Lipoma Removal in Birmingham
Consultant-led lipoma assessment and removal in Birmingham and Solihull
At Midland Skin we offer Lipoma Removal treatment for patients in Birmingham, Solihull, Coventry, Wolverhampton, Worcester and the Midlands.
Quick Facts about lipoma removal
Best for
Benign fatty lumps
Anaesthetic
Local anaesthetic
Duration
30-60 minutes
Recovery
10-14 days
Consultant
Dermatologist or Surgeon
Price
See below
What is a lipoma?
A lipoma is a lump of fatty tissue that develops under the skin. It is usually soft, but may be firm and squidgy, and may move slightly if it is pushed in one direction or another.
Lipomas are benign and non-cancerous. They develop in normal, healthy people for no particular reason. Some people are prone to lipomas and may have more than one, and sometimes lipomas run in families.
Once a lipoma has developed, it will not go away on its own, because it is a collection of fat cells. Lipomas can occur almost anywhere, including the forehead, scalp, neck, arms, legs and body.
When is it worth having a lipoma assessed or removed?
Many lipomas can simply be left alone. Specialist assessment, and removal where appropriate, is worthwhile when:
- You do not like how it looks – particularly on the forehead, neck, arms or other visible areas
- It has grown or become prominent – lipomas are much simpler to remove when they are smaller
- It is uncomfortable or tender – or catches on clothing, straps or belts
- It is in an awkward or sensitive area – where a lump interferes with daily life
- The diagnosis is not certain – cysts, lymph nodes and other lumps can mimic a lipoma, and removal allows the lump to be analysed
- You have several lipomas – more than one can often be removed in a single session
Craig Dixon
Is it definitely a lipoma?
Most lipomas can be recognised by a specialist from their feel and appearance. However, other lumps under the skin can mimic a lipoma, including cysts, lymph nodes and, rarely, fatty tumours that are not benign. UK sarcoma guidance advises that any soft tissue lump that is increasing in size or larger than 5 cm should be assessed with an ultrasound scan, whether or not it is painful.
At Midland Skin, your consultant will ask you to have an ultrasound scan before surgery if the lump is deep, larger than 3 cm, growing or painful, or is on the head or neck. Sometimes an MRI scan is also required. The scan confirms what the lump is and helps plan the operation.
Forehead lipomas are frequently mistaken for cysts. They usually sit under or between the muscle of the forehead, and an ultrasound scan is usually required before surgical removal.
Every lipoma removed at Midland Skin is sent for histology, where the tissue is examined under the microscope. This is because other lumps under the skin, which could be cancerous, can occasionally mimic a lipoma. In the unlikely event that a scan or histology raises concern, you will be referred promptly to the appropriate specialist service.
Treatment pathway for lipoma removal
Skin surgery consultation
You meet a Consultant Dermatologist or Consultant Surgeon experienced in skin surgery, who examines the lump, confirms whether it is likely to be a lipoma and discusses whether removal is appropriate for you. Read more about skin surgery consultations.
Scan and treatment plan
An ultrasound scan, or occasionally an MRI, is arranged where needed to confirm the diagnosis and plan surgery. The procedure, scarring, risks and an accurate price are discussed. There is no obligation to proceed.
Lipoma removal
Carried out under local anaesthetic at a separate appointment, usually taking 30 to 60 minutes. The lipoma is sent for histology.
Follow-up
Any non-absorbable stitches are removed after 7 to 10 days and your histology result is confirmed. Further review is arranged where needed.
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How is a lipoma removed at Midland Skin?
Lipomas are removed by surgical excision while you are awake, using local anaesthetic injections. The skin overlying the lipoma is numbed using a local anaesthetic injection. Once numb, an incision is made as long as the lipoma. The lipoma is then removed and the wound is stitched together in a fine line. The scar is made as minimally obvious as possible. Stitches may be absorbable or they may be removed in 7 to 10 days after surgery.
Larger or deeper lipomas, and lipomas under the forehead muscle, take longer and are planned using your scan. We are able to treat 1 to 4 lesions per session, depending on the location and size of the lesions.
Scarring, risks and recurrence
A scar following lipoma removal is usually a fine line that is as long as the lipoma that was removed. How the scar settles depends on its position, the size of the lipoma and your skin’s healing tendency.
Risks of any surgery include a scar, a small risk of infection and a small risk of bleeding or bruising. If a lipoma lies close to a nerve, there is a risk of nerve damage which could cause numbness. This is discussed at your consultation where it applies.
Recurrence is uncommon after complete removal, but is more likely for deep or intramuscular lipomas or where fatty tissue is left behind. A recurrent lipoma can be removed again. People who are prone to lipomas may develop new ones elsewhere; these are separate lipomas rather than a recurrence.
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Your lipoma removal: practical FAQs
Will a lipoma go away on its own?
No. A lipoma is a collection of fat cells, so once it has developed it will not go away on its own. Many lipomas can simply be left alone once they have been assessed. If it bothers you, removal is the only way to get rid of it.
Who will carry out my lipoma removal?
A Consultant Dermatologist or Consultant Surgeon experienced in skin surgery. You meet your consultant at your consultation, so you know who will be treating you.
Do I need to stop any medication before surgery?
Usually not. Please tell us if you take blood-thinning medication such as warfarin, apixaban, clopidogrel or aspirin, as this may affect planning. Do not stop any medication without advice.
Will the procedure hurt?
The local anaesthetic injection stings briefly. Once the area is numb you may feel pressure or tugging but not pain. Mild soreness afterwards usually settles with simple painkillers such as paracetamol.
Can I drive home, and do I need someone with me?
Most patients can drive home after a small lipoma is removed under local anaesthetic. Please arrange for someone to drive you if the lipoma is large, is on the face, or is in a position where the wound or dressing could compromise your ability to drive.
Will I have a dressing, and can I shower?
A splash-proof dressing is applied so you can still have showers. Keep the area clean and dry otherwise, and follow the written aftercare advice you are given. Avoid soaking the wound in a bath or pool until it has healed.
When can I return to work and exercise?
People can usually return to an office job the next day. Stitched wounds take 10 to 14 days to heal, so be generally restful through this period.
Wait 14 to 28 days before swimming, watersports, exercise where you will sweat or where clothing rubs against the healing wound, heavy lifting and stretching, and saunas and steam rooms.
When will I get my histology result?
We will contact you with your histology result once it is available and let you know if anything further is needed.
Fees for lipoma removal
Lipoma removal Show pricing
Book ConsultationInitial surgical assessment
Lipoma removal – Face/Head/Neck less than 1cm
Lipoma removal – Face/Head/Neck 1-2cm
Lipoma removal – Face/Head/Neck 2-3cm
Lipoma removal – Body less than 2cm
Lipoma removal – Body 2-3cm
Lipoma removal – Body 3-4cm
Lipoma removal – Body 4-6cm
Review consultation
Standard, up to 20 minutes
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Ready to get started? Book a consultation with our team at Midland Skin. Friendly, expert advice tailored to you.
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References used for this article
- Gerrand C, Amary F, Anwar HA, et al. UK guidelines for the management of soft tissue sarcomas. Br J Cancer. 2025;132(1):11–31. doi:10.1038/s41416-024-02674-y.
- National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. Suspected cancer: recognition and referral. NICE guideline NG12. 2015, updated 2023.
- Copeland-Halperin LR, Pimpinelli PJ, Copeland M. Combined liposuction and excision of lipomas: long-term evaluation of a large sample of patients. Plast Surg Int. 2015;2015:625396. doi:10.1155/2015/625396.
About the Author
This page has been written and/or medically reviewed by Dr Sajjad Rajpar, Consultant Dermatologist and Medical Director of Midland Skin, Birmingham.
Dr Rajpar is on the GMC Specialist Register in Dermatology and has over 20 years’ experience in clinical dermatology. He provides clinical oversight to ensure the information on this page is accurate, balanced and consistent with current dermatology practice.
Dr Sajjad Rajpar
Date last updated: 28th Sep 2026
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Expert, consultant led care in dermatology, skin surgery, eyelid surgery, lasers and aesthetics.
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