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

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 !

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 :)

At the start of a liposuction procedure, a large amount of fluid (tumescent fluid) is injected into the the subcutaneous fat area to be suctioned through small incisions.  This is a sterile salt IV solution typically mixed with epinephrine, to minimize bleeding, and a local anesthetic to numb the treatment area.  Next, the fat and the fluid is aspirated with a suction cannula about the size of a pen or pencil.  Most, but not all of the tumescent fluid is removed.  The remainder of the fluid will ooze out from the incision sites over the next 24 hours.This is normal and can be quite excessive.  It is usually pinkish in color.  Absorbent pads, like baby diapers, are placed over the drainage areas and they may need to be reinforced or exchanged if they become saturated. A compression garment is placed over the dressings.  It is a good idea to have an impervious sheet/drape to place in your car on the ride home and over your bed mattress or recliner at home until the drainage stops.  This sheet and extra bandages/pads can be supplied by your surgeon.Dark red drainage is a sign of old blood and not a concern.  If you have excessive bright red drainage with a low blood pressure and a rapid pulse, then you need to call your surgeon immediately, no matter what time of day.   A visit to the doctor's office or emergency room might be necessary.  In this situation, the drainage sounds normal.Good Luck!

It is common for there to be a lot of leakage in the first day or two after liposuction as a lot of fluid is injected into the fat (tumescence) to pop the fat cells and allow them to be removed. Most of the fluid is removed by the liposuction, but any remaining fluid which can be mixed with blod, will either come out of the small surgical wounds or be absorbed by your body.  Occasionally there is some bleeding from blood vessels in the vicinity of the fat cells but this usually settle down. You should expect some bruising and swelling which can take up to 3 months to settle.
If however you still have concerns then return to see your PS for advice and reassurance.

usually, in the first few hours and day after liposuction, you will see drainage. Dark brown drainage indicates old blood that is liquified.Bright red blood in a stream is an indicator of a true bleeding problem. The drainage is usually a combination of the injected fluid which is done for pain, and for decreasing bleeding. your description seems to suggest the drainage is normal with the injected, or tumescent fluid.