How Much Does Lipoma Removal Cost?
Lipoma removal costs $1,875 on average, according to 157 reviews from RealSelf members. However, the price can range to as much as $5,775.
Lipoma surgery removes benign (non-cancerous) fatty tissue tumors through excision or liposuction, either for cosmetic reasons or to reduce pain. Lipomas are the most common soft tissue tumor found in body areas like the chest, arms, armpits, shoulders, neck, and thighs.
Here, we break down exactly what affects the cost of lipoma treatment, if it’s covered by insurance, and whether or not real patients think the result was worth the money.
What does the cost include?
During your consultation with a surgeon, ask for an all-in cost quote that includes:
- Lab work and medical tests like CT scans or a biopsy
- The surgeon’s fee
- Facility fees for the hospital or surgery center
- Anesthesia fees
- Any follow-up appointments
- Prescription medications and supplies you’ll need post-op
If any of those costs aren’t included in your doctor’s estimate, you’ll still need to factor them into your total budget.
For other important questions to ask at a consultation, see our guide to Choosing the Right Surgeon for You.
Is lipoma removal covered by insurance?
If your lipoma is causing you pain, irritation, or other issues, your insurance plan may consider the procedure medically necessary and approve coverage.
“If there is pain, then [removing the lipoma] is a medical necessity and should be covered by insurance,” says Mountain View, California, plastic surgeon Dr. Robert Lowen. “Even in the typical case of multiple lipomas that are more of a cosmetic than medical problem, we often find that patients get some insurance coverage.”
Contact your insurer to find out what kind of medical documentation you’ll need to provide, to get your coverage approved. Also keep in mind that insurance may cover only a portion of the procedure, so you’ll need to work with your surgeon’s staff to determine your out-of-pocket cost.
If the lipoma is benign and not causing any complications or discomfort, removing it will likely be deemed an elective cosmetic procedure, which wouldn’t be covered.
Are lipoma removal results worth the price?
Lipoma removal has an impressive 96% Worth It Rating from RealSelf members, so most reviewers think their results were worth the price they paid.
Many satisfied reviewers say that the removal was relatively easy, and that it completely eliminated their discomfort. One reviewer even said that the removal significantly improved his quality of life.
Among the few reviewers who weren’t happy, common complaints were visible scarring or experiencing an infection post-procedure.
Even though most lipomas are benign, they can still cause pain and affect nerves, joints, or blood vessels, along with other complications.
Lipomas can also be confused with liposarcoma (a lipoma in a lymph node), so getting your lipoma examined (at the very least) is certainly worth the cost.
While surgical removal is the main treatment option for lipomas, some doctors have started to use Kybella (which is FDA-approved to reduce submental fat under the chin) off-label to dissolve the fat cells within this benign tumor. Kybella may end up costing less, and it’s less invasive than lipoma removal surgery, but it’s not a viable option for everyone.
Kybella also comes with its own risks and side effects—most notably, significant and prolonged swelling—and the injectable typically requires multiple sessions.
If a lipoma is bothering you, schedule a consultation with an experienced dermatologist or plastic surgeon, who can discuss your removal options and provide a personalized cost quote.
What affects the cost of lipoma removal?
Beyond insurance coverage, the biggest factors that can affect the cost of removing a lipoma include:
1. Your provider's credentials and level of expertise
An experienced board-certified dermatologist or plastic surgeon who is in high demand for their expertise will likely charge more for their time, while those with less training and fewer years of experience will charge more reasonable prices.
This is considered a low-risk procedure, but it’s still possible to have a poor aesthetic result, such as scarring or contour irregularities. So even if cost is a significant concern, make sure that you’re choosing a board-certified physician, who has a solid track record of positive patient reviews and can show you before and after photos of their own patients.
2. Where your surgery is performed
Your surgeon’s own private surgical center may charge a lower facility fee than a hospital operating room, though if your procedure is covered by insurance, you may be required to have it in a hospital.
Medical practices operating in cities with higher costs of living typically charge more, though costs can vary even by ZIP code, so it can be worthwhile to get more than one personalized cost quote so you can compare.
3. The type of anesthesia you have and who administers it
Most lipomas can be removed with local anesthesia. This can be administered by your surgeon or a member of their staff, which makes local anesthesia the most affordable choice. If you’re feeling anxious, your provider may also offer you oral sedation.
To remove large lipomas or a significant number of them, your surgeon may recommend local anesthesia with IV sedation (sometimes called twilight anesthesia) or general anesthesia.
Either local anesthesia with IV sedation or general anesthesia must be administered by a board-certified anesthesiologist (an MD) or a nurse anesthetist (a CRNA), who will charge their own fee for their services. A CRNA will charge less, but some surgeons prefer to work with an anesthesiologist for added safety, especially if the patient has an underlying health condition.
In this situation, you’ll also have to pay for a hospital or facility anesthesia fee, which covers the cost of supplies, medications, and any additional staff.
4. The complexity of your procedure
If you need a very large lipoma or multiple lipomas removed, your procedure will take more time than a simple procedure, which will impact your total bill.
Can you finance a lipoma removal surgery?
Yes, most practices offer payment plans or accept financing options.
The CareCredit credit card is widely accepted by providers across the U.S., for both plastic surgery and nonsurgical procedures.