Lipoma Treatment in Bangalore
What is Lipoma?
A lipoma is a soft, slow-growing, non-cancerous lump made of fat cells. It usually forms under the skin and feels rubbery or dough-like when touched.
They are generally harmless, but they can grow larger, become uncomfortable, or affect appearance. In such cases, removal is recommended.
Dr. Varun Kumar J provides safe and effective lipoma removal in Bangalore using minimally invasive techniques that ensure quick recovery and excellent cosmetic results.
Symptoms
The primary symptom of a lipoma is a soft, rubbery lump under the skin. These lumps are typically painless and move easily when touched. However, in some instances, they can cause discomfort or pain if they press on nearby nerves or tissues. Other symptoms may include:
- A soft, movable lump under the skin
- Painless swelling (pain may occur if pressing on nerves)
- Slow growth over months or years
- Lump feels rubbery, smooth, or dough-like
- Usually appears on neck, shoulders, back, arms, or thighs
Do You have any of these Lipoma Symptoms?
Causes
The exact cause is not fully known, but likely factors include:
- Overgrowth of fat cells
- Genetics or family history
- Minor injuries to the area
- Hormonal or metabolic factors
- Certain medical conditions like lipomatosis
When to See a Doctor
Visit a doctor if you experience:
- Sudden increase in size of the lump
- Pain or tenderness
- Redness, infection, or warmth around the area
- Difficulty with movement due to lump location
- Multiple lipomas developing over time
- Hard or fixed lumps (could be a different condition)
Seeing a doctor early ensures an accurate diagnosis and prevents complications.
Risk Factors of lipomas
You may be at higher risk of developing lipomas if you have:
- A family history of lipomas
- Age between 30–60 years
- Obesity
- High cholesterol
- Certain hereditary syndromes
- Repeated injuries to soft tissues
Diagnosis of lipoma
Diagnosing them is usually simple and painless. The doctor first checks the lump by feeling its size, shape, and mobility. They are typically soft and move easily under the skin.
To confirm the diagnosis and rule out other conditions:
- Physical Examination:
The doctor evaluates whether the lump is soft, movable, and painless — all common signs of a lipoma. - Ultrasound Scan:
This helps show whether the swelling is made of fatty tissue. It also rules out cysts, abscesses, or solid tumors. - MRI or CT Scan (If needed):
These scans are used for deep-seated or unusually large lipomas. They help determine the exact size, depth, and relationship to nearby muscles or nerves. - Biopsy (Rare):
A small tissue sample may be taken if they looks unusual, grows rapidly, or feels hard. This is to rule out liposarcoma (a rare cancerous tumor).
Most them can be diagnosed confidently with just a physical exam and ultrasound.
Treatment
Most of them are harmless and do not always need treatment. However, removal is recommended when they becomes large, painful, infected, or affects appearance or daily activities.
- Surgical Removal (Excision) – Gold Standard
- The doctor makes a small cut over the lipoma.
- The entire lump, including its capsule, is removed to prevent regrowth.
- This method gives a permanent solution with minimal recurrence.
- Usually done under local anesthesia, so the area is numb but you stay awake.
- Procedure time is 15–30 minutes depending on size and location.
- Stitches may be used, and recovery is quick with minimal scarring.
- Minimal-Incision Technique
- A small cut is made and the lipoma is squeezed out.
- Leaves a very tiny scar.
- Ideal for visible areas like face, arms, or neck.
- Liposuction-Assisted Removal
- A thin cannula is used to suction out the fatty lump.
- Useful for slightly larger or multiple lipomas.
- Less scarring and quicker recovery
- May not remove the capsule fully, so small chance of recurrence exists.
- Steroid Injections (Rare)
- Shrinks the lipoma temporarily but does not remove it.
- Used only for very small lipomas or patients who cannot undergo surgery.
Recovery After Treatment
- Most patients go home the same day.
- Mild soreness or swelling is normal for 1–2 days.
- Normal activities can be resumed in 24–48 hours.
- Follow-up ensures proper healing and checks for recurrence.
Treatment choice depends on the size, depth, and location of the lipoma, as well as cosmetic preference.
FAQs
No, lipomas are benign (non-cancerous) tumors and do not become cancerous.
Lipomas typically do not go away on their own and may require removal if they cause discomfort.
There is no proven method to reduce a lipoma naturally; surgical removal is the most effective treatment.
There is no specific diet to prevent lipomas, but maintaining a healthy diet and weight can be beneficial.
Lipomas are usually soft and doughy to the touch, and they can move slightly under the skin.
