Lipoma Removal In Singapore

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Dr Thng Yongxian

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

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

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.
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Dr Thng Yongxian

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).

Patient Reviews

I cannot possibly express how grateful I am for the compassionate care received by Dr Thng during my hospitalization. I was 20 hours away from flying back to the USA after a long work trip, and homesick already when diagnosed with acute appendicitis and a UTI. To say that I was nervous to undergo surgery so far away from home, friends and family is an understatement. He was expedient, attentive and thorough. He even took the time to text and call my husband back home multiple times to update him on my status. His infectious laugh, sense of humor and kindness helped to sooth my own frazzled nerves. I am so appreciative to have had Dr Thng as my surgeon.

Ms Tina Hunter

I was diagnosed for ampullory cancer in 2021. I am very thankful to Dr. Thng Yongxian who kept me calm when revealing the report to me. I really felt like God sent his angel to speak to me.He helped me overcome the operation. Dr. Thng said 3 things that I needed to do before the operation....Stay positive, exercise n eat well, have faith in God. He even gave me his handphone number incase I need to consult him when home. Indeed the 8 hrs operation was a success n I am able to write this testimonial, living a normal life. Finally, its still God who works all things good for those who love Him... Romans 8:28.

Mdm Tang K H

I recently underwent gallbladder stone removal surgery performed by Dr. Thng, and I am impressed with the quality of care I received during this process. Dr. Thng demonstrated exceptional professionalism and expertise throughout my entire experience. From the initial consultation to the post-operative care, Dr. Thng explained the procedure in great details, answered all my questions, and alleviated my concerns and ensuring that I fully understood each step of the process. His compassionate and caring demeanor put me at ease, making me feel confident in his abilities. The outcome of the procedure was beyond my expectations. Dr. Thng successfully removed all my 3 gallstones, and I experienced a smooth recovery process. I am grateful for his expertise and the care I received under his supervision. Overall, my experience with Dr. Thng was exceptional. I highly recommend him for his professionalism, compassion, and outstanding surgical skills. Thank you, Dr. Thng for your excellent care.

Mr Low LT

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    +65‎ 9838‎ 5827

    Our Clinic Locations

    Nexus Surgical @ Mt. Alvernia

    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

    Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

    Can Skin Lipomas come back after removal?

    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.

    What is the difference Between a Lipoma and a Liposarcoma?

    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.

    Are Lipomas worth removing?

    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.

    How painful is lipoma removal?

    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.

    +65‎ 9838‎ 5827