Do Lipomas Go Away?

Lipomas are fatty tissue tumors that form in different areas across the body. They are situated in the subcutaneous layer and less often may be spotted on internal organs. Well, as much as lipomas are harmless, some are large in size and may not be the prettiest thing to look at. So, if you are wondering how to deal with your soft movable and painless lipoma, then you should be aware it won’t be going anywhere, anytime soon. Lipomas do not naturally go away on their own as they are a mass of fatty tissues. On top of that, they are usually attached to the surrounding area of where they start to develop. This only means that although it moves when touched, it remains rooted in place.

A lipoma is often confused with a liposarcoma, which is an aggressive form of fatty tissue tumor. However, the two are very different and have distinctive traits that are far from being similar. As much as a lipoma can grow big in size over time, often it is usually three centimeters big or less. A liposarcoma can gradually grow into bigger bumps which are usually hard and painful. This is contrary to a lipoma, which is soft to the touch and painless unless affecting the nerves, blood vessels, muscles or bowel movement.

It is important that you note when you first saw a lump underneath your skin and whether it is growing. You should also pay attention to how the lump reacts to touch i.e. whether it is rigid or moves. If it is rigid, there is a high chance that what you have is not a lipoma. Regardless, lipomas are soft which means they easily move when touched. In addition to that, you should know the risks associated with lipomas and how they can affect your body in general.

Obesity increases your chances of developing a lipoma since you tend to have more fat cells than an average human. Nonetheless, even people who are healthy and slim can develop lipomas. A lipoma is usually formed whenever fat cells in your body rapidly grow and come together to form a mass. This kind of phenomena can happen in any person’s body and is not necessarily controlled by one’s size. With that said, you should also be aware that lipomas can be as a result of your genetic composition. So, obese or not, you can get a lipoma. For people with weight issues, losing the extra weight does not mean the lipoma will fade away with it. The lump will not go away unless it is surgically removed.

One of the most efficient ways of removing a lipoma is through surgery. One is usually put under a local aesthetic and the surgeon makes a small incision above the bump on your skin. The lipoma is then removed, the incision patched up and the mass is no more. Lipomas hardly reappear and once it is removed, it will not return. Lipomas can also be removed via a liposuction. This involves sucking out the contents (fat cells) of the lump. It may leave a small scar, which will heal with time and clear up.

Surgery is best for large lipomas while a liposuction is ideal for small and extra soft lipomas. In most cases, people who choose the liposuction treatment do it for aesthetic purposes. If you are looking for a minimally invasive treatment for your lipoma, then consider getting a steroid injection. It can be administered for as long as necessary until the tumor has shrunk completely.

It is clear as day that a lipoma will not go away on its own. No matter what you do, even losing weight, a lipoma will remain intact unless operated on. At the back of your mind, you should know that lipomas are not dangerous and treatment is not necessary. However, if the lipoma is engraved on an internal organ or causing trouble for you, you can consider having it removed. Otherwise, lipomas are best if left alone.

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