How much blood drainage is normal after lipo?

Question

I had aggressive liposuction of my abdomen yesterday. I am worried that I have been bleeding pretty heavily from my left incision sight near my groin. It is not just the blood tinged fluid like I was expecting, but dark read blood. I have soaked around 3 tena maxi pads and when I stand up it just gushes out. I left a message with my surgeon but It’s almost 9pm on a Friday here so idk when I will hear back and if this is something I should go to an ER for.

S. Larry Schlesinger, MD, FACS · Answer

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.

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

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.

Rukmini S. Rednam, MD, FACS · Answer

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

Ajaya Kashyap, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question.
Usually the drainage after liposuction is mostly the injected fluid colored with a little bit of blood. If, it is frank blood, you need to go to the emergency room.  All The Best !

Tania Medina de Garcia, MD · Answer

Hello dear!!
Thanks for the question and provided information as well.
Right after liposuction, it is very normal to have a great amount of leakage, which should be less every day. What is not normal is the color of the fluid you describe.
Please follow up close with your plastic surgeon, to avoid any complications.
Good luck :)

How much blood drainage is normal after lipo?

Answers (8)

Answer: How much blood drainage is normal after lipo?

Answer: How much blood drainage is normal after lipo?

Answer: How much blood drainage is normal after lipo?

Answer: How much blood drainage is normal after lipo?

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Liposuction

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.

How much blood drainage is normal after lipo?

Answers (8)

Answer: How much blood drainage is normal after lipo?

Answer: How much blood drainage is normal after lipo?

Answer: How much blood drainage is normal after lipo?

Answer: How much blood drainage is normal after lipo?

Browse related questions

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Liposuction

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.