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Liposuction Drainage

I have an appt scheduled in late Jan to get liposuction on my abs and flanks done, then soon after I'll be going back for my inner and outer thighs...I am past being worried about the pain (thanks to all of these informational posts) I am now concerned with the drainage.

Can someone tell me what to expect? Is there a lot of fluid? How often do you have to change the dressing?

Asked 38 months ago by tarann in Bay City, MI

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Drainage after liposuction is temporary and it is not a big deal

Patients drain bloody tinged fluid from the very small incisions after liposuction for about 8-48 hours. This is a good thing because, it lessens the bruising and the chance of fluid build-up under the skin. We place absorbant dressing over all wounds, and we ask patients not to remove their dressings for two days, after which point there is no more draiange. They can shower regularly and wear a T-shirt under their compression garment.

Doctor's Website

S. Sean Younai, MD

Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

There is a lot of fluid that drains after liposuction but don't worry, it is normal

If you are getting the tumescent liposuction with microcanulas then you are getting the most effective safe procedure. There are no suturing with this technique since the holes are so small. The anesthetic fluid drains a lot for 2 days through these little holes and can leak 1-2 quarts of fluid which is good and which you want it to leak since the swelling goes down faster with the fluid leaking out. We put nice big absorbant pads over the areas then the compression garment on top of that.... more

Doctor's Website

David Hansen, MD

Beverly Hills Dermatologic Surgeon

Liposuction Drainage

In my experience, drainage from liposuction stops after two days. You may have to change your soaked dressings a times during your drainage period. The fluid that drains out is a combination of residual tumescent solution with a slight amount of blood. Your surgeon can choose to stitch the holes and you will not have any drainage. On the other hand, you may have prolonged swelling and bruising.

Ivan Thomas, MD

Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

Liposuction drainage.

After liposuction there usually is a significant amount of drainage through the incisions. A drain can be used for a few days in certain areas and this will help but you will not feel clean for several days after this type of surgery because you cannot prevent the drainage if the liposuction surgery was of any significant amount. If a Doctor does liposuction only in the office and never has much drainage they probable are not doing a Liposuction Surgery that would give a... more

Walter D. Gracia, MD

Arlington Plastic Surgeon

Most drainage occurs during the first 2 days

Drainage after liposuction is very normal after liposuction and is usually heaviest for the first 2 days after the procedure. It usually stops by the 4th or 5th day. The drainage is just extra fluid that was injected into the fat at the beginning of surgery that wasn't suctioned out during the liposuction procedure. The drainage should be cranberry colored. Seek medical attention if the color turns to a deep red.

Lawrence A. Osman, MD

Woodland Hills Dermatologic Surgeon

Recovery after liposuction

Liposuction is a safe, popular, and effective way to contour the body. Patients should be aware of the recovery process after liposuction. Immediately after the surgery, they will experience a moderate amount of pain, swelling, and bruising. In our practice, we provide every patient with a special compression garment that helps decrease the swelling and provide support for the patient to increase their comfort. Most patients statement that the first two days after liposuction are the... more

B. Pat Pazmino, MD

Miami Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Liposuction and drainage

Liposuction can certainly be performed on all these areas in one setting. Second, the pain after surgery varies. Some patients state that it feels like a tough workout soreness. As for drainage, there is often some drainage from the port sites even when they are closed with sutures.

Steven Wallach, MD

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Lipo drainage varies depending upon the technique

Hello, Some doctors place more of the "tumescent fluid" in the area to be treated before the liposuction procedure than others. Some doctors leave the openings made to perform the surgery open and others close them. As long as the incisions are pretty small, it probably makes little difference in scarring. I prefer to "loosely close" the openings personally. I believe they heal better this way. Depending upon the amount of fluid placed at surgery and whether or not the... more

John P. Di Saia, MD

Orange Plastic Surgeon

Leaking Like a Sieve (Temporarily) Is Good

Liposuction involves the infusion of dilute local anesthetic solution into the areas where fat removal is planned, usually in a volume at least equal to or greater than the volume of fat removal anticipated from that same area. This solution helps to make the procedure less painful, and to diminish the potential bleeding. Once the fat has been suctioned, there is usually some residual dilute local anesthetic solution and a small amount of blood left in the tissues. This blood-tinged fluid... more

Athleo Louis Cambre, MD

Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Drainage is good. It means extra fluid is not staying in your tissues.

Hello Tarann, again, Ther are several tiny incisions after liposuction, and they drip a little clear fluid when you move or stand up for about 48 hours. It's just a little messy. I wonder why you are having the liposuction in two stages. Unless you are really, really big, liposuction of the abdomen, flanks, and inner and outer thighs is usually done all together.

George J. Beraka, MD

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Drainage is minimal

Liposuction involves several small incisions to remove the fat. These incisions are usually closed with suture but it is common for some of the liposuction fluid to leak out around the sutures. Dressings (guaze) applied to the incision sites collects any of that drainage fluid. Most patients change the gauze a few times a day for the first 2 days or so. Small gauze dressings are all that most patients use and the amount of fluid is usually very small. After that, drainage significantly... more