Losing weight in any area of the body can be difficult, but is made practically impossible when the fat that needs to be lost is in and around the chin area. Dr. Steinbrech offers a modern revolutionary treatment to remove fat cells that exist beneath the chin. This treatment is known as the Kybella treatment and makes use of a simple injection to reduce existing chin fat. This treatment can be especially beneficial to anyone that suffers from a double chin.
It’s actually the only non-surgical procedure for this kind of condition that’s been approved by the FDA. A double chin can occur for any reason but is typically found in people that are aging or because of genetics. The most common reason for this condition is simply due to serious weight gain. The fat accumulation around the chin can subside as a person loses weight, but this procedure provides immediate results. There are a myriad of benefits derived from this treatment, the primary of which is the fact that it can vastly improve appearance, which can further assist with a substantial boost in confidence.
Kybella Procedure Details
The Kybella procedure is a rather simple one. Similar to dermal fillers, this cosmetic injectable treatment (a synthetic version of deoxycholic acid) takes the form of a series of injections. These injections are placed directly into the fat deposits under the chin. In general, full results should be had after two to four treatments, though six treatments are possible. Once the deoxycholic acid is injected into the body, it will slowly dissolve the excess fat cells around that area to help solve submental fullness without chin liposuction. Once the fat dissolves, it leaves fatty acids around. These acids will be reabsorbed and eventually eliminated from the body.
When can I expect to see Results from Kybella?
In general, you should expect the finished results to be seen after four weeks from the initial treatment. Due to the simplified nature of the treatment, as it’s nonsurgical, the entire duration of treatment lasts a mere 10-15 minutes, though a bit longer if any complications arise. This is a very short amount of time for such a rewarding procedure. This procedure is held in a standard office with an exam chair.
Is anesthesia required for Kybella?
There’s no actual anesthesia required for a non-surgical injectable treatment, but it is possible to numb the area before the injection if the patient prefers it. As touched upon previously, it takes an average of 2-3 treatment sessions for the patient to see full results. A single treatment can call for anywhere from 12 to 20 injections of deoxycholic acid. While this is the average amount of injections needed per visit, the number of shots is customized based on the needs of the patient. The needle is relatively small, so there’s no need to feel anxiety over the procedure.
Best Candidates For Kybella Treatment
Most people are good candidates for this procedure, primarily due to the fact that it’s nonsurgical in nature. The best candidates for this treatment would be anyone between the ages of 20 and 40 who want to improve their facial profile and have realistic aesthetic goals. You should have a good skin tone, but shouldn’t have an excess of skin laxity. Anyone with a full central and upper neck and minimal amounts of loose skin are perfect for the Kybella treatment. This only covers the best candidates for this procedure, however, some patients may be candidates for surgical procedures like the neck lift. Your board-certified plastic surgeon will give you a complete list of your cosmetic treatment options.
If you’re interested in this procedure, but don’t exactly fall into the spectrum of the best candidate, just come with us to identify whether or not you’re a good candidate for this procedure. It’s important to note that anyone with an infection in the area where the treatment would take place should not consider Kybella until the infection has been eradicated.
Recovery from Kybella treatment
When it comes to the healing process from the Kybella procedure, there’s usually not much to recover from since this is not a surgical procedure like a neck lift. The first phase of the treatment will always be the most painful, averaging a 3-4 out of 10 on the pain scale. The slight discomfort typically subsides after a few minutes and should be even less painful in subsequent treatments. There are a variety of ways in which you can treat this mild discomfort that you go through because of the injections, including everything from numbing shots and numbing cream to pain-relieving pills and ice.
An injection of tumescent lidocaine can also assist with this. After the treatment takes place, it’s possible that the patient will experience some redness and some degrees of swelling for a day or two. However, most people will be able to do their daily activities and even return to work on the very same day that the treatment takes place. Despite this, you should wait at least one day to return to exercise and some of the more strenuous activities that you commonly partake in. If your job requires you to do strenuous work on a consistent basis, consider taking a day off before going back to work and doing regular daily activities.
The Aftercare for Kybella
The amount of downtime you might have to go through is at its worst following the first treatment session. If you had to stay home from work for a day because of the soreness and redness you experience from the injections, this doesn’t mean that the next treatment will require you to do the same. Because of the possible side effects associated with this procedure, it’s also possible that they might get in the way of any social activities you have planned for at least a few days following the injections.
*Each patient is unique and individual results may vary.
Potential Risks and Complications of Kybella treatment
As with any type of procedure, there are some potential risks and complications that you can experience following the injections. These risks are lessened because the treatment is nonsurgical, but there are still some that you should be aware of. The most common side effects of these injections include swelling, bruising, numbness, and pain. The area just around the site of the injection can also become rough for a small period of time after the treatment takes place. A few patients could experience slight numbness as well. While these cover the more common side effects, one of the more serious side effects to be aware of is the remote possibility that an injury could occur around the marginal mandibular nerve.
This nerve basically controls a person’s smile and other facial expressions. If the injection site is too close to the nerve and an injury happens it will cause temporary facial muscle weakness, the patient’s smile may be off-balance for a period of time but this is just a potential side effect and the uneven smile will solve itself soon enough. It’s important to note that this side effect is exceedingly rare and will dissipate over time. Aside from the aforementioned risks and complications, there’s nothing else you should worry about when considering the treatment. If you’re a good candidate for the procedure, it will almost certainly display satisfactory results after two to four treatments.
Frequently Asked Questions About Kybella
If you live in the states of New York or California, Douglas S. Steinbrech, MD offers kybella among its services to help solve submental fullness. For a full list of services, please visit our Locations page.