Is there another way to remove or dissolve lipomas?

Question

I have multiple lipomas, some large some small. Is there a cream or something other than surgery to dissolve them? I currently have no insurance and am not able to have them removed surgically at this time. Just curious. They are on my side, forearms, and upper thigh. I am very self conscious about them because of their prominence.

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

Lipomas are benign fatty tumors that occur under the skin and less commonly within the muscle. They are associated with mild discomfort and a lump underneath the skin. It is always best to talk to an expert plastic surgeon to determine whether the lipoma is possibly a cyst or a tumor or hernia. We would have to remove the lipoma to be sure that it is not something else and we usually do this by sending it to a pathologist for evaluation. If a lipoma is painful, then an exam is needed to make sure it is not compressing on a nerve or whether the diagnosis is different. Aftercare for a lipoma includes gentle compression and Plato’s Scar Serum twice daily on the wound.

Best,
Dr. Karamanoukian
Realself100 Surgeon

Best, 
Dr. Karamanoukian
Realself100 Surgeon

Nelson Castillo, MD · Answer

Thank you for sharing your question.  Though considered an off-label use of the product, Kybella can be injected into the lipoma to dissolve its fat and make the mass less noticeable.  The draw back to this treatment is you can not ensure complete removal of the lipoma to prevent its recurrence.  Hope this helps.

Barbara L. Persons, MD, FACS · Answer

The only way to remove a lipoma is surgery. Depending on the size and location, it can be very simple or more complex. Sometimes they tend to recur. A mass that is growing quickly, is firm or different, should be seen by a physician immediately.

Hratch Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

Creams do not dissolve lipomas. The gold standard technique is surgical excision and pathologic evaluation.Best H Karamanoukian MD FACS

Karthik Ram, MRCS, DNB · Answer

Hi thanks for your query,non surgical options will only soften and reduce in size .surgical option is the best ,here we do  use an highly innovative technique in removal with minimal scars,do see the video link below for further info.

Leslie Memsic, MD, FACS · Answer

I wish there were more options for lipoma removal then surgical excision but that remains the best option for now. Steroid injections can reduce the size of a lipoma temporarily but never permanently. Kybella is an enzyme that dissolves fat but it is extremely expensive and causes severe swelling initially. It may be an option in some patients but the cost and reaction to the drug precluded usage on multiple lipomas. liposuction is reserved for single large lipomas in specific places and because it does not remove the mass completely, generally results in recurrence. Complete removal of the mass with the smallest incision possible is best way to permanently remove a lipoma. It also allows one to send the mass to pathology to definitively rule out malignancy.  Good luck and take care.

Is there another way to remove or dissolve lipomas?

Answers (6)

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