Lipoma Removal in Oakville, Ontario

At ICLS Plastic Surgery in Oakville, Dr. Julie Khanna, MD, FRCSC, ABPS, provides safe, effective surgical lipoma removal for patients from Toronto, Mississauga, Hamilton, and across the Greater Toronto Area. With more than 30 years in practice and over 400,000 patients treated, Dr. Khanna offers precise, outpatient surgical care for lipomas of many sizes and locations.

Lipomas are usually harmless, but they can become uncomfortable, more noticeable over time, or frustrating when they affect movement or appearance. At ICLS, treatment focuses on complete surgical removal to help provide long-term relief and reduce the chance of recurrence.

A lipoma is a benign, slow-growing lump made up of fatty tissue. It develops between the skin and the underlying muscle layer and is usually enclosed within a thin fibrous capsule. Lipomas are made of fat cells, also called adipocytes, and are one of the most common types of soft tissue growths seen in adults.

Most lipomas feel:

• Soft or doughy
• Smooth and rounded or oval
• Easy to move with slight finger pressure
• Painless in many cases

Because they grow slowly, many people live with a lipoma for months or even years before seeking treatment. While a lipoma is not cancerous, it may still become bothersome if it enlarges, causes visible asymmetry, or presses on nearby structures.

Lipomas most commonly appear on the:

• Chest
• Back
• Shoulders
• Arms
• Thighs

However, they can develop almost anywhere on the body. They are most often seen in adults aged 40-60, though they can occur earlier. Some patients also develop multiple lipomas, a condition known as lipomatosis.

At ICLS Plastic Surgery, lipoma excision aims to remove the lump completely while preserving surrounding tissue and minimizing scarring.

How Is a Lipoma Different from a Cyst?

Lipomas and cysts can both appear as lumps under the skin, but they are not the same type of growth.

A lipoma is made of fatty tissue, usually feels soft, sits a bit deeper under the skin, and tends to move freely when touched. Lipomas do not usually have a visible opening on the skin surface.

A cyst, by contrast, is often firmer and may have a visible central punctum. Cysts are typically filled with keratin or fluid rather than fat.

Both lipomas and cysts are usually benign, and both can be removed surgically. If there is uncertainty about the type of lump you have, Dr. Khanna can assess it during the consultation and recommend the most appropriate treatment, including imaging in some cases.

Lipomas are usually easy to recognize once they become noticeable. Most appear as a:

• Soft, rounded lump under the skin
• Slowly growing mass
• Movable lump that shifts slightly with pressure
• Typically painless area of fullness

Although many lipomas cause no symptoms, some can become tender or uncomfortable depending on their size and location. A lipoma may begin to cause symptoms if it presses on:

• Nerves
• Blood vessels
• Nearby joints or areas of movement

Professional assessment is recommended if a lump shows any of the following features:

• Rapid growth
• Increasing pain
• Hardening or firmness
• Deep location
• Interference with movement

The exact cause of lipomas is not always known, but genetics appear to be the strongest predictor. Lipomas often run in families and may be associated with inherited conditions such as:

• Hereditary multiple lipomatosis
• Gardner’s syndrome
• Madelung’s disease

Age is another factor, with most lipomas developing between the ages of 40 and 60. In some cases, physical trauma may also play a role in triggering the formation of a fatty lump, although this is less clearly understood.

Since not every lump under the skin is a lipoma, evaluation is important, especially when a growth changes or becomes symptomatic.

At ICLS Plastic Surgery, surgical excision is the primary and definitive treatment for lipoma removal. Surgery allows Dr. Khanna to remove the fatty mass directly and, most importantly, remove the surrounding capsule as completely as possible.

This matters because complete capsule removal helps reduce the risk of regrowth. The surgical approach also allows for careful planning based on the lipoma’s size, depth, and location.

Surgical Excision (Complete Removal)

Surgical excision is the standard treatment for lipomas at ICLS Surgery and is considered the most reliable option for permanent removal.

This approach is well-suited for:

• Lipomas of any size
• Deep lipomas
• Recurrent lipomas
• Lipomas near nerves or joints

The procedure is performed under local anesthesia in an outpatient setting. After the area is numbed, Dr. Khanna makes a small incision over the lipoma and carefully removes the fatty mass along with its capsule. The wound is then closed with stitches to support proper healing.

Complete capsule removal is important because it lowers the likelihood of recurrence. Dr. Khanna personally performs all lipoma excisions, ensuring each case is managed with surgical precision and attention to cosmetic outcomes.

Cost: starting at $1,500, depending on size, depth, number, and complexity.

Minimal Incision Extraction

For some small, superficial lipomas, a minimally invasive extraction approach may be appropriate. In this technique, a small incision is made, and the lipoma is gently expressed through the opening. This can help minimize scar length while still achieving complete removal in select cases.

Not every lipoma is a candidate for this method. Suitability depends on the lump’s size, location, and depth, which are determined during consultation. In properly selected cases, minimal-incision extraction can offer an efficient, same-day surgical option with a smaller, less visible scar.

All ICLS procedures begin with a consultation. Dr. Khanna assesses each lipoma individually, including its size, depth, and location, and determines whether further evaluation is helpful before planning removal.

Your Consultation with Dr. Khanna

Your consultation begins with a physical exam of the lipoma and a discussion of your symptoms, concerns, and medical history.

During this visit, Dr. Khanna will assess:

• The size and location of the lipoma
• Whether it feels superficial or deep
• Whether imaging should be considered for a larger or deeper lump
• Which surgical approach is most appropriate

You will also receive a clear explanation of the procedure, what recovery may involve, and a personalized cost quote based on the complexity of removal.

This consultation ensures that treatment is tailored to the individual lipoma rather than using a one-size-fits-all approach.

The Lipoma Removal Procedure

Lipoma removal is performed as an outpatient procedure under local anesthesia, so there is no overnight stay required in most cases.

The procedure typically includes:

1. Numbing the area with local anesthetic
2. Making a small incision over the lipoma
3. Carefully extracting the fatty mass and capsule
4. Closing the area with sutures
5. Applying a dressing and reviewing aftercare instructions

Most procedures take 30 to 60 minutes, depending on the lipoma’s size, depth, and location.

Patients are generally comfortable throughout the procedure because the area is fully numbed. If a lipoma appears atypical in any way, the specimen may be sent to pathology for further evaluation.

Recovery & Aftercare

Recovery after lipoma removal is usually straightforward. Most patients notice mild soreness, swelling, or tightness for a few days, which typically improves without the need for prescription medication.

After the procedure, patients are usually advised to:

• Keep the wound clean and dry
• Avoid unnecessary friction over the area
• Return for suture removal at 5–7 days, if applicable
• Avoid strenuous exercise for 1–2 weeks after larger excisions
• Monitor the area for unusual redness, drainage, or swelling

Many patients return to normal daily activities the same day or the next, especially after smaller removals.

Once the area has healed, silicone scar gel or silicone scar sheets may be used to support scar management. Recurrence is uncommon when the full capsule has been removed, but follow-up is recommended if a new lump develops in the same area.

The cost of lipoma removal depends on the lipoma’s size, depth, number, and complexity.

At ICLS Surgery:

• Surgical excision starts at $1,500
• Multiple lipomas may be removed in one session
• Combined pricing may be available for multiple removals

A consultation is required to provide a personalized quote, as procedure costs vary based on the lipoma’s location, whether it is deep or superficial, and the amount of surgical time required. In general, OHIP does not cover cosmetic lipoma removal.

OHIP coverage may apply in some medically indicated cases, including when a lipoma causes:

• Pressure on nerves
• Restricted movement
• Significant pain
• Functional impairment

Patients should confirm eligibility with the provider during consultation.

Since cost and OHIP questions are among the most common concerns for patients seeking lipoma removal in Toronto, Mississauga, and Ontario, it is important to review both the surgical plan and the expected pricing before treatment.

Patients looking for lipoma removal in Oakville, Toronto, Mississauga, Hamilton, and the GTA choose ICLS Plastic Surgery for its combination of surgical expertise, patient safety, and personalized care.

Dr. Julie Khanna is an FRCSC- and ABPS-certified plastic surgeon with over 30 years of experience. She has treated more than 400,000 patients and performs procedures in an accredited surgical facility in Oakville.

Patients choose ICLS because of:

• Extensive experience in the surgical removal of benign lesions
• Same-day outpatient procedures with no hospital admission
• Emphasis on complete capsule removal to reduce recurrence risk
• More than 1,600 five-star reviews on Google and RateMDs
• Care from a plastic surgeon rather than a general clinic setting

This level of surgical expertise helps distinguish ICLS from minor surgery clinics and general practitioners, particularly for patients seeking meticulous technique and attention to cosmetic outcomes.

At ICLS Surgery, treatment is planned based on the size, location, and depth of the lipoma, with the goal of completely removing the lump while keeping the incision as discreet as possible.

Patients often notice immediate improvement in contour once the lipoma has been removed. Reviewing real patient results can also help set expectations regarding healing, scarring, and overall cosmetic outcome after surgery.