If you have a lump under your skin, you may have a lipoma or cyst. Both of these skin growths are typically harmless and do not necessarily need to be removed. However, if you have a lump that is causing you discomfort or aesthetic concerns, it can be removed through excision surgery. Dr. Matthew Reschly at MJR Dermatology performs the excision of lipomas and cysts at our medical center in Lawrenceville, GA.
Lipoma Removal
Lipomas are fatty, benign tumors that form under the skin. The cause of these fatty lumps is unknown, but they tend to appear in patients with a family history of lipomas and in individuals over 40 years of age. Lipomas do not pose a health threat, but they may cause discomfort if they become large enough to press on nerves and surrounding tissue. They commonly occur on the neck, back, arms, shoulders, abdomen or thighs.
Lipomas can be removed with excision surgery, which is an outpatient procedure performed under local anesthesia. The skin and tissue around the fatty lump are numbed, then a small incision with a scalpel is used to access and remove the fatty tissue. The incision is then sutured and closed carefully to minimize the appearance of the resulting scar. Lipomas generally do not return once removed.
Surgical Cyst Removal
Cysts are sacks of fluid that can occur within the skin and throughout the body. Cysts also do not pose a health risk in most cases, but they can be uncomfortable when they occur near joints or moving body parts. Small skin cysts can be removed through extraction – a needle can be used to remove the fluid and deflate the cyst. However, some cysts refill after extraction and may need to be completely removed through excision for permanent results.
Dr. Matthew Reschly is one of Atlanta’s best dermatologists and is highly skilled at performing surgical dermatology procedures such as the excision of lipomas and cysts. If you have a cyst or lipoma you want removed, contact us at MJR Dermatology. Our team can make an appointment for you to meet with Dr. Reschly for an excision surgery consultation.