Lipoma Removal

Conveniently located to serve the areas of New York, NY

A lipoma is a benign fatty growth beneath the skin. They can develop nearly anywhere on the body and, while they are typically harmless, they can develop in uncomfortable areas or cause aesthetic concerns. (1) For this reason, lipoma removal is often covered by insurance, depending on the provider.

Dr. Elie Levine of Plastic Surgery & Dermatology of NYC offers lipoma removal for patients from New York City and beyond. As one of NYC’s leading board-certified plastic surgeons, he has established a strong reputation for his attention to detail and position at the forefront of cosmetic and functional procedures. He has worked with numerous publications and media outlets, including Allure, New Beauty, ABC News, and more.

Choosing an experienced surgeon with both cosmetic and functional expertise for your lipoma removal procedure is very important—this will ensure that you are getting the best results possible with the most minimal incisions! With Dr. Elie Levine, you will not only get bothersome lipomas removed, but you will also be able to enjoy great aesthetic results that you won’t have to hide! It is always Dr. Elie Levine’s goal to make sure his patients feel confident after their procedure.

To learn more about lipoma removal, please schedule a consultation online or call (212) 988-1800.

Dr. Elie Levine has helped patients from around the globe. If you reside out of state or internationally, please let us know—our team will be happy to provide you with flexible accommodations!

About Lipoma Removal

Lipomas can appear essentially anywhere in the body, but they are most common in the head, neck, shoulders, and back. (2) Their exact cause remains unknown, but studies have linked their occurrence to certain factors like injury, genetics, obesity, and more. (1)

Types of Lipomas

A few of the more common types of lipomas include:

  • Conventional Lipomas: Conventional lipomas are the most common type. They are soft to the touch and grow just beneath the skin’s surface.
  • Angiolipomas: Angiolipomas contain fat cells and blood vessels. These lipomas are often more uncomfortable or painful.
  • Fibrolipoma: Fibrolipomas are firmer to the touch and consist of fat cells and fibrous tissue.

Who is a Good Candidate for Lipoma Removal?

If you think you might have one or more lipomas, you should reach out to a specialist like Dr. Elie Levine to find out if you are a suitable candidate for lipoma removal. It is important to see a professional for lipoma diagnosis—the condition might be mistaken for something else without proper attention.

Your lipomas do not need to be painful to qualify for removal. Many of our patients undergo this procedure to address bumps or nodules to improve their appearance and regain confidence.

In any case, you need to be in good general health without any underlying medical conditions that may affect your ability to undergo lipoma removal. You should be nonsmoking or willing to quit nicotine for an extended period of time.

Personal Consultation

Dr. Elie Levine will meet with you one-on-one to discuss what happens during lipoma removal. He will also ask you about your medical history, concerns, and treatment goals, and evaluate each of your growths.

Dr. Elie Levine will use the details he collects throughout your consultation to finalize your candidacy and craft your treatment plan. He will recommend the most effective approach for your case.

You may be eligible for insurance coverage if your provider deems your lipoma removal medically necessary. Dr. Elie Levine can help you learn more during your consultation to see if you qualify, as well as provide you with any necessary documentation.

To schedule your consultation, please contact us online or call our office directly at (212) 988-1800.

If you are an out-of-state or international patient, please let us know, and our team can arrange flexible accommodations for you.

Lipoma Removal Procedure

Dr. Elie Levine will perform your lipoma removal procedure in a procedure or operating room. Your procedure time will depend on the size, location, and number of your lipomas, but most lipoma removals take between 30 and 60 minutes.

Dr. Elie Levine typically uses local anesthesia when removing lipomas. He may perform either liposuction or surgical excision, depending on the size, depth, and location of your growth. (4)

Dr. Elie Levine always makes it a top priority to remove the entire lipoma, so that there is less of a risk of it growing back in the same spot. The incisions he uses will be very small and discreet, as he always uses an aesthetic-minded approach, even when the issue is partly a functional one.

Recovery

After your lipoma removal, you may return to most of your daily activities immediately. The procedure is minimally invasive and usually only requires local anesthesia, but for larger lipomas, some patients use light sedation. When only local anesthesia is used, you will not have to recover from the effects of general anesthesia, such as grogginess, brain fog, nausea, and more. However, there are certain restrictions and guidelines you may need to follow to ensure that you avoid irritating the treated areas as they heal, such as refraining from any high-impact or strenuous activities. Dr. Elie Levine uses long-acting pain relief so that you will feel comfortable as you heal.

Because Dr. Elie Levine always employs scar minimization, your incisions will appear discreet as they start to heal.

Results

Once your skin heals, you will be able to experience the full results of your lipoma removal procedure. Your skin will look and feel smoother and flatter, and you may also enjoy an improvement in your daily comfort if your lipoma was causing pain or irritation.

The results of lipoma removal are long-lasting, as Dr. Elie Levine aims to remove the entire lipoma capsule to make sure it is less likely to return. However, it is important to note that lipomas may continue to grow in nearby areas. Subsequent removal procedures can address these.

Dr. Elie Levine’s functional and cosmetic background allows him to provide unparalleled results with this procedure. Patients can feel confident about how their skin looks in areas where lipomas were removed without having to hide under clothing!

After you heal from the procedure, you might benefit from skin treatments such as laser-based procedures to further minimize any scarring.

Cost of Lipoma Removal in New York City

The cost of your lipoma removal will vary depending on several aspects of your treatment plan. Once Dr. Elie Levine converses with you about each detail, he will give you a comprehensive cost estimate for your procedure. If your lipoma causes pain or discomfort, you likely qualify for insurance coverage. Dr. Elie Levine can help you navigate every step of this process during your personal consultation.

Plastic Surgery & Dermatology also offers financing options for those who qualify.

To learn more about the details of lipoma removal pricing, please schedule a consultation online or call (212) 988-1800.

FAQ

How do lipomas form?

Lipomas are soft lumps made of fat cells that grow just under the skin. They are sometimes linked to genetic factors, meaning they can run in families. However, many lipomas form idiopathically, which means they develop without a known cause.

How will I know which lipoma removal method is right for me?

During your personal consultation, Dr. Elie Levine will assess your personal goals, anatomy, and treatment outcomes to determine whether liposuction or surgical excision would be the most effective approach for you.

Will my lipoma return after surgery?

It is rare for the same lipoma to return after a complete removal, especially if your surgeon removed the entire lipoma, which is something Dr. Elie Levine makes a top priority. However, you may develop new growths in similar areas.

How long will it take to recover from my lipoma removal procedure?

Lipoma removal recovery is very minimal, with most of Dr. Elie Levine’s patients being able to return to their normal routines the same day. However, you should avoid certain physically demanding or abrasive products, as Dr. Elie Levine advises.

Can Dr. Elie Levine perform my lipoma removal alongside another aesthetic procedure?

Yes, Dr. Elie Levine can perform your lipoma removal alongside another procedure to either complement your results or address another concern within the same appointment. During your consultation, he can assess your candidacy for our other procedures and provide personalized recommendations.

Is lipoma removal covered by insurance?

In many cases, yes, lipoma removal is covered by insurance. However, this depends on the exact details of your plan. Dr. Elie Levine can help you with the documentation you might need to get coverage. Insurance coverage for lipoma removal is especially likely if your lipoma is causing you discomfort or pain.

References

  1. Charifa A, Azmat CE, Badri T. Lipomas, Pathology. PubMed. Published 2020. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK482343/
  2. Salam GA. Lipoma Excision. American Family Physician. 2002;65(5):901-905. https://www.aafp.org/pubs/afp/issues/2002/0301/p901.html
  3. Bartow MJ, Raggio BS. Liposuction. PubMed. Published 2022. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK563135/
  4. Peev I, Spasevska L, Mirchevska E, Tudzarova-Gjorgova S. Liposuction Assisted Lipoma Removal – Option or Alternative? Open Access Macedonian Journal of Medical Sciences. 2017;5(6):766-770. doi:https://doi.org/10.3889/oamjms.2017.186