How much blood drainage is normal after lipo?

Back in the day when I used to place drains in liposuctioned areas, there was a great deal of drainage but not much blood.  It is very difficult to quantify the amount of blood that is normal to drain after liposuction.  This, of course, varies from person to person, from surgeon to surgeon, and from area on the body.  However, the story you tell of dark red blood coming out, and even gushing out, is very concerning.If you are unable to get in touch with your liposuction doctor, I would go to the closest emergency room for evaluation and possible treatment.  If you were my patient and you had the above situation, I would place a Red Robinson catherer in the drainage site and sterilely place Thrombin and Ephinephrine down the drain.  This has historically been both safe and efficacious in the treatment of specific bleeding areas after liposuction.

Hello.
Great question. It is normal for that amount of fluid to leak 1 day post op. Keep following up with your surgeon as he knows your procedure best. 

Hello,
The first 24-48 hrs after liposuction is is not uncommon to have a. large amount of fluid "leak" from your liposuction openings.  This is because large amounts of fluids mixed with epinephrine are placed to minimize blood loss with your liposuction procedure.   I tell all my patients to sleep on old sheets with a towel the first night. In fact most PS will leave the sutures somewhat looser to encourage this and reduce swelling.  It is very often blood tinged or can be dark bloody fluid too.  Make sure your are drinking plenty of clear fluids and using your compression. 
If you do not hear from your PS within a reasonable amount of time and are still concerned I would recommend calling again.   If you develop light headedness along with continued  large amounts of fluids coming out a trip to the ER may be warranted though in most cases this will resolve over the first 1-2 days after surgery.  
Best of Luck with your healing!
Dr. Rednam