Lipomas are not removed unless there is a cosmetic concern, a compression of surrounding structures, or an uncertain diagnosis. Lipomas generally don't infiltrate into surrounding tissue, so they can be excised easily.
An alternative to standard excision is to manually squeeze the lipoma through a small incision. This technique is useful in areas with a thin dermis, such as the face and extremities. Liposuction-assisted lipectomy also can be used to remove large lipomas with minimal scarring.