Kybella
Conveniently Located to Serve the Dallas, Fort Worth, Collin, and Denton Counties.
What is Kybella?
Kybella is an injectable treatment designed to remove submental fullness (the double chin area). This injectable medication is made up of a compound called deoxycholic acid, which is a natural enzyme within the digestive tract. This enzyme is used to break down and dissolve adipose (fat) cells, resulting in a permanent decrease in the number of fat cells in the affected area. Studies have shown long-lasting and highly effective results after several treatment sessions (usually somewhere in the range of 2-6 treatments).
Is Kybella the same as liposuction? How are they different?
Liposuction is a procedure that involves using a blunt-tipped cannula to remove fat from a layer that is just below the skin. This is commonly performed in the submental area to treat a “double chin” as an alternative to Kybella. Submental liposuction is usually able to achieve adequate results with a single treatment, but does require creating a small (<1 cm) incision in the natural crease underneath the chin. On the other hand, Kybella does not require any incisions, but does typically require more than one treatment.
Is Kybella safe? What are the risks of treatment with Kybella?
The most common risks associated with Kybella are the risks of swelling, bruising, discomfort, redness, or numbness. These symptoms may last for a couple of days after treatment but are usually temporary. More significant risks can include injury to one of the nerves that affects muscle movement around the mouth, difficulty with swallowing, or tissue damage in the area of injections, but these are very rare. In general, Kybella is a safe, non-surgical treatment option for submental fullness with minimal risks.
Will I look different after treatment with Kybella?
Most patients who have fullness in the submental region under the chin will see noticeable improvement after a series of treatments with Kybella. The number of treatments required to achieve a desired outcome is different for each patient, and this is something that will be discussed during your consultation.
Am I a good candidate for Kybella?
If you have fullness in the submental area underneath the chin that is bothersome to you, particularly if this remains full despite a healthy diet and exercise with an otherwise stable weight, Kybella may be an option for you. Each patient is unique. Many patients are excellent candidates for Kybella but may also be better candidates for submental liposuction, laser skin resurfacing, or a lifting procedure to tighten the neck muscles and skin. Dr. Cain or Dr. Richardson can evaluate your concerns and create a plan that is tailored specifically to provide you with the results you desire.
How are Kybella injections performed? What happens during a treatment with Kybella?
Kybella is injected through a very small needle directly into the fatty tissue under the chin to reduce the double chin. The treatments are usually performed with the assistance of a small amount of numbing medication for patient comfort, and can be performed in the office in just a few minutes. A series of treatments (at least 2) is recommended for most patients.
Is treatment with Kybella painful?
Kybella injections are not usually particularly painful. A very small needle is used for injection, and numbing medication is often used during the procedure to assist with patient comfort. Some patients may experience some mild soreness following the treatment, but this typically resolves within a few days.
How long does it take to see results after Kybella?
In the time period immediately following Kybella injections, most patients will experience some swelling that may take a few days to resolve. After that, results will slowly begin to become evident as the fat dissolves, and the results of any given treatment should be fully visible about 4-6 weeks after injection. For this reason, if you decide to undergo a series of Kybella injections, these are usually spaced at least 4-6 weeks apart, and your final results will not be fully apparent until 4-6 weeks after your final treatment.
What can I expect after a treatment with Kybella? What are the downtime and recovery process like after Kybella injections?
After each treatment, patients can expect some swelling and occasionally some mild discomfort and bruising for a few days. There may also be some numbness and tingling of the area that is usually temporary. Most patients are able to go back to work within a day or two if they are able to tolerate some mild swelling of the submental area.
Are the results from Kybella treatment permanent? Will the fat come back if I gain weight?
Yes, the results from Kybella are permanent, in that the fat cells that were dissolved will not return. However, there is other fatty tissue in the neck that is deeper than the fat treated with Kybella, which is not safe to attempt to treat with Kybella due to its location underneath the muscle and in proximity to nerves and other structures. If a patient was to gain significant weight after treatment with Kybella, any fat cells still present in the neck may enlarge and cause the appearance of a recurrent fullness in the submental area. For this reason, it is best to undergo Kybella treatments when your weight is stable without recent fluctuations.
Who is qualified to perform Kybella injections?
Kybella does not decrease muscle or skin laxity, so it is important to see a surgeon who is well-versed in all treatment options for this area to discuss a personalized treatment plan in detail and review all of the surgical and non-surgical options. As facial plastic surgeons specializing in facial aesthetics, we are happy to review all of these options with you in detail during your consultation. As with all injectable treatments at Texas Facial Aesthetics, expert injectors Dr. Richardson and Dr. Cain personally perform all injections, including Kybella.
How much do Kybella injections cost?
The cost of Kybella treatment varies depending on how many vials are needed per treatment, and how many treatment sessions are needed to achieve the desired results. In general, a single injection session will range between $1200-1500, and most patients will require a minimum of 2-3 treatments.
*Individual Results may vary.
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How can I set up a kybella Consultation?
Call or text Texas Facial Aesthetics at 469-362-6975 to set up a consultation with either Dr. Matthew Richardson or Dr. Jordan Cain. You can also email us at info@txfaces.com for more information.