Top Lipoma Removal Doctor in Los Angeles


A lipoma is formed by a benign, non-cancerous accumulation of adipocytes (fat cells) underneath the skin.  The lipoma usually grows in size over the course of several years, but may begin to double in size at a faster rate as it gets larger and larger.  To most people, lipomas are a minor inconvenience, but to others, it represents a nuisance and becomes symptomatic, with a generalized symptom of pain or discomfort.
In rare cases, a lipoma begins to grow around or near a sensory nerve, causing pain and continuous discomfort.  The lipomatous growth can completely encase a nerve in rare occasions, making surgical excision difficult with a higher risk of permanent sensory debility.



Most lipomas can be removed by a surgical incision and meticulous dissection of the lipomatous growth.  The procedures are performed in an outpatient setting under local anesthesia, but more complicated lipomas that are deep or that have a calcified rim may require a more invasive procedure and deeper anesthesia techniques, including intravenous sedation or general anesthesia. The choice of whether to undergo the lipoma removal under anesthesia depends on your medical history, surgeon recommendations, and the need for deeper sedation. Most lipomas can be removed under local anesthesia. 


Recurrent lipomas are rare, but are known to occur as a result of inadequate dissection or an unknown cause. Recurrent lipomas are more difficult to treat as a result of scar tissue that forms around the mass.  Scar tissue may obscure the surgical planes and make the surgical dissection of the edges more difficult and cumbersome.

Schedule a comprehensive consultation with Dr. Raffy Karamanoukian at Kare Plastic Surgery + Skin Health Center in Santa Monica. Our patient care coordinators can help answer your questions about outpatient lipoma removal and insurance coverage for most PPO insurance plans. 


Our office also specializes in the removal of moles on the face and body. Skin moles can be discolored or skin-color, depending on the amount of pigment contained within the skin growth. Dr. Karamanoukian uses a combination of treatments, including surgery, laser excision, shave excision, punch excision, and hyfrecation to remove unwanted moles. In cosmetically-sensitive areas, mole removal with laser is usually ideal.