A lipoma is a soft

A lipoma is a soft lump of fatty tissue that grows just beneath the skin and can usually be removed with a small procedure. First, the area is numbed with local anesthetic. The surgeon makes a short incision directly over the lump, and carefully separates the fatty mass, from the surrounding tissue. Because a lipoma is often enclosed in a thin capsule, it can sometimes be gently squeezed or lifted out in one smooth lobed piece. The area is then checked to make sure the entire lump and capsule have been removed. Finally, the small incision is closed with stitches and covered with a dressing, leaving the surrounding tissue largely undisturbed.