Understand your options for a bothersome lump beneath the skin.
A lump beneath the skin can raise questions even when it doesn’t hurt. Fox Valley Plastic Surgery evaluates suspected lipomas and helps you decide whether monitoring or removal makes sense for your symptoms and goals.
Contact our team to arrange an evaluation with Jay Garrow, PA-C. We welcome patients from Oshkosh, Appleton, Neenah, Menasha, Fond du Lac and surrounding communities.
A lipoma is a common, noncancerous (benign) growth made up of fat cells that develop beneath the skin. Lipomas typically grow slowly and feel like soft, rubbery lumps that move slightly when pressed. Lipomas can develop almost anywhere on the body but are most commonly found on the neck, shoulders, back, abdomen, arms, and thighs. Most lipomas are harmless and do not require treatment. However, some patients choose to have them removed because of discomfort, increasing size, irritation, or cosmetic concerns.
Lipomas can vary in appearance and may be:
Lipomas develop when fat cells grow together and form a localized lump beneath the skin. The exact reason this happens is not fully understood, but several factors may contribute:
Unlike ordinary body fat, a lipoma is a distinct growth of fatty tissue. Lipomas can occur in people of any body weight and are not necessarily related to being overweight.
Unfortunately, there is no proven way to prevent lipomas from developing. Because genetics and other factors that are not fully understood may play a role, lipomas can form even in individuals who maintain a healthy lifestyle.
Important things to know:
Although most lipomas are harmless, any new or growing lump should be evaluated by a medical professional to confirm the diagnosis.
Not every lipoma requires removal. However, an evaluation may be recommended if the lump:
A lump that grows rapidly, is deep beneath the skin, or measures approximately 5 centimeters (2 inches) or larger deserves prompt medical evaluation to rule out other soft tissue conditions.
Although lipomas and cysts can both appear as lumps beneath the skin, they are different types of growths.
Lipomas are composed of fatty tissue and typically feel soft, rubbery, and movable beneath the skin. They usually grow slowly and rarely become inflamed.
Skin cysts are enclosed sacs beneath the skin that often contain keratin, a material produced by skin cells. Cysts may develop around hair follicles and can sometimes become red, swollen, inflamed, or infected.
Because these growths can look similar, a clinical evaluation is important to determine the appropriate treatment.
When a lipoma is completely removed, recurrence in the same location is uncommon. However, individuals who are prone to developing lipomas may develop new growths elsewhere on the body.
Complete surgical excision, including removal of the lipoma and its surrounding capsule when present, is a commonly used treatment approach.
At Fox Valley Plastic Surgery, our providers evaluate the size, depth, and location of the growth to determine whether office-based removal is appropriate. Our approach considers not only removal of the lipoma but also careful closure and healing.
Concerned about a lump beneath your skin?
Schedule a consultation with Fox Valley Plastic Surgery to have your growth evaluated, discuss removal options, and receive information about anticipated costs. Many appropriate minor procedures can be performed in the office using local anesthesia, and same-day appointments may be available.
Treatment begins with an evaluation of the lump’s size, location, depth, and symptoms. Our providers will determine whether removal is appropriate and discuss the best approach for your individual needs.
Office-Based Lipoma Removal
Many small, superficial lipomas can be removed during a convenient office visit using local anesthesia. A small incision is made to remove the fatty growth, followed by careful closure to promote proper healing and minimize scarring.
Operating Room Lipoma Removal
Larger lipomas, deeply positioned growths, or lipomas located near sensitive structures such as nerves or blood vessels may require removal in an operating room. Depending on the complexity and location, surgery may be performed under general anesthesia to provide greater comfort and allow for safe, precise removal.
Attention to Closure and Healing
Whether performed in the office or operating room, our providers consider incision placement, surrounding tissue, and appropriate closure techniques. Our goal is to remove the growth safely while minimizing visible scarring and supporting proper healing.
During your consultation, we will explain the recommended procedure, anesthesia options, anticipated recovery, and costs so you can make an informed decision about your care.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Bring your medication list and any biopsy reports. Tell us about blood thinners, allergies and previous healing problems.
Bruising, tenderness and swelling may occur after removal. Follow your instructions for dressing care, activity and follow-up. Light activity and strenuous exercise have different recovery requirements; ask when you can return to your usual work and fitness routine.
You will receive instructions specific to your care. Contact the office with concerns about worsening pain, redness, drainage or bleeding. Do not stop prescribed medications without instructions from your treating clinician.
Tell your provider about other growths or skin concerns you would like addressed. Whether treatments can be combined depends on the diagnosis, location, available time and healing needs.
We accept many insurance plans and offer self-pay options. Your insurance estimate depends on the evaluation, procedure, and size and location of the growth. Pathology fees, when applicable, are billed separately.
Medically necessary treatment may be covered, subject to your plan’s terms, deductible, copay and any authorization requirements. Cosmetic removal may not be covered. Verify your provider’s network status with your insurer.
Whether a consultation is considered medically necessary or cosmetic depends on the condition being evaluated and applicable insurance coverage.
Insurance-Based Consultations
For medically necessary conditions that may be covered by insurance, your consultation will be billed to your insurance provider. Applicable copays, deductibles, and coinsurance are the patient’s responsibility, based on their individual insurance plan.
Cosmetic Consultations
For cosmetic or elective procedures not covered by insurance, a $100 consultation fee is required. Consultation fees are non-refundable and are not applied toward the cost of treatment or procedures.
Performed by a Physician Assistant, a small lipoma under 2 cm starts at $375, while a medium lipoma 2-5 cm starts at $550. Complex closures add $100-300. Additional charge for face, neck, head, and hand. Prices assume uncomplicated office-based procedures under local anesthesia.
Discounted self-pay pricing are available when multiple lipomas are removed during the same appointment. The first lipoma is full price, the 2nd is discounted 20%, and the 3rd and additional ones are each discounted 30%.
How Is the Cost of Removal Determined?
The cost of surgical removal is based primarily on the size of the incision and final wound closure, not the size of the visible mole, cyst, or skin growth. In many cases, the incision must be larger than the growth itself to allow for complete removal and proper closure. Pricing may also vary depending on the location of the growth, the complexity of the procedure, the type of closure required, and the selection of provider. Additional charges may apply for facial procedures or those requiring layered or complex suturing. Our providers will evaluate your condition and provide a personalized cost estimate before proceeding with treatment.
Fox Valley Plastic Surgery combines experience in minor surgical procedures with an understanding of the cosmetic concerns that bring patients to our practice.
Our goal is to provide an appropriate, comfortable treatment experience while paying careful attention to healing and the appearance of treated areas.
Why Patients Choose Us
Schedule a lipoma evaluation with Jay Garrow, PA-C, and learn which removal options may be appropriate for you.
Jay combines nearly two decades of surgical and emergency medicine experience with a personalized approach to minor skin procedures. Since 2022, he has worked alongside our plastic surgeons, assisting in surgery and managing postoperative recovery. Special interests: Skin growth removal, cysts, lipomas, wound care, and surgical healing.
Insurance may cover lipoma removal when it is medically necessary, such as when the growth causes pain, interferes with movement, or creates other medical concerns. Removal performed solely for cosmetic reasons is generally not covered. Coverage varies by insurance plan, and deductibles or other out-of-pocket costs may apply. Fox Valley Plastic Surgery offers both insurance and self-pay options. Our team can help explain anticipated costs before treatment.
Most small lipomas can be removed using local anesthesia to numb the treatment area. Patients may feel pressure or movement during the procedure but should not experience sharp pain. Mild soreness, swelling, or bruising may occur afterward and usually improves within several days.
No. Most lipomas are benign, slow-growing, and do not require treatment unless they cause discomfort, interfere with daily activities, or create cosmetic concerns. However, a new, rapidly growing, firm, fixed, deep, or unusually large lump should be evaluated to rule out other conditions.
Recurrence is possible, although many surgically removed lipomas do not return. A new lump can also develop in another location.
We strongly recommend pathology examination of removed growths when a specimen is obtained. It helps confirm the diagnosis. Your provider will explain when testing is medically necessary and whether declining it is appropriate. The laboratory will bill separately; ask about charges before treatment.
Removing skin creates a wound, and healing creates a scar. Its appearance depends on the method, location and your healing. Your provider will discuss closure, aftercare and possible color changes. The length of the incision depends on the size, depth, and location of the growth rather than just the visible lump.
Fox Valley Plastic Surgery provides surgical dermatology services for patients throughout Oshkosh, Appleton, Neenah, Menasha, Fond du Lac, and surrounding Fox Valley communities without a long wait time for appointment availability. Our experienced medical team evaluates and treats a wide range of skin conditions, from bothersome benign growths to lesions that may require testing for skin cancer. Many procedures can be performed conveniently in our office using local anesthesia, allowing patients to return home shortly after treatment.
Let’s discuss your next step. Get your questions answered and understand your treatment options. Call 920-233-1540.