Kybella didn't work on me and can't afford to keep trying something that doesn't work. What are other options? (photo)

$3800 should have covered several sessions.  Here is the reality of Kybella, it is a very expensive service.  It is really for folks who want to avoid surgery at all costs.  It is unpleasant due to swelling, bruising, and temporary numbness.  It takes a lot of time with 4 to 6 weeks between treatments, 6 treatments take 6 or more months.  At the end of those sessions 40% or more of patients will be disappointed with the result.  Compare that to a lower face/neck liposuction.  It is a minimally invasive surgery procedure performed through tiny pokes in the skin.  It is extremely comfortable under very light intravenous sedation. Patients have typically three days of recovery before returning to work.  There is minor swelling, The result is achieved in a single session.  Yes, it is crazy that Kybella is more expensive than chin liposuction.

When patients present with both pre and post platysmal fat, Kybella and liposuction will not achieve the best results. The platysma is a muscle under the chin. Depending on your clinical appearance, you can try a simple liposuction procedure with additional sculpturing of the jawline. Sometimes a small platysmaplasty with removal of some post platysmal fat can be accomplished in the office with local anesthesia. A small incision is required for this procedure. 

For the money you spent you could probably have had liposuction, under local anesthesia, with one short recovery time and predictable results. Your options at this point depend on whether you have skin laxity, residual fat, platysma muscle separation, or some combination. Best to wait at least 6 months and give the tissues time to recover.

Dear Selfmeme,
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, MHA, MSCertified, American Board of Plastic Surgery Member, Am. Society of Plastic Surgery

To improve Kybella results, I recommend a combination approach 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

When embarking on Kybella, it is important to understand that the first treatment is rarely enough. It reduces the fat pad a little and makes the jawline a little crisper. It is best to go into that first treatment expecting to be underwhelmed. The second treatment produces the effects that make patients happy, a marked reduction in the fat pad and tightening of the skin along the jawline. Some patients do need more treatments than two, but it seems like the results of the second treatment is what motivates them to proceed.
Your photo suggests that you may some fat left to work with, but a photo is no substitute for a physical exam. If an exam shows that you still have submental fat, it is reasonable to give Kybella another chance.
I hope that this will be helpful to you.

Kybella melts the fat cells in the neck area. It does not alter lax skin. After 3 treatments I would expect you to see some results. Maybe Kybella is not the right treatment for you. Regarding the lump in your neck, I would make a check up appointment with your provider or choose a different provider to assess your case. Liposuction might be an option for you as well. It is hard to give you more precise opinion without picture provided. Good luck!

Hello,To be more specific, it would be helpful to know more about timeline and if injected under the jawline too. Assume it was only one session.Kybella is a NON-INVASIVE treatment for Double Chin. It is only considered safe for fat under the chin. For jaw line is not recommended.One session Kybella may run average $900-1400 depends on number of syringes used. And on average 3 treatments may be needed with 6 weeks interval.After the injection there would be swelling but that would be expected to go away.As one of the experts says. Kybella is Only for people don't want or can not have liposuction. It is on average come out more expensive. Long Recovery time. requires 2-3 injections or even more. AND it is recommended under the chin only. (most people have jawline contouring issue which would be improved by liposuction).It would be the best to contact your physician and have re-evaluation for this swelling.All the Best - See an Expert Dr Ray Bayati,Rocklin California

Thank you for your question selfmeme. I am sorry to hear about your
situation. Kybella is the first and thus-far only FDA-approved non-surgical
injectable treatment for the double chin. I recommend 2-4 treatments for my patients so I have them prepared to start with at least two treatments. This is because sometimes full results are not seen after a single treatment and sometimes patients do not appreciate results at all after a single treatment. We have also noticed that waiting longer between treatments gives better results. Please consult with a doctor for specific recommendations. Good luck!

I am sorry that your injector wasn't clear with you that it would take more than one treatment to see results. However, the gold standard for removing fat is liposuction. It will deliver immediate results, but it does require more downtime. Hope this helps.