Lipoma Removal - Would Surgery Require an Overnight Hospital Stay?

Question

I have a lipoma on the back of my neck and am planning on having it removed.  Can I leave the hospital the same day as the surgery or would I have to stay overnight?

Shahram Salemy, MD, FACS · Answer

Unless there is some underlying medical reason that the doctor would want to observe you overnight, or if the lipomas are quite large, you would most likely be able to go home the same day. It's hard to know without examining you first, but in most cases this is an outpatient procedure.

Lewis Albert Andres, MD · Answer

Lipomas are best served being surgically excised.  This will significantly reduce the possibility that it will return.  Depending on the size and location, they may be removed under simple local anesthesia and possibly in the office.  I would discuss the options with a plastic surgeon who can examine you and discuss the options and procedure.  Almost routinely they are outpatient procedures.  There are other things that this soft tissue mass may be and it is wisest to have it examined prior to consideration for any surgical excision.Liposuction, although an option, is not a great modality due to the recurrence rate as well as not knowing what this mass actually is.  Steroids is not an honored treatment for lipomas.  Cost will vary upon the examination of the mass, location and complexity of the mass, and will increase if done at a surgery center and use of anesthesia.  Thank you for your question.  Hope that his helps!

Robert M. Lowen, MD · Answer

Some lipomas invade the underlying muscle fascia or arise deep between muscles. These require careful surgery and could involve an overnight stay. But the smaller, superficial lipomas that are by far the most common, are just under the skin. In my practice, these are office procedures done under local anesthesia and some oral sedation. 

	Since I use the Smartlipo Triplex laser to help remove the lipoma, the approach is through two, 3 mm incisions, not a longer incision. This helps the recovery as well as avoiding the longer scar.

	When asked specific questions about an area such as the neck, the answer is that the doctor would have to evaluate that lipoma in person to make an accurate answer.

William Ting, MD · Answer

Almost all lipoma removal should be able to be performed in an outpatient setting. Delayed recovery from general anesthesia (e.g. fluid overload in the lungs) would be the only reason to have an overnight hospital stay from an outpatient procedure such as lipoma removal. Therefore, always ask your plastic surgeon or dermatologic surgeon if surgical procedures can be done without general anesthesia.

Darrick E. Antell, MD, FACS · Answer

I don't recall ever having a patient stay in a hospital after removal of a lipoma.  In most cases I perform the surgery in our own on-site accredited facility under only local anesthesia.  You can drive yourself home.

	Tips on selecting a plastic surgeon can be viewed by watching the video below:

Kevin Brenner, MD, FACS · Answer

I have removed many lipomas from the back of the neck and it is almost always a straightforward procedure. I have never had a patient who required admission to a hospital for this.

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

Most lipoma removals will be performed on an outpatient basis with the patient leaving the operating room and surgery center the same day as the procedure. I often perform these procedures in a clinic setting with local anesthesia.

Gregory Turowski, MD, PhD, FACS · Answer

Usually, lipoma removal can be done under the local anesthesia in the surgeon's office, sometimes depends on the lipoma size the operating room is required. Patient can return home on his own shortly after the procedure is done. The only important restriction is to avoid talking any aspirin and products containing the aspirin or Vitamin E at least 10 days prior the procedure to avoid additional bleeding.

Steven H. Williams, MD · Answer

Typically lipoma removal can be done on an outpatient basis.  In my San Francisco area practice many times we can remove lipomas in our procedure room under local anesthesia.
I hope this helps.

Ron Shelton, MD · Answer

Lipomas may be above the muscle and underneath the skin. It can then be more readily removed in the office. Some are below the muscle and can still be removed in the office but are also treated in the hospital or surgical center. Some patients might need to stay overnight if a drain is temporarily placed but that depends on the extensiveness of the procedure and the surgeon. Many large lipomas are removed in the office with a small incision and the recovery typically is very smooth, with no overnight stay!

Robert W. Kessler, MD, FACS · Answer

Generally speaking removal of a lipoma is an outpatient surgery sone under local anesthesia and you will be able to go home sortly after the surgery. The specifics of your medical condition and the location of the lipoma may alter that but I doubt it.
You should definitely consult with a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon who can advise on the best way to proceed with your surgery.

Lipoma Removal - Would Surgery Require an Overnight Hospital Stay?

Answers (22)

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