Laurie in IA

Hi. I feel your pain. I've had over 200 removed myself and it is a difficult thing to explain to others (especially those with just one or two lipomas) just how debilitating having so many can be.
I've had dozens done 'a few at a time' as well as 3 bigger surgeries under general anesthesia where they've taken out many. After the first big surgery I woke up with 144 staples that they had used to close the incisions. (I would not recommend staples as they don't seem to heal as well as sutures.)
Lipomas which are painful (yes, they sure can be painful!!!) are usually the only ones that insurance companies will approve to have removed. I have no family history of them and I now have a daughter that has found a few.
I have used general surgeons, as well as dermatologists to remove them. I do think the dermatologist did a better job, but she also didn't do any of my bigger surgeries.
I frequently look for answers to this plight myself, and there just doesn't seem to be any. There are a lot of theories, but no hard and fast rule that gives any indicators as to cause or prevention.
Good luck my friend. You are not the only one in this boat!