If you’ve been fighting to eliminate a double chin for much of your life, then you know that diet and exercise aren’t always enough to manage extra fat underneath your chin. While there are treatments to firm up the skin under your chin, there are only two reliable ways to permanently remove fat in this area: liposuction, which is a surgical procedure that requires recovery time, and minimally invasive Kybella injections. The professionals at Becker Plastic Surgery can help you make the best choice for your schedule and needs.
What is Kybella?
Kybella is an FDA-approved treatment for dissolving fat under the chin. The injections are made up of synthetic deoxycholic acid, which breaks down and absorbs fat under your chin by killing the fat cells. Once the cells are destroyed, that double chin shouldn’t come back again.
How Kybella Works on Chin Fat
Properly injected by a professional, Kybella treatments will break down the fat cells in the treatment area so your body can shed the cell contents and eliminate them. This is a gradual process. You can schedule up to six Kybella treatments to target your double chin, with those treatments spaced one month apart to allow the swelling to go down completely.
What to Expect During Your Treatment
Your skin will be cleaned before the treatment to greatly reduce any risk of infection. Then, the injection sites will be carefully marked. A topical numbing agent may be added, or the area might be iced. There will be from 20 to 50 injections made in the fatty tissue under the chin so the Kybella product can kill off unwanted fat cells over time and your body can flush them out.
You might experience minor side effects, including:
- Redness
- Swelling
- Bruising
- Pain or numbness
You may be given a compression bandage or instructions to ice. While your treatment shouldn’t take more than an hour, you might want to schedule some downtime after your treatment so you can be comfortable and let any swelling or bruising heal.
Once Kybella starts working, you may experience a feeling of firmness or a gelatinous texture under the skin. This indicates that fat from the destroyed cells has broken down and your immune system will target it. The residue from the cells will be carried away over time.
Preparation and Recovery from Kybella Treatment
You won’t need to do any preparation for your Kybella treatment unless you receive instructions at your consultation to pause any medications you’re currently taking. Do make sure to hydrate fully and try to get a good night’s sleep before your treatment.
In addition to following the consultation guidelines, use the time before your Kybella treatment to engage in some serious self-care. Take a look at your diet and exercise habits to make sure that you’re getting plenty of water and eating foods high in antioxidants. Brightly colored fruits and veggies are an ideal way to support your body as it sheds the fat that was broken down by your Kybella injections.
If you’re already exercising each day, do your best to vary weights, cardio, and stretching to keep things balanced. Cardio is great for weight loss, but cooling down and staying flexible are also critical to a healthy workout routine. Finally, if you smoke, this is the time to finally stop.
Because this therapy is minimally invasive, the recovery can be fairly simple. Take care to stay fully hydrated before and after your treatment, and do your best to avoid salt and alcohol in the 48 hours after your procedure to keep swelling down.
There may be some bruising at the injection site; if possible, do try to schedule some time at home so you don’t have to worry about covering up any discoloration. Avoid lying flat for the first 48 hours and try to ice for 10 minutes each hour. The swelling should go down in just a couple of days.
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Scheduling Your Consultation
A consultation is important for ensuring that Kybella is the right treatment for you. Our plastic surgeons will discuss your goals with you and give you all the information you need regarding the procedure and recovery.
This is your chance to get to know our surgeons and to ask questions. Be prepared to discuss your medical history so our staff can ensure that the treatment will be safe for you.
Schedule a consultation with one of our surgeons for a conversation about the steps necessary to address your double chin and any other aspect of your appearance that affects your confidence or joy.
Why Choose Becker Plastics?
Becker Plastics is run by board-certified physicians who have demonstrated the highest skills and consistency, from their training to their practice to their compliance with ethical guidelines. It’s important to note that the Becker Group of physicians includes allergists and audiologists as well as cosmetic professionals. The function and form of the face has been their business for a long time and they are dedicated to helping patients look and feel their best.
Complementary Procedures to Kybella
Many of us inherited a tendency to develop facial fat from our family members. If you’re fighting chin fat, you might also consider a buccal fat removal treatment to slim down chubby cheeks.
If you’re experiencing signs of aging, consider dermal fillers, which can boost your natural collagen production to firm up wrinkles and sagging skin. Finally, a Hydrafacial may help your skin feel clean and fresh as you recover from your Kybella treatment.
Kybella FAQs
The initial swelling should be gone or barely noticeable by everyone but you within 48 hours. There may be some bruising.
Don’t use makeup for 24 hours after your injections. Once the swelling is down, consider using a yellow base to cover red or purple discoloration.
Using a timer, a soft towel, and a bag of frozen peas or blueberries, ice your injection site for 10 minutes each hour while you’re up and about. Small frozen objects will cool the area without pressing sharp edges into your skin. Do not lay back with an ice bag directly on the site and do NOT fall asleep with an ice pack on your neck; frostbite hurts! Try to remain upright without engaging in anything too vigorous.
Part of the recovery from Kybella involves the time it will take your body to remove the fat left after the cell walls are destroyed. If you notice any change in your smile, your ability to swallow or use your tongue, or your ability to breathe, contact us immediately. Otherwise, you can expect your neck to settle into its new shape and feel about two weeks after your treatment.
If you live in the states of Pennsylvania or New Jersey, Becker Plastic Surgery offers Kybella among its services. For a full list of services, please visit our Locations page.
Book Your Kybella Consultation Today
Becker Plastics is in the business of helping you feel confident in your appearance. Our intention is not to make you look like anyone else; instead, contact us for a conversation about looking like the best version of you. Call today to schedule a Kybella consultation in Princeton, Yardley, Voorhees, or Philadelphia today.
ADDRESS:
256 Bunn Drive, Suite B
Princeton NJ 08540 US
PHONE:
609-279-0009
HOURS OF OPERATION:
Monday – Friday: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Why choose the Doctors at Becker Plastic Surgery
Kirk Lozada, MD, FACS
- Completed his fellowship at the University of Pennsylvania and has trained with the top Facial Plastic Surgeons in Philadelphia, New York, and New Jersey.
- Has traveled to Ica, Peru with Healing the Children on multiple occasions performing a high volume of cleft lip and palate surgery.
- Is currently a member of the American Academy of Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery and has numerous publications and presentations in the field of facial plastic surgery.
Daniel Becker, MD, FACS
- Board Certified by the American Board of Otolaryngology (ENT).
- Board Certified by the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (ABFPRS).
- Fellow of the American College of Surgeons (FACS).
- Top-Rated by US News and World Report, Philadelphia Magazine, South Jersey Magazine, Castle-Connelly, and others.
- Read more about rhinoplasty specialist Dr. Becker’s credentials
Nicole Schrader, MD, FACS
- She is a double board certified surgeon in Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and Otolaryngology & Head/Neck Surgery.
- Is a member of the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
- Has over 20 years of experience, 15+ years in private practice and has performed hundreds of facelift surgeries.
- Dr. Schrader Recognized as Best Plastic Surgeon by Town Topics Readers’ Choice Awards.