Facial Lipoma Removal

A lipoma is a benign tumor made up of fatty tissue, presenting as a soft, slow-growing, movable lump beneath the skin. While lipomas can develop anywhere on the body, those on the face and neck are particularly noticeable — and removal is often pursued for cosmetic reasons rather than medical necessity. Although lipomas are non-cancerous, any persistent or growing lump under the skin should be evaluated by a qualified physician to confirm the diagnosis and rule out other conditions. On the face, the goal of removal is not simply to take the lipoma out — it is to take it out cleanly, with a closure that leaves the smallest possible scar. Lipoma removal is one of the procedures available within face and neck cosmetic surgery at Dr. Khosh’s Park Avenue practice in New York City.

On the face, the line between a routine lipoma excision and a noticeable scar is drawn by the surgeon’s technique. Dr. Maurice Khosh — dual board-certified in facial plastic and reconstructive surgery and otolaryngology–head and neck surgery — has spent three decades performing facial soft tissue excisions with cosmetic-grade closure. A Fellow of the American College of Surgeons (FACS) and a past president of the New York Facial Plastic Surgery Society, he combines the medical diagnostic care any soft-tissue lesion deserves with the surgical precision a facial scar demands. Dr. Khosh has been recognized as a perennial Castle Connolly Top Doctor and a Best Doctors in America honoree.

What Is a Lipoma

Lipomas are among the most common benign soft tissue tumors. They develop within the subcutaneous fat layer just beneath the skin and are typically:

• Soft to the Touch: Pliable consistency that moves easily under the skin
• Slow-Growing: Develop gradually over months or years
• Painless: Usually asymptomatic unless they press on a nerve or vascular structure
• Well-Demarcated: A defined edge that can usually be felt as a discrete lump
• Stable in Size Once Mature: Most reach a stable size and grow slowly thereafter
• Located Most Often on the Face and Neck: On the forehead, cheek, neck, or behind the ear

While lipomas themselves are not cancerous, a small subset of fatty tumors — including liposarcomas — can mimic their appearance, particularly when they grow rapidly or feel firm rather than soft. Any concerning lipoma is biopsied or referred for evaluation before cosmetic removal is considered.

Lipoma Removal Techniques

The right approach depends on the size, depth, and location of the lipoma. Dr. Khosh’s removal options include:

• Surgical Excision: The gold standard for complete removal — a small incision is made over the lipoma, oriented along the natural skin tension lines, and the entire fatty mass is removed along with its capsule to prevent recurrence
• Squeeze Excision: For smaller, more superficial lipomas, a smaller incision allows the lipoma to be carefully extracted with minimal surrounding tissue disruption
• Liposuction: For larger lipomas where surgical excision would require a longer incision, liposuction can be used to remove the fatty content through a small access port — though this technique can leave behind small portions of capsule and carries a slightly higher recurrence rate
• Combined Approach: For larger or more complex lipomas, a combination of liposuction followed by capsule removal can balance scar minimization with complete excision

“Lipomas come out easily — the technical work is in how they come out. For a facial lipoma, the orientation of the incision, the depth of the excision, and the meticulousness of the closure all influence the final result. The lipoma is gone in either case; whether the scar is invisible or noticeable is what separates a satisfying outcome from a disappointing one.” — Dr. Maurice Khosh

What to Expect from the Procedure

Lipoma removal is typically performed under local anesthesia in Dr. Khosh’s Park Avenue office. The procedure usually takes 30 to 60 minutes depending on the size and depth of the lipoma. Patients return home the same day with detailed care instructions and resume most normal activities immediately. Sutures are usually removed within five to seven days. Mild swelling and minor bruising at the site is normal for the first week or two, with the final scar continuing to refine and fade over the following several months.

Why Patients Choose Dr. Khosh for Lipoma Removal

• Cosmetic-Grade Excision: Incision orientation, closure technique, and tissue handling calibrated for the smallest possible facial scar
• Diagnostic Caution: Concerning or atypical lipomas biopsied or referred before cosmetic removal is considered
• Three Decades of Facial Soft Tissue Surgery: Deep familiarity with the anatomy and variation lipomas present across patients
• NYFPSS Past Presidency: Past president of the New York Facial Plastic Surgery Society, reflecting peer recognition
• Park Avenue Convenience: Private Upper East Side practice serving patients from across Manhattan and the tri-state area

Schedule Your Consultation in Manhattan

If you have a lipoma on your face or neck and are considering removal, the right outcome depends on accurate diagnosis, appropriate technique selection, and the kind of meticulous closure that produces a result you will not notice in the mirror. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Khosh at his Park Avenue office in New York City, call (212) 339-9988 or contact us online to request an appointment.