What you can expect during and after the nonsurgical, fat-melting treatment
By Andrea Goto
According to a 2015 survey conducted by the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, 67% of men and women are bothered by having what we commonly refer to as a “double chin.” If you find yourself amongst this majority, fear not. I’m not talking surgery (which works, but is costly and requires a lot of down time), magic creams (which don’t work to the same extent), or hoping that one day you’ll wake up without that fatty band of skin that appears in selfies (alas, wishing is the least effective of all). I’m talking a non-surgical procedure that permanently melts fat under the chin. And her name is Kybella.
If that opening paragraph sounded a bit too much like an overzealous infomercial, I’m sorry. I’m just a little excited about the idea of safely melting fat with minimal discomfort and little-to-no downtime (a procedure the FDA has approved), allowing people to toss away their scarves and turtlenecks and confidently move forward in life with their chin up.
But does Kybella work? A clinical trial revealed that 82.4% of Kybella patients reported significantly improved satisfaction with their appearance after receiving the injections. Of course, I prefer to hear it straight from the source, which I did when reading an entertaining and candid first-hand account in SELF magazine. The writer noticed, and documented, improvement after just one session, though she ultimately settled on two. For best results, it’s often recommended patients receive multiple treatments, up to six, spread 1 to 2 months apart.
Because Kybella injections are nonsurgical, the procedure is quick (about 15-20 minutes) and relatively pain free. Doctors often use numbing cream, ice or even local anesthesia to help with any discomfort during the procedure where several tiny injections are made under the chin. Post-procedure, some patients will experience a mild ache in the treated area, which can be treated with acetaminophen. Some bruising and redness is common, but tends to last only a few days. The thing to remember is that things will appear worse before improvement sets in because of swelling. A week later, the area will look about how it did before treatment, but thereafter, things start to improve over the course of three weeks.
Immediately after the procedure, you can return to life as normal. Shaving, face-washing, even working out (though one day off is recommended). And while you may think you look weird in the healing interim, it’s likely no one else will notice a thing.
Like most cosmetic procedures, Kybella isn’t cheap. It runs $1,500-$1,800 per treatment. But let’s keep in mind that its effects are permanent, and it’s impossible to put a price on restored confidence. Plus, just think of all the money you’ll save on turtlenecks.
Have questions about how to get rid of a double chin? Call us at Savannah Facial Plastic Surgery to set up a consultation today!
