Lipomas and skin cysts are benign (not cancer) changes that occur in many people's skin.  Lipomas are fatty masses that can grow at areas of past trauma, or without any cause.  Removing them can be very straightforward and if so, removal in the office is quick and well-tolerated by most patients.  Sometimes the lipomas are too large or in an area that is too difficult to safely access in the office.  In this case, surgery will be performed at the hospital as an outpatient with some sedation.  Expect to spend a few hours at the hospital and someone must drive you home.  Most people would take a couple of days off from work afterwards and you should limit your lifting to less than 20 pounds for a week after surgery.  Occasionally, narcotic pain medications are necessary, but most people get adequate relief from over the counter medications.

Skin cysts are large collections of oil and fluid that accumulate in our skin.  Most people will have had them cut into and drained in the past, but to make them go away, the lining of the cyst needs to be removed.  These tend to be larger than expected, and therefore are usually done under sedation at the hospital as outpatient surgery.  Expect to spend a few hours at the hospital and someone must drive you home.  Limiting your lifting to less than 20 pounds for a week after surgery is also important.  Narcotic pain pills are usually used for a couple of days, and therefore, you should not drive nor work during that time.