Should Kybella swelling be completely resolved before a patient receives subsequent treatment injections? (Photos)

Question

Received my first Kybella treatment of four vials the last week of August 2016. Had tremendous swelling that lingered for over six weeks and I was still swollen when I received four more vials of injections the first week of October. I am scheduled to have another round of treatments the week after Christmas. I am still swollen. Still have lumps. Still have numbness. My assessment and that of friends and family members is that I look worse than when I started. I am not happy. What's your advice?

Kouros Azar, MD · Answer

Personally, I like to wait until the swelling is fully resolved before moving on to the next treatment because it allows me to assess exactly what needs to be done. I would recommend that you wait before having your next treatment.

Peterson Pierre, MD · Answer

Kybella is a terrific treatment to dissolve fat. It is deoxycolic acid that is produced daily in the gallbladder to digest the food we eat so we know it's safe and effective. One of my favorite aspects of this treatment is that the results are permanent! No maintenance treatments are needed as long as you don't gain a lot of weight.You have experienced several of the known side effects: notably swelling, bumps and numbness. Fortunately, they are all temporary. Typical interval between treatments is 4-6 weeks. I always recommend waiting till the swelling is resolved as that allows me to make a more accurate assessment of the results of the treatment and the amount of residual fat. This will also determine how much Kybella needs to be injected in subsequent treatment sessions. The results do take time but they are well worth the wait!As with all cosmetic procedures, the skill of the injector is paramount. Always seek an expert in facial aesthetics, such as a board-certified dermatologist, to maximize results while minimizing side effects.

Alex Eshaghian, MD, PhD · Answer

Thank you for
your question deane272. I understand your concern. Kybella is the first and
thus-far only FDA-approved non-surgical injectable treatment for the double
chin. Although the manufacturer recommends treatments at 4 week intervals I have found that waiting longer allows for complete healing and resolution of swelling and nodules. For this reason I space treatments every 3 months. Results are seen slowly over time. Patience is important. Please
consult with a doctor for specific recommendations. Good luck!

William Marshall Guy, MD · Answer

Hello Deane272,Kybella can be an excellent treatment for the right patient.  Receiving 4 vials means you are on the high side of dosing so some impressive swelling would be seen.  However, that swelling should be resolved within a week or two.  If your weight has remained stable then the area should not be looking worse than before treatment was started.  If you feel it is then that should be evaluated.  The lumps also tend to resolve, if present, within a few weeks.  The numbness does tend to last for about 6 weeks so right when you get your next treatment we say the numbness starts to go away.  Since it sounds like you are having questions about your injections and injector, I would recommend you set a second opinion in person.  As I mentioned, Kybella can be greater for the right patient, but not all patients are good candidates.  I'd recommend you consult with a facial plastic surgeon for an evaluation and see what is the best treatment for you.I hope this helps and good luck.

Sagar Patel, MD · Answer

Hello!
In the clinical studies all Kybella injections were done 6 weeks apart. I am curious, did your physician discuss submental liposuction with you? Cost wise it likely would have been comparable to 4 vials of Kybella (which is just one of the treatment sessions you will need) and recovery wise though no studies have compared the two, most physicians who perform both would say they are similar. In fact, with liposuction it is rare to have 6 weeks + of swelling and numbness. That being said, I would return to your physician for further advice. At times, steroids can be injected or you can forgo the next treatment cycle and undergo liposuction which can possibly have a much easier recovery with better results.

Dr Patel

Should Kybella swelling be completely resolved before a patient receives subsequent treatment injections? (Photos)

Answers (5)

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