020 7916 0029 Call Patient portal Portal Register as a new patient Register Doctors portal Book Now Book Now

Not an emergency service. If you or someone else is seriously unwell — for example chest pain, breathing difficulty, heavy bleeding or collapse — call 999. For urgent advice when it is not life-threatening, call NHS 111.

Recovery & Aftercare Guide

Lipoma removal

Removal of a benign fatty lump under local anaesthetic, with laboratory analysis.

Important. Your individual instructions from your treating clinician take precedence over this general information. If anything here differs from what your clinician has told you, follow your clinician’s advice and contact the hospital if you are unsure.

Overview

A lipoma is a soft, benign collection of fat cells sitting under the skin. It is removed through a small incision.

Lipomas are removed when they are growing, uncomfortable, pressing on nearby structures, or cosmetically unwelcome.

Expect around 60 minutes in the treatment room. Stitches are usually removed after 7 to 14 days.

Before your procedure

  • Tell the team about anticoagulants, antiplatelets and all other medicines. Do not stop prescribed medicine unless instructed.
  • Mention allergies to local anaesthetic, plasters or antiseptics.
  • Eat and drink normally.
  • Wear clothing that gives easy access to the lump.
  • Ask at consent whether the lipoma is deep, as deeper lipomas take longer and may leave more bruising.

What happens on the day

  1. The area is cleaned, marked and numbed with local anaesthetic.
  2. A small incision is made over the lump and the lipoma is freed from surrounding tissue and lifted out.
  3. The space is closed with stitches, sometimes in layers.
  4. A dressing, and occasionally a pressure dressing, is applied to reduce bruising.
  5. The tissue is sent for laboratory analysis and you go home the same day.

Aftercare

Pain

Soreness for 2 to 3 days is usual, more for larger lipomas. Simple over-the-counter pain relief per the packet is normally enough.

Bruising

Bruising is common because a space is left where the lump was. It may spread downwards with gravity before fading over 1 to 2 weeks.

Swelling and firmness

The area often feels firm or lumpy for several weeks as the space fills in. This is expected.

Dressings

Keep dry and in place for 48 hours, or as instructed if a pressure dressing was used.

Bathing

Dry for 48 hours, then shower and pat dry. No baths or swimming until healed.

Exercise and lifting

Avoid heavy lifting and gym work for around 2 weeks, longer for large lipomas or those on the back, shoulder or thigh.

Work

Desk work usually the next day. Manual or lifting work may need a week or more.

Follow-up

Stitches out at 7 to 14 days. Results normally within 2 weeks.

Typical recovery timeline

Timings are typical and vary between individuals.
WhenWhat to expect
First 48 hoursSoreness and swelling peak. Rest the area and keep the dressing dry.
Days 3 to 7Bruising becomes more visible then starts to fade.
Days 7 to 14Stitches removed. Area still firm underneath.
Weeks 2 to 8Firmness settles gradually. Scar is pink.
3 to 12 monthsScar fades. Contour continues to even out.

Red flags — when to seek help

These lists are not exhaustive. Trust your judgement and seek advice if you are worried.

Emergency Call 999 or go to your nearest emergency department

  • Bleeding that does not stop after 10 minutes of firm pressure
  • Rapidly increasing swelling suggesting bleeding under the skin
  • Feeling generally unwell with a high temperature or shivering

Contact us Contact the hospital, or call NHS 111 out of hours

  • Spreading redness from the wound
  • Increasing pain, heat or throbbing after 48 hours
  • Pus or offensive discharge
  • Wound edges separating
  • A new lump at the same site once healed

Tower Bridge Hospital, 97–99 Whitechapel Road, London E1 1DT. Telephone 020 7916 0029. If in doubt and the situation is not life-threatening, call NHS 111.

Frequently asked questions

Are lipomas cancerous?

Lipomas are benign. Removed tissue is still sent for laboratory analysis as standard practice.

Why is there so much bruising?

Removing the lump leaves a space, and blood collects there before being reabsorbed. This is expected and settles.

Can it come back?

Recurrence at the same site is uncommon but possible. New lipomas can appear elsewhere.

Will the skin look flat straight away?

No. It takes several weeks for the contour to even out.

More information

Clinical reviewer
Dr Haydar Bolat, Clinical Director
Review date
21 July 2026
Review by
21 July 2027
Version
1.0
Book Now