What Is Kybella?
The injection Kybella is a non-surgical option that is used to “melt” fat. It was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2015 for the submental region of the body—also known as the facial space between the chin and neck.
The key ingredient in Kybella is deoxycholic acid, which is a modified form of a substance that your body already makes. When it is applied to an area, it destroys fat cell permanently, so those cells will no longer accumulate or store fat.
How Long Does KYBELLA® Last?
Since the KYBELLA® solution is designed to destroy the targeted fat cells, the results of this procedure may last a lifetime. With that in mind, it is important to maintain a healthy diet and to limit excessive weight fluctuations as much as possible in order to maximize the longevity of benefits from this advanced treatment.
How Are KYBELLA® Injections Performed?
KYBELLA® ultimately destroys the excess fat cells causing the appearance of a double-chin, and your body then gradually filters them out through natural processes. Treatments are non-surgical and performed in the office at Pinsky Plastic Surgery. The areas of excess fat under your chin will be “mapped” for up to 50 tiny injections, depending on your needs. The skin in the treatment areas can be numbed with a local anesthetic to minimize any potential discomfort from the injections. At least two treatments are often necessary for the best possible results. Patients with larger amounts of excess fat may require additional treatments.
KYBELLA® procedures typically last about one hour. There is usually no need for an extensive recovery period after this treatment. In fact, most individuals are able to resume normal daily routines within 24 to 48 hours.
Pre-Treatment Instructions:
- Do NOT use the following products 2 days prior or 2 days after your treatment (or until pinkness has subsided): RetinA, retinoids, or similar vitamin A compounds, harsh scrubs or exfoliating products, or bleaching creams (unless instructed otherwise by your provider).
- Gentlemen: Shave the treatment area one day before your scheduled treatment (unless instructed otherwise by your provider).
- Do not apply any creams, lotions, perfume or makeup etc. to the treatment areas prior to being treated, prior to treatment.
- To decrease the chances of lightheadedness during your treatment, ensure you have had a recent meal, including food and drink, before your procedure. Please warn the provider if you have a history of fainting.
- Schedule your Kybella® appointment at least 2-4 weeks prior to a special event which you may be attending, such as a wedding or a vacation (due to bruising and prolonged swelling).
- Reschedule your appointment at least 48 hours in advance if you have a severe rash, cold sore, or blemish in the treatment area.
- Avoid anti-inflammatory/blood thinning medications 10-14 days prior and 3-4 days post treatment. Medications such as: Aspirin, Vitamin E, Gingko Biloba, Ginseng, St. John’s Wort, Omega 3/Fish Oil Supplements, Ibuprofen, Motrin, Advil, Aleve, and other NSAIDS have a blood thinning effect and can increase the risk of bruising and swelling after injections.
- Do NOT consume alcoholic beverages 1 week prior to treatment (alcohol may thin the blood and increase the risk of bruising).
- Consider taking Arnica tablets beginning 1 week prior to injections to prevent bruising.
Post-Treatment Instructions:
- Avoid extreme temperatures of heat for 24 hours post treatment (i.e. Jacuzzi, hot showers etc.).
- Do NOT consume alcohol or sodium for 3 days post treatment to avoid excess swelling.
- Avoid strenuous exercise for 24 hours post treatment.
- Sleep on your back with your head elevated to decrease swelling. What to Expect:
- You will experience swelling and bruising for 3-5 days post treatment, which will begin decreasing over a period of a few weeks. Swelling can last 4-6 weeks.
- Many patients need 2-3 treatments for desired results, please schedule a follow-up appointment 4-6 weeks after your first treatment. • Ice packs may be used in the treated area during the first 12 hours. Ice for 15 minutes every hour. However, icing can be discontinued if uncomfortable.
- Do NOT massage the injection site. Swelling, tenderness, bruising, numbness, and areas of firm nodules may occur and will resolve over time without intervention. Results are not immediate. Results may be seen as early as 4-6 weeks post-treatment, but full results will not be noticed until 12 weeks post-treatment. Numbness can last up to 12 weeks. • Do not wrap the treated area, and do not take anything to prohibit swelling the day of the treatment or for the days following treatment.
- You may feel a sense of heaviness following the treatment, especially when laying on your back. This sensation may make you feel short of breath. However, Kybella® does not compromise your airway. Notify our office if any significant swelling, bleeding, pain, dusky discoloration, difficulty swallowing or smiling, or if fever occurs.
The most common side effects of KYBELLA® include but are not limited to:
- Swelling
- Pain
- Numbness
- Redness
- Areas of hardness in the treatment area.
KYBELLA® can cause serious side effects, including:
- Nerve injury in the jaw (which can cause an uneven smile or facial muscle weakness)
- Trouble swallowing
- Injection site problems including: a collection of blood under the skin (hematoma) or bruising, damage to an artery or vein if KYBELLA® is inadvertently injected into it, hair loss, open sores (ulcers), damage and tissue cell-death (necrosis) around the injection site.
Call your healthcare provider if you: begin to develop weakness in the muscles of your face, or your smile becomes uneven; have difficulty swallowing, or if any of the symptoms that you already have get worse; develop open sores or drainage from the treatment area.
Contraindications
Kybella® treatments should not be performed on anyone who has an infection in the area. Kybella® has not
been studied on women who are pregnant, trying to become pregnant, or breast feeding. Kybella® treatments
are not recommended for those with medical conditions in the neck area including, but not limited to, difficulty
swallowing, those that are planning to have cosmetic surgical treatments in the neck or face area such as a
facelift or neck lift, those with an enlarged thyroid gland (thyromegaly), or those with a bleeding disorder.