Can a registered nurse administer fat dissolving injections?

Question

I am interested in getting fat dissolving injections on my chin area and have been searching around the best place I can get these injections. I wonder if these injections( any type of fat dissolving injections ) can only be injected by doctors or RNS can do these.

Rebecca Fitzgerald, MD · Answer

The company which makes Kybella (Kythera Biopharmaceuticals, which is being purchased by Allergan) is taking the safest route in bringing the product to the public....that means only physicians and only selected physicians. BECAUSE there are potential risks with injections of this type that go beyond the usual, you will only find Kybella at the office of a requisite-trained dermatologist or plastic surgeon.

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

Kybella is a form of a liver salt that is syntheic and works to damage fat cells when it is injected into them.  In the clinical trials, 2 treatments a month apart had close to 50% improvement in fat reduction with some neck skin tightening/lifting (but this was a secondary outcome). More treatments, gave more improvement. In general it will take 4-6 treatments to get close to 75%+ improvement in most patients. There is pain and swelling during and after injection that can last a few hours to a few weeks/months. I suggest a formal consultation with a physician who is trained and speaks on neck rejuvenation, contouring and lifting. I am one of the few Kybella injection trainers and the majority of my practice is facial and body rejuvenation by fat removal surgical and non surgical options. Some people may benefit better from surgical lipocontouring and get more jawline and lower face improvement, as well as neck lifting, quickly -- within 3 days after the procedure. Kybella is not FDA approved to use in other areas other than the fat pad under the chin/submental area, and use in other areas could be unsafe. Again, please see an expert if you are considering treatment with this new medication. It does offer a great advance in our ability to reduce fat and contour the face.  Only a select number of physicians will be injecting this medication at the beginning. Best, Dr. Emer.

Sheryl D. Clark, MD, FAAD · Answer

Nurses, whether they be RNs or NPs, cannot inject Kybella because they have not been trained in the procedure. For that matter, neither can PAs (physician's assistants).  If you were my relative or close friend, I would want you to have this procedure with a trained core physician, a board-certified dermatologist or plastic surgeon, even if it were possible to have it performed by a nurse or PA.

Stephen Weber MD, FACS · Answer

This depends upon the product. Kybella is only being rolled out to core physicians - meaning plastic surgeons and dermatologists. Other physicians, nurses and estheticians will not receive training on the treatment protocol and how to safely use the product. Therefore, stick with a core Plastic Surgeon or Dermatologist for your treatment. Best of luck.Stephen Weber MD, FACSDenver Facial Plastic Surgeon

Andrew Kaufman, MD · Answer

I would agree with Dr. Fleming's comment. This is a brand new procedure. The company that produces Kybella is only training core physicians first (e.g. dermatology, plastic surgery) and the doctors allowed to inject it are only provided the product after they have received training from another physician experienced with Kybella. Don't save money on your cosmetic surgery. Look for training and experience. Good luck.

F. Victor Rueckl, MD (in memoriam) · Answer

If you are talking about Kybella, which is the new FDA-approved product, then only physicians - and specific chosen physicians who are in their training program - can inject. There are other substances that people use, but an RN, at this point in time, will not have been trained by the company and is not allowed to order Kybella, so they are using something else. "This
answer has been solicited without seeing this patient and cannot be
held as true medical advice, but only opinion. Seek in-person treatment
with a trained medical professional for appropriate care."

Richard W. Fleming, MD (retired) · Answer

Why would you want an RN injecting this material? This is a new procedure so choose an MD who has access to the product and has been trained in its use.

Can a registered nurse administer fat dissolving injections?

Answers (7)

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