Lipoma Removal in Qatar, Your Ultimate Guide - Al Siraj Medical Center
If you have developed Lipomas, and want to get rid of them, then you've certainly come across the right blog post. By the end of this, you'll learn about the Lipoma removal procedures, benefits, and everything in between.
Lipoma Removal in Qatar, Your Ultimate Guide - Al Siraj Medical Center
What is Lipoma?
A lipoma is a round or oval-shaped lump of tissue that develops under the skin. It grows slowly, is noncancerous, and is harmless, so it doesn't necessarily need to be treated. However, doctors can recommend removal in some situations.
Lipomas can appear anywhere on the body, but they develop mostly on the upper back, shoulders, arms, neck, and trunk, and they rarely develop on the thigh and calf.
What are the symptoms of a Lipoma?
As we said, Lipomas are painless and noncancerous. However, sometimes, they can cause discomfort, especially if they press against a nerve or appear near a joint. Individuals will barely notice symptoms.
Here are some of the common signs:
- Lipoma is encapsulated, which means it doesn't spread to the tissues surrounding it.
- Lipoma shape is typically round or oval shaped.
- Most lipomas do not cause pain unless they press against nerves or grow near joints.
- Because they are located just beneath the skin, lipomas can be easily moved with slight pressure or when touched.
- Lipomas grow very slowly over months or even years.
- Lipomas often develop on the neck, shoulders, back, abdomen, arms, and thighs.
- Lipomas are usually small, ranging from 1 to 3 centimeters in diameter.
What Causes a Lipoma?
The exact cause of lipomas has yet to be really understood by healthcare providers. But several factors are believed to contribute to their development, including:
- Genetic Predisposition: Genetics plays a significant role in the development of lipomas. If you have a family history of lipomas, you are more likely to develop them yourself.
- Age: Lipomas are more common in middle-aged adults, typically appearing between the ages of 40 and 60. and are very less common in children.
- Injury: In some cases, lipomas can develop after a minor injury or trauma to a specific area of the body, although this is not a common cause.
- Hormonal Factors: Hormonal changes may also be one of the causes of lipoma development.
- Medical Conditions: Certain medical conditions are associated with an increased risk of developing lipomas. These include:some text
- Dercum's Disease: A rare disorder that causes the growth of painful lipomas, mainly on the arms, torso, and legs, which you can also hear referred to as Adiposis Dolorosa.
- Madelung's Disease: This condition is more likely to happen for individuals who regularly consume alcohol. It involves the accumulation of abnormal fat, often developing multiple lipomas, particularly in the upper body.
- Gardner's Syndrome: A genetic disorder that can cause multiple benign tumors, including lipomas.
Who's a Candidate For Lipoma Removal?
You've heard it before, but we'll say it again: Lipomas generally don't need to be removed. Your doctor may recommend surgery only if your Lipoma is:
- Getting bigger in size
- Causing you pain and discomfort
- Deranging you aesthetically
Types of Lipoma Removal Procedures
There are several methods for removing lipomas, depending on their size, location, and the patient's overall health, and here are the most recurrent ones:
Steroid Injections
Steroid injections are a noninvasive technique that shrinks lipomas without removing them entirely. This method is less common and often reserved for small lipomas. So, it's not considered a permanent solution since the lipomas can regrow or develop in other areas of the body.
Surgical Excision
Surgical excision is the most common and effective technique for removing lipomas, as it guarantees complete removal with a very low chance of regrowth.
The procedure is relatively simple. A surgeon will first administer local anesthesia (though larger lipomas may require general anesthesia), then start by making an incision over the lump. After that, he'll reheat the fatty tissue, and then the stitched incision will be closed.
That said, one of the side effects of surgical excision can be potential scarring and a longer recovery time.
Liposuction
This second method is less invasive. It involves inserting a thin, hollow tube (cannula) through a small incision to suction out the fatty tissue.
Liposuction is particularly useful for larger lipomas or those located in cosmetically sensitive areas like arms or legs. Compared with surgical excision, liposuction will cause slight scarring and minimal downtime.
However, lipomas have higher chances of recurrence, as not all fatty cells may be removed.
What to Expect During and After the Procedure
Pre-Procedure
Patients usually undergo a physical examination and, in some cases, imaging tests like an ultrasound or MRI to assess the Lipoma and choose a suitable removal technique.
During the procedure
The expert dermatologist administers local anesthesia (or general anesthesia if the Lipoma is big) to numb the specific area. Then, they start performing the selected removal technique.
Post-Procedure
Recovery time varies depending on the method used. For surgical excision, patients might need a few weeks to fully heal, while liposuction typically has a faster recovery period. It's also crucial to follow post-operative care instructions to prevent any potential infection and accelerate the healing process.
Lipoma Removal, Side Effects and Complications
Lipoma removal is generally very safe, but as with any invasive procedure, it can have some potential risks, including:
Infection
As with any surgical procedure, there is a risk of infection at the incision site.
Scarring
Surgical excision can leave behind some scarring, which might be a concern for certain patients, especially if the scarring is located in cosmetically sensitive areas.
Recurrence
There is a small chance that the Lipoma may regrow, especially if not all fatty tissue is removed.
Final Words From Al Siraj
Thus, we reach the end of it—the blog post, we mean, not Lipoma removal side effects!
Of course, our expert dermatologists will help you remove your Lipoma, and booking your appointment at Al Siraj Medical Center is not as tough as you think. Just fill in the appointment form, and our friendly team will contact you in no time.
If you have inquiries, feel free to ring us at +974 44493666.
Thanks for reading till the end!
Lipoma Removal FAQs
- Is it worth getting Lipoma removed?
In most cases, there is no usual need for treatment. However, if the Lipoma bothers you, is painful, or is getting bigger in size, your doctor might recommend that it be removed.
- How painful is lipoma removal?
If the local anesthetic is applied, You should not experience any pain during the surgery.
- At what size should a Lipoma be removed?
All lipomas in the upper limbs that exceed 5 centimeters in any dimension should be surgically removed because of the potential risk of malignancy.
- What happens when Lipoma is removed?
Potential side effects after lipoma removal include scarring and bruising. However, with a technique known as minimal excision extraction, patients experience less scarring.
