How long will bleeding continue from your incision areas once lipo is done on the hips and flanks?

Question

How long will bleeding continue from your incision areas once lipo is done on the hips and flanks? Will is be a susbstantial amount, will changing be needed frequently? Or is it barely noticeable?

Luke J. Curtsinger, MD · Answer

Are usually leave the liposuction ports open and allow them to drain. I have found that this decreases the swelling and speeds up the recovery. When I use the VASER liposuction,  then I find that there is less bleeding, but the drain sites will drain for a few days longer perhaps 3 to 4 days.

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

If the sites are left open they should heal in about 6 weeks and stop draining in a few days.  I suggest you speak to your physician about how he does his incision sites.  Best, Dr. Emer.

Christopher T. Maloney Jr., MD · Answer

Thank you for your question.   If not told ahead of time, many patients can get worried when they see bleeding after liposuction.   This is very normal and can last 24-48 hours.   It is not actually "bleeding" you are seeing.   When we perform liposuction, we add a lot of fluid.   We remove a significant amount when we remove the fat, but some does stay behind.   Usually we leave the small incision open or just put a single suture in it to allow that fluid to drain.   A small amount of gauze in the compression garment is all you really need to absorb the excess fluid.   Sometimes there is more than that, and you can simply change the gauze or use a white washcloth to absorb it.   Every patient is a little different so it is hard to say how much fluid you will leak.   Good luck to you.

Austin Hayes, MD · Answer

The drainage is usually lasts for several days. Placing gossip had over the incision site will absorb drainage. It varies depending on whether the surgeon has closed the liposuction incisions. Some doctors elect to leave them open. Even an open incision will typically close within a few days.

Vincent N. Zubowicz, MD · Answer

With variability from patient to patient most have cessation of drainage from the access points of liposuction in about 24 hours. The fluid that comes out is residual tumescent and serum tinged with a small amount of blood making it appear Burgundy color. There is actually very little blood in this drainage.

Manish H. Shah, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello XklusiveCandy,Thanks for your question.If your surgeon leaves the access incisions open after liposuction, then it may be a few days after surgery before drainage stops.  Be prepared with enough clean linens or bed pads.If your surgeon sutures the access incisions closed, like I do, then there is little to no drainage.  If you have high volume liposuction, then drains are often used to remove extra fluid.Hips and flanks don't count as high volume in most cases, so you will be fine.I hope this was helpful.Thanks,Dr. Shah

Francisco Canales, MD · Answer

Most of the oozing after liposuction will stop at 48 hours, but it is not unusual to have an occasional leak that lasts longer. Make sure you keep your surgeon advised. Best wishes.

Larry Lickstein, MD · Answer

Hi Candy, love your profile name!  Drainage after liposuction can be quite variable.  Liposuction is commonly performed using the tumescent technique.  Than means that the fat is prepared for removal prior to the actual aspiration.  Usually a solution with IV fluid, lidocaine, and epinephrine is injected under the skin and into the soft tissue.  Depending on the anatomic site, the volume may be as much as a liter per site, and can total several liters for a more substantial body contouring case.  The IV solution helps to liquefy the fat and that facilitates aspiration.  The lidocaine is for comfort.  The epinephrine causes the blood vessels to constrict minimizing bleeding and bruising.  Some of this fluid is suctioned out with the fat.  Some is absorbed by the body and later evacuated.  The remainder may find its way out through the incisions, and the volume and duration can be affected by the surgeon's preference whether of not to close the incision.  Know that drainage usually abates within days.  I would recommend covering chairs with towels and saving the good bed sheets for another night!  I would also encourage you to discuss this with your surgeon.  Best of luck!

Ravi Somayazula, DO · Answer

Some surgeons elect to leave the incisions open after liposuction to allow it to drain. Typically the drainage is slightly bloody and is typically not significant. The drainage usually persists for 48 hours. During this time guaze pads or poise pads can be used to catch drainage. Good luckRegards,Dr. Ravi Somayazula

Frederick G. Weniger, MD, FACS, MBA · Answer

After Liposuction it is normal to drain for several days, with the most drainage on the first day.  The drainage varies but be prepared for a lot of drainage. The changing of the dressing vary as well, depends on if you are placed in a garment after surgery and if so you should not take the garment off till your first follow up.  Check with your Board Certified Plastic Surgeon for their protocols.  Protect your furniture from the drainage as well.

How long will bleeding continue from your incision areas once lipo is done on the hips and flanks?

Answers (16)

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