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MBBS
MMed
MRCS (IRE)
FRCSED
FAMS
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.
The types of lipomas include various classifications based on the nature of their tissue makeup.
The most common type of lipoma consists of mature white fat cells or white adipose tissue.
Contains brown fat instead of white fat, which helps regulate body temperature and keep the body warm in cold conditions.
Contains a mix of fatty tissue and fibrous tissue, which can make it feel firmer than other types of lipomas.
Contains fat and a significant amount of blood vessels, often causing tenderness or pain due to the excess blood vessels.
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.
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:
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 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.
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.
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.
Consult our dual fellowship-trained surgeon for a personalised treatment plan today.
Lipoma surgery is the standard procedure for lipoma removal. It can be performed through minimally invasive removal surgical methods. Here are the different types of lipoma surgery:
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.
1. Anaesthesia Administration
2. Incision Over the Lipoma
3. Removal of the Lipoma
4. Closure of Incision
5. Postoperative Care
6. Follow-up
Non-surgical options are available but are often ineffective.
Steroid injections can shrink or remove smaller lipomas. These injections work by stimulating the breakdown of the fatty tissue within the lipoma.
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.
Lipoma removal surgery offers several benefits:
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:
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.
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).
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820 Thomson Road, #06-05 ,Singapore 574623
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38 Irrawaddy Road, #08-43, Singapore 329563
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Sunday & PH: Closed
319 Joo Chiat Place, #05-01, Singapore 427989
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6 Napier Road, #05-10, Singapore 258499
Monday-Friday: 9.00am-5.00pm
(Lunch: 1.00-2.00pm)
Saturday: 9.00am-1.00pm
Sunday & PH: Closed
820 Thomson Road, #06-05 ,Singapore 574623
Monday-Friday: 9.00am-5.00pm
(Lunch: 1.00-2.00pm)
Saturday: 9.00am-1.00pm
Sunday & PH: Closed
Skin lipomas can come back after removal. Recurrence of lipomas is possible, especially if the excision was not done properly and residual fat cells were left behind. Factors like genetic conditions, incomplete removal during the initial surgery, obesity, and high alcohol consumption can contribute to the recurrence of lipomas.
Lipomas are benign, harmless growths, while liposarcomas are malignant tumours that require treatment to prevent progression and spread. Lipomas are typically painless and movable, whereas liposarcomas can cause symptoms related to the location and growth of the tumour.
Lipomas are typically benign, but you might choose to remove them if they cause discomfort or pain. Additionally, for aesthetic reasons, you might opt for removal if the lipoma is located in a visible area of the body. Should the lipoma grow rapidly, cause discomfort, or impact your mobility or daily activities, excision might be a consideration.
Lipoma removal is typically not very painful, especially when performed under local anaesthesia. The procedure is usually minimally invasive and done in an outpatient setting. Most people only require local anaesthesia to numb the treatment area, although sedation may be recommended for lipomas in sensitive areas or those that are particularly large. After the removal, some discomfort in the treatment area may be experienced for a few days, which can be managed with over-the-counter pain medications.