A lipoma is a benign fatty lump under the skin — usually harmless, but worth removing when it grows, aches, restricts movement, or simply bothers you. At Fayetteville Dermatology, Dr. James Prezzano removes lipomas under local anesthetic in a single office visit, with every specimen confirmed by pathology.
What Is a Lipoma?
A lipoma is a slow-growing collection of fat cells that forms a soft, rubbery, movable lump under the skin — most often on the trunk, shoulders, neck, arms, or thighs. They're most common between ages 40 and 60, usually painless, and benign. Some people develop several; multiple lipomas can run in families.
Lipoma, Cyst, or Something Else?
A cyst tends to sit closer to the surface, feel firmer, and often shows a small central opening; a lipoma sits deeper and feels soft and doughy. More important are the features that deserve a closer look before removal: rapid growth, firmness, pain, or a lump that feels fixed or unusually deep. Truly concerning fatty tumors are rare, but they exist — which is why lumps with those features may get imaging first, and why every removed lipoma goes to pathology.
When to Remove a Lipoma
- It's growing, or large enough to be visible
- It aches or is tender when pressed or leaned on
- It interferes with movement, clothing, or seatbelts
- You'd like certainty about the diagnosis
How Lipoma Removal Works
Removal is done under local anesthetic in our Fayetteville office and usually takes 30-45 minutes. Dr. Prezzano makes a small incision — typically shorter than the lipoma itself — frees the lipoma from the surrounding tissue, and removes it whole. The site is closed with sutures placed for the neatest possible line, and the tissue goes to pathology. Sutures come out in 1-2 weeks depending on location.
One honest caveat: very large or unusually deep lipomas, or those near important structures, may need imaging first — and occasionally are better handled in a surgical facility. If that's your situation, Dr. Prezzano will tell you plainly and point you in the right direction rather than force a poor fit.
Aftercare and Healing
- Days 1-2: Keep the site covered and dry; minor soreness is normal.
- Until healed: Gentle cleansing, petrolatum, fresh bandage daily.
- 1-2 weeks: Sutures removed. Most patients return to normal activity the next day, avoiding heavy strain on the area for about 2 weeks.
- Scarring: a thin line that fades considerably over the first 6 months.
Why Fayetteville Dermatology for Lipoma Removal
An expert exam before anything is removed, surgical technique from a fellowship-trained Mohs surgeon whose daily work is precise excisions and closures, and pathology on every specimen. Appointments are typically available within a week.
Frequently Asked Questions
Most removals take 30-45 minutes in the office. Most patients are back to normal activity the next day, with sutures out in 1-2 weeks depending on location.
Usually yes when the lipoma is painful, growing, restricting movement, or when the diagnosis needs confirmation. Purely cosmetic removals may not be covered — we'll quote the cost up front either way.
Recurrence is uncommon after complete removal. New lipomas can appear elsewhere, though — some people are simply prone to them, and multiple lipomas can run in families.
No — it's done under local anesthetic. You'll feel a pinch from the numbing injection and some pressure during the procedure, but no pain.
Lipomas are typically soft, movable, slow-growing, and painless. Features that deserve a closer look include rapid growth, firmness, pain, or a lump that feels fixed or deep — those may warrant imaging before removal. The exam at your visit sorts this out, and every removed lipoma is confirmed by pathology.
Schedule Your Mohs Consultation
If you've been diagnosed with a skin cancer — or your primary care provider or another dermatologist has recommended Mohs surgery — we typically have appointments available within the same week.
We accept most major insurance plans including Aetna, BCBS, Cigna, United Healthcare, and Medicare.
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