Lipomas occur under the skin and anywhere on the body. They are mostly seen on the neck, shoulders, back, abdomen, arms, or thighs.

Lipomas are generally soft and doughy to touch and can move easily if pressure is applied with a finger. 

They are colourless and usually small in size but have the propensity to grow.

Some lipomas are painful. When they grow, they can press on the nearby nerves and cause pain.

If one notices any change in the skin texture, pain in the lump while palpating, it is advised to consult the doctor immediately.

Physical examination is the key to diagnose lipoma. The doctor will perform a physical examination and check for consistency of the lipoma, pain while touching the lipoma, surrounding skin texture and size of the lipoma. The doctor may also advise a biopsy (a piece of the lipoma is taken to be examined in the laboratory) to rule out cancer (liposarcoma). If the biopsy suggests a malignancy (cancer), then an ultrasound, a CT (computed tomography), or an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) is advised for diagnosing a liposarcoma.

Lipomas are usually harmless and do not require treatment. A lipoma is removed when it starts increasing in size and if there are multiple lipomas. The excision also takes place if it causes pain or discomfort to the patient. Other reasons include the change in its consistency or if there are visible changes in the surrounding skin. Cosmetic unacceptability is also a factor for the excision of lipoma. Moreover, Lipoma excision is also done if it becomes cancerous or if the patient already has skin cancer.

If the procedure is done under general anaesthesia, the patient will be required to stay in the recovery room for a few hours until the effect of the anaesthesia wears off. During this time their vital signs such as their heart rate and blood pressure will be monitored regularly.

The postoperative care of Lipoma excision also involves taking care of the wound by bathing on the first day after the surgery. It is advised to keep the area clean and dry. Furthermore, one should not change the dressing on the first day. Then, from the second day onwards, change it once a day, if it gets soiled or dirty.

The next step involves cleaning the wound. After removing the dressing, one must clean the area with soap and water and dry it, followed by applying the antibiotic ointment as advised by the doctor, and then redoing the dressing. Patients are asked to avoid swimming, jogging, and lifting heavy weights for a few weeks as it may cause their wounds to open up.