What is a Lipoma?
A lipoma is a benign growth of fat cells that develops just beneath the skin. They feel soft, doughy, and slightly moveable when pressed, and usually grow slowly over months or years. Most are painless.
Lipomas can appear anywhere on the body but most commonly develop on the shoulders, neck, back, arms, chest, and thighs. They range in size from a small pea to 10cm or more across. They're most common in middle-aged adults and have a slight tendency to run in families.
Lipomas are non-cancerous and generally harmless. In rare cases, a deeper lipoma can press on a nerve or sit in a confined space and cause genuine discomfort and very occasionally, a lump that looks like a lipoma turns out to be something else, which is why every lipoma we remove is sent for histology.
We may recommend removal of a lipoma if it is:
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Is causing pain, tenderness, or discomfort
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Is growing or has changed in appearance
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Is restricting movement or pressing on nerves
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Is in a visible area and affecting your confidence
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Is catching on clothing, jewellery, or seatbelts
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Has features that warrant further investigation to rule out other conditions
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How Does Lipoma Removal Work?
At Surgica Medical, we offer private lipoma removal in Exeter, performed by Dr Shakman. We provide fast access to appointments and a straightforward, same-day procedure under local anaesthetic.
Before we touch the skin, we map the lipoma's borders and depth and confirm it's mobile and safe for clinic removal. The incision is planned to follow your natural skin lines for the neatest possible scar. In rare cases where a lipoma is large, deep, or has unusual features, we may arrange an ultrasound scan first.
For lipoma and cyst removal, we use a specialised Field Block anaesthetic technique that numbs the deep tissues beneath the lump, not just the skin surface. This means you feel nothing during the dissection itself, most patients describe only a brief sting from the initial injection.
Using a blunt-dissection technique, we gently tease the lipoma away from the surrounding healthy tissue rather than cutting through it. For larger lipomas (over 5cm), we use a squeeze technique to extract the lump through a minimal keyhole incision, often removing an 8cm lump through a 3cm opening. The lipoma is then sent for histology to confirm the diagnosis.
Once the lipoma is out, a small cavity remains. We close this internally in layers to prevent fluid collection and ensure a flat, smooth result. It's a step often skipped in rushed procedures, and the reason poorly closed wounds leave a dip or refill with fluid. The skin is then closed with your choice of dissolving stitches, standard sutures, or waterproof surgical glue.
You leave with a discreet dressing and full written aftercare. The area will feel numb for 2–4 hours, and the pressure dressing stays on for 24–48 hours. Most patients return to normal duties the next day, with heavy lifting avoided for 7–14 days. A 10-day follow-up is included, in clinic, by video call, or by photo via text.
Why Choose Surgica Medical for your Lipoma Removal?
Surgical Precision,
GP Care
Hospital-trained surgeon, with the care of a family doctor.
Hospital Standards, Private Setting
Theatre-grade surgery in a calm, private clinic.
Premium Aftercare Included
Cosmetic closure and minimal scarring as standard.
Skip the NHS
Waiting List
No referral needed. Book a consultation directly.
Frequently asked questions
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