A strange paradox exists with lipomas. They are made up of fat but don't go away when you reduce your level of body fat. Almost by definition, lipomas don't respond to weight loss. If you have one or multiple lipomas, consult your physician about your treatment options. Sometimes, it's best to just leave them.
Lipoma Facts
A lipoma is a benign soft tumor. It is made up of fatty tissue and often sits just beneath your skin in areas such as your head, neck, shoulders and back. Being benign means lipomas pose little risk to you, even if you find them unsightly. They grow very slowly, feel firm but spongy and move a little when you press against them. Most don't cause any pain; if you have a small painful mass, it may not be a lipoma, so you should consult your health care provider immediately. Some people inherit a tendency to develop lipomas, but it is more common that a lipoma appears at middle age, between ages 40 and 60.
Lipomas and Weight
Although lipomas are composed of fat tissue and they can occur anywhere there are fat cells, these tumors usually don't respond to weight loss. Lipomas may slightly increase in size if you gain weight, but doctors believe they are under a different control system than the ordinary fat you lose with weight control measures. Some people feel that lipomas become more visible once you lose a dramatic amount of weight.
Lipoma Liposuction
Still, as a fat mass, liposuction is one way to treat lipomas. Your doctor may determine liposuction is the best option for you based on the size and number of lipomas you have. The procedure involves breaking up the mass and then vacuuming them out with a wandlike instrument. Among the benefits of liposuction are that you have a quicker recovery time, smaller scars and the ability to remove multiple lipomas with just one incision. However, sometimes it's difficult to get the entire mass out with liposuction and they can slowly grow back. Other treatment options include a steroid injection to shrink it and surgical excision.
Leave It
Most lipomas are best left alone, writes Dr. Gohar Salam of Michigan State University in a March 2002 "American Family Physician" article. More deeply embedded lipomas, ones that cause pain or ones that grow rapidly, should be monitored by your doctor and reviewed for removal options. In general, tumors are surgically removed if their positions pose a risk to surrounding nerve, muscle, bone or blood vessels.
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