several days to recover. You can then start exercising again and carry out more physically strenuous tasks after 3 to 10 days. Exactly how long you should rest depends to a large extent on the treatment method used, the area of your body treated and the scope of the treatment.

Lipoma removal is a comparatively straightforward procedure with few risks. As with any operation, complications can occur in isolated cases, including secondary haemorrhages, nerve damage and wound healing deficits. However, such issues are exceptionally rare following lipoma removal.

The expected side effects of lipoma removal surgery include swelling and isolated bruising. In rare cases, asymmetries and indurations develop after the surgery. It is also not possible to entirely rule out the possibility of lipoma recurrence, though such instances are rare.

Generally speaking, health insurance providers will not cover the costs if it is a purely aesthetic procedure. Things might be different if the tumour is causing pain or other complaints. In this case, we recommend contacting your health insurance provider before arranging lipoma removal in Düsseldorf to clarify their preconditions for covering the costs.