Lipoma Removal with Minimal Scarring — Chattanooga & Ooltewah, TN

Expert lipoma excision by a physician with 14+ years of focused dermatologic surgery experience

Schedule Your Consultation → (423) 777-7570

What Is a Lipoma?

A lipoma is a soft, rubbery lump that develops just beneath the skin. It is made up of slow-growing fat cells enclosed in a thin, fibrous capsule. Lipomas are one of the most common benign (non-cancerous) soft tissue growths — they affect roughly 1 in 1,000 people, and many individuals develop more than one over their lifetime.

Lipomas typically feel smooth and doughy to the touch. They move easily when pressed with a finger and are usually painless. They can develop anywhere on the body but are most common on the back, shoulders, neck, arms, abdomen, and thighs. They can range from the size of a pea to several inches across, and while they grow slowly, they do tend to keep growing over time.

Most lipomas are entirely harmless, but that does not mean they are not bothersome. Many patients across the greater Chattanooga region — from Ooltewah and East Brainerd to Cleveland, Hixson, and North Georgia — come to Clear Derm because a lipoma has become large enough to notice, unsightly, or physically uncomfortable. Some patients are understandably worried about whether their lump could be something more serious. In all of these cases, an evaluation is a smart first step.

When Should You Have a Lipoma Removed?

Because lipomas are benign, removal is generally elective — but there are several compelling reasons to move forward sooner rather than later:

  • It is growing larger: This is the most important reason not to wait. The smaller a lipoma is at the time of removal, the smaller the incision and the smaller the scar. Waiting only allows it to grow, which means a larger procedure and more noticeable scarring.

  • It is becoming painful: Some lipomas press on nearby nerves or structures, causing aching or tenderness

  • It is in a visible area: Lipomas on the arms, neck, or forehead can cause significant self-consciousness

  • It interferes with movement or function: Lipomas near joints or under clothing can be physically limiting

  • You are concerned it could be something else: Any lump that is firm, rapidly growing, or painful should be evaluated to rule out a liposarcoma (a rare cancerous fatty tumor)

  • You have multiple lipomas: Some patients develop numerous lipomas and want them addressed systematically

The key message: the sooner a lipoma is removed, the better the cosmetic outcome. We encourage patients not to take a “wait and see” approach when the result of waiting is simply a bigger lipoma and a bigger scar.

How We Remove Lipomas at Clear Derm

Our approach to lipoma removal is guided by two priorities: complete removal and minimal scarring. Dr. Kim uses a refined excision technique designed to remove the entire lipoma through the smallest incision possible.

Here is what the process looks like:

  • Physical examination and assessment: Dr. Kim examines the lump to confirm it is consistent with a lipoma. The size, depth, and location are assessed to plan the approach.

  • Imaging or biopsy if needed: For uncertain lumps — those that are unusually firm, deep, or rapidly growing — we may recommend ultrasound imaging or a preliminary biopsy before proceeding.

  • Local anesthesia: The area around the lipoma is numbed with a local anesthetic. You will feel a brief pinch, then nothing during the procedure.

  • Minimal incision: A carefully planned incision is made — our goal is always the smallest opening that allows safe, complete removal.

  • Careful dissection and removal: The lipoma is gently separated from surrounding tissue and removed in its entirety. Complete removal is essential to prevent recurrence.

  • Layered closure: The incision is closed in layers using internal and external sutures. This technique produces the best cosmetic result and minimizes tension on the skin.

Most lipoma removals take 30 to 60 minutes depending on the size and depth of the growth. Everything is performed in our comfortable Ooltewah office under local anesthesia. There is no need for general anesthesia, no hospital visit, and no overnight stay.

Why You Shouldn’t Wait to Remove a Lipoma

This is one of the most important points we share with our patients: lipomas grow slowly, but they grow continuously. A lipoma that is 2 centimeters today may be 5 or 6 centimeters a year or two from now. The difference this makes in surgery is significant.

A lipoma removed at 2 cm requires a small incision — often less than an inch — and leaves a minimal scar. That same lipoma at 6 cm requires a substantially larger incision, more tissue dissection, and produces a more noticeable scar. Deeper lipomas that have had time to grow may eventually require more complex surgery.

Early removal equals a simpler procedure and a better cosmetic outcome. We frequently see patients who wish they had come in sooner. If you have a lipoma you have been watching, now is a better time than later.

Is My Lump a Lipoma or Something More Serious?

The vast majority of soft, movable lumps beneath the skin are benign lipomas, and there is usually no cause for alarm. However, we take every lump seriously because rare exceptions do exist.

Warning signs that a lump warrants prompt evaluation include:

  • Rapid growth — a noticeable increase in size over weeks rather than months

  • Pain or tenderness — most lipomas are painless; pain can signal something different

  • Firmness or hardness — lipomas are typically soft; a hard lump needs closer examination

  • Deep location — lumps that feel attached to deeper structures or do not move freely

  • Size greater than 5 cm — larger lumps have a slightly higher chance of being atypical

A liposarcoma — a cancerous fatty tumor — is rare, but it does occur. This is one of the reasons we send every removed specimen to pathology for microscopic analysis, regardless of how typical it appears.

If you have a lump you’re unsure about, don’t Google — get it checked. Peace of mind is worth a short office visit.

Recovery After Lipoma Removal

Recovery from lipoma removal is typically smooth and manageable:

  • Most patients return to desk work the same day or next morning

  • Physical activity restrictions for 1 to 2 weeks depending on the location and size of the lipoma

  • Suture removal is typically scheduled in 10 to 14 days

  • Mild soreness and localized swelling are normal and resolve within a few days

  • We provide scar management guidance to help minimize long-term visibility of the incision

  • A follow-up appointment is scheduled to check healing and review pathology results

Lipoma Removal Cost & Insurance Coverage

Many lipoma removals qualify as medically necessary — particularly when the lipoma is symptomatic, growing, painful, or there is clinical concern about its nature. In these cases, insurance often covers the procedure.

We verify your insurance coverage before scheduling so you understand your financial responsibility upfront. For self-pay patients, we offer competitive pricing — call us at (423) 777-7570 for details.

Don’t let cost concerns prevent you from getting evaluated. We will work with you to understand your options.

Why Patients Choose Clear Derm for Lipoma Removal

  • Experienced physician: Dr. Eli Kim has over 14 years of experience focused exclusively on dermatologic procedures, including thousands of lipoma removals

  • Board-certified: Dr. Kim is a board-certified physician with a meticulous approach to minimizing scars and optimizing outcomes

  • Minimal-scar technique: We use the smallest incision possible combined with layered closure for the best cosmetic result

  • In-office procedure: No hospital, no general anesthesia — just a comfortable, efficient experience in our Ooltewah office

  • Pathology on every specimen: Every removed lipoma is sent for laboratory analysis for your safety and peace of mind

  • Convenient location: Easily accessible for patients from Chattanooga, Cleveland TN, Hixson, East Brainerd, Dalton GA, and the surrounding region

  • New patients welcome: We are accepting new patients and can often schedule within days

Concerned About a Lump? Let’s Take a Look.

The sooner a lipoma is removed, the smaller the scar. Don’t wait — schedule your evaluation today and find out exactly what you are dealing with.

Call (423) 777-7570 or Book Online

5545 Little Debbie Pkwy, Ooltewah, TN 37363

Serving patients from Chattanooga, Ooltewah, Cleveland, Hixson, East Brainerd, Dalton GA, Ringgold GA, and surrounding communities.

Frequently Asked Questions About Lipoma Removal

  • Many lipomas are covered by insurance when they are symptomatic — meaning they are painful, growing, or interfering with function. We verify your coverage before scheduling the procedure.

  • All surgical procedures involve some scarring, but Dr. Kim uses minimal-incision techniques and layered closure to produce the smallest, least noticeable scar possible. Scars continue to fade over several months.

  • Lipomas themselves are benign and do not become cancerous. However, a rare type of cancerous tumor called a liposarcoma can sometimes be mistaken for a lipoma. This is why we send every removed specimen for pathology analysis.

  • Lipomas can be removed by dermatologists, general surgeons, and dermatology-focused physicians. At Clear Derm, Dr. Kim has over 14 years of experience focused exclusively on dermatologic surgery, including thousands of lipoma removals.

  • There is no minimum size requirement. If a lipoma is bothering you — physically or cosmetically — it can be removed. In fact, we encourage removal while lipomas are smaller because it results in a smaller incision and less scarring.

  • Complete surgical excision of a lipoma has a very low recurrence rate. If the entire lipoma is removed, it is unlikely to return in the same spot. However, people who are prone to lipomas may develop new ones in different locations.

  • The procedure is performed under local anesthesia, so you will not feel pain during the removal. You will feel a brief pinch when the numbing medication is injected. After the procedure, mild soreness is normal and typically managed with over-the-counter pain medication.

  • Lipomas are typically soft, movable, and painless. Warning signs that a lump may need urgent evaluation include rapid growth, pain, firmness, or a size larger than 5 centimeters. Dr. Kim evaluates every lump carefully and can order imaging or biopsy if anything is concerning.