Kybella Injections

A double chin is one of those conditions that’s basically impossible to hide. Kybella to the rescue! Dr. Gerstle is a fan of this treatment for so many reasons.

Submental fullness, or double chin, is one of the most unsightly facial conditions that impact both men and women, yet many people do not want to undergo liposuction surgery just to correct this one issue. Many are also unaware that there’s a non-surgical approach that can be just as effective and has few to no side effects.

Kybella is the first and only FDA-approved nonsurgical treatment that contours and improves the appearance of submental fullness. It utilizes deoxycholic acid, a synthetic form of a bile acid that is produced naturally in the body to break down fat, to neutralize fat cells in the chin to prevent them from retaining and amassing new fat.

It is important to enlist the services of a qualified plastic surgeon who is highly experienced in administering Kybella to patients. The medication must be injected properly to prevent it from affecting cells other than those in the chin, as it has a permanent neutralizing effect on their ability to absorb fat.

The dramatic effects achieved by Kybella are simply too attractive for our patients to ignore!

To find out more about Kybella at Lexington Plastic Surgery, PLLC, request a consultation or call our office at (859) 279-2111.

Schedule an appointment in our Lexington, KY officetoday!

see before and afters

Kybella Safety

As with other injectable treatments, you may experience side effects with Kybella. The most common side effects are swelling, numbness, bruising, pain, redness, and areas of hardness in the treatment area. If any, side effects almost always resolve in a week or two, or less. In clinical trials, the incidence and severity of most side effects decreased with subsequent Kybella injections.

Prior to administering Kybella, Dr. Gerstle may use a numbing agent to the treatment area to make you more comfortable.

Rare but serious side effects can include trouble swallowing and nerve injury in the jaw that can cause an uneven smile or facial muscle weakness. Speak with Dr. Gerstle or our staff for more information about possible side effects if these are of concern.

The Kybella Procedure

One of the great benefits of Kybella is the low-commitment nature of the treatment. The whole procedure consists of a small injection with a fine needle. It’s so quick that it could be done on your lunch break. For most recipients, the injection will be painless. Allow about 15 to 30 minutes for your appointment depending on the number of needles you’ll be receiving.

Prior to the injections, Dr. Gerstle will use a marker to indicate the areas to be injected. Each treatment will consist of individual injections of deoxycholic acid finely targeted in different spots around the chin. It will take several weeks for the full results of each treatment to take effect.

Kybella Post Procedure

Recovering from a Kybella injection is just as easy as the procedure itself. There is no reason to deviate from your usual schedule following a Kybella injection. You can even drive yourself to and from the office. The convenience of both procedure and recovery make it a very popular option for chin contouring! Remember that you may require as many as nine treatments to get the maximum benefit.

Kybella Benefits

Is a nonsurgical, 15- to 20-minute in-office treatment session
Has few if any side effects
Does not require anesthesia, so it’s completely safe for those who may be allergic
Is customized to help you achieve your treatment goals
Destroys fat cells when injected into the fat beneath your chin. Once the aesthetic goal is achieved, re-treatment is generally not necessary.

The New You—Working With Dr. Gerstle

Dr. Gerstle will be happy to discuss with you whether or not you are a good Kybella candidate. Make sure to mention any previous cosmetic surgeries or procedures you’ve had done to your face, neck, and chin during your consultation. Let us know if you are nursing, pregnant, or trying to become pregnant, as the possible effects of Kybella on your unborn baby are not fully known. Also mention any condition you may have had that has caused you trouble swallowing in the past.

If Dr. Gerstle gives you the go-ahead, our “Mirror Imaging” system will digitally alter your photo to show you just how great you will look following Kybella treatment. If you are happy with the results, we will be happy to schedule you for the first of your series of Kybella injections that same day.

Prior to your injection or injections, we will give you a wipe to clean the injection area. Ideally, avoid scheduling your appointment prior to any special events that require photographs in the case that any minor bruising or swelling does occur.

Kybella FAQ

What does the term “submental fullness” mean?

This is the technical term for a double chin.

Is Kybella used in other sites besides the chin?

No. The area under the chin is separate enough from the surrounding tissues that the medication will affect the chin cells only.

How does Kybella work?

Kybella harnesses the power of deoxycholic acid, a naturally occurring substance in the body that helps break down ingested fats. Once it makes contact with the fat cells beneath the chin, it deactivates those cells so they cannot store or accumulate fat. After all treatments are complete, this usually results in a permanent resolution or improvement of a double chin.

Has Kybella been well tested?

Yes. There are more than 20 clinical studies using Kybella, which include 1600 receiving Kybella alongside 1000 control subjects. It was approved by the FDA in 2015 as the only injectable treatment for a double chin.

How many Kybella injections are needed to recontour a chin with excess fat?

Dr. Gerstle will confer with you regarding the necessary number of treatments. Depending on the extent of the excess fat, you may receive between three and nine treatments spaced about one month apart.

Are the results permanent?

Yes, the results will likely be permanent, or at least very long-lasting.

Which medications and supplements should I avoid before the procedure?

Any medications or supplements that thin the blood, including aspirin and ibuprofen, fish oil pills, St. John’s Worth, and vitamin E may cause additional bleeding. Talk with Dr. Gerstle about any medications and supplements you are taking during the consultation.

Kybella Injection Financing

Cherry is a payment plan designed for your health, beauty, and wellness needs and procedures and allows you to make convenient monthly payments.

CareCredit is a healthcare credit card designed for your health and wellness needs that can be used by your entire family. Use it to pay for out-of-pocket expenses not covered by medical insurance. Special financing options are available that you may not be able to get with other cards.

Pay for health and wellness care at over 200,000 enrolled providers across the nation. Once you’ve applied, you can use it again and again at any location that accepts CareCredit. For more information and to apply, please visit CareCredit.com.