Which is better: chin liposuction or Kybella?

Question

I read all the responses that doctors provided me from real self? They say that kybella I might need 2-3 treatments, and the downtime would be 7-14 days after the treatment? I might not want to go out for those days during the 7-14 days of downtime? Also, the doctor that told me that chin liposuction is the gold standard, but which would be more painful and which will have more downtime - (kybella or chin liposuction) . Some doctors told me after chin lipo I will have to wear a wrap under my neck?

Ryan Neinstein, MD, FRCSC · Answer

Thanks for the question, anything that does not actually remove fat is kind of a gimmick. When doing energy based liposuction of the neck I quote a 3 day downtime. The results are significant and predictable. Surgery is safe and is the best way to go

John L. Burns Jr., MD · Answer

I don't agree that the downtime for Kybella is as extensive as you have been told.  Yes, you will have some swelling and possible a bruise or two but this should not hinder your activities or cause you to not be presentable.  Just accept the fact that your neck will be more full for a few days and wear appropriate clothing to hide your neck.  I think you will find Kybella to be a very good option.

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

Yes, there is more downtime with chin liposuction and most Doctor's will have you wear a compression garment. However, I find that VASER liposuction in combination with ThermiRF are best for contouring the chin in those who are candidates. Kybella can be used as an alternative, but will need a series of treatments and gets better results when combined with thermage/ultherapy/exilis or coolsculpting. I recommend getting a formal evaluation with an expert. Best, Dr. Emer

R. Laurence Berkowitz, MD · Answer

There are many reasons why Kybella is gaining traction for plastic surgeons.  Surgery is more traumatic and the tissue response to that trauma can result in firmness and skin irregularities in some cases.  Kybella is an adjustable and customizable way to approach your problem and the short term misery with it is really worth the avoidance of surgery.  The first treatment is usually the worse and a few days of visible swelling is expected but your return to society will be quicker with Kybella than with surgery in my experience.  Another good alternative is Coolsculpt mini--very little swelling and discomfort but not as predictable as Kybella

Regina Rodman, MD · Answer

This is a great question that I get asked all the time. 
For almost everyone, I say liposuction.  Kybella is good for patients who have a small amount of fat, that don't warrant a surgical procedure but still want something done to get rid of it.  For patients who have a noticeable amount of extra soft tissue, liposuction is the better choice. 
1- the cost is nearly the same.  At our office submental lipo runs about $3,000 while two treatments of Kybella is $2100.  If you need 3 treatments, the cost of Kybella is more.  
2- cervical lipo can be done under IV sedation, you don't need general anesthesia, so it isn't a huge surgery.  The scar is less than 2 cm long, which is very small. 
3- Kybella does hurt.  It burns going in, and patients are very swollen and red for one week, moderately swollen for the second week.  This happens every time you get a treatment.  With lipo, you are swollen and bruised and need to wear a wrap, but it's only one time
4- With lipo I can be sure I am removing fat, I see it in the canister.  I can shape and sculpt exactly as I want. With Kybella there is less control. 
Overall, if you are going to spend money and accept some downtime to shape the neck, get the surgery that certainly works. 
Best of luck
Dr Rodman

William Portuese, MD · Answer

Liposuction performed in the neck is usually 1  time surgery which will have 7-10 days of visible bruising and swelling present. Kybella  will require at least 3-4 treatments with several weeks of down time with each treatment.  Most patients do not have that amount of down time to recover from cosmetic surgery. For many examples of neck liposuction, please see the link below

David Alessi, MD - Account Suspended · Answer

They each have benefits and down-sides.  Kybella doesn't require anesthesia or surgery.  The post-injection swelling is significant for the first week.  The second and third injections create less swelling and the post-injection recovery is easier.  Liposuction gets the issue solved with on treatment.  Actually, the recovery isn't that much worse than the first Kybella injection.  The cost of lipo will be higher.  The results with lipo are more predicable and consistent and yield an overall better result.  Best wishes.

Francis R. Palmer, III, MD (retired) · Answer

Hi, I have performed many facial shaping procedures including chin augmentation using Liposuction with or without Chin Implant placement.  Non smiling photos of your face from the front and side would help in the evaluation.  It's important to determine if your chin is weak as liposuction will "not" correct a weak chin.  This would require placement of a chin implant as described below. If the chin isn't weak and there is excess fat below the chin and in the neck, liposuction in my experience and humble opinion remains the "gold standard" for fat removal that reliable, predictable and immediate (the fat is removed right then and there).  Compared to Liposuction and its ability to reduce unwanted fat, Kybella and other fat dissolving procedures whether based on injections or topical energy based therapies are far less reliable and predictable in the amount of fat that is removed at any one treatment....this is the reason that multiple treatments must be administered.  It's not been my experience that submental liposuction (under the chin) is either painful or creates an inordinate amount of post op swelling.  I have found submental liposuction to be very quick, safe and highly effective with the easy majority being performed using a local anesthetic alone.  Wearing a post op compression strap shot;dn't pose an issue as this can be applied at night whole sleeping.  I have performed many Chin Augmentations with silastic chin implants, for over 30 years.  When the chin is weak, this creates an imbalance making the nose appear larger, the mid face top heavy, the lower face looks short, de-emphasizes the lips and allows early formation of a "double chin".  I place the silastic chin implant through a small curved incision under the chin to add projection to the chin thereby creating harmony and balance to the lower face.  Using the same incision, liposuction can be performed to reduce the fat and further shape the neck.  Excess skin, from below the chin, can also be removed through the same incision.  I have found this technique to be very safe, quick, highly effective and far less invasive than a sliding genioplasty.  I perform chin implant surgery in 30 minutes or less, often using a local anesthetic alone.  In my opinion, you are a good candidate for chin implant surgery.  Hope this helps.

Which is better: chin liposuction or Kybella?

Answers (8)

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