cosmetic surgery
KYBELLA™ is a prescription medication that is injected to improve the appearance and profile of moderate to severe fat deposits below the chin. KYBELLA™ is the first and only FDA-approved, non-surgical treatment capable of contouring and improving the appearance of submental fullness, smoothing what can be called a "double chin."
KYBELLA's™ active ingredient is a molecule that naturally occurs in the human body–deoxycholic acid. Deoxycholic acid is a molecule that aids in the breakdown and absorption of dietary fat. By injecting KYBELLA™ into the fat beneath your chin, deoxycholic acid begins to destroy this bank of stored fat cells, right at the source. The best part is that once these fat cells have been broken down and destroyed, they no longer are capable of storing fat.
KYBELLA is an injectable treatment that uses a synthetic form of deoxycholic acid, which is a substance your body already uses to help break down dietary fat. When KYBELLA is injected into submental fat under the chin, it works to destroy the fat cells in that area. Once those cells are broken down and cleared away by the body, they can no longer store fat.
Because KYBELLA targets the fat cells themselves rather than simply shrinking them, results tend to be long lasting in the treated area. If you maintain a stable weight and healthy habits, the new contour under your chin can remain relatively steady over time.
Ideal KYBELLA candidates usually have mild to moderate fullness below the chin that does not improve with general weight loss, and they want to avoid surgery such as liposuction. The best results appear in people whose skin still has enough elasticity to conform to a slimmer contour once the fat decreases.
Your medical history, medications, and previous cosmetic treatments also matter, since KYBELLA involves injections in a delicate area with important nerves and structures. A qualified provider will evaluate the shape of your chin and neck, feel the thickness of the fat pad, and confirm that the fullness is fat rather than loose skin, enlarged glands, or something that needs medical evaluation.
Before any injections are scheduled, you will sit down for a consultation to review your concerns, your goals, and your overall health. Your provider will take a close look at your profile from several angles, sometimes with photographs, to document a true “before” view that you can later compare with your progress.
Preparation might include simple steps such as avoiding certain blood thinning medications or supplements if your prescribing doctor agrees, planning the treatment around your schedule, and setting realistic expectations about swelling and recovery. The consultation is also the time to talk openly about how many sessions might be needed and what your personal KYBELLA before and after timeline is likely to look like.
On the day of your first session, the team will cleanse the area under your chin and may apply a topical numbing cream or ice to help you stay comfortable. A temporary grid or series of small markings might be drawn under your chin to guide the precise placement of each injection. This mapping step allows your provider to treat the fat evenly and avoid important structures in the area.
You will sit or recline in a treatment chair, and the provider will review what you are about to feel, how long the session will last, and what you will do afterward. Knowing the steps ahead of time usually makes the short appointment feel calmer and more predictable.
Most KYBELLA sessions take only a few minutes once the injections begin. You may feel stinging, warmth, or pressure as the medication is placed, followed by a sensation of fullness or tightness in the treated area. These feelings tend to be strongest within the first hour or two after treatment.
Swelling is expected and often quite noticeable in the first few days. Many people describe the early phase as looking fuller before looking slimmer, which can be surprising if they are not prepared. Redness, bruising, and tenderness to the touch are also common, although these effects typically soften over the first week.
In the first three to five days, swelling usually peaks and may feel firm or “puffy,” especially when looking at the side profile. Sleeping with your head slightly elevated, staying hydrated, and following your provider’s aftercare instructions can help you move through this phase more comfortably.
By the second and third week, bruising tends to fade, and swelling gradually settles. The area under the chin may still feel somewhat numb, tight, or lumpy as the body breaks down the treated fat cells. It is during this middle phase that subtle early contour changes start to show, although the final “after” picture has not yet formed.
Most people need a series of sessions spaced several weeks apart to see their full result. Each treatment builds on the last, usually with less swelling as the remaining fat layer becomes thinner. Your provider will assess your profile at each visit, compare it with your original photos, and decide whether additional sessions are recommended.
The most satisfying KYBELLA before and after images show a gentle transition from a heavier, less defined chin area to a slimmer, more sculpted jawline and neckline. The goal is not to make you look like someone else, but to reduce the fullness that hides your natural angles.
Because the destroyed fat cells do not return, the contour change in the treated area is long lasting, provided your weight remains stable. Many people notice that their profile looks better in photographs, their face appears less “bottom heavy,” and their overall appearance feels more balanced and confident.
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle supports your KYBELLA results by preventing significant weight gain that could cause remaining fat cells to enlarge. Regular movement, mindful eating, and good hydration habits benefit your overall health and help you feel comfortable in your new profile.
Occasionally, a touch up session may be discussed if there are small pockets of fullness that did not respond fully or if your anatomy changes over time. Ongoing communication with your provider ensures that any future adjustments are thoughtful and tailored to your evolving goals.
Why Kybella?
In addition to the physical improvement to the chin area after KYBELLA™ treatments, patients often experience a boost in their psychological and emotional well-being. Patients report improvement in self-perception, feeling happier and younger, as well as feeling less self-conscious of their chin profile.
Before/After
Pictured is an example of a patient before and after a KYBELLA™ neck fat treatment. Browse our before and after gallery to see more examples of patients' results from KYBELLA™ neck fat treatment.
Ready to see what KYBELLA™ can do for you? Contact QnA Cosmetic Surgery to schedule your consultation with one of our board certified dermatologists.
QnA Cosmetic Surgery is dedicated to serving our New Orleans, Baton Rouge, and Northshore communities. To schedule your KYBELLA™ consultation with one of our board certified dermatologists, contact QnA Cosmetic Surgery today!
