Will losing weight make a lipoma shrink at all?

Question

My doctor said he wouldn’t remove my lipoma because it wasn’t necessary. He also said if I lost 10 or 20 pounds the size would go down significantly, is this true?

Darrick E. Antell, MD, FACS · Answer

Lipomas should be removed as I have never seen or heard of one shrinking and they frequently get bigger, push on nerves and ultimately cannot be diagnosed completely without the pathologist looking at the specimen.

*Opinions stated here are only opinions. They are not based on a clinical exam which is recommended.*

Carlos Ayala, MD, FACS · Answer

Lipomas don't go away on their own.  They do get bigger with weight gain and time. 
Surgical excision or Kybella injection are your current options.
Find a Board certified surgeon and schedule a consultation

Stephen T. Greenberg, MD, FACS · Answer

Hi there and thanks for your question! In my opinion, the only way to get rid of a lipoma is surgical removal, which can be done under local anesthesia depending on the size and location.  In addition, lipomas tend to grow as you age rather can get smaller and I don't think weight loss will cause the lipoma to shrink.  I recommend seeing a plastic surgeon for an in-person consultation.  Best of luck!

Michael I. Echavez, MD · Answer

I have not noticed any lipomas getting smaller as a result of weight loss in my patients.  In my experience, the only way to completely remove them is with surgery.

Jeremy S. Hurren, BSc, MBBS, FRCS (Plast) · Answer

In my experience weight loss often does not affect lipomas which 'appear' or become more obvious with weight loss.Surgical removal is the best approach if you want a lipoma removed.Good luck

Will losing weight make a lipoma shrink at all?

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Answer: Will losing weight make a lipoma smaller?

Answer: Will losing weight make a lipoma smaller?

Answer: Weight loss and lipomas

Answer: Weight loss and lipomas

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Everything you need to know about Lipoma Removal

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Will losing weight make a lipoma shrink at all?

Answers (5)

Answer: Will losing weight make a lipoma smaller?

Answer: Will losing weight make a lipoma smaller?

Answer: Weight loss and lipomas

Answer: Weight loss and lipomas

Browse related questions

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Lipoma Removal

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.