Kybella has made a name for itself as the leading non-invasive treatment meant for eliminating a double chin, and it's important to know what to expect from each treatment. Below are 7 things you should know before getting Kybella injections to be sure you get the result you want.
WHAT’S THE PURPOSE OF KYBELLA?
Kybella is meant to treat submental fat, or what you know as a “double chin.” The area below your chin is a natural area for fat deposits to settle as a result of weight gain, the natural aging process, or just through genetics. What makes a double chin particularly stubborn is that there’s no way to directly target the area through exercise. Regular diet and exercise in general will help reduce it, however, it’s not guaranteed depending on what caused it, and getting rid of it without a targeted treatment like Kybella is extremely difficult.
Before Kybella, the only way to get rid of a double chin was through liposuction, which required anesthesia, pain management, and extensive recovery. However, with Kybella you are able to permanently kill fat cells with just a series of injections that come with almost no down time. Essentially, Kybella destroys the fat cells and your body gradually eliminates them over the following 8-12 weeks.
WHO CAN GET KYBELLA?
While it requires a consultation first, just about anyone with a double chin is an eligible candidate for Kybella. As long as you’re 18+ years old, there is a customizable Kybella plan for you.
WHAT’S IN KYBELLA?
Kybella is a synthetic form of deoxycholic acid (also known as stomach acid) that your body already creates on its own to break down dietary fat. So when it is injected into submental fat, it produces mild swelling which subsides as your body naturally expels the fat cells. This makes the option much safer and less susceptible to potential complications that would come with invasive procedures like liposuction.
WHAT IS A KYBELLA TREATMENT LIKE?
A Kybella treatment itself doesn’t take very long at all. You’ll have to prepare for the treatment by avoiding supplements like fish oil and flax seeds, garlic-based supplements, vitamin E, and St. John’s Wort. You should also avoid aspirin or ibuprofen for about a week before your treatment to avoid any bruising. However, this should only be done at the instruction of your primary care physician.
The treated area will be cleaned and numbed prior to the Kybella injections so that you’re comfortable during the treatment, and then the injections will be administered throughout your chin. The whole treatment should take no more than 20-30 minutes.
Following the treatment you’ll notice swelling in the treated area, which will increase over the next 24 hours. This is a perfectly natural response to the treatment and will subside significantly over the next 5-7 days. The area may be tender to the touch following the treatment and ice packs are encourage to help reduce swelling and ease any discomfort.
We recommend you schedule your treatment for a Friday so that most of the swelling will subside by the time you return to work on Monday morning.
HOW MANY TREATMENTS WILL I NEED?
Most patients get 2-3 treatments to get optimal results, however the results of one single treatment can be significant and some patients are pleased after one. If you still see any lingering submental fat after one, the area can be retreated about 6 weeks between each session.
ARE THE RESULTS PERMANENT?
Yes. Kybella causes a number of fat cells to die, and your body will naturally expel them. If you experience weight gain following your treatment, you may see any fat cells left behind after your treatment expand. Keep in mind that Kybella is intended to reduce the number of fat cells in the area, but it is virtually impossible to remove every single one. So it’s important to maintain a healthy weight after Kybella. Despite this, we have seen patients that gained weight and still maintained their results.
CAN I TREAT OTHER AREAS WITH KYBELLA?
Yes! Kybella was developed for double chins, but it's effective on any small pockets of fat that you want to get rid of. It works the same way on banana rolls, bra bulges, armpits, inner knees, and the lower belly. It can also be safely combined with other non-invasive fat reduction procedures like Emsculpt Neo or CoolSculpting.
Kybella is the safest and most effective non-invasive procedure for the removal of a double chin and the results speak for themselves. Schedule an appointment to try Kybella by calling our office at 561-805-9399 or emailing us at info@supriyamd.com.
