60th Birthday Present in Arizona. Bad idea.

I have a noticeable double chin that's getting worse with age. I consulted a plastic surgeon who recommended a neck/face lift over Kybella because it would be a more complete solution for sagging skin, jawline, etc. But the price, anaesthesia & hospitalization scared me so I decided to try Kybella. I had my 1st treatment yesterday.

I was fortunate to be in the right place at the right time and was asked if I'd be a "model" for an Allergan Kybella training session! I received this 1st treatment at no cost, but paid up front for my 2nd treatment, since I'll need at least 2. It turned out to be a fascinating experience!

A group of potential Kybella providers - physicians, aestheticians, health care professionals - gathered for their required training at my doctor's office. Her assistant took lots of "before" pics. The Allergan trainer requested even more, in specific positions. As the group listened to the trainer speak and did practice diagrams on each other I was being numbed up in a nearby room. It was a topical numbing solution, spread liberally over my throat and neck. After about 1/2 hour, the area was surprisingly numb.

I was brought into a large treatment room, and onto a comfortable examination bed. The visiting doctors filed in and gathered around me. 1st, the trainer asked them all to touch and examine the fat under my chin carefully. One by one they did this, some asking me to grimace to see my muscle lines or to move my head up and down to see how the chin fat moved and felt. Next, the trainer had them take turns drawing various anatomical points in eraseable pencil on my neck, jaw and throat area, which they'd need to be aware of when administering Kybella. It was very interesting - I was like a human chalk board! The trainer would "erase" me between students or add markings to clarify anatomical points.

Next the trainer placed the Kybella "patch" under my chin, which I'd seen in so many videos myself. When she removed it, although I couldn't see it, I know that it left a grid of dots where the Kybella would be injected. The trainer discussed with the doctors which dots on the periphery of the grid should be included for injections. The no. of dots/injections for me was 18.

The trainer then explained the correct dosages of Kybella, which was quite technical. I was getting a little nervous at this point, so I didn't follow the explanation carefully. The trainer was very kind and professional, and explained to me before she injected precisely what I was going to feel and when I would feel it. This helped a lot. She also told the class that once she started injecting me it would be uninterrupted. You can't stop in the middle I remember her saying. And she did just that. She was concentrated and purposeful and went straight thru the injection points, stopping briefly once or twice to refill the needle. It was over in less than 10 minutes.

I'd read a lot in this forum about what to expect, but my experience has been different. The injections for most people didn't hurt that much but afterwards they complain about a lot of pain. For me, it was just the opposite: the injections were surprisingly painful and I've had very little pain afterwards.

The injections were about 8.5 on a scale of 10 for pain. It's a new sensation to have a needle stuck into your neck and for me it hurt like hell. My dr. applied an ice pack immediately and that brought the pain level right down. But it took about 5 minutes. It still ached after the ice. The observing doctors were all very supportive: "Just think of how great the results will be!" they reminded me! I was fine driving home and there was no swelling as far as I could see.

Based on what I'd read here, I requested a chin strap, which I brought home with me. As soon as I put it on to go to sleep there was no more pain. It really helps! I woke up swollen, but feeling fine. Today, in my 1st 24 hrs., I've felt very little pain - the area feels kind of bruised, but that's all. I notice it's a llittle difficult to swallow sometimes, but that's the only symptom.

As everyone's mentioned here, the swelling is pronounced. My dr. said to expect 1 1/2 times your original chin. Seems about right. But it doesn't look that strange. There are plenty of people who have
chins this big all the time. I was told to take it easy for the 1st 24 hours, which I've done. I haven't needed any ibuprofen or ice - the only symptoms are difficulty swallowing and feeling bruised.

Pic 1 below is before treatment, pic 2 is 24 hrs. later with the expected swelling. This is what's supposed to happen - the swelling means the Kybella is doing its thing - so far so good!

Day 2: still not much pain, but very swollen, and bruises are really showing. In about 4 of the Kybella injection sites, big round bruises have formed. This is what makes it embarassing to go outside. Looks like a vampire got to my neck, or else some really strange hickies. There's discomfort and tightness swallowing. I hope this is worth it!

Day 3: Well, there's not much change from Day 2 to Day 3 - the pics look about the same - so I'll spare you and not post them. I've still got the bullfrog chin, the bruises at 4 of the Kybella injection sites are pronounced and angry looking and I'm having some discomfort esp. tightness swallowing.

I have to comment that this recovery is a little trying psychologically. You hope for your body to heal but that's not actually what it's doing: your chin fat is melting away which isn't exactly a healing process. Starting to realize I can't just stay inside until I feel better because it's going to be a long process.