What Is Kybella™?
Kybella™ is a type of injection using deoxycholic acid. It is used most frequently to improve the appearance of submental fat, also known as “double chin”. Dr. Renato Saltz and his staff have clinics in both Salt Lake City & Park City, UT for treatment.
What Is the Procedure for Kybella™?
Kybella is injected under local anesthetic into fat under the chin using several injections at multiple sites.
What Are the Risks of Kybella™?
Most patients recover quickly from injections with only minor bruising and swelling that resolves within several days. Mild discomfort at the injection sites can usually be treated with non-prescription pain relievers. Some patients return immediately to their regular routine, while others take a couple of days to rest after the procedure.
What Are Possible Side Effects from Kybella™ Injections?
Most patients experience four to five days of swelling, discomfort, and redness. Some will have up to a month or more of swelling, numbness and/or discomfort, which should eventually resolve.
Injections can cause bruising, pain, numbness, redness and areas of hardness. Serious side effects are uncommon, but if you’re concerned and want to learn about additional risks, please ask us for more information.
What Is the Recovery Process?
You will likely experience mild discomfort, swelling, bruising and redness for about two to three days after Kybella™ injections. Some patients experience these effects up to about a month. Numbness and tenderness are also common and typically resolve within the first few weeks to months post-treatment. The treated area can feel a bit like jelly, but the effect is only felt, not visible. The destroyed fat cells are carried away and eliminated by the body over about eight to 12 weeks post-treatment. Patients are then reassessed to determine if additional injections are necessary, with most patients requiring two to three treatments for optimal results.
What Are the Advantages of Kybella™ Over Chin Liposuction?
Kybella™, unlike liposuction, is a non-surgical treatment. The injections don’t require general anesthesia with its associated risks, and typically involve little to no downtime.
How Many Treatments Will I Need?
Most patients see results in two to three (some up to six) treatments, spaced about a month apart. Each treatment appointment takes about 15 minutes and can include up to 50 small injections.
Is Kybella™ Right for Me?
Not everyone is a candidate for Kybella™, and Dr. Saltz will determine if the treatment can help you meet your appearance goals. Those with extremely lax skin will probably not be able to achieve the tightening necessary to provide an improved neck contour after injections. Some people have neckline structure that is tilted in a manner that could also reduce noticeable improvement.
In addition, caution should be used if you’re taking blood thinners or if you’ve had prior surgery in the treatment area. If you’re pregnant or nursing or have a history of dysphagia (trouble swallowing) you are ineligible for the procedure.
How Does Kybella™ Work?
The product is injected into the fat under the chin. Most patients need two to three treatments, four to six weeks apart. This helps to minimize downtime and ensure that the necessary amount of fat is permanently eliminated.
How many people were treated with Kybella™ to test the product?
More than 1,600 people worldwide were treated in over 20 clinical studies prior to its use in patients.
To read more on Kybella™ head over to our blog.
