Expert Lipoma Removal in London
£450 Fixed Price
Low Recurrence Rate
Professional lipoma removal by GMC-registered consultant plastic surgeons. Complete surgical excision under local anaesthetic with minimal scarring. Multiple lipomas can be removed in one session.
What Is a Lipoma and Why Remove It?
A lipoma is a benign (non-cancerous) growth composed of fatty tissue that develops beneath the skin. These soft, movable lumps are typically painless and slow-growing, ranging from smaller than a grape to several inches in diameter. While medically harmless, many people choose removal for comfort, cosmetic, or diagnostic reasons.
Physical Discomfort
Lipomas in areas of movement (shoulders, thighs) or pressure (back) can cause persistent aching or tenderness. Some press on nerves, creating radiating pain or numbness.
Visible Appearance
Lipomas on exposed areas like the neck, forehead, or arms can feel conspicuous and affect self-confidence. The psychological impact of a visible lump shouldn’t be underestimated.
Functional Issues
Lipomas near joints may restrict movement or rub against clothing, causing irritation. Large lipomas can interfere with exercise or wearing certain clothes comfortably.
Peace of Mind
Professional removal allows histological examination to definitively confirm the diagnosis and rule out liposarcoma (rare cancerous variant), providing reassurance.
- Conventional Lipomas: Composed entirely of white fat cells (most common)
- Fibrolipomas: Contain both fatty tissue and fibrous connective tissue
- Angiolipomas: Include numerous small blood vessels alongside fat
All types are effectively treated with surgical excision.
Common Lipoma Locations
Lipomas can develop anywhere fat cells exist, but are most frequently found on:
- Shoulders and Upper Back: Most common location, often noticed when reaching overhead
- Neck: Can be visible and affect collar comfort
- Arms and Forearms: May be noticed during physical activity
- Thighs: Can rub against clothing or interfere with exercise
- Abdomen: Sometimes mistaken for other abdominal masses
- Back: Can cause discomfort when lying down or wearing backpacks
NHS vs Private Lipoma Removal in London
NHS Lipoma Removal
Availability: Typically only funded if causing functional problems, persistent pain, or suspected malignancy. Cosmetic concerns alone rarely qualify.
Waiting Times: Referral to consultation can take several months, with additional waiting for the procedure—often 6-12 months total.
Limitations: Treatment may be by junior doctors under supervision. Multiple appointments at hospital locations during working hours.
Private Treatment at London Wart Removal
Availability: Treatment available for any lipoma causing concern, discomfort, or cosmetic issues—no restrictive criteria.
Speed: Consultation typically within days, with same-day treatment often possible. Complete process in one or two visits.
Expertise: Every procedure performed by GMC-registered consultant plastic surgeons. Central Harley Street location with flexible appointments.
Transparent, Fixed Pricing
What’s Included:
- Assessment by consultant plastic surgeon
- Complete surgical excision
- Local anaesthetic
- Histological examination of tissue
- Post-procedure dressings and wound care
- Follow-up care and stitch removal
- Telephone support during recovery
- Same-day treatment often available
- 1 lipoma: £450
- 2 lipomas: £800 (£350 each average)
Most patients with multiple lipomas choose same-session removal for convenience and cost-effectiveness.
Our Lipoma Removal Method
Surgical Excision (Primary Method)
Surgical excision is the gold standard for lipoma removal, offering the lowest recurrence rates and best outcomes. This proven technique involves complete removal of both the fatty tissue and the fibrous capsule surrounding it.
Marking & Preparation
The lipoma’s boundaries are marked and the area is thoroughly cleaned with antiseptic solution. Sterile drapes are positioned around the treatment area.
Local Anaesthetic
Local anaesthetic is injected around the lipoma. You’ll feel sharp stinging for 10-15 seconds, then complete numbness within 2-3 minutes. You’ll feel pressure and tugging during removal but no pain.
Complete Excision
A carefully planned incision (typically 2-5cm depending on size) allows the surgeon to gently separate the lipoma from surrounding tissue. The entire lipoma and capsule are removed as one piece, ensuring complete removal.
Layered Closure
The wound is closed in layers with dissolvable sutures to minimize scarring. A sterile dressing is applied and secured. The tissue is sent for histological examination.
- Complete Removal: Entire lipoma including capsule excised—recurrence rate under 5%
- Histology Available: Tissue examined in laboratory to confirm diagnosis definitively
- Single Treatment: Problem resolved in one procedure
- Predictable Results: Established technique with consistently excellent outcomes
Recovery & Aftercare
Recovery from lipoma removal is typically straightforward. You can leave immediately after the procedure—no recovery period needed at the clinic.
Recovery Timeline
First 24 Hours
What to Expect: Numbness wears off over 2-4 hours with mild to moderate aching (4-6 out of 10). Some oozing through dressing is normal.
Management: Take paracetamol and ibuprofen together every 6 hours. Rest and keep dressing dry. Light activities and desk work usually manageable.
Days 2-4
What to Expect: Pain decreases to mild discomfort (2-4 out of 10). Bruising may appear around site. Swelling gradually reduces.
Care: Change dressing carefully. Clean wound gently with cooled boiled water. Quick showers allowed from day 3 (keep covered with waterproof dressing).
Weeks 1-2
What to Expect: Minimal discomfort—most patients stop painkillers. Bruising fades. Wound edges seal completely.
Stitch Removal: Return to clinic on days 7-14 (timing depends on location) for quick, simple suture removal taking 2-3 minutes.
Weeks 2-12
Scar Maturation: Scar appears pink/red initially, then gradually fades and flattens over 6-12 months to a fine, pale line.
Care: Massage scar gently with moisturizer daily from week 3. Use SPF 50+ sun protection on scar for 12 months.
- Return to Work: Desk work 24-48 hours, physical work 1-2 weeks
- Return to Exercise: Light activities 1 week, full activities 2-3 weeks
- Swimming/Bathing: After suture removal (1-2 weeks)
- Driving: When comfortable (usually 24-48 hours)
- Increasing pain after day 3, spreading redness, pus discharge, or fever >38°C
- Heavy bleeding that doesn’t stop with 10 minutes of firm pressure
- Wound edges separating significantly
- Allergic reaction symptoms (rash, breathing difficulty, facial swelling)
Frequently Asked Questions
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Lipoma removal at London Wart Removal costs £450 for the first lipoma, with additional lipomas removed in the same session for £350 each. This transparent fixed pricing includes everything: consultation, complete surgical excision, local anaesthetic, histological examination, follow-up care, and stitch removal. Unlike some clinics with hidden fees, what we quote is what you pay. Payment is required on the day of treatment.
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Consider removal if your lipoma causes pain or discomfort, presses on nerves creating radiating symptoms, interferes with movement or daily activities, is located in a visible area affecting your confidence, is growing noticeably, or causes ongoing anxiety. Unlike NHS criteria which focus mainly on functional problems, private treatment allows removal for any reason that matters to you. During consultation, we’ll assess your specific situation and recommend the best approach.
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Lipomas are benign (non-cancerous) growths and are generally harmless—they don’t spread or become malignant. However, any new lump should be evaluated by a medical professional to confirm it’s a lipoma and not something else. Very rarely (less than 1 in 1,000 soft tissue lumps), what appears to be a lipoma is actually liposarcoma—a cancerous tumor that feels harder, less mobile, and grows rapidly. Our consultants can distinguish through clinical examination, and complete excision with histological analysis provides definitive diagnosis and peace of mind.
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The exact cause isn’t fully understood, but genetic predisposition plays a significant role—lipomas often run in families. They’re most common between ages 40-60 and slightly more common in men. Certain medical conditions like Gardner syndrome or Madelung disease increase risk. Some lipomas develop after blunt trauma to an area. What doesn’t cause lipomas: diet, weight, exercise levels, or lifestyle factors. Losing weight won’t make existing lipomas disappear, though it may reduce friction-related skin issues.
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When completely excised through surgical removal, lipomas rarely recur—less than 5%. Complete surgical excision (our primary method) removes both the fatty tissue and the fibrous capsule, significantly reducing recurrence risk. This is why we primarily recommend excision over liposuction, which has 20-50% recurrence rates because the capsule remains. If you’re genetically predisposed, new lipomas may develop elsewhere on your body over time, but the properly excised one should not return.
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The procedure is performed under local anaesthetic, so you feel no pain during removal. You’ll feel the initial anaesthetic injection—similar to dental injections, a sharp pinch lasting 10-15 seconds. Once numb, you’ll feel pressure and tugging but no pain. Post-procedure discomfort is typically mild to moderate for 2-4 days (managed with over-the-counter painkillers) then resolves. Most patients are surprised by how painless the process is—the anticipation is usually worse than the reality.
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We can remove lipomas of various sizes under local anaesthetic in our clinic. Small lipomas (under 3cm) take 15-20 minutes with minimal scarring. Medium lipomas (3-7cm) are standard procedures taking 25-35 minutes. Large lipomas (7-15cm) take 40-60 minutes and are still manageable under local anaesthetic, though may need a drain temporarily. Very large lipomas (over 15cm) can be removed but are discussed individually—some benefit from special arrangements. During consultation, the surgeon examines your lipoma and honestly discusses the best approach.
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Yes, multiple lipomas can often be removed in the same session—offering significant cost savings (£350 each additional vs £450 separately), single recovery period, and greater convenience. Most patients comfortably tolerate 2-4 lipomas removed together, depending on sizes and locations. The surgeon uses adequate local anaesthetic for all sites. Many patients prefer addressing all bothersome lipomas at once rather than multiple appointments. During consultation, we’ll assess whether same-session removal is appropriate for your specific case.
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Yes, surgical excision leaves a scar—this is inevitable when cutting through skin. However, our consultant plastic surgeons use advanced closure techniques to minimize visibility. Incisions are typically 2-5cm (roughly 50-70% of the lipoma’s diameter) and placed along natural skin lines where possible. Scars initially appear pink/red and slightly raised, then gradually fade and flatten over 6-12 months to fine, pale lines. Layered closure with fine sutures creates thin, flat scars. Most patients find the small scar a worthwhile trade-off for lipoma removal, especially when the lump was causing discomfort or concern.
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NHS lipoma removal is available but with significant restrictions. Funding is typically only approved if the lipoma causes functional impairment, persistent significant pain, rapid growth raising malignancy concerns, or interferes with essential functions. Cosmetic concerns alone rarely qualify. The NHS process involves GP referral (often 8-16 weeks wait), specialist assessment, then surgical waiting list (typically 6-12 months)—total time often 9-18 months. Treatment may be by junior doctors under supervision. Private treatment offers immediate access (consultation within days, treatment often same-day), consultant-level expertise, no restrictive criteria, and transparent costs. For many patients, the convenience and speed justify the investment.
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Book online at londonwartremoval.org/book-now or call 020 7183 1416. No GP referral needed—you can book directly. Initial consultation assesses your lipoma(s) and plans treatment. Same-day treatment is often available if you’re comfortable proceeding immediately. We’re located at 13 Harley Street, London W1G 9QG—easily accessible from Oxford Circus (5 min walk) or Regent’s Park (8 min walk) with multiple bus routes nearby.
Meet Your Expert Surgeons
All lipoma removals are performed by GMC-registered consultant plastic surgeons with extensive experience in skin surgery.
Mr. Onur Gilleard
Consultant Plastic Surgeon
Mr. Gilleard is on the GMC specialist register in Plastic Surgery. He previously held an NHS consultant post at St Bartholomew’s Hospital London, specializing in skin cancer and microsurgical reconstruction. In 2021, he transitioned to full-time private practice, allowing him to focus exclusively on providing personalized, high-quality care.
His extensive experience in minor skin surgery ensures safe, effective lipoma removal with optimal outcomes and minimal scarring.
Mr. Reza Alamouti
Consultant Plastic Surgeon
Mr. Alamouti is a consultant plastic surgeon on the GMC specialist register with a Masters in Reconstructive Microsurgery (University of Barcelona) and MSc in Aesthetic Surgery (Queen Mary University London). He continues performing reconstructive surgery in the NHS alongside his private practice.
Known for exceptional precision and an empathetic manner that puts patients at ease, his meticulous surgical technique ensures complete lipoma removal with excellent cosmetic results.
Why Choose London Wart Removal for Lipoma Removal?
Consultant Surgeons
GMC-registered consultant plastic surgeons perform every procedure—not GPs, nurses, or junior doctors. True surgical specialists with years of advanced training.
Same Day Treatment
Consultation and removal often completed in one appointment. No anxious waiting periods—immediate access to treatment.
Fixed Transparent Pricing
£450 first lipoma, £350 additional—simple, honest pricing with no hidden costs. All fees included upfront.
Complete Excision
Surgical removal of entire lipoma including capsule. Low recurrence rate (under 5%) with histological confirmation included.
Central London Location
Prestigious Harley Street address. Easily accessible from all parts of London with excellent transport links.
Minimal Downtime
Most patients return to desk work within 24-48 hours. Quick recovery with straightforward aftercare.
Ready to Remove Your Lipoma?
Expert lipoma removal by consultant plastic surgeons. Same-day treatment available with transparent fixed pricing.
No GP referral needed. Multiple lipomas can be removed in one session. Complete excision with low recurrence.