That Lump Has a Name — and a Simple Fix
Lipoma, Mole & Benign Lesion Removal in Ottawa with Dr. Mehrad Jaberi
You've been living with it for years. Maybe it's a soft lump on your back that you've been told is "just a lipoma." Maybe it's a mole that catches on your collar every single morning. Or a cyst that's been slowly growing and you keep pushing the appointment further back. Whatever it is — it shouldn't have to stay there.
Removing benign skin lesions is one of the most straightforward procedures in plastic surgery. No hospital. No general anesthesia. No long recovery. Dr. Jaberi performs excisions in-office under local anesthesia, with precise closure that minimizes scarring. Most patients go home the same day and return to normal activities within days.
The bigger question isn't whether to remove it. It's whether the person doing the removal leaves you with a result that looks as clean as possible after.
Quick Facts
| Procedure Time | 20–45 minutes (most lesions) |
| Anesthesia | Local anesthesia only — no sedation, no hospital |
| Recovery | Back to desk work same day; active lifestyle within 1–2 weeks |
| Suture Removal | 7–14 days post-procedure |
| Pathology | Tissue sent for analysis as standard practice |
| OHIP Coverage | Possible when medically indicated (see below) |
What Are We Removing?
Not all lumps and bumps are the same — and the type of lesion determines how Dr. Jaberi approaches the removal. Here are the most common benign lesions treated in our practice.
Lipoma
A soft, movable collection of fat cells located just below the skin. Painless in most cases, but can grow large enough to become uncomfortable or cosmetically bothersome.
- Soft, doughy texture — moves when pressed
- Slow-growing; rarely becomes malignant
- Most common on back, shoulders, neck, arms
- Removed through small incision with complete capsule excision
Mole (Melanocytic Nevus)
A pigmented growth formed by melanocyte clusters in the skin. Most moles are completely harmless, but removal may be desired for cosmetic reasons, catching on clothing, or when there are changes in size, shape, or colour.
- Flat or raised; tan, brown, black in colour
- Tissue sent to pathology as standard practice
- Shave excision or full elliptical excision, depending on depth
- Fine scar that fades significantly over 6–12 months
Sebaceous & Epidermal Cyst
A cyst — distinct from a lipoma — is a sac lined with skin-like tissue and filled with keratin or sebum. It feels firmer than a lipoma and may have a visible pore on the surface. Cysts can become infected.
- Firm, dome-shaped; often has a central pore (punctum)
- Common on scalp, face, neck, back
- Complete removal of capsule wall is essential to prevent recurrence
- Best removed when NOT actively infected
Dermatofibroma
A firm, slightly raised nodule of fibrous tissue in the dermis. Often appears on the legs and is harmless, though it can be itchy or tender. The tell-tale sign is a dimple when you pinch the skin above it.
- Small (typically 3–10 mm), firm, brownish nodule
- Dimples inward when skin is pinched — a clinical hallmark
- Most common on lower legs
- Excision is straightforward; leaves a small flat scar
Skin Tag (Acrochordon)
A small, soft, fleshy growth that hangs off the skin by a narrow stalk. Completely benign and extremely common — affecting roughly half of all adults. Usually appears in areas of skin friction.
- Soft, pedunculated (on a stalk); skin-coloured
- Common on neck, underarms, eyelids, groin folds
- Removal is quick — scissor excision at the base
- Multiple tags can be addressed in one visit
Other Benign Lesions
Dr. Jaberi also treats a range of other benign growths including epidermal inclusion cysts, ganglion cysts, pilomatricomas, and benign fibromas. If you're unsure what you have, a consultation is the fastest way to find out.
- Epidermal inclusion cysts: keratin-filled, easily excised
- Pilomatricoma: calcified follicular tumour, most common in children
- Ganglion cyst: usually near joints or tendons of the wrist/hand
- Excision tailored to lesion type and location
Why Have It Removed by a Plastic Surgeon?
Lesion removal sounds simple — and the procedure itself often is. But the result depends entirely on how the tissue is handled. A poorly planned incision, aggressive closure, or failure to remove the full capsule of a cyst leads to problems: a wide, depressed scar, a recurrence, or an in-grown cyst that becomes infected months later.
Dr. Jaberi approaches every excision — whether it's a 5 mm skin tag or a 6 cm lipoma — with the same attention to technique he brings to complex reconstructive surgery. That means:
- Incision planning: placed along natural skin tension lines and hidden within contours whenever possible to minimize visible scarring
- Complete excision: for cysts, the entire capsule wall is removed — not just the contents — because incomplete removal is the number-one cause of cyst recurrence
- Layered closure: deep absorbable sutures close the deep layers before the visible skin is closed, reducing tension on the scar and improving the final appearance
- Pathological review: all excised tissue is sent to a certified pathologist to confirm the diagnosis, with results communicated to you promptly
- Minimal disruption: local anesthesia is administered with fine needles to minimize discomfort before you feel anything
The goal is a clean result you'll barely notice in a year — not just a lump that's gone, but a skin surface that looks like nothing was ever there.
A Note About OHIP Coverage
OHIP may cover lesion removal when there is documented medical indication — for example, a rapidly changing mole, a symptomatic lipoma causing pain or functional impairment, a recurrently infected cyst, or a lesion suspicious for malignancy. Purely cosmetic removal (a mole you simply don't like the look of) is not covered under OHIP. Dr. Jaberi will discuss your individual situation during your consultation and advise on coverage eligibility honestly and clearly.
Who Should Consider This Procedure?
Lesion removal is appropriate for you if:
- You have a soft lump (likely a lipoma or cyst) that has been growing or is uncomfortable
- You have a mole that catches on clothing, bleeds, itches, or has changed in appearance
- A dermatologist or family physician has referred you for excision of a suspicious or symptomatic lesion
- You simply dislike the cosmetic appearance of a mole, skin tag, or surface lesion
- A cyst has become repeatedly infected or is growing
- You want the excised tissue sent for pathology confirmation
If you are unsure whether your lesion needs removal or what type of lesion you have, that's exactly what a consultation is for. Dr. Jaberi can examine it, explain what it is, and give you an honest recommendation.
What to Expect — Consultation to Clear Skin
Your Consultation
Dr. Jaberi will examine the lesion, review your history, and explain exactly what it is and how he would remove it. He'll show you where the incision would be placed and what kind of scar to expect. For lesions with any unusual features, he may recommend a dermatology consult or biopsy first — but in most cases, you'll leave the consultation with a procedure date already on the books.
If you have multiple lesions you'd like addressed, bring a list. Several can often be removed in a single visit.
The Day Of
You come into the office — no hospital booking, no fasting, no IV. Dr. Jaberi numbs the area with a fine-needle local anesthetic injection (a brief sting, then nothing). He works quickly and precisely, removes the lesion cleanly, and closes the incision in layers. The whole thing takes between 20 and 45 minutes for most lesions.
You'll leave with a small dressing in place. You can drive yourself home, have lunch, and go about your day. There's no sedation — you'll feel completely normal. Most patients return to desk work the same day.
Recovery Timeline
Minor soreness and some swelling at the site — completely normal. Keep the area dry and covered. Avoid anything that strains or stretches the incision.
Most patients feel nothing at this point. The incision is sealed. Pathology results typically come back within this window.
Sutures are removed at a short follow-up visit. The wound is closed, healing well, and usually looking better than you expected already.
The scar is flat and pinkish — normal healing progression. You can return to full physical activity including exercise by this point for most locations.
The scar gradually fades from pink to silver-white and softens to match the surrounding skin. In many cases it becomes nearly invisible.
Frequently Asked Questions
If it catches on clothing, bleeds, itches, or simply bothers you every time you see it — that's reason enough. You don't need a medical diagnosis to want something removed that affects your quality of life. That said, Dr. Jaberi will always examine the mole before removal and send it to pathology so you have documented confirmation that it's benign. The mole goes away, and your peace of mind gets to come along.
Yes — any incision leaves a scar. There's no honest way to say otherwise. But here's the reality: a well-planned, meticulously closed excision leaves a scar that most people can barely find a year later. Dr. Jaberi uses fine sutures, follows natural skin tension lines, and closes in layers so there's minimal surface tension pulling the scar wide. For most patients, the fine line left behind is dramatically less noticeable than the lesion was.
Yes — and in our practice, it always is. All excised tissue is sent for pathological analysis. A certified pathologist examines the tissue and confirms the diagnosis. If a report comes back with any unexpected finding, you'll hear from Dr. Jaberi directly with clear guidance on what to do next. This isn't just a formality — it's a safeguard that matters.
It depends on the clinical picture. OHIP covers removal when there's a medically documented reason — a symptomatic lipoma, a changing or suspicious mole, a recurrently infected cyst, or a lesion causing functional problems. Purely cosmetic removal (you just don't like the look of it) is not covered. Dr. Jaberi will be direct with you about eligibility at the consultation. If there's a case for OHIP coverage, he'll present it accurately. If there isn't, he'll tell you that too.
A lipoma is made of fat — soft, squishy, moves freely under your fingertips, and usually painless. A cyst is a sac lined with skin-like tissue and filled with keratin or oil — firmer, sometimes tender, and may have a small pore on the skin surface above it. Both are benign. Both are removable in-office. But the surgical technique differs: cysts require complete removal of the capsule wall to prevent them from growing back, which makes experience and precision essential. Squeezing a cyst or only draining it is not a cure — it will simply refill.
Yes — in most cases, multiple lesions can be addressed in a single visit. If you have several skin tags, a mole, and a small cyst you've been meaning to take care of, there's a good chance we can do them all in one appointment. The time required depends on the total number, size, and location of the lesions. Let Dr. Jaberi know at your consultation what you'd like addressed, and he'll plan the visit accordingly.
You've Thought About It Long Enough
Benign lesion removal is one of the most straightforward procedures Dr. Jaberi offers — quick, clean, and done under local anesthesia right in the office. Book a consultation and walk out with a plan, a date, and the confidence that it'll be handled right.
Book Your ConsultationOr call us directly: 613-591-1188