Lipoma Removal in Edinburgh
A lipoma is a soft, fatty lump under the skin — common, harmless in itself, and usually treated only when it enlarges, becomes uncomfortable, or is cosmetically obvious. At Waterfront, removal is performed by consultant plastic surgeons on the GMC Specialist Register: complete surgical excision with histology, both for the cosmetic result and to confirm the diagnosis.
The consultant who assesses you performs the removal and reviews you afterwards. Guide prices: from £695 (under 2cm) to £1,195–£2,500 (over 5cm).
Contents
Lipoma removal at a glance
- Consultants — Mr Ben Aldridge or Mr Kazem Nassar, both on the GMC Specialist Register.
- What it is — a benign tumour of mature fat cells, growing as a soft, mobile lump under the skin.
- Method — complete surgical excision; minimal-incision technique for some smaller lipomas in cosmetically sensitive sites.
- Anaesthetic — local anaesthetic for most cases; sedation or general anaesthesia for larger or deeper lipomas.
- Hospital stay — outpatient day case.
- Histology — included on every removal.
- Recovery — 0 to 1 week off work, longer for larger lipomas.
- Guide prices — from £695 (under 2cm) to £2,500 (over 5cm). Full price list below.
- Time from booking to consultation — typically within 1 to 2 weeks.
- GP referral — not required.
What lipomas are
A lipoma is a benign tumour of mature fat cells — soft, mobile, slow-growing and painless in almost all cases. It is the most common soft-tissue lump of adulthood, found most often on the trunk, neck, upper arms and thighs. The soft, easily moved consistency is what tells a consultant the lump is most likely a lipoma. Some patients have multiple lipomas, which can occasionally run in families.
How lipoma removal is performed
The method is chosen at consultation, based on the size, site, and depth of the lipoma.
Surgical excision — the standard treatment. A small incision is made over the lipoma, the lipoma is dissected free from the surrounding tissue, and the wound is closed with sutures in two layers (deep and skin) to support healing. The incision length is typically a little shorter than the diameter of the lipoma. The excised lipoma is sent for histology in every case.
Minimal-incision technique — for smaller, soft lipomas in cosmetically sensitive sites, a shorter incision can sometimes be used. The lipoma is extracted through the smaller wound with careful technique. Suitable only for selected lipomas; not appropriate for larger or firmer lipomas, which require a full excision to remove cleanly.
Larger lipomas (over 5cm), deeper lipomas (under fascia or within muscle), and lipomas in anatomically challenging sites are planned under sedation or general anaesthesia. Imaging (ultrasound or MRI) may be requested at consultation if the depth or extent of the lipoma is not clear from clinical examination.
Histology is performed on every excised lipoma. While the vast majority of fatty soft-tissue lumps are benign lipomas, a small proportion are atypical lipomatous tumours or, very rarely, liposarcomas. Histology confirms the diagnosis.
When to seek removal
Patients commonly book lipoma removal when one of the following applies:
- The lipoma is enlarging
- The lipoma has become uncomfortable — for example pressing against a bra strap, belt, or joint
- The lipoma is in a visible site and cosmetically bothersome
- Multiple lipomas are present and the patient would like a definitive plan
- A lump is felt that the patient wants identified and removed in a single pathway
Some features should prompt earlier assessment: rapid growth over weeks, increasing firmness, fixation to deeper tissues, or pain. These are uncommon in lipomas but are the features that distinguish atypical fatty tumours, and your consultant will discuss further investigation where appropriate.
Risks and considerations
Lipoma removal is a small to moderate procedure with a low complication rate. The risks discussed at consultation include:
- Scarring — every excision leaves a scar. The scar is typically a little shorter than the diameter of the lipoma and is placed along the natural skin tension lines wherever possible.
- Bleeding, bruising, and seroma — minor and self-limiting in almost all cases. A larger lipoma cavity occasionally fills with fluid (seroma) afterwards; this is drained if needed.
- Infection — uncommon; managed with antibiotics where needed.
- Altered sensation — temporary numbness around the wound is common and usually resolves over weeks to months.
- Recurrence — uncommon after complete excision. More likely after minimal-incision or liposuction-style removal, where some lipoma tissue may remain.
- New lipomas — removing one lipoma does not prevent new lipomas appearing elsewhere, particularly in patients with multiple lipomas or familial lipomatosis.
- Histology surprises — very rare. Where histology shows an atypical fatty tumour or liposarcoma rather than a benign lipoma, your consultant will discuss the diagnosis with you in person and arrange the appropriate onward investigation and management through the NHS sarcoma pathway.
Aftercare
Wound care advice is provided in writing on the day of the procedure. Stitches are removed at 7 to 14 days, depending on the site. The Waterfront nursing team is available for the first week for any wound-related concerns. Your consultant remains accessible after the procedure — if anything concerns you, they will respond directly and arrange to see you as soon as needed.
Histology results are normally available within approximately two weeks and are communicated by the consultant who performed the procedure.
What lipoma removal costs
Pricing depends on the size, depth, and site of the lipoma. Guide prices at Waterfront Private Hospital:
- Consultation — £200
- Removal of a small lipoma (under 2cm) — from £695
- Removal of a medium lipoma — from £895
- Removal of a large lipoma (over 5cm) — £1,195 to £2,500
- Cases requiring sedation or general anaesthesia — priced after assessment
Each price covers the consultant’s fee, the hospital and theatre fees at Waterfront, histology, and routine post-operative reviews. Final pricing is confirmed in writing after consultation, based on the size, site, depth, and method required.
Waterfront Private Hospital is self-pay.
Your consultants
Lipoma removal at Waterfront is performed by Mr Ben Aldridge — the UK’s only consultant dual-qualified in dermatology and plastic surgery — and by Mr Kazem Nassar, consultant plastic and reconstructive surgeon. Both are on the GMC Specialist Register. The consultant who assesses you is the consultant who performs the removal and reviews you afterwards.
Frequently asked questions about lipoma removal
Who performs lipoma removal at Waterfront?
Do I need a GP referral?
How quickly can I be seen?
What anaesthetic is used?
Is the lipoma sent for histology?
Will the procedure leave a scar?
What is minimal-incision removal and when is it suitable?
What is the recurrence risk?
Can multiple lipomas be removed in one session?
What if my lipoma is growing quickly or feels different from my other lumps?
Are multiple lipomas a sign of something more serious?
How is treatment paid for?
Page author
Mr Kazem Nassar, MBChB, FRCS (Plast), GMC 7131999, is a Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon Consultant with over 10 years of experience. He practices at St John’s Hospital and the Western General Hospital in Edinburgh, specialising in melanoma, skin cancer treatments, breast surgery, and post-cancer reconstructive surgery.
