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Lipoma Removal In Singapore

Dr Thng Yongxian

Hepatopancreatobiliary & General Surgeon
MBBS • MMed • MRCS (IRE) • FRCSED • FAMS

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What is Lipoma Removal?

Lipoma removal is a surgical procedure to remove lipomas, which are soft, fatty lumps that grow under the skin. Lipomas are generally harmless and do not require treatment unless they are growing, causing pain, or affecting a person’s self-esteem.

Types of Lipomas

The types of lipomas include various classifications based on the nature of their tissue makeup.

  • Conventional Lipoma
    The most common type of lipoma consists of mature white fat cells or white adipose tissue.
  • Hibernoma
    Contains brown fat instead of white fat, which helps regulate body temperature and keep the body warm in cold conditions.
  • Fibrolipoma
    Contains a mix of fatty tissue and fibrous tissue, which can make it feel firmer than other types of lipomas.
  • Angiolipoma
    Contains fat and a significant amount of blood vessels, often causing tenderness or pain due to the excess blood vessels.
  • Myelolipoma
    Contains a mixture of fatty tissue and tissue that resembles bone marrow and makes blood cells. It is one of the rarest types of lipoma.

Why Do You Need Lipoma Removal?

Lipomas are soft, fatty lumps that grow under the skin and are typically harmless. Symptoms are characterised by their texture, location, and potential discomfort. Here are the symptoms associated with lipomas:

  • Physical Characteristics: Lipomas feel soft and compressible to the touch.
  • Pain and Discomfort: Lipomas are painless, but some subtypes, such as angiolipoma, can be painful.
  • Growth and Mobility: Lipomas grow slowly over time, typically over months or years.
  • Location: Lipomas can occur anywhere on the body where fat cells are present, including the shoulders, chest, trunk, neck, thighs, and armpits.
  • Possibility of Malignancy: Liposarcoma can feel and present in similar ways to a lipoma. Hence it is crucial for a specialist to evaluate the lump.

Diagnosis of Lipomas

The diagnosis of lipoma typically involves a physical examination. During the examination, the doctor inspects the lump to determine whether it is a lipoma. If the lipoma is large or painful, further tests may be ordered to check for cancerous growths.

Ultrasound

 

Ultrasound can be a useful non-invasive tool to examine the soft tissue mass. It assesses the lipoma’s size, depth, and consistency, providing valuable information for diagnosis and treatment planning.

MRI

 

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) offers a more detailed view, particularly distinguishing lipomas from other soft tissue tumours. Its high-contrast resolution is beneficial in evaluating the fat content and the precise anatomical location of the lipoma.

Biopsy

 

In cases where the diagnosis is uncertain, a biopsy may be performed. This involves using a thin needle to extract a small tissue sample from the lump for microscopic examination. The characteristic features of lipomas, such as mature fat cells and thin fibrous septa, confirm the diagnosis.

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Surgical Options for Lipoma Removal

Lipomas are soft, fatty lumps that grow under the skin and are typically harmless. Symptoms are characterised by their texture, location, and potential discomfort. Here are the symptoms associated with lipomas:

Conventional Excision

Conventional excision is the most common type of surgery for lipoma. It’s a procedure where a doctor makes a small cut over the lipoma, which is a lump under the skin, and carefully removes it. It is carried out under local anaesthesia and is often conducted on an outpatient basis, allowing patients to return home the same day.

Step-by-Step Surgical Procedure

1. Anaesthesia Administration

The patient is administered local anaesthesia, ensuring they are pain-free throughout the procedure while remaining conscious.

2. Incision Over the Lipoma

The surgeon makes a small cut directly over the lipoma to access and remove it.

3. Removal of the Lipoma

The lipoma is carefully dissected away from the surrounding tissue and removed through the incision.

4. Closure of Incision

Once the lipoma is removed, the incision is closed with sutures to expedite proper healing.

5. Postoperative Care

The patient is given instructions on how to care for the incision site and may be prescribed pain relief medications if necessary.

6. Follow-up

A follow-up appointment is usually scheduled to monitor the healing process and to remove sutures if non-absorbable.

Non-Surgical Treatment Options

Non-surgical options are available but are often ineffective.

Steroid Injections

Steroid injections can shrink or remove smaller lipomas. These injections work by stimulating the breakdown of the fatty tissue within the lipoma.

Mesotherapy

Mesotherapy is a non-surgical treatment option that involves injecting a solution, often a mixture of phosphatidylcholine and sodium, into the lipoma to reduce its volume.

Benefits of Lipoma Removal Surgery

Lipoma removal surgery offers several benefits:

  • Relief from Discomfort:
    If a lipoma is causing pain or discomfort, its removal can provide immediate relief, improving the patient’s quality of life.
  • Aesthetic Improvement:
    Especially for lipomas in visible areas, surgical removal can enhance cosmetic appearance and boost self-confidence.
  • Prevention of Growth:
    Removing a lipoma eliminates the potential for its growth, which could lead to increased discomfort or complications if left untreated.
  • Improved Mobility:
    For lipomas that interfere with movement, especially those located near joints, removal can restore and improve mobility.

Recovery and Aftercare

Even though minimally invasive surgery typically has fewer complications, your body still requires time to heal properly. For 2 to 4 weeks after your surgery, it’s important to avoid heavy physical activities without your doctor’s approval. This includes:

  • Do not engage in heavy lifting, jogging, cycling, or similar activities that could strain the surgical area or disrupt healing.
  • Refrain from driving to prevent any strain from operating a vehicle and to reduce the risk of sudden movements that could affect the wound.
  • Avoid long trips or prolonged travel periods that could lead to extended sitting or standing, which might interfere with your recovery.
  • Follow your surgeon's instructions diligently for faster healing and optimal recovery.
  • Possibility of Malignancy: Liposarcoma can feel and present in similar ways to a lipoma. Hence it is crucial for a specialist to evaluate the lump.

Dr Thng Yongxian

Senior Consultant

HEPATOPANCREATOBILIARY & GENERAL SURGEON

MBBS (SG) • MMed (Surg) • MRCS (Ire) • FRCSEd (Gen) • FAMS (Surg)

Dr Thng Yongxian is a dual fellowship-trained Hepatopancreatobiliary & General Surgeon who has performed over 6000 surgical procedures.

  • Bachelor of Medicine & Bachelor of Surgery
  • National University of Singapore
  • Membership of the Royal College of Surgeons, Ireland
  • Master of Medicine, General Surgery, Singapore
  • Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons, Edinburgh
  • Fellow of the Academy of Medicine, Singapore

He pursued his subspecialty training in Hepatopancreatobiliary surgery first in the Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, Singapore General Hospital. Following this, he completed a clinical fellowship in Minimally Invasive Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery at Seoul National University Hospital in Bundang, South Korea.


Dr Thng set up and pioneered the Minimally invasive surgery program for his hospital in complex liver and pancreas cases. His surgeries were featured on live national television. His surgical videos have also been presented at international surgical conferences. He also pioneered the use of capsule colonoscopy for colorectal screening.


Dr Thng has served on various committees at hospital, cluster and ministry level. Dr Thng served as a member of the Ministry of Health (MOH) Laparoscopic cholecystectomy Clinician workgroup for value-driven care (VDC).

Corporate & Personal Insurance Plans

Navigating the financial aspects of healthcare can be overwhelming. Allow us to assist you with your insurance claims, enabling you to concentrate on recovery & getting well. Our friendly clinic staff is here to answer any questions you have about insurance or payment options.

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Nexus Surgical @ Gleneagles Medical Centre

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Nexus Surgical @ Mt. Elizabeth Orchard

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