Lipoma removal at Waverley Park is charged at a from £550 per lipoma, irrespective of size. An initial consultation costs £50, which is deducted from your treatment fee if you go ahead. Histological analysis is included. Suture removal can be done here or at your own GP. Please contact us directly for current procedure fees, which are confirmed at your consultation. Read our full breakdown in our guide to lipoma removal costs.

The procedure is performed under local anaesthetic, so you should not feel pain during the removal itself. You may feel a brief stinging sensation when the anaesthetic is first injected, and some pressure or movement as the lipoma is dissected free — but no sharp pain. Mild soreness and bruising for a few days afterwards is normal and usually managed comfortably with standard over-the-counter pain relief. Read more about pain during lipoma removal.

Most lipoma removals take between 30 and 60 minutes from start to finish. Smaller, superficial lipomas can be completed in around 30 minutes. Larger or more deeply situated lipomas require longer — this is discussed at your consultation so you know exactly what to expect on the day.

True benign lipomas do not transform into cancer. However, a rare malignant tumour called a liposarcoma can clinically resemble a lipoma and is impossible to distinguish with certainty on examination alone. This is the primary reason we always send removed tissue for histological analysis — it provides definitive confirmation of what was removed. Read more about lipomas and cancer risk.

There is no fixed rule, but most patients seek removal when a lipoma reaches 2–5 cm and becomes noticeable or bothersome. From a clinical perspective, smaller lipomas are simpler and quicker to excise, so removing a lipoma while it is still manageable makes practical sense. Any lipoma that is growing rapidly, causing discomfort, or has any concerning features warrants earlier assessment regardless of size. Read our detailed guide on lipoma size and removal.

Recurrence is uncommon when a lipoma has been completely excised, including its capsule. Waverley Park GPs aim for complete surgical excision as standard practice. Occasionally a lipoma may partially recur if a fragment of capsule is left behind — this is more likely with larger, irregular, or deeply situated lipomas. We will advise you at consultation if there are any factors that might affect the completeness of excision. Read more about lipoma recurrence.

Most patients recover fully within one to two weeks. You can generally return to light daily activities — including desk work — on the same day. We advise avoiding strenuous exercise and heavy lifting for 2–3 weeks to protect the wound while it heals. Sutures are removed at 7–14 days — either at Waverley Park or at your own GP surgery, whichever suits you best. Read our full recovery guide.

For many people, yes. Lipomas rarely cause medical harm, but they can cause real discomfort — physically, if pressing on nerves, and psychologically, if affecting confidence or body image. Removal provides a permanent solution with a low risk of recurrence, and the added reassurance of histological confirmation. The decision is ultimately personal — your consultation is the right place to weigh up the pros and cons for your specific situation. Read our detailed take on whether removal is worthwhile.

The exact cause of most lipomas is not fully understood. They are more common in people aged 40–60 and tend to run in families. Hormonal changes, certain medications, and metabolic conditions have also been proposed as contributing factors. Read more about what causes lipomas.

At Waverley Park, we perform surgical excision only. This involves making an incision over the lipoma, dissecting it free, and removing it in one piece including its capsule — giving the most complete removal and allowing the full specimen to be sent for histological analysis. Liposuction and minimal-scar techniques are offered at some other clinics: liposuction removes lipoma contents through a small cannula leaving a smaller scar, but the specimen cannot be reliably sent for histology and recurrence rates are higher. We use surgical excision because it gives the best clinical outcome and the certainty of full histological analysis. Read our full guide to lipoma removal techniques.