Kybella is a prescription medicine (deoxycholic acid) that is injected to dissolve localized fat deposits under the chin, the submental area. Kybella is FDA approved to dissolve fat located beneath the skin, the subcutaneous layer. It is not FDA approved to treat fat that lies deep to the muscles in the neck.

Who is the best patient for Kybella?

• Good skin elasticity
• Localized fat deposit
• Stable body weight
• Realistic expectations

Is anesthesia needed?

• Topical anesthetic
• Injectable local anesthetic
• Combination topical and injectable local anesthetic
• Physician treatment protocol may vary

How is the treatment administered?

• Treatment area is mapped using special grid which determines how many individual injections are given
• Topical local anesthetic cream applied
• Local anesthetic
• Kybella injected at predetermined sites
• Number of injections varies with size of treatment area
• Reevaluation at one month; second treatment
• Reevaluation at two months; third treatment if indicated

What about downtime and side effects?

• Swelling is most pronounced first 48 to 72 hours and gradually dissipates over several weeks
• Swelling varies with treatment area size and number of injections
• Can camouflage area of swelling with scarf or other
• Can return to work 48-72 hours after treatment;
• Bruising is usually minimal
• Limit bruising by stopping anti-inflammatory products
• (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory products such as Advil, Motrin etc.) fish oil, herbal products
• Application of cold compresses can aid in limiting swelling and bruising
• Firm nodules will form which can be felt but are generally not visible which gradually disappear
• Over a few months
• Numbness in the treatment areas will also resolve over several months
• Swelling is usually less with the second treatment