A lipoma may not cause a serious medical problem, but that doesn’t mean you have to be comfortable living with it. A soft lump under the skin can become more noticeable over time, rub against clothing, feel uncomfortable, or leave you wondering whether it should be examined.

You may be dealing with:

• A visible lump beneath the skin that affects how you feel in certain clothing
• Tenderness or pressure when the area is touched
• Irritation during exercise or everyday movement
• A lump that appears to be getting larger
• Uncertainty about whether the lump is actually a lipoma

Even when a lump seems harmless, it can be difficult to stop thinking about it. A professional evaluation can help you understand whether lipoma removal in Portland may be appropriate for you.

You don’t necessarily need a hospital or complicated surgical process to remove an unwanted lipoma. At Cascade Medical Spa, Dr. Von Plitt provides in-office removal of superficial lipomas using local anesthesia in a comfortable outpatient setting.

We begin with a consultation to examine the lump, discuss your concerns, and determine whether office-based lipoma removal in Portland is appropriate for you.

• Local anesthesia for comfort
• Careful removal through a small incision
• Closure and clear aftercare instructions
• Pathology when clinically indicated
• Follow-up care to monitor healing

You’ll know what to expect before moving forward—including the procedure, recovery, and complete cost.

1. Consultation and evaluation
   Dr. Von Plitt examines the lump and determines whether in-office removal is appropriate.
2. Comfortable in-office removal
   The area is numbed with local anesthesia, and the superficial lipoma is carefully removed.
3. Aftercare and follow-up
   You receive wound-care instructions and return for follow-up or suture removal when needed.

You may be a candidate for in-office lipoma removal in Portland if your lump appears to be a small, superficial lipoma that can be safely removed using local anesthesia.

Office-based removal may be appropriate when the lump:

• Is located just beneath the skin
• Has a soft or movable feel
• Is in an area that can be safely treated
• Causes discomfort, irritation, or cosmetic concern
• Does not require sedation or hospital-based care

Some lumps require additional evaluation or referral—especially if they are rapidly growing, unusually firm, deeply positioned, infected, or located near important nerves or blood vessels.

A consultation with Dr. Von Plitt is the safest way to determine whether you are a candidate for superficial lipoma removal in Portland, Oregon.

Following your care instructions can help support comfortable treatment, proper healing, and a lower risk of complications. You’ll receive personalized lipoma removal before and aftercare instructions based on the location of your procedure.

Before Your Lipoma Removal

• Tell us about your medications, allergies, medical conditions, and previous reactions to local anesthetics.
• Let your provider know if you take blood thinners, aspirin, or anti-inflammatory medications.
• Avoid alcohol for 24 hours before your procedure.
• Eat a light meal and stay well hydrated unless instructed otherwise.
• Shower the day of treatment, but do not apply lotion, oils, creams, or makeup over the area.
• Wear loose clothing that allows easy access to the treatment site.
• Contact us if the area becomes increasingly red, swollen, painful, or appears infected.

After Your Lipoma Removal

• Leave the initial dressing in place for 24 hours unless your provider gives you different instructions.
• After 24 hours, gently cleanse the area once daily with mild soap and water and pat it dry.
• Apply petroleum jelly or a provider-recommended ointment and cover the area as directed.
• Avoid strenuous exercise for 48 hours and activities that place tension on the incision.
• Do not soak the area in a bath, pool, hot tub, lake, or river until your provider clears you.
• Keep your scheduled follow-up and suture-removal appointment when applicable.

Mild soreness, swelling, bruising, or limited drainage can be normal after in-office lipoma excision under local anesthesia. Contact Cascade promptly if you develop a fever, spreading redness, thick drainage, worsening pain, significant swelling, wound separation, or bleeding that does not stop after 15 minutes of direct pressure.

Once the incision has completely healed and your provider approves, SPF 50, silicone scar products, or gentle massage may be recommended as part of your lipoma removal scar care and recovery.

These are general guidelines. Always follow the personalized instructions provided by Dr. Von Plitt and your Cascade care team.

What is a lipoma?

A lipoma is a soft, usually slow-growing lump made of fatty tissue beneath the skin. Although many are benign, any new, changing, painful, or unusual lump should be professionally evaluated rather than self-diagnosed.

Can a lipoma be removed in your Portland office?

Dr. Von Plitt can perform in-office lipoma removal in Portland when a lipoma is superficial and appropriate for removal under local anesthesia. Deep, rapidly growing, unusually firm, or complex lumps may require further testing or referral to a specialist.

How is a lipoma removed?

The treatment area is numbed with local anesthesia. Dr. Von Plitt makes an incision over the lump and carefully removes the lipoma, ideally intact when feasible. The incision is then closed and covered with a dressing. This is known as surgical excision of a superficial lipoma.

Does lipoma removal hurt?

Local anesthesia is used to numb the treatment area before the procedure begins. You may notice pressure or movement, but you should not feel a sharp sensation during the removal. Mild soreness, swelling, or bruising may occur afterward.

Will I have a scar after lipoma removal?

Because removal requires an incision, some scarring should be expected. The final appearance can vary based on the lipoma’s size and location, the closure required, your skin, and how your body heals. Following your lipoma removal aftercare instructions can help support proper healing.

How long does recovery take after lipoma removal?

Recovery depends on the size and location of the lipoma and the type of closure used. Most patients should avoid strenuous exercise for at least 48 hours and avoid activities that pull on the incision. Dr. Von Plitt will provide personalized lipoma removal recovery instructions and let you know when normal activities can safely resume.

Are stitches required after lipoma removal?

Stitches may be needed depending on the lipoma’s size, depth, and location. When stitches require removal, the timing commonly ranges from 5 to 14 days, depending on the treatment area and your individual healing.

Will the removed lipoma be sent to pathology?

Removed tissue may be submitted for pathology when clinically indicated, including when the diagnosis is uncertain, the growth appears atypical, the lipoma has returned, or the provider has a concern. Pathology may also be requested by the patient and can involve a separate laboratory charge.

How much does lipoma removal cost in Portland?

The cost of lipoma removal in Portland, Oregon depends on the lump’s size, location, complexity, and the type of closure required. A consultation allows Dr. Von Plitt to determine whether office-based removal is appropriate and provide an exact treatment price.

Can a lipoma grow back after it is removed?

Recurrence is possible, especially if the lipoma cannot be completely removed. It is also possible to develop a new lipoma in another location. Dr. Von Plitt will discuss the expected outcome and potential risks before treatment.