Is Kybella worth it? Is it guaranteed results? Good idea for a poor college student who has been saving up? (Photo)

It is really targeted to doctors and nurses who do not perform surgery.  That include dermatologist without liposuction training, nurses, family doctors and internists who do not offer lower face/neck liposuction.  Compared to lower face and neck or submental liposuction, liposuction is a much more powerful treatment that accomplishes in a single treatment session what it takes Kybella treatment up to 6 months to do.  However, if you don't perform submental liposuction, Kybella is really your only option.  Allergan, the drug company that makes this product, charges an enormous premium for this product.  As a result, you will pay far more for a series of Kybella treatments than you will for a submental liposuction.  It turns out that most patients getting Kybella receive 6 sessions over 6 months.  The first service cause a tremendous amount of swelling that takes about 1 week to settle down.  In my opinion, Kybella causes more swelling that the liposuction.  Kybella commonly causes significant bruising, and numbness not commonly associated with neck liposuction.  Unless you are dead set against having a minimally invasive neck liposuction procedure that is very comfortable performed under tumescent liposuction with or without intravenous sedation.  So as amusing as the Kybella ads are, ask how much will a series of 6 treatments cost you. My advice is, unless your are totally afraid of the idea of having a liposuction, save yourself 5 1/2 months and some cheddar and get the liposuction.  

I haven't heard of any long-term issues with Kybella. I was in the long-term follow-up study and patients continued to look great after injection, so I am not sure why anyone would say this as there are no data to support this. It is a very safe treatment consisting of a series of injections of deoxycholic acid – a component of bile that dissolves fat during digestion. The procedure takes about 5 minutes in the office. You will be a little bruised for a few days afterward, and swollen for 1 week. You will need at least two treatments to see a noticeable result, but up to 4 (sometimes requiring less drug at each treatment). Especially since you are young and seem to have good skin tone, your jawline and chin will look much sleeker a month or so after your final Kybella treatment. It does take time and patience, because your body has to gradually eliminate the melted fat cells. While no procedure can ever be guaranteed, the patients I've treated with Kybella have been thrilled with their final results. Consulting a board-certified dermatologist who already has a lot of experience with Kybella should alleviate some of the confusion you are feeling now and give you a good timeline for your results.

Thank you for your question and supporting photos.  You seem to be a good candidate for Kybella but it will require several treatments.  Another option would be laser liposuction of the neck which would also tighten loose skin in this area.  A consultation would be needed for precise recommedations.