No one wants to have to deal with a “double chin,” but if you have excess fat around your neck and lower face that makes you appear heavier than you actually are, what can you do? For a long time, people have sought plastic surgery procedures to get rid of the infamous double chin. These procedures can be rather invasive, leave some scarring, and may not produce the results the person was looking for in the first place.

But recently, a new procedure has emerged that allows people to get rid of their double chin without having to go under the knife. It’s called Kybella, and we’re going to cover everything about the procedure to give you a better idea of what you can expect should you choose to have it done.

About Kybella

According to a recent survey by the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, more than ⅔ of surveyed patients said they were bothered by the double chin. This double chin becomes prominent when excess fat in the neck and lower face lessens the profile of the chin and jawline.

Often, no amount of diet and exercise can seem to get rid of the fat in this area. While plastic surgery has been the only option for years, Kybella has emerged as an alternative, non-surgical option.

Kybella is the first FDA approved injectable medication used in the treatment of submental fullness, otherwise known as a “double chin“. Submental fullness is a very common cosmetic concern in a wide range of patients and has been difficult to treat up until this point. Patients would either require a neck lift or liposuction of the neck in order to improve this area. With the introduction of Kybella™, we now have a solution to a problem that affects most of us at some point in our lifetime. Over 2/3 of surveyed patients in a recent survey by the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, admitted to being bothered by “double chin”.

Before and After Photos

What is Kybella Video

How Does Kybella Work?

Kybella provides a rather easy solution to a problem that most people will encounter at some point in our lives. The FDA-approved Kybella allows patients to reduce the fat in their neck without having to undergo a surgical procedure of any kind.

To get rid of the unwanted fat below the chin, Kybella is injected into the submental fat cells.

Kybella targets these fat cells and destroys them with its active ingredient: deoxycholic acid. Deoxycholic acid is a naturally-occurring acid found in the human body that is used in a wide variety of medical procedures.

With Kybella, the deoxycholic acid absorbs and disintegrates that fat cells underneath the chin. Rather than having to go in and scoop or suck out the fat, the destroyed fat cells are actually removed from your body via your natural elimination process. The result is the restoration of your more attractive natural profile in just a few weeks, no knives required.

Benefits

Previously, a person seeking treatment for submental fullness, or the double chin, would have to go under the knife for a neck lift or liposuction. These procedures are rather invasive and come with risks and complications. Having a Kybella injection avoids the risks involved with a surgical procedure, and also comes with a recovery process that is minimal at most, or non-existent for others.

Besides how easy the procedure is, the results are dramatic as well. In a few short weeks, you could be rid of your double chin and have not just a slimmer neck, but also a more youthful appearance to your entire face. This area is hard to target through workouts and nutrition, so Kybella provides a viable and easy solution.

You’ll get a more slender, youthful appearance, with no scarring, and no cutting, tucking, or suction. It’s all natural. The process also should not need to be repeated. The effects of Kybella will be long-lasting as long as you maintain a healthy lifestyle. Beyond the predetermined amount of sessions required for your treatment, there should be no return visits required.

Good Candidates for Kybella

Kybella can be a successful option for a wide variety of people. The treatment is safe for all skin types and complexions. However, the best candidates for Kybella are those who maintain a healthy, stable body weight.

Those who are obese and have a significant amount of fat in the chin and neck area, as well as those with loose, sagging neck skin, will not be the best candidates for Kybella injections. It’s important to have reasonable expectations for your Kybella treatment, as well as recognize that it is not meant to replace exercise and a healthy diet.

Both will need to be continued to maintain the results of your treatment. Other surgical options, such as liposuction or a neck lift, are available to those who are not good candidates for Kybella. Dr. Arslanian will help decide the best treatment plan for you during your consultation. Anyone receiving a Kybella treatment must be at least 18 years old.

Kybella vs. Liposuction

As we’ve mentioned, Kybella is far less invasive than its surgical counterpart — liposuction. Liposuction is a procedure in which fat deposits are sucked out of the body through a thin tube that has been inserted into the neck through a small incision. Liposuction does provide immediate results whereas Kybella can take four to six weeks, but liposuction requires a recovery period where Kybella does not.

Liposuction also does not do anything to prevent the future growth of fat in the area, while Kybella promotes the body’s metabolism to eliminate fat cells.

Kybella vs. Neck Lift

A neck lift is a surgical procedure that is a better option for those with loose, excess skin. Neck lifts also help to reduce the fat in the area, but are more for tightening and smoothing the loose, sagging skin below the skin. Kybella does not target the loose skin at all, only the fat.

Consultation

During your consultation, Dr. Arslanian and his team will provide you with everything you need to know about the Kybella treatment. He will decide whether or not you are a good candidate for Kybella or if a surgical procedure is a better option. You will then walk through the process and receive instructions for before and after the treatment. Dr. Arslanian will decide how many injections will be required and give you a projection for what you can expect your results to be.

From there, you can move forward with the simple Kybella procedure right there in the office. After a consultation with Dr. Arslanian to assess whether you are a good candidate, Kybella™ can be administered right in the office with little to no discomfort. Some patients may require 2 or more sessions spread out over 4-6 weeks to achieve the result they are looking for. However, once complete, the results are long-lasting since Kybella™ actually destroys the fat cells so that they can not come back. If you are ready to schedule your consultation, please contact us now so you can get started on your road to a BETTER YOU!

Kybella Procedure

The first step in the Kybella treatment is to thoroughly clean the area and surrounding region. Dr. Arslanian will then draw a special grid from your chin to your collarbone, which will provide him with the exact injection locations.

Then, Dr. Arslanian will infect the Kybella into the designated points. The number of injections will be decided based on how much fat is in the area as well as its location. A numbing agent isn’t required but can be provided upon request.

The entire treatment process will only take 15 to 20 minutes. There typically is no recovery time required, although it may be best to rest immediately after the procedure in case there is some swelling. Simply icing the area will take care of any swelling of discomfort. From there, you can feel free to resume normal activity.

Dr. Arslanian will decide how many treatment sessions are required to get the results you are looking for, but it will usually be no more than two to four sessions. If multiple sessions are suggested, they will be set at least a month apart. The good news is that once treatment is complete, the fat will never return to your neck area because the treatment completely destroys your fat cells.

Recovery & Results

Because Kybella is a natural procedure that utilizes your body’s metabolism to help break down the fat cells, the treatment can produce long-lasting results. The fat cells in the area are destroyed, meaning they cannot grow back in the area that was treated.

That being said, it may take four to six weeks before results appear, as it takes the body time to break down the fat cells. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is vital to your results, as gaining weight can enlarge fat cells in the surrounding area. You may also have some minor swelling or bruising, but they should go away within a day or two.

Cost

Your cost for Kybella treatment will depend on how many injections and how many sessions are required to achieve your desired results. Dr. Arslanian and his team will come up with an estimate during your consultation process that will be set against what they expect to be your treatment plan. But note that the plan can be modified as you begin to see results. Any supplementary procedures will come at an additional cost.

Financing may be available for some patients to help you with the up-front costs. If you’d like to learn more about Kybella treatment or to schedule a consultation, please give us a call at 678-894-9200 or fill out the consultation request form online.