Kybella®

 

 

 

 

Kybella® is an FDA-approved injection that safely and effectively treats submental fat, or “double chin.” It is the first drug approved by the FDA for the treatment of submental fat and the least invasive treatment on the market today.

Kybella’s® primary component is a compound called deoxycholic acid. When injected into the body, this compound destroys fat cells and helps them be reabsorbed back into the body. It is the only FDA-approved injectable that serves this purpose.

At PritiSkin™, we use Kybella® to remove the fat under the neck and reduce double chin, but it is also cleared to be used on the rest of the body as well.

 

How Kybella® Works

Kybella is comprised of deoxycholic acid, a naturally occuring molecule in the body that is responsible for absorbing fat in the body. When injected into the tissue beneath the chin, Kybella® destroys fat cells, which destroys their ability to store fat and eliminates fatty tissue. Because deoxycholic acid is an organic, naturally-occurring chemical produced by the body, it is both safe and effective.

 

Benefits of Kybella®

Kybella® is a safe, effective treatment that is administered non-invasively in an office setting. There is no lengthy recovery period following treatment and no ongoing treatment necessary once the desired results are achieved. Kybella® provides permanent results at just a fraction of the price of most surgical treatments available.

 

Who Can Receive Kybella®

You should visit with a qualified health professional to determine whether you’re a good candidate for Kybella. Some patients may not be able to receive the treatment due to health risks, so its important that you provide your doctor with as much information as possible about your medical history, lifestyle, and prescribed medications. You should also tell your provider if you are pregnant, trying to get pregnant, or breastfeeding; if you have had surgery or cosmetic treatments on the face or neck; if you have any infections; and if you are on a blood-thinning medication.

 

What to Expect

Before you can receive Kybella, you’ll meet with Dr. Mary Pritikin for a consultation appointment. During this appointment, she will perform a physical examination and review your medical history to determine whether you’re a good candidate for the procedure. Dr. Mary will also clearly explain risks and benefits of the procedure. You may be required to meet with Mira Cano, our office billing manager to make arrangements to cover the cost of Kybella® before you leave or receive treatment.

Whether you can receive the first treatment immediately or need to schedule an appointment to return will depend on the clinic’s schedule and availability. Treatment takes about fifteen minutes, but may take longer the first time. During your Kybella® appointment, you will receive up to fifty injections into the fatty tissue beneath the chin. The number of injections administered depends on the individual circumstances of each unique case. Up to six treatments may be performed with at least one month between treatments to achieve maximum results.

Following the first treatment, you may be required to wear a compressive neck band for up to seven days. Normal activity can be resumed immediately following treatment. For soreness, you may choose to apply ice or take over-the-counter pain relievers.

Some patients see improvement after the first treatment, while others may not show improvement until after the fourth, fifth, or six treatment. After six treatments, 72% of patients notice significant improvement in the contour and appearance of the chin and jaw line. Most patients receive two to four treatments in total.

Once the desired results have been achieved, ongoing treatment is not necessary. No maintenance treatment is required because the cells can no longer store fat so the submental fullness is not expected to return.

 

Kybella® Before and After

During clinical trials, over a 1,600 patients were observed and closely monitored. 79% of patients reported satisfaction with their results, including improved self-perception, feeling younger and happier, and feeling less self-conscious. You can find before and after picture of patients below to help you make the most informed decision possible about the treatment.

 

 

Kybella Side Effects and Risks

Mild pain, redness, bruising, or swelling at the injection site following treatment is common. Rare but serious side effects include dysphagia (difficulty swallowing), numbness, hardening of the area treated, and injury to a facial nerve resulting in a drooping or asymmetrical smile or facial muscle weakness. To minimize risk, Kybella® should never be and will not be administered if there is an infection at the injection site.

 

Cost of Kybella

The cost of Kybella varies from patient to patient because the number of injections per treatment, amount of medication used, and number of treatments required varies from patient to patient. However, the average cost per treatment falls around $560 and the average cost of all treatments combined is around $3,000. Because Kybella® is less expensive and much less invasive than other surgical treatments available, many patients choose to invest in Kybella®.

Because Kybella® is classified as a cosmetic treatment, it is not covered by health insurance. Patients who cannot pay up front for treatment often utilize personal loans or lines of low-interest credit to cover the cost of treatment so they can pay back the investment over time. Please feel free to discuss with us your financing options.

 

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