KYBELLA® for Double Chin Treatment

Excess fat can accumulate virtually anywhere on the face or body, including directly under the chin. Submental fat, commonly called a “double chin,” can be one of the most difficult types of fatty tissue to eliminate regardless of your fitness level. Board certified plastic surgeon Neal Goldberg, MD often uses liposuction to address this concern; however, there is now a minimally invasive treatment option that can reduce the appearance of a double chin and help patients achieve their cosmetic goals without surgery. KYBELLA® is an innovative injectable that is FDA-approved to break down submental fat and improve the facial contour. During your initial consultation, Dr. Goldberg can determine whether KYBELLA® can help you attain the results you’re looking for.

Is KYBELLA® Right For Me?

Every patient’s anatomic characteristics and cosmetic goals are unique, so it’s important to determine whether KYBELLA® or another treatment can offer you optimal results. One of the best ways to do this is to schedule a consultation with an experienced and extensively trained plastic surgeon like Dr. Goldberg. KYBELLA® works best for patients who have good skin quality and excess fatty tissue under the chin that is resistant to dieting and exercise. You should also be at least 18 years old and have reasonable expectations for the outcome. Dr. Goldberg will go over these considerations with you during your first meeting and discuss your options.

How Does KYBELLA® Work?

KYBELLA® is designed to break down fat cells so they can be naturally metabolized by your body. The formula is made of a substance called deoxycholic acid, which occurs naturally in the body and is used to break down fatty tissue. Once administered, KYBELLA® should gradually break down fat in the targeted area while leaving the surrounding tissue unharmed. As a result, it’s very important that you have relatively firm, elastic skin, as this procedure does not tighten loose skin. If you have excess skin as well as fat, Dr. Goldberg may recommend an alternative or supplementary procedure to optimize your outcome.

What Are KYBELLA® Injections Like?

Similar to other injectable treatments, KYBELLA® is administered using an ultrafine needle into a series of targeted locations under the chin. For the safest, most effective results, a board certified plastic surgeon should be the one performing this treatment. Only physicians are currently approved to provide this service. The procedure can often be completed in as little as 20 minutes, although your experience may vary. Although the process can be quick, we recommend patients return home and rest for the remainder of the day and perhaps the day after, depending on how they feel.

What Should I Expect During Recovery From KYBELLA®?

Many patients choose to take a day or two off from work and regular activities after receiving KYBELLA®. Subsequently, you should be able to go about your routine normally without restrictions. Some bruising, mild to moderate swelling, and tenderness at the injection sites are normal effects that should fade quickly. Results can be apparent after about two or three weeks, with the final results visible after a few months.

Do KYBELLA® Injections Hurt?

Minimal discomfort is reported during the treatment, and we can provide ice packs and topical and/or local anesthetic to help make this process more comfortable. Soon after the procedure you may feel some pain, which can often be easily managed with over-the-counter analgesics like Tylenol®. Some patients also experience some numbness the first couple of days, which should subside relatively quickly. Tenderness may be noticeable for several weeks as the active substance works on the unwanted tissue. Compared with liposuction, the most common technique used to reduce excess fat, recovery from KYBELLA® is reported to be much faster and more comfortable, but each person’s experience will be unique.

How Long Will Results From KYBELLA® Last?

A long-lasting result is one of the many potential benefits of KYBELLA®. As the submental fat is naturally metabolized and the destroyed fat cells do not regenerate, you should be able to enjoy your new neck contour indefinitely as long as a stable weight is maintained. If you adhere to a healthy lifestyle and body weight, you should not require retreatment. Some people can benefit from a second procedure, but many individuals find that one treatment session adequately achieves their cosmetic goals.

How Much Does KYBELLA® Cost?

KYBELLA® can offer NYC-area patients a more affordable way to slim the region under the chin without the traditional expenses usually included with liposuction, such as hospital fees, surgeon’s fees, and the cost of anesthesia. Each person’s cost estimate will be determined by factors unique to their treatment, including:

  • The extent of your concerns
  • The volume of product injected
  • The number of treatments necessary to achieve your goals

While insurance policies typically don’t provide coverage for KYBELLA®, Dr. Goldberg accepts plastic surgery financing to make it easier for patients to pursue the aesthetic treatment of their choice. Highly reputable healthcare lenders like CareCredit® and ALPHAEON® Credit can make the cost of KYBELLA® more manageable by offering qualified patients an array of low- to no-interest payment plans to choose from, allowing individuals to select the most ideal arrangement for their budgetary concerns. If you would like to learn more about the cost of KYBELLA®, our office team would be happy to further discuss your payment options.

Does KYBELLA® Cause Any Side Effects?

Fortunately, severe side effects from KYBELLA® injections are extremely rare. However, patients may experience temporary swelling, bruising, soreness, or redness after their injections, which are all common reactions to any type of injectable treatment. In most cases, these minor side effects subside within one to two weeks, should they occur. Serious reactions such as signs of facial muscle weakness, trouble swallowing, or nerve injuries should be assessed by a doctor or healthcare provider immediately. At our Westchester and NYC practice, patients can feel confident that a board-certified plastic surgeon is on-site in the very rare event of complications during treatment.

Is KYBELLA® Safe?

As a FDA-approved fat reduction treatment, KYBELLA® has a proven record of patient safety and clinically-supported results. In order to further maximize your safety, Dr. Goldberg and our medical professionals will always thoroughly evaluate your previous medical history and candidacy for KYBELLA® injections before recommending any treatment. This method of double chin reduction may not be suitable for individuals with infections or medical conditions that affect the area on or near the neck.

While injections are considered safe for individuals who are good candidates for treatment, it’s important for patients to ensure they’re under the care of an experienced nurse injector or a board-certified plastic surgeon before moving forward with treatment. A qualified provider will be able to evaluate your concerns and determine the appropriate volume of KYBELLA® to inject, as well as the most optimal depth of injection.

Are There Alternatives To KYBELLA®?

Non-surgical body contouring options are available, although they generally cannot achieve the same level of fat reduction as KYBELLA®. Through our med spa, patients have access to a wide range of minimally invasive and non-surgical options. For more significant fat reduction, liposuction is often the best technique. If excess skin is present, a neck lift with liposuction may be the ideal approach. Dr. Goldberg will review all your options and provide professional guidance to help you make the ideal decision for your desired outcome and anatomic needs.

If you would like to know more about KYBELLA® and double chin reduction, please contact our practice today.

Specials
x