Kybella vs Liposuction for Double Chins
Double chin woes? If you do a Google search, you’ll see that not only is the double chin somewhat of a national obsession, but tons of “experts” have lots of advice for how to exercise that extra fat and skin away.
Don’t be fooled.
No amount of exercising is going to create the definition you’re looking for. In fact, until recently there was only one way to get rid of a double chin — liposuction, a surgical procedure. Today, however, we have another option in Kybella, the new FDA-approved injectable treatment that literally dissolves away unwanted double-chin fat. The only question is, Kybella or Liposuction — what’s the difference, and which is right for you?
Q: What’s the difference between liposuction and Kybella?
Dr. Davis: Liposuction is a surgical procedure that uses a thin tube called a cannula inserted through a small incision under the chin to remove excess fat. Stitches are used to close the incision.
Kybella is a non-surgical treatment that uses a synthetic form of deoxycholic acid, a naturally occurring molecule in the body that aids in the breakdown and absorption of fat. Kybella is injected under the chin and breaks down fat cells without harming other skin cells in the area.
Q: How many treatments do I need to see results?
Dr. Davis: On the upside, liposuction is a 1-time treatment, but it’s a surgical procedure that requires more investment by patients in terms of downtime and cost. With Kybella, many patients see results in 2 to 4 treatments, although you may need up to 6 treatments.
Q: How long does each treatment take?
Dr. Davis: Liposuction is a 1- to 2-hour procedure. Each Kybella treatment session is typically 15 to 20 minutes.
Q: What is recovery like with Kybella compared to liposuction? Can I return to work the same day?
Dr. Davis: The beauty of Kybella is that downtime is minimal. You should plan to take the rest of the day off to recover after your first Kybella treatment, but for subsequent treatments you should be able to return to work the same day.
Because liposuction is a surgical procedure, you can expect to take up to one week off of work for recovery before returning to work and up to two weeks to return to all normal activities.
Q: What are the side effects of each treatment?
Dr. Davis: The most common side effects of Kybella are swelling, bruising, pain, numbness, redness and formation of areas of hardness around the treatment area. Side effects are similar for liposuction. You can expect swelling, bruising, pain, numbness and redness under the chin for several days after treatment.
Ready to learn more about Kybella? Call us today to schedule your consultation with Dr. Davis to find out if Kybella is right for you!