What to expect with costs (willing to pay OOP), procedure, turnaround from thigh lipoma removal?

Lipomas can be removed under local anesthesia in the office. It usually costs $1,000. You may want to get an ultrasound done to make sure it is a lipoma and it is not involving any nerves or muscles.

Best Wishes,

Gary Horndeski, M.D.

An ultrasound would be a reasonable approach to determine the exact location of the mass. They are usually superficial to the muscle but it would be nice to know the size and depth before embarking on the excision. Typically, lipomas are removed in the office under local anesthesia with the option of oral sedation. The procedure usually takes about 1 hour. Ideally, absorbable sutures are placed so that no suture removal is required afterwards. A light compression dressing is placed over the surgical site. We encourage light compression / support garment over the area for about 2 weeks. We also recommend about 2 weeks off exercise although this can vary depending on your healing. We see patients back in the office the next day for a check up. If they are from out of town we usually have them stay a few days and then the follow-up right before they return home. All other follow-ups are virtual and would be at one week, one month, and three months.

Hello,

Thank you for your question.

The cost of lipoma removal (OOP) varies. Depending on the size of the mass, sometimes imaging such an ultrasound can be recommended.

Downtime varies depending on the location, but typically 2 weeks is recommended in terms of avoiding strenuous exercising to allow sufficient time for wound healing.

I would seek an in-person evaluation by the plastic surgeon, in order to discuss your goals and concerns for the best cosmetic results.

I hope this helps.
Best regards, Dr. Karanetz.

Dr. Irena Karanetz
Fellowship-Trained
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

Thank you for your post. Lipoma removal is relatively painless and most can be removed with local anesthesia in the office with return to work that day. Depending on the location and size, some time off from marathon training may be best so that your body can heal appropriately. I do not charge for followup appointments, and sometimes these can be done by Zoom call. The cost of surgical removal will vary from region to region, and a good estimate can be found on Real-self which states the average cost is around $1600 probably for smaller, non complicated/deep ones. Imaging may be useful in some cases to help with precise location and evaluation of the characteristics of the mass as well. It is best to see a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon to review your options and treatment plan.
Sincerely,
Dr. Benjamin J. Cousins MD Board Certified Plastic Surgeon Miami/Miami Beach