Everything You Need to Know About the Kybella Procedure

Regardless of how intense your diet and exercise routine are, you may still struggle with a double chin. In the past few years, Kybella injections have grown significantly in popularity, targeting the dreaded “double chin.” Kybella treatment is an FDA-approved injectable that targets the under-chin neck area. But is Kybella as beneficial as everyone says it is?

What Is Kybella?

So what is Kybella used for? Kybella is the commercial name for deoxycholic acid, a substance that your body naturally produces in your digestive system. This acid helps to break down fats so they are easily digested. This acid is also used as an emulsifier in foods.

In terms of aesthetic procedures, Kybella injections are used to target fat that is underneath the chin. No incisions are required and most patients experience minimal downtime.

The ideal Kybella candidate is 21+ years old and has moderate to severe fat beneath the skin. Those who are planning to have facial surgery, are pregnant or nursing or those who have an infection/medical condition are not candidates.

What Are Kybella Benefits?

Kybella under the chin comes with many benefits to consider:

• Non-surgical treatment
• Minimal downtime
• A synthetic form of a natural fat-destroying acid in the human body
• Permanent results
• Safe and less aggressive alternative to liposuction
• Smoother, more sculpted jawline

If you’re wondering does Kybella works, the answer is yes! The proof is in our satisfied patients.

Who Is a Candidate for Kybella?

You may be wondering whether or not you’re a candidate for this non-surgical treatment. Both men and women seek Kybella to get rid of stubborn fat pockets that are located underneath the chin. This option is becoming more popular as it doesn’t include a surgical procedure.

You can consider Kybella treatment if you meet the below qualifications:

• Age of 21 and over,
• An overall medically healthy state,
• You do not worry about allergic reaction because deoxycholic acid is a naturally occurring substance in the body,
• A moderate amount of unwanted fat located beneath your chin,
• Not currently pregnant or breastfeeding.

If you have any doubts or hesitations about whether or not you are a candidate for Kybella, rest assured that your provider will help make this determination during your initial consultation.

How Does Kybella Work?

The Kybella procedure works by desiccating the fat cells underneath your chin. This helps to reduce the appearance of a double chin. Technically speaking, Kybella is called injection lipolysis, meaning that it’s a procedure that breaks down fat through an injection.

In terms of how long it takes for Kybella to work, per the FDA you may need up to six different injections at least one month apart. Following these guidelines, most patients would get two treatments with 4-6 weeks apart. At the Metropolitan we have developed our own technique for Kybella based on years of experience that is simpler and more effective, usually requiring only one treatment procedure.

It is a particularly desirable procedure as it is non-surgical and doesn’t have the lengthy recovery time that surgical procedures do. It also comes with fewer risks than a surgical procedure and the results are permanent.

How to Prepare for Kybella Procedure?

It’s important to have an initial consultation with your healthcare provider to make sure that you are the ideal candidate. During this time, you will discuss your medical history and talk through any previous cosmetic procedures that you’ve had done on your face, neck, or chin. Make sure to alert your provider of any issues that you have with swelling or bleeding. If planning to become pregnant in the near future, make sure to bring this up with your provider. If you are nursing or pregnant, you are not a candidate.

Because the procedure is non-surgical, there is not a lot of preparation that goes into it. Ideally, you will schedule the procedure well in advance of any major events. You should also wash your face before the appointment to reduce the risk of infection. Avoid taking ibuprofen and any blood-thinning medications before the appointment as it can cause additional bruising.

Kybella Risks and Side Effects

Although this is a non-surgical procedure, there are still Kybella side effects that you should take into consideration. In most cases, patients report a minimal recovery process and the downtime between patients varies.

When having Kybella you want a skilled injector who knows how to avoid placing the deoxycholic acid into the submental artery or any of the various nerves that are in the chin area, which could cause damage. You will want to see a skilled, experienced Kybella injector who understands anatomy, as we do at the Metropolitan.

There are serious side effects that have occurred in rare situations such as facial muscle weakness, an uneven smile, difficulties swallowing, or nerve injury in the jaw. If you have post-treatment discomfort, make sure to discuss this with your provider. In the case that you are experiencing a severe side effect, get in touch with your provider as soon as possible.

What to Expect After Kybella

How long does Kybella last and what can you expect in terms of Kybella aftercare? At the Metropolitan this procedure takes about an hour, including numbing time. Some clinics don’t numb the patient first, but we have found that it increases the patient’s comfort significantly. Other clinics may give you up to 50 different microinjections in one sitting to execute the treatment. These injections are usually placed 1 centimeter apart and then you return weeks later for a second treatment. Our technique is to give 8-10 larger injections placed precisely and strategically to achieve the results in a much more comfortable way. This usually means that only one treatment is necessary.

Immediately after the procedure, you can expect:

• Bruising
• Swelling
• Pain
• Inflammation
• Redness
• Temporary numbness at the injection site

Swelling will usually go away within a few days or even a few weeks depending on the patient. Since fat has been dissolved, the treatment area tends to look a little swollen until the body’s systems have rid the area of the destroyed and loosened fat. Some clinics recommend icing down the area after the procedure for your comfort. At the Metropolitan, we recommend that if you can take the heat, do notice down the area after the procedure. The heat helps to keep regenerating the tissue to tighten the skin and stimulate the fat metabolism so that you don’t end up with a wattle when the fat disappears.

Normally, patients can return to their planned activities immediately following the procedure. We usually recommend a neck compression garment (the “jaw bra”) the same as liposuction patients use, to help you with the swelling for the first few days after the procedure.
Most patients choose to have the procedure done on a Friday morning so that they can have the weekend to recover. If you worry about looking like a bullfrog, a Friday procedure usually means you can go back to work on Monday with the swelling significantly lessened.

Most patients notice an almost immediate effect once the swelling goes down. Kybella continues to work its effect and the body continues to metabolize and excrete the dissolved fat cells over time. Simultaneously the skin tightens and reshapes. In this way most people notice a continued correction reaching full effect in about a year.

How Much Is Kybella?

Regarding how much Kybella costs, patients can expect to pay $2,400 for each kit (4 vials/$600 per vial) treatment. The total amount that you will pay depends on how many kits you need and the size of your treatment area. Typically it requires 2-3 kits to completely achieve the result of dissolving all the submental fat. At the Metropolitan, we offer a “buy 2 kits, get 1 free” Kybella special. Keep in mind that because Kybella is considered a cosmetic procedure, it will not be covered by medical insurance.

Schedule Your Kybella Consultation Today!

Kybella is an excellent procedure that yields incredible results for our patients! Why not transform your confidence if you are insecure about your under-chin area? We encourage you to visit us at the Metropolitan Skin Clinic in Minneapolis and St. Paul not only for Kybella but for all of your skincare treatments and cosmetic needs!

Schedule a consultation with us today to get started.