Renaissance Plastic Surgery
Frequently Asked Questions: Kybella 1. What is Kybella? Kybella™ is the first and only FDA approved injectable drug to treat submental fullness or the “double chin.” It is made of a synthetic form of deoxycholic acid. Naturally found in the body, deoxycholic acid helps the body break down and absorb fat. 2. What areas can be treated with Kybella? The approved area for the use of Kybella™ is the subcutaneous fat in the submental region, or the area under the chin. 3. Are there any off-label uses for Kybella? If so, are they safe? The safety and efficacy for the use of Kybella™ for fat outside the submental region has not been established and not recommended. 4. Kybella vs. liposuction for double chin? Which would you recommend and what is the difference? There are many considerations when determining which procedure would be more appropriate for each patient. Treatment with Kybella™ is a good option for patients who do not wish to have surgery. Both liposuction and Kybella™ are curative procedures and permanently remove a number of fat cells. The Kybella™ treatment is less invasive than liposuction, but does typically require more than one treatment. If there is a large amount of fat in the area, sometimes liposuction would be a more appropriate procedure. The best way to determine which
procedure would be right for you is to schedule a consultation so we can evaluate the treatment area and discuss the treatment options in depth. 5. What is recovery like for Kybella injections? Most patients tolerate this procedure very well. As with any injection, there is always a risk of some bruising. There will be some swelling and the amount of swelling is generally dependent on the amount of subcutaneous fat that was treated. The swelling can last for a few days to a few weeks. The area can be tender to the touch for a few days to a few weeks. 6. How long do results from Kybella injections last? The results of a Kybella™ treatment are permanent, and the fat cells that are destroyed are permanently removed from the body. 7. What do I do if I gain weight after using Kybella? While a Kybella™ treatment removes a number of fat cells in the submental area, there are still some fat cells remaining. If you gain weight, those remaining fat cells can still grow and expand. However, there are less fat cells remaining so the fullness should be to a lesser degree if there was significant weight gain. 8. Are Kybella injections painful? Most patients tolerate the procedure very well. There is a slight burning sensation when the medication is injected and for about 10-15 minutes after the procedure. Then the treated area is usually slightly tender to the touch for a few days to a few weeks. 9. How long is a Kybella treatment? The actual treatment is usually completed in approximately 10 to 15 minutes. However, we do apply a topical anesthetic on the treatment area prior to the procedure. So, the entire time in the office is typically 30-45 minutes. 10. How many Kybella treatments do I need to see results?
The amount of treatments required will vary significantly from person to person. Most patients need at least two treatments, however, some may need additional treatments beyond the two. Typically the amount of product needed for each treatment will decrease for subsequent treatments.