Could Kybella on abdomen give me results and get rid of stubborn fat? (Photo)

Question

I'm looking into more options to get rid of stubborn fat in my upper and lower abdomen. I would love to do liposuction (I did before for my love handles and back) but I've been paranoid about fat embolism, can Kybella can give me results? Thanks.

Rosy Sandhu, MD · Answer

Thanks for your question. Kybella is deoxycholic acid which is FDA approved for permanent fat loss in the double chin area. It has been use successfully on other parts of the body including the abdomen, in the hands of an experienced skilled physician, as an off-label use of kybella. If you choose to get it done, you will likely need 3-4 treatments performed 6-8 weeks apart for optimal results. The cost for the whole series will likely be comparable to liposuction. The better non-invasive approach, if that's what you prefer, will be to start with Coolsculpting, a non-invasive fat loss treatment which works by freezing the fat cells and causing fat cell death and you will lose about 15-20% of the fat from that area.  You would see results in 10-12 weeks, and then if you still had a small pocket of stubborn fat, then you could target that with localized kybella injections. Of course, all these treatments would work best whenn combined with a healthy lifestyle, eating a well balanced diet and exercise.

Hope that helps. Best, Dr Rosy Sandhu

Michael I. Echavez, MD · Answer

As has been mentioned, Kybella is not approved for use on the abdomen.  Liposuction is a proven treatment to remove unwanted fat, but if you wanted to try something non-surgical, CoolSculpting would be an option.

Anteneh Roba, MD · Answer

Kybella is approved for submental fat reduction not abdominal fat reduction. Best treatment for you is liposuction. Done by a qualified physician risk of complications is minimal.

Julio F. Gallo, MD · Answer

Kybella is an excellent lipolytic agent, ie. it destroys fat cells but it does not tighten the overlying skin. The advantages are that it is an easy to perform in office procedure done with local anesthesia, with minimal downtime and recovery. It does cause significant swelling which resolves in 6-8 weeks. Depending on how much is the fat deposit, it may require 3-4 treatments separated by 6-8 weeks. Usually there can be a mild amount of bruising. Remember, that this is an FDA approved treatment for submental fat; using it in the abdomen is an off label treatment and it should be discussed with your physician. Kybella works best where there are small discrete collections of fat. It does not replace liposuction, weight management or large amount of fat nor cellulite. It is more suited to small pockets left after a liposuction or a small discrete area that is naturally occuring.

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear angelina8989,
based on your photo, it looks like you would benefit from a liposuction. If you are considering a surgery, I would suggest you to consult a board-certified plastic surgeon. Only after a thorough examination you will get more information and recommendations.
Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Could Kybella on abdomen give me results and get rid of stubborn fat? (Photo)

Answers (8)

Answer: Kybella to reduce abdominal fat

Answer: Kybella to reduce abdominal fat

Answer: Liposuction candidate

Answer: Liposuction candidate

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Everything you need to know about Kybella

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Could Kybella on abdomen give me results and get rid of stubborn fat? (Photo)

Answers (8)

Answer: Kybella to reduce abdominal fat

Answer: Kybella to reduce abdominal fat

Answer: Liposuction candidate

Answer: Liposuction candidate

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Kybella

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.