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Matthew Potter
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Lipoma Removal

Lipomas are fatty lumps that develop beneath the skin. They are almost always benign, but they can vary significantly in size, grow over time, become painful, or appear in locations — particularly the head and neck — where their removal requires specific surgical expertise.

Mr Matthew Potter has a specialist interest in removing lipomas of the head and neck. He also has direct links to Oxford’s soft tissue cancer (sarcoma) service for the rare occasions where pathological analysis reveals any concerning features — ensuring patients have immediate access to the right specialist input without delay.
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Why Mr Potter

Specialist interest in head and neck lipomas

Direct links to Oxford sarcoma service

All removed lesions sent for pathological analysis

Over 1,000 skin lesions removed in the last 5 years

Less than 1% lesion recurrence

PHIN patient satisfaction score: 99%

PHIN is an independent government audit of consultant patient outcomes, randomly sampling post-operative patients. A 99% satisfaction score places Mr Potter among the highest-rated plastic surgeons in the country.

Treatment

Lipomas are removed through a simple incision over the lesion, excising the fatty lump through the skin opening and closing the wound with sutures. The incision is placed within natural skin folds or lines wherever possible to minimise visible scarring. All removed tissue is sent for pathological analysis.

Larger lipomas, rapidly growing lipomas, or painful lipomas are particularly important to remove and assess, as rapid growth or pain can occasionally indicate atypical tissue change — very rare, but worth confirming through analysis.

Surgical removal

Lipomas of the head and neck require specific surgical expertise given the proximity of important structures — nerves, vessels and salivary glands. Mr Potter’s specialist interest and extensive experience in this area means patients with head and neck lipomas are in expert hands.

Head and neck lipomas

In the rare event that pathological analysis reveals atypical or cancerous change, Mr Potter’s direct links to Oxford’s sarcoma service ensure the case is reviewed by the right multidisciplinary team and further treatment — surgery, radiotherapy, or chemotherapy — is discussed and planned without delay.

If pathology shows concerning features

Patient Imagery

Intraoperative-Shoulder-Lipoma-Excision
Post-Operative-Shoulder-Lipoma-Scarring
Lipoma-2-Peri-Operative
Lipoma-2-Post-Operative-Scar

What Patients Say

Thank you for your care over these months – I could not of had a better doctor, a man who I have complete trust in.
Many thanks for all your help and support this year.
I will always be grateful to you for the kindness you showed to my dad.
Please accept our gratitude to you. We acknowledge the hard work and commitment you put into being the best you can be at your work. WD

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a lipoma?

A lipoma is a benign fatty lump that develops beneath the skin. They are very common and almost always harmless, but can vary in size, grow over time, and occasionally become painful. Surgical removal is straightforward in most cases.

A lipoma should be considered for removal if it is growing rapidly, becoming painful, affecting function, or causing concern. All removed lipomas are sent for pathological analysis to confirm their nature.

Almost never. Lipomas are benign in the vast majority of cases. Rarely, a soft tissue tumour that resembles a lipoma may show atypical or cancerous features on analysis. Mr Potter’s links to Oxford’s sarcoma service ensure any such finding is managed appropriately and without delay.

The head and neck contains important structures — facial nerves, major vessels, salivary glands — in close proximity to where lipomas may develop. Surgical removal in this area requires specific expertise to avoid injury to these structures. Mr Potter has a specialist interest in head and neck lipoma removal.

Yes. Every lipoma Mr Potter removes is sent for pathological analysis as standard, confirming it is benign and that no further action is required.

At the Manor Hospital in Oxford, Ridgeway Hospital in Swindon, Stratum Clinic in Wootton Oxfordshire, ProDerm in Cheltenham, and Interface Business Park in Royal Wootton Bassett.

Book a Consultation

Contact us if you have any health concerns or are looking to get a consultation. You can contact Matthew Potter by using the form below or contact him through one of the available telephone numbers or email addresses listed on this page.

Private Secretary & All Correspondence

T. 07917 965717

Swindon - Ridgeway Hospital

T. 01793 814848

Cheltenham - ProDerm, Festival House

T. 0800 0489230

Oxfordshire - Stratum Clinic,
Wootton Business Park

T. 01865 320790

Wiltshire - Interface Business Park, Royal Wootton Bassett

T: 0808 2803560

Oxford - The Manor Hospital

T. 01865 307777

Contact Lissie on 07917 965717 or use the form below.