Is surgery recommended for lipomas?

Written by Zhang Peng
General Surgery
Updated on April 10, 2025
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Whether lipomas need surgical treatment often depends on the location, size of the lipoma, and whether it causes related clinical symptoms. If the lipoma grows too fast during observation, is in a special location, or severely affects appearance, surgical treatment can be considered. Alternatively, if the lipoma shows evident symptoms like localized redness, pain, surface itchiness, and uneven surfaces, timely color ultrasound re-examination should be done as malignancy cannot be ruled out, and timely surgical removal and biopsy are necessary. Thirdly, if the lipoma grows too quickly and causes compression symptoms, damaging other organs, surgical treatment should also be considered. Generally, lipomas are benign lesions, but there is also a possibility that they could develop into liposarcomas, which should be confirmed based on postoperative biopsy.

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Can lipomas be treated with moxibustion?

Lipomas are relatively common subcutaneous tumors that often occur on the limbs and trunk. They consist of fatty tissue and generally do not present clinical symptoms. Patients with lipomas can undergo moxibustion treatment, a traditional Chinese medical practice that is beneficial for health. However, moxibustion does not treat lipomas, and it does not cause lipomas to shrink or disappear. Clinically, the only way to remove a lipoma is through surgical excision.

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How to prevent lipomas

For the prevention of lipomas, it is first necessary for patients to strictly control their weight. This is because if there is an excess of fat in the body, it is very easy for lipomas to form. Therefore, it is recommended that patients maintain a light diet in everyday life, avoiding the intake of too much high-fat and high-cholesterol food. They should eat more fresh vegetables and fruits, maintain a pleasant mood, relieve worries, avoid emotional tension, and regularly participate in exercise.

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What is lipoma surgery?

The necessity of surgery for lipomas depends on their location. Lipomas are commonly found on the limbs. Whether surgery is needed depends on the size, location, and impact of the lipoma on the body. Surgery is generally recommended for lipomas that are particularly large or symptomatic. The surgical procedure involves excision followed by a pathological examination, as there is still a possibility that some lipomas could be liposarcomas, especially when located on the limbs, where such cases are more common. Therefore, for lipomas with significant symptoms and prominent manifestation, surgical removal is usually advised.

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Do lipomas hurt when pressed?

For most lipomas, there is no pain when pressed. Lipomas are formed due to excessive proliferation of subcutaneous fat, with clear boundaries and very good mobility, and there is no pain upon pressing. If the lipoma is small or there are multiple lipomas, there is no need for excessive attention or surgical treatment in everyday life. Of course, excessive massaging or rubbing should be avoided. If pain occurs when pressing the lipoma, or if the lipoma is relatively large and grows significantly in a short period, surgical removal should be considered. Generally, the lipoma can be completely removed under local anesthesia.

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Lipoma surgery cost

Small lipomas are generally treated on an outpatient basis in some top-tier municipal hospitals, including local anesthesia. The cost of anesthesia generally ranges from 200 to 300 yuan. However, this depends on the size and location of the lipoma. If the lipoma is in a special area or is relatively large, the surgery costs may increase. It also depends on whether the lipoma is a liposarcoma. If liposarcoma cannot be ruled out, then further extensive excision during hospitalization is needed after a pathological examination. Thus, the cost of the surgery for removing the tumor will depend on the specific condition.