Introducing a Non-Surgical Fix for the Double Chin!
Spalding Drive Plastic Surgery is excited to announce that patients now have access to Kybella, a non-surgical method of eliminating excess fat under the chin that was recently approved by the FDA. Until recently, patients with this condition could only turn to surgical means such as liposuction to get rid of those stubborn fat pockets. Now, thanks to Kybella, there is another option.
What Causes the “Double Chin”?
There are a number of different factors that can contribute to the development of a double chin, including aging and weight fluctuations. As you get older, your skin begins to lose some of its elasticity and begins to feel the effects of gravity. Looser skin starts to pull down and opens up areas under the chin for fat to accumulate. Excess fat can also accumulate through weight gain. These fat deposits can be difficult to eliminate completely, even with diet and exercise. Prior to the introduction of Kybella, patients either had to resort to surgery in the form of a neck lift or liposuction. Now, a series of Kybella injections can provide the same results without incisions and minimal recovery.
The Kybella Injections
Kybella is a synthetic material that mimics a bile salt naturally produced through the liver known as deoxycholic acid, which helps the body both absorb and burn fat away. When the synthetic acid is injected into the subcutaneous fat located under the chin, it successfully targets the fat and destroys it completely. The fat is then naturally eliminated from the body.
The injections usually have to be performed more than once to achieve the desired results. Each round of injections is usually scheduled about a month apart. For each session, the area under the chin is numbed with an anesthetic before the injections are carefully administered. The doctor follows a grid of dots that is laid on the area to insure the appropriate number of injections and that they are distributed evenly. Each session usually requires between 15-20 injections, so it’s important that they are administered correctly by someone who knows what they’re doing. The entire process takes about 15 minutes and the patient is free to go home afterwards.
There may be a small amount of swelling or redness under the chin immediately following the procedure, but this will be mild and can be managed with ice packs. Patients are able to return to their normal activities and jobs right away if they so choose. Patients typically begin noticing the results after the first two to three sessions, though it can take as many as six to get the optimal results.
At this time, the FDA has only approved the use of Kybella for treating excess fat under the chin. The procedure is designed to provide better contouring to the neck and face, not to treat people who are overweight or obese.
Kybella at Spalding Drive Plastic Surgery
Spalding Drive Plastic Surgery is excited to offer Kybella as a non-surgical treatment option to our patients who struggle with a double-chin appearance. If you struggle with stubborn fat deposits under your chin and would like to learn more about how Kybella can help, call Spalding Drive Plastic Surgery at (310) 275-2467 or contact us through our website to make an appointment.