Lipoma Removal In North York

Last updated: October 28, 2026

A soft, movable lump under the skin that has been sitting on your back, shoulder, arm, or forehead for months (or years) is usually a lipoma, a common benign fatty growth. At The Minor Surgery Center (TMSC), we remove lipomas at our North York clinic at 2920 Dufferin Street and at our York Mills clinic, performed by board-certified plastic surgeons under local anesthetic, same-day, from $695, with no referral needed.

What is a lipoma?

A lipoma is a benign tumor made of fat cells that grows slowly just under the skin. It is soft, doughy, and usually moves a little when you press on it, and it rarely causes pain [1][2].

Lipomas are common in adults between 40 and 60, though they can appear at any age. They most often show up on the back, shoulders, neck, arms, or forehead, and some people develop more than one over time [1]. Most lipomas are harmless and do not need to be removed for medical reasons. People choose removal because the lump is cosmetically bothersome, growing, rubbing against clothing, or causing them anxiety about what it is.

If you are unsure whether a lump is actually a lipoma, our lipoma condition overview explains how it compares with cysts and other skin lumps.

How much does lipoma removal cost in North York?

Lipoma removal at our North York clinics starts at $695 for the first lipoma, with each additional lipoma removed in the same visit priced at $250. The exact fee depends on the lipoma's size, depth, and location, and we confirm this during a free consultation.

ItemPriceFirst lipomaFrom $695Each additional lipoma+$250ConsultationFreeOHIP coverageNot covered

For a wider breakdown of what drives lipoma removal pricing across the Greater Toronto Area, see our articles on lipoma removal costs and the 2026 Toronto price guide.

Is lipoma removal covered by OHIP?

No. Lipoma removal is considered a cosmetic or elective procedure in Ontario, so OHIP does not cover it in most cases, and patients pay out of pocket.

OHIP generally only covers procedures that are medically necessary, and a benign fatty lump that is not causing functional problems does not usually meet that bar. Because of this, there is no referral required to book a consultation with us, and no waitlist tied to a government-funded system. For a deeper look at the rules, read is lipoma removal covered by OHIP in Ontario.

When should a lipoma be removed?

A lipoma should be removed when it bothers you cosmetically, restricts movement, grows, or when its appearance raises any concern it might not be a simple lipoma. There is no rule that every lipoma must come out.

Signs it should be checked sooner

Get a lump checked sooner if it:

• Grows quickly over weeks or a few months
• Is larger than about 5 cm [3]
• Feels hard or fixed in place rather than soft and mobile
• Is painful
• Sits deep in muscle rather than just under the skin

These features do not confirm a serious problem, but they are the kind of changes that warrant a proper medical exam rather than watchful waiting. Our article on lipoma size and when it matters covers this in more depth, and lipoma vs. sarcoma explains how rare fatty tumors are told apart from benign lipomas.

How is a lipoma removed?

Lipoma removal is typically done through surgical excision under local anesthetic, as an outpatient procedure that takes well under an hour for most lumps. Patients walk in, have the lump removed, and go home the same day.

Consultation

We start with a free consultation to examine the lump, confirm it behaves like a lipoma, and discuss size, depth, and location. This is also when we quote the final price. No referral is needed to book.

Surgical excision under local anesthetic

The surgeon numbs the area with a local anesthetic injection, makes a small incision over the lipoma, and removes it as one piece through the skin. The incision is closed with sutures. The whole visit is outpatient, and patients leave the same day. Read more about how long lipoma removal surgery takes.

Pathology

Removed tissue can be sent for pathology to confirm it is a benign lipoma rather than another type of growth. This step adds reassurance, particularly for larger or unusual-looking lumps.

Excision vs. liposuction vs. injections: which is best?

Surgical excision is the most reliable way to remove a lipoma completely, while liposuction and injection-based treatments are alternatives offered at some other clinics, each with different trade-offs.

MethodHow it worksRecurrenceScarBest forExcisionLump cut out whole through a small incisionLow, since the whole capsule is removed [2]Small linear scarMost lipomas, pathology neededLiposuctionFat suctioned out through a tiny incisionHigher, since tissue can remain behind [2]Very smallLarger, soft lipomas without pathology needInjectionMedication injected to shrink fat tissue over timeLump may persist or only partially shrink [2]NoneSmall lipomas, patients avoiding incisions

We perform surgical excision at our North York clinics. Liposuction and injection treatments for lipomas exist at some other providers; call (647) 614-1611 to confirm availability if you want to discuss these options with our team. For more on non-surgical approaches, see non-surgical lipoma removal and can a lipoma be removed without surgery or creams.

What is recovery like after lipoma removal?

Most patients return to normal daily activities within a day or two, with full healing of the incision taking a couple of weeks. Recovery time depends mainly on the lipoma's size and location.

Wound care and stitches

Keep the area clean and dry, follow the dressing instructions given at your visit, and avoid heavy lifting or stretching near the incision while it heals. Stitches are usually removed at a short follow-up visit. See recovery time after lipoma removal surgery for a fuller timeline.

Scarring

Excision leaves a small linear scar at the incision site, which generally fades over several months. Scar size correlates with lipoma size, so larger lumps tend to leave a slightly longer scar. Our guide on lipoma removal results shows what to expect as healing progresses.

Can a lipoma come back after removal?

Lipomas rarely recur after a complete surgical excision, because the fatty lump and its surrounding capsule are removed as one piece. New lipomas can still form elsewhere on the body, which is different from the original one regrowing [2].

Liposuction-based removal carries a higher chance of leftover tissue regrowing, since it is harder to remove the entire capsule through suction alone [2]. This is one reason excision remains the standard approach when a complete, lasting result matters.

Lipoma vs. cyst: how to tell the difference

A lipoma is a soft, slow-growing fatty lump that usually moves freely under the skin, while a cyst is often firmer, may have a visible central punctum, and can sometimes become inflamed or infected [1].

Both are common and both are usually benign, but they are treated a little differently and a cyst may carry more risk of recurring infection if not fully removed. If you are not sure which one you have, a short exam settles it quickly. Our comparison article on lipoma vs. cyst and our York Mills cyst removal page go into more detail.

Who performs lipoma removal at The Minor Surgery Center?

Lipoma removal at TMSC is performed by board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeons, including co-founders Dr. Kunaal Jindal and Dr. Roberto Tutino. Our surgical team completed five-year surgical residencies, with training at institutions including the University of Toronto, McMaster, Queen's, McGill, Western, UBC, Mayo Clinic, Yale, and Oxford.

We are highly rated on Google, with hundreds of patient reviews. Procedures are done under local anesthetic in an outpatient setting, so you are awake, comfortable, and home the same day. If you are weighing which type of specialist to see, our article on plastic surgeon vs. dermatologist for lipoma removal explains the distinction.

Where are our North York clinics?

Our primary North York location is at 2920 Dufferin Street, Suite 202, Toronto, ON M6B 3S8. We also operate a second North York option at the York Mills clinic, 85 Scarsdale Road, Unit 101, North York, ON M3B 2R2.

Both clinics serve patients across North York, Downsview, Lawrence Heights, Yorkdale, Lawrence Manor, Bedford Park, Willowdale, Don Mills, York Mills, Bayview Village, and midtown Toronto. Appointments are required at both locations; call (647) 614-1611 to book. Learn more about our main North York clinic or our York Mills clinic.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a referral?
No. You can book a free consultation directly with our clinic, no family doctor referral required.

Is it covered by OHIP?
No. Lipoma removal is considered cosmetic or elective, so it is not covered by OHIP, and fees apply.

Does it hurt?
The procedure is done under local anesthetic, so you should not feel pain during removal, though some pressure or tugging is normal. Mild soreness afterward is typical and manageable.

Will it leave a scar?
Yes, a small linear scar forms at the incision site, which usually fades over several months. Scar length tends to relate to the size of the lipoma removed.

Can it come back?
Recurrence is rare after complete surgical excision, since the lump and its capsule are removed together. New lipomas can still appear elsewhere on the body over time.

Can you remove more than one lipoma in one visit?
Yes. Many patients have multiple lipomas removed in a single appointment, priced at $695 for the first and $250 for each additional one.

Conclusion with booking CTA

Lipoma removal in North York does not need to involve long waits or unclear pricing. At TMSC's Dufferin Street and York Mills clinics, board-certified plastic surgeons remove lipomas under local anesthetic, as an outpatient procedure, with transparent pricing starting at $695 and no referral required.

If you have a soft lump you want assessed, call (647) 614-1611 or book a free consultation at our North York clinic. We will examine the lump, confirm what it is, and walk through your removal options before you commit to anything.

References

1. Lipoma. torontodermatologycentre.com.
2. Lipoma. drcolinhong.com.
3. Lipoma Removal. whatclinic.com.