Hello Dr.'s! I read that any type of procedure that melts fat, such as Kybella, lipo, cool sculpting, etc., eliminates the fat cells in that specific area permanently, and it will never come back (which is great). However if you gain weight post-procedure, that fat will form as weird pockets in other locations around your body. I was wondering if this is really true, because that could be a MAJOR con. Thank you so much!
Answer
Thank you for your question. Successful candidates will be of overall good health and have a full understanding of the treatment plan. Kybella is made from the naturally occurring substance deoxycholic acid, a chemical used by the body to rid unwanted fat. The unwanted fat can then be safely eliminated by the body. I suggest that you move forward and consult with a board certified facial plastic surgeon. Best wishes,
Dr. Ross A. Clevens, MD, FACS
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
Answer
Thank you for your question. Kybella affects a very small amount of fatty tissue in the double chin region. You should not experience any observable changes in fat pockets in other body areas with respect to weight changes. With Coolsculpting or liposuction, you can affect more regions, so you may experience more noticeable increases in other fat pockets of the body with weight gain.
Dr. Young R. Cho, MD, PhD
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
Answer
Kybella is a great option for individuals that are looking to enhance the look of their face by removing submental fat/double chin without any surgery. To have "fat pockets" become apparent on areas that are not treated, a substantial amount of weight should be present to notice this change. The existing fat cells on other areas of the face and body becomes larger as more weight is gained. A consultation is recommended to see if Kybella is right for you or if any other options may be available as well.
Dr. Kevin Tehrani, MD, FACS
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
Answer
Thank you for your question YearToChange2015. I understand your concern. Kybella is the first and thus-far only FDA-approved non-surgical injectable treatment for the double chin. I have not seen this happen with Kybella. Further treatments such as Kybella motivate patients to lose weight and keep it off. Please consult with a doctor for specific recommendations. Good luck!
Answer
Because Kybella is removing a relatively small amount of fat in a very specific area, no, gaining weight should not cause any weird fat pockets elsewhere on the chin, neck or face. Hope this helps.Kindly,Kouros Azar