Submitted by Twin City Plastic Surgery
Most people have seen advertisements that promise to “melt fat away without diet or exercise!” And most people would dismiss such claims as too good to be true. However, there really is an FDA approved treatment called Kybella that gets rid of fat in the area below the chin. Many people feel that their “double chin” makes them look older or heavier than they really are. Weight gain, aging, and genetics are causes for this problem area in both men and women, and it is often an area that cannot be improved by diet and exercise, especially if genetics is the cause. For those people that are bothered by excess chin fat, Kybella may be an excellent solution.
So how does this fat-melting process work? Deoxycholic acid is naturally produced in the body to break down dietary fat. Kybella is synthetic deoxycholic acid. When it is injected directly into the fat tissue, it physically destroys the fat cells. The cells die and are then eliminated naturally from the body. And once these fat cells are destroyed, they don’t ever come back, so the results are permanent.
Kybella is a quick, in-office treatment that takes about 20 minutes. You can resume your normal activities right away, although there will likely be some swelling and bruising. Most people need more than one treatment to achieve the best results, and subsequent treatments are usually spaced 1-1/2 to 2 months apart. Results aren’t noticeable right away. Since the fat cells are being destroyed, it is more of a gradual process where you will see improvement over the course of several months. Many people have reported that they notice a significant difference after the second treatment. Even though the results aren’t immediate, the treatment is effective and the improvement is permanent.
It’s important to note that Kybella will not tighten saggy skin – it only gets rid of the fat. And currently, it is only approved for use in the chin area. It cannot be used to eliminate fat in the abdominal area, such as a “muffin top” or “love handles” as these areas are too large and would require too many injections. It is also not approved for use around the eye area due to safety concerns.
Kybella is very safe. Not only is it made from something that is naturally found in the body, it has been extensively tested. About the only serious side effect is the small possibility of injuring a nerve, which could cause some weakness of the facial muscles. But even if this should happen, it would not be permanent. The most common side effects of Kybella include swelling, bruising, pain, numbness, redness and areas of hardness around the treatment area.
Like most cosmetic procedures, Kybella is not covered by insurance. But unlike many other non-surgical cosmetic procedures, the results are permanent, so you do not need to worry about any maintenance or future costs. Kybella is not for everyone, so it’s important to consult a plastic surgeon like Dr. Paige Holt who can answer all your questions and determine the best procedure for you.