Lipoma Removal in Venice, FL

Lipoma removal gives patients a straightforward way to address a soft, slow-growing lump that has become painful, is getting larger, or simply bothers them. At Greco Dermatology's Venice office, Dr. Joseph F. Greco III evaluates and removes lipomas with the same exam-to-treatment continuity he brings to every skin concern.

woman with brown hair and brown eyes between two plants

The Skin Care Team Venice, FL, Patients Trust for Lipoma Removal

Greco Dermatology is a third-generation family practice serving Sarasota and Venice, FL. Dr. Joseph F. Greco III is a double board-certified dermatologist and fellowship-trained Mohs surgeon who has performed more than 20,000 surgical and excisional procedures over a career spanning 15-plus years. He personally evaluates every lump or bump that brings a patient in, whether it turns out to be a lipoma, a cyst, or something that needs a closer look under the microscope.

What Is a Lipoma?

A lipoma is a slow-growing, fatty lump that sits just beneath the skin, most often on the neck, shoulders, back, abdomen, arms, or thighs. According to Mayo Clinic, lipomas are typically:

Soft and doughy to the touch, moving easily under slight finger pressure
Less than two inches in diameter, though they can grow larger over time
Not cancerous, with a cause that isn't fully understood, though they tend to run in families
Most common in adults between the ages of 40 and 60
Usually painless, though a lipoma can become tender if it grows large enough to press on nearby nerves or contains a dense network of blood vessels

When Should a Lipoma Be Removed?

A lipoma rarely requires treatment for medical reasons, but there are several situations where removal makes sense:

The lipoma is growing larger or has changed noticeably in size or shape
It has become tender, painful, or restricts movement
Its location makes clothing or daily activities uncomfortable
A patient simply wants it gone for cosmetic reasons
The diagnosis is uncertain, and tissue needs to be examined to rule out something more serious

Because a lump under the skin isn't always a lipoma, Dr. Greco recommends that any new growth be evaluated by a dermatologist rather than assumed to be harmless.

Lipoma Removal Options in Venice, FL

Surgical Excision

The most common and most definitive treatment for a lipoma is surgical excision, an outpatient procedure with a few key steps:

The entire fatty lump is removed along with its thin surrounding capsule
Removing the capsule intact is what keeps a lipoma from regrowing in the same spot
The procedure is performed on an outpatient basis, typically in a single visit

Tissue Evaluation

Once a lipoma is removed, Dr. Greco may send the tissue for laboratory evaluation to confirm the diagnosis and rule out a cancerous growth, particularly for lumps that are:

Unusually large
Fast-growing
Firm to the touch

Benefits of Lipoma Removal

Resolves the physical discomfort it can cause
Eliminates the cosmetic concern of a visible lump
Provides peace of mind through a confirmed diagnosis
Closes the question permanently for patients who have been monitoring a growth with some uncertainty,
rather than leaving it to watch and wait

Are You a Candidate for Lipoma Removal?

Most patients with a diagnosed lipoma are good candidates for removal, especially if the lump is:

Painful
Growing
Cosmetically bothersome

During a consultation, Dr. Greco examines the lump, discusses its history and any changes, and determines whether excision is appropriate or whether further testing is needed first.

Why Choose Dr. Greco for Lipoma Removal in Venice, FL

Double board-certified by the American Board of Dermatology in dermatology and micrographic dermatologic surgery
Fellowship trained in Mohs micrographic surgery, reconstructive surgery, cutaneous oncology, and laser surgery at The David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA
More than 20,000 Mohs and excisional surgery procedures performed over a 15-plus-year career
Former Director of UCLA Santa Monica Dermatology and Health Sciences Associate Clinical Professor at UCLA
A third-generation physician who evaluates and treats every patient personally, from the first exam through recovery

What to Expect Before, During, and After Lipoma Removal

Consultation

Dr. Greco examines the lump, asks about its growth pattern and any discomfort, and confirms whether it appears consistent with a lipoma or warrants a biopsy first.

Procedure

Lipoma excision is performed under local anesthesia in the Venice office. Dr. Greco makes a small incision, removes the fatty lump along with its capsule, and closes the site, typically in a single visit.

Recovery

Most patients resume normal activity within a few days. Some localized swelling, bruising, or mild tenderness at the incision site is common and generally resolves quickly. Dr. Greco provides aftercare instructions and schedules a follow-up to check healing.

Related Growths We Treat

Lipomas are among the benign growths Greco Dermatology evaluates and removes at the Venice office, along with cysts, moles, and seborrheic keratoses. Every growth undergoes the same evaluation process: an exam, a discussion, and a clear plan for what comes next. Learn more on our Mole Removal in Venice, FL page.

Schedule Your Lipoma Removal Consultation in Venice, FL

If you've noticed a soft lump under your skin that is growing, painful, or simply bothersome, call Greco Dermatology's Venice office at (941) 667-5544 to schedule a consultation with Dr. Joseph Greco.

Disclaimer: This information is provided for educational purposes only and does not replace a consultation with a board-certified dermatologist. Outcomes, risks, and suitability vary from patient to patient.

Sources

Mayo Clinic, "Lipoma: Symptoms and Causes": https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/lipoma/symptoms-causes/syc-20374470
American Academy of Dermatology, "Bumps and Growths": https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/bumps-and-growths