Is it as effective if I do one vial of Kybella per treatment instead of two per treatment?

Question

I was wondering if it is as effective if I do 1 vial per treatment instead of two? I understand that most ppl do 2 vials, but it would be more cost effective for me if I do the same # of treatments, but instead split it into a longer period by doing 1 vial per mo. vs. 2 at once per treatment. I still plan on doing all the treatments & I understand I won't see changes with just 1 vial. I just want to spread it out to make the cost more management. BUT only if it still works with 1 vial at a time.

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear jmulko91,Kybella typically takes 3 to 5 treatments to work. This is why I've stopped carrying Kybella in my office.  I recommend neck liposuction more often then any injectable procedure for the neck now. It provides superior results gives me more control over the area than any injectable.  It also costs about the same as what you paid for your first kybella session. The liposuction can be done under local while awake in the office and recovery is about the same as kybella.Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Matthew Richardson, MD · Answer

Kybella would still be effective treating at lower doses like 1 vial per treatment session instead of two, but it would require a longer period of treatment and more overall treatment sessions. If cost is a concern with Kybella, another option would be submental liposuction. Submental liposuction generally costs about the same as 2-3 treatments of Kybella at 2 vials per treatment. While some patients go on to need 4, 5, or 6 treatment sessions of Kybella, this is not the case with submental liposuction. There is one recovery period and minimal down time.While patients are often afraid of this procedure, the discomfort is on the same level as Kybella and most of my patients fall asleep during liposuction with only a little medication to help them relax. See a facial plastic surgeon to discuss all of the options in detail.All the best,

Muhammad Mirza, MD (license suspended) · Answer

Thank you for your question! One vial of Kybella should be effective. It may not be as effective as 2 vials, but you should still see some results.

Jonathan Kulbersh, MD · Answer

This will depend on the individual and needs an in-person evaluation. Both Kybella or neck liposuction are good options and will improve the double chin. It depends on your lifestyle and personality which would be better for you. 
Kybella is best for patients that:
1)  Do not want surgery 
2)  Are not surgical candidates 
3)  Not willing to wear a compression dressing around the face for 1 week 
4)  Patient-  The results of Kybella will take months
Kybella take 1-3 treatments every 6 weeks.  Patient will develop swelling and possible bruising after each injection that may last a few days.  The benefit of Kybella is each treatment is quick and completed in the office. However, some patients need more than one treatment to get desired results. 
Neck Liposuction is best for patients that:
1)  Want a single treatment 
2)  One recovery time-  Downtime for neck liposuction require wearing a wrap around face for 1 week. 3)  Less painful 
4)  Quicker results 
5)  Cost is a concern
Neck liposuction is a quick surgical procedure that can be complete while the patient is awake.  It cost around the same price a Kybella and can be less in patients with heavier necks.  The single recovery of neck liposuction may be a better option for some patients.
I hope this helps.

Larry S. Nichter, MD, MS, FACS · Answer

It is effective to do one vial only but it may take a very long time to give you the results you want.  Normally, it takes about 2 vials per treatment and everyone needs a minimum of 2 treatments to achieve results.  The benefit of one vial is that you will experience less swelling per treatment

John L. Burns Jr., MD · Answer

It is never a problem to do one vial instead of you.  You might need more treatment sessions if you do it one vial at a time.

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

This is difficult to answer without pictures, but I don't think this will give you the results you want.  Keep in mind, a combination approach is needed to get the most improvement with non-invasive options like Kybella and most people need more than one treatment. I recommend Kybella with thermage, ultherapy, exilis. VASER liposuction in combination with ThermiRF is an alternative for contouring the chin, if you're a candidate. I recommend getting a formal evaluation with a cosmetic dermatologist. Best, Dr. Emer

Don W. Griffin, MD · Answer

I understand your rationale, but the secret to effective results from Kybella is to use enough product in the treatment area. If you try to use less and spread it out or use smaller amounts, you won't see results. In my practice, we often inject 3 or 4 vials during the first treatment and have found that this gets better results than using only 1 or 2 each time. I would recommend that you just save up your money until you can afford to do more than 1 vial at a time.

Michele S. Green, MD · Answer

The best way to see results from Kybella is to have the correct amount injected each time.  Typically it will take two vials to get the best results and dissolve the fat.  Please consult an expert in Kybella to have the best cosmetic results. Best, Dr. Green

Simon Liubinas, MBBS · Answer

The effect of fat dissolving injections largely depends on the inflammatory reaction set in process by the injection: you need a certain amount of inflammation to have the desired effect, and this can only be achieved by injecting the prescribed amount. The clinical trials demonstrating clinically significant improvement in the reduction of fat in the submental region were all based on injection of 0.2ml of fat dissolving injections into each needle site, mapped out on a grid in the “safe-zone”. In most people, this adds up to two vials, although it can be three vials in some cases. It is very rare for the amount to only add up to one vial. In short, one vial of fat dissolving injections would not give the necessary amount of medication and swelling to the area, and the fat loss would be sub-optimal. Remember that the effect of fat dissolving injections is permanent, so you are better off having the prescribed treatment to give a more impressive long-term effect!

Is it as effective if I do one vial of Kybella per treatment instead of two per treatment?

Answers (17)

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