Kybella Injections
About KYBELLA®
Kybella® is an FDA-approved injectable treatment designed to address submental fullness, which occurs when excess fat accumulates beneath the chin and can be challenging to get rid of with diet and exercise alone.
Kybella injections have become a popular treatment option for individuals who want a non-invasive approach to double chin reduction and don’t want to deal with the downtime typically associated with surgical procedures.
How does Kybella work?
The key active ingredient in Kybella is deoxycholic acid, a molecule produced in the body that supports the breakdown and absorption of dietary fats. When injected into the chin area, Kybella disrupts the fat cell membranes, breaking them down and eliminating them through the body’s metabolic processes.
Is Kybella right for you?
Here are characteristics that typically define ideal candidates for Kybella treatment:
- Presence of Double Chin: Ideal candidates have noticeable submental fullness that they wish to reduce.
- Overall Health: Good general health is essential to ensure a successful treatment. Significant medical conditions can complicate the process or increase the risk of complications.
- Understanding of Results: Ideal candidates understand the expected outcomes of Kybella treatment and have realistic expectations regarding the degree of improvement.
- Avoidance of Surgery: If you’re looking for a non-surgical and minimally invasive alternative to surgical procedures for submental fat reduction, Kybella could be the right choice.
- Skin Elasticity: Individuals with relatively good skin elasticity are often ideal candidates, as the skin is more likely to adapt to the changes in the submental area after fat reduction.
- Skin Health: To ensure proper healing, it’s important to be free from skin infections or conditions in the treatment area.
In addition, while Kybella is a safe and effective treatment for many, it is essential to note specific contraindications and considerations:
- Active Infections or Skin Conditions: Individuals with active skin infections or conditions in the treatment area should postpone Kybella treatment until the skin is healthy.
- Pregnancy and Breastfeeding: Kybella’s safety during pregnancy or breastfeeding has not been established, so it is generally not recommended for individuals in these circumstances.
- Blood Clotting Disorders: Individuals with bleeding disorders or those taking blood-thinning medications may need careful consideration and consultation with their healthcare provider.
Before undergoing Kybella treatment, patients should consult with a qualified healthcare professional. The provider will assess qualifications based on factors such as overall health, medical history, and the extent of submental fat.
Consultation Process and Assessment
The consultation is an opportunity to openly discuss patient goals, express reservations, and build confidence in the provider’s expertise. Here is what happens during a Kybella consultation at John Aker Aesthetics:
- Assessment of Submental Fat: We will assess the amount and distribution of submental fat to determine the appropriate treatment plan.
- Overall Health Evaluation: A comprehensive evaluation of the candidate’s general health will be conducted to ensure suitability for Kybella treatment.
- Discussion of Goals and Expectations: Discussions include a dialogue about the candidate’s aesthetic goals and expectations, ensuring alignment with achievable outcomes.
- Personalized Treatment Plan: Based on the assessment, we will create a customized treatment plan laying out the number of Kybella sessions needed for optimal results.
Treatment Procedure
Kybella is administered through precisely targeted injections directly into the submental fat. The injection sites are strategically chosen to address specific areas of submental fullness, allowing for a customized approach tailored to individual facial anatomy and desired outcomes.
A treatment session typically lasts about 15 to 20 minutes. Patients with little excess chin fat will need around 20 to 25 injections in a single Kybella session, while others with more submental fullness may need closer to 50 injections to achieve significant results.
While one session can yield noticeable results for some individuals, we may recommend a series of treatment sessions for optimal outcomes, usually spaced at least one month apart. The total number of sessions depends on factors such as the amount of submental fat and individual response to the treatment.
Setting Realistic Expectations
A clear understanding of the gradual nature of Kybella treatment is essential to ensure a smooth and informed experience. We advise our patients to set their expectations accordingly.
- Gradual Transformation: Understand that Kybella treatment is not an instant fix. The process gradually reduces submental fullness as the body naturally eliminates targeted fat cells over time. Keep in mind that patience is vital when it comes to seeing the ideal results.
- Individual Response Variability: Results and experiences may vary among patients based on factors such as the amount of submental fat, skin elasticity, and overall health. We will provide personalized insights into what you can expect based on your circumstances.
- Possibility of Multiple Sessions: While some individuals may observe significant improvement after one session, others may require multiple sessions for optimal results. Commit to the recommended treatment plan for the best outcome.
- Overall Health Evaluation: A comprehensive evaluation of the candidate’s general health will be conducted to ensure suitability for Kybella treatment.
- Discussion of Goals and Expectations: Discussions include a dialogue about the candidate’s aesthetic goals and expectations, ensuring alignment with achievable outcomes.
- Personalized Treatment Plan: Based on the assessment, we will create a customized treatment plan laying out the number of Kybella sessions needed for optimal results.
Post-Treatment and Recovery
Kybella Treatment is performed on an outpatient basis. Since it is non-surgical, patients can typically return home on the same day as the treatment.
Anticipate temporary side effects, including swelling, bruising, and redness at the injection sites. These effects typically subside on their own within a few days.
Avoid strenuous physical activity to reduce the risk of increased swelling and bruising, and handle the treated area with care. Use mild skin care products and refrain from aggressive rubbing or massaging.
Attend follow-up appointments to monitor your progress and be able to make adjustments to the treatment plan if necessary.
Most importantly, maintain your results by practicing a holistic, healthy lifestyle, incorporating a balanced diet, regular exercise, proper sleep, and other healthy habits.
Risks and Side Effects
The most common side effects of Kybella Injections include mild to moderate redness, numbness, swelling, pain, and hardness in the treated area. These effects usually go away as the healing process continues.
However, although rare, potential adverse effects can occur, such as nerve, artery, or vein injury, difficulty swallowing, and asymmetrical results. Choosing a qualified and skilled medical professional who carefully plans and performs the procedure with precision techniques significantly reduces these risks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Downtime is generally minimal. Most patients can resume their usual routine on the same day as the treatment, with some limitations in strenuous activities. Swelling, bruising, and redness are common but temporary side effects that may affect social plans for a few days.
Discomfort during Kybella treatment is typically mild and temporary. We may use topical anesthetics or recommend other pain management techniques to enhance your comfort during the procedure.
Kybella can be effectively combined with other procedures for enhanced results, but discussing your goals first is essential. We can advise you on the compatibility of Kybella with other treatments and recommend the best timeline for achieving optimal outcomes.
Results vary among individuals, and while some may achieve significant improvement after one session, others may need multiple sessions for optimal results. Lifestyle factors can affect how long the results last, so patients may require maintenance sessions to keep them up.
Kybella is designed to target submental fat specifically. When performed by a skilled professional, the treatment should not affect the natural movement of facial muscles
Kybella treatments permanently reduce existing submental fat but don’t prevent potential weight gain or the development of new fat cells in various body areas, including the submental region. Ensuring a healthy lifestyle through a balanced diet and regular exercise maintains results.
Finding a Kybella Provider
Choose a qualified medical professional certified and well-trained to perform injectables such as Kybella when seeking a provider. Opt for accredited practices that adhere to industry standards and read patient testimonials to gauge the provider’s reputation and ability to deliver consistent ideal outcomes.
Finding the right Kybella provider is essential for a safe and successful aesthetic journey, and these considerations help ensure confidence in your choice.
Before & After
What causes submental fullness?
Submental fullness due to fat beneath the chin can impact a broad range of both male and female adults. Neck fullness due to fat accumulation can occur due to many factors, such as hormonal changes and lifestyle choices. Additional possible causes include:
Who should not receive KYBELLA®?
You should not receive KYBELLA® if you have an infection in the treatment area.
Patients whose submental fullness is not caused by excess neck fat should not consider KYBELLA® non-surgical treatment. Fullness related to the bone, skin, muscle, and neck glands cannot be treated with KYBELLA®. These patients may need other treatment options such as a neck lift, dermal fillers, neuromodulators, or various medical treatments.
How does KYBELLA® work?
When injected into the fat beneath your chin, KYBELLA® destroys fat cells. Once destroyed, those cells cannot store or accumulate fat.
The active ingredient in KYBELLA® is deoxycholic acid, a naturally occurring molecule in the body that aids in the breakdown and absorption of dietary fat.
Fat cleared from the treatment area is processed through your body’s natural metabolism.
Before receiving KYBELLA®, tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you: Have had or plan to have surgery on your face, neck, or chin; have had cosmetic treatments.
Pricing
At My Plastic Surgery Group, the cost of KYBELLA® is $600/vial. The number of sessions needed to achieve desired results can impact the total price of KYBELLA® treatment.
How soon can I see ideal results from KYBELLA® treatment?
KYBELLA® can cause serious side effects, including nerve injury in the jaw (which can cause an uneven smile or facial muscle weakness) and trouble swallowing.
The most common side effects of KYBELLA® include: swelling, bruising, pain, numbness, redness, and areas of hardness in the treatment area. These are not all of the possible side effects of KYBELLA®. Call your healthcare provider for medical advice about side effects.
KYBELLA® may be right for you if:
- You’re bothered by fat under the chin, also known as submental fullness
- You don’t want to undergo surgical options like liposuction or a neck lift
- You feel the condition makes you look older or heavier than you actually are
- You eat well and exercise, but submental fullness does not go away
- You lead a busy lifestyle with no time to spare for cosmetic surgery
- You are physically and mentally fit with moderate to severe submental fat
- You have realistic expectations
If most of these statements apply to you, ask your doctor if KYBELLA® is right for you. Before receiving treatment, tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions, including if you: have had or plan to have surgery on your face, neck, or chin; have had cosmetic treatments on your face, neck, or chin; have had or have medical conditions in or near the neck area; have had or have trouble swallowing; have bleeding problems; are pregnant or plan to become pregnant (it is not known if KYBELLA® will harm your unborn baby); or are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed (it is not known if KYBELLA® passes into your breast milk; talk to your healthcare provider about the best way to feed your baby if you receive KYBELLA®).
Contact us to learn more
If you have any questions about KYBELLA® in Carmel, IN, visit My Plastic Surgery Group. Contact us today to set up a consultation with our KYBELLA® experts.
Meet Dr. Aker
Dr. Aker, an Indianapolis plastic surgeon affiliated with several area hospitals, has lectured and is published widely on a variety of plastic surgery topics. Dr. Aker brought several new techniques in cosmetic surgery to Indianapolis and Carmel including the endoscopic breast augmentation (“endo aug”) and Asian eyelid surgery.
Meet Dr. Beckman
After receiving her medical degree with honors, Dr. Beckman was selected for a highly competitive integrated plastic surgery residency position at Rutgers University, where she rigorously trained in both aesthetic and complex reconstructive plastic surgery for six years. During residency, she developed a strong passion for plastic surgery education and research. She earned several teaching and clinical excellence awards and served as Chief Resident in her final year.
After residency, Dr. Beckman was selected for an aesthetic plastic surgery fellowship position at H/K/B Cosmetic Surgery, one of the nation’s premier aesthetic plastic surgery practices. This additional year gives her the unique opportunity to learn from some of the most recognized names in aesthetic plastic surgery and to train with the most innovative procedures and products available.
