3 weeks post op Kybella still don't see improvement & have ice pack burn. I have a lump has decreased. Does that go away?(photo)

Thank you for your question about Kybella.  Kybella is made of deoxycholic acid,  and works by dissolving fat cells.  You will immediately see the effects of this fat dissolving action, as your under chin area will begin to feel very "jiggly" and you will have some slight swelling as this chemical reaction takes place.  Swelling can be more pronounced depending on bruising.  As for downtime, there really isn't much.  You will typically have swelling in the area for several days, and it is possible to have slight bruising.  The full effect of the treatment isn't typically evident for about 8-10 weeks, and treatments should be scheduled about 8-10 weeks apart.  
To be sure, see two or more experienced, licensed and board-certified providers in your area for a complete evaluation to make sure you are a good candidate and that it is safe for you to have treatment. I hope this helps.

Patients can experience swelling and redness after Kybella for several days after the injection. Patients will experience an improvement in their profile with permanent fat reduction after three to four treatments. I emphasize to patients to allow the product to work and the results have been amazing

Swelling can last many weeks after a Kybella treatment. In some cases, there can be lumpiness and stiffness that can last several months, but this is less common. Most patients are not going to see any significant improvement after the first injection, and will require anywhere from 2-4 injections to see results. Also, the treatment effect is really not even starting to be visible until ALL the swelling is gone. Then the patient should see progressive tightening of the area over time.Be sure to see an expert physician injector.All the best,

Bruising, redness, swelling, firmness may occur and take approximately 4 weeks to resolve. We typically advise patients to avoid blood thinners a week prior to injection to minimize risks of bruising. We also recommend patients sleep with the head elevated, limit salt intake, and ice for the first 48 hours to minimize swelling. Most patients require 2-6 Kybella treatments spaced 6 weeks apart. The effects of fat destruction occur within days. Typically 4 months after treatment the results are most visible. 

I appreciate your question.Results are patient dependent and can take up to 6 treatments.  The hardness or 'lump' that you feel is the cause of inflammation.  You will see the results from the treatment once the swelling goes away and the skin has had time to tighten. Full results from a single treatment are usually complete at 6-8 weeks.  I would follow up with your MD at 6 weeks for evaluation.



The best way to assess and give
true advice would be an in-person exam.

Please see a board-certified
plastic surgeon that specializes in aesthetic and restorative plastic surgery.

Best of luck!



Dr. Schwartz

Kybella takes 3-6 treatments to see the improvement.  Hard lump that you feel now means you will get more results later.  I find that VASER liposuction is the way to go to get neck / jawline contouring in a quick safe result.  Best, Dr. Emer.

Swelling after kybella can vary from person to person.  Generally, the most visible swelling last 3-4 days followed by a slow decrease.  Most patients experience a tightness or hardness of the tissue that can last up to 4-6 weeks.  The hardness or lump is a result of inflammation; full effect from the treatment won't be realized until the swelling goes away and the skin has had time to tighten.  Full results from a single treatment are usually complete in 6-8 weeks, and most patients will need multiple treatments.

You should not expect to see a lot of improvement in three weeks. The swelling can last for at least 6 weeks. The results will take longer than 6 weeks to be evident.
The lump should eventually go away if it is progressively getting smaller, however if it persists you might want to contact the Dr that did the procedure so he or she can evaluate you.

THe lump could be induration from the kybella itself; it is not uncommon to have an inflammatory response after it is injected as this is how the fat gets dissolved. The lump/ firmness usually softens and becomes a bit more like jello consistency before it get taken up by the lymphatic systems and goes away. Week 3 after the inject is likely too early to see the results, so I would advise waiting a full 6-8 weeks; also realize that sometimes it takes multiple treatments to see the full effect. I recently had a patient who came to see me at 4 weeks after injection and did not have any change in the submental region; she returned at 6 week with a noticeable difference, so rest assured.

WhileI may be able to tell very little with the picture that you posted, I candefinitely say a few things about Kybella results as well as Kybella sideeffects. Kybella is a fairly effective medication that is approved by the FDA.Most often, patients will see little improvement in their initial treatmentsession. Therefore, my question for you in this case is, “Is this your firstKybella treatment session?” If yes, you should be able to see littleimprovements, but these improvements are not easily recognizable. Usuallypatients will require at least 2 to 4 Kybella treatment sessions before theysee significant results. If this is not your first treatment session, you mayneed to wait for the swelling to subside as well as the other side effects tocompletely go away to see the difference.
Asfor the side effects, swelling is not uncommon with Kybella treatment. Usuallythis will subside in 5 to 7 days, but there are times when swelling takes about3 to 4 weeks to completely resolve. This is also the same with other sideeffects such as redness, bruising, lumps, and firmness.
Do check back with your doctor  to make sure that progress is going asexpected