Kybella: How It Works

What Is Kybella?

Kybella is an FDA-approved injectable treatment designed specifically to reduce fat under the chin. The main ingredient, deoxycholic acid, is a naturally occurring substance in the body that helps break down dietary fat. When injected into the submental area, Kybella destroys the fat cells, allowing your body to metabolize and eliminate them over time.

The Typical Kybella Process

1. Consultation: Your provider will assess whether you’re a suitable candidate for Kybella based on the amount of submental fat, skin elasticity, and overall goals.
2. Preparation: The treatment area may be numbed with a topical agent or ice pack to minimize discomfort.
3. Injections: Using a grid-like pattern, the injector administers a series of small injections beneath the chin.
4. Recovery: Patients often experience swelling, bruising, and tenderness. These side effects usually subside within a couple of weeks.
5. Multiple Sessions: Many patients require two to four treatment sessions, spaced at least a month apart, to achieve desired results.

Pros and Cons of Kybella

Pros:

• Non-Surgical: There’s no need for anesthesia or incisions.
• Minimally Invasive: The procedure can be done relatively quickly, often within 30 minutes.
• No Sutures or Scars: Because it involves injections, there’s no risk of surgical scarring.

Cons:

• Multiple Sessions: Kybella typically requires multiple treatments to see notable results.
• Swelling and Downtime: Although it’s non-surgical, the submental area often swells, sometimes significantly, for several days to weeks.
• Limitations on Skin Tightening: Kybella doesn’t address loose or sagging skin.

FormSculpt™ Gentle Fat Removal: How It Works

Traditional vs. Modern Liposuction

When many people think of liposuction, they picture a highly invasive surgical procedure with large incisions and lengthy recovery times. However, liposuction technology has come a long way. Today’s modern liposuction techniques—such as the air-powered approach used at BodyLuxe—allow for smaller incisions, more precise fat removal, and quicker recoveries.

Chin Liposuction Step-by-Step

1. Consultation: The process starts with a medical evaluation. The surgeon will examine your chin, jawline, and neck to determine if you’re a good candidate.
2. Anesthesia: For smaller areas like the chin, tumescent (local) anesthesia is often sufficient to perform the procedure comfortably.
3. Fat Removal: A small cannula (thin tube) is inserted through a tiny entry site—often hidden under the chin or behind the ears—to remove fat cells. The device gently breaks up and suctions out unwanted fat. The entry sites do not typically need stitching and will close within 24 hours. In almost all cases, the entry sites will disappear over a few weeks.
4. Recovery: Patients typically wear a compression garment for up to 4 weeks to minimize swelling and support the new contours.

Pros and Cons of Liposuction

Pros:

• Immediate, Noticeable Results: Unlike Kybella, which may take months and multiple painful sessions, liposuction results can be seen very quickly—often within a couple weeks, as swelling subsides.
• One Procedure: Only one awake liposuction session is typically needed for patients to achieve their desired outcome.
• Customized Shaping: The practitioner can sculpt your chin and jawline, removing the exact amount of fat needed for a refined contour.
• Combination with Skin Tightening: We use Renuvion (J Plasma) to help tighten the skin to achieve the contour of a “snatched” jaw line.

Cons:

• More Invasive: Compared to Kybella injections, liposuction requires a surgical entry site and the use of a cannula. However, Kybella does require multiple needle pricks.
• Downtime: There is some minor recovery involved, and the wearing of a  compression garment.

Why Liposuction Can Be a Better Kybella Alternative

In Chicago—and many other places—Kybella is popular because it offers a non-surgical way to target chin fat. However, for individuals looking for a one-and-done approach, liposuction can often be more efficient and deliver more dramatic, immediate results. Here’s why liposuction could be a superior alternative to Kybella:

1. Fewer Treatments: Kybella often requires multiple sessions, whereas liposuction typically needs only a single procedure.
2. Long-Term Savings: While Kybella may seem less expensive upfront, multiple sessions can drive the total cost above that of a single surgical liposuction session.
3. More Comprehensive Contouring: Liposuction allows the practitioner to sculpt not just the area directly under the chin but also near the jawline and neck for a more refined profile.
4. Better for Skin Tightening: Although liposuction itself doesn’t necessarily tighten skin, certain methods can stimulate collagen or be paired with skin-tightening treatments. Moreover, Kybella doesn’t correct loose skin and may not be ideal for those with low skin elasticity.

What Is FormSculpt™ and How Is It Different?

At BodyLuxe, our signature approach to chin fat removal is known as FormSculpt™—a specialized liposuction technique that utilizes an air-powered device manufactured by the Belgian company Euromi. This technology enables precise awake fat extraction through a minimally invasive procedure.

Key Features of FormSculpt™

• Minimally Invasive: Tiny entry sites allow for minimal scarring and faster healing.
• Air-Powered Device: The device’s vibrations help dislodge fat cells gently, making them easier to remove.
• Precision Sculpting: Perfect for targeting small areas like the chin, creating a natural, contoured look.
• Awake Procedure under Local Anesthesia: Patients remain awake but comfortable, avoiding the risks of general anesthesia.

FormSculpt™ focuses on delivering custom results with less downtime, making it a compelling option for those seeking a quick yet effective alternative to repeated Kybella injections.

Is AirSculpt Really Different From Liposuction?

If you’ve done any research into modern liposuction methods, you’ve likely come across the term “AirSculpt.” This is a brand name that markets its procedure as a high-tech evolution of liposuction. In reality, AirSculpt is just liposuction—it uses an air-powered cannula to remove fat. At BodyLuxe, we use the same liposuction device as AirSculpt, which is the same air-powered device made by Euromi, a European company based in Belgium. 

In short, choosing a reputable clinic with experienced surgeons and advanced tools is more important than any particular brand name. Whether it’s called AirSculpt or FormSculpt, the principle remains the same: targeted awale fat removal using a minimally invasive cannula-based system.

Comparing Recovery and Results

When making your decision, you’ll want to weigh how much time you can realistically take off, how comfortable you are with a minor surgical procedure versus injections, and how quickly you want to see results.

Kybella Recovery

• Swelling: Significant swelling is common, sometimes lasting up to two weeks.
• Multiple Treatments: If additional rounds are needed, you’ll need to wait at least a month between sessions.
• Steady Improvement: Results appear gradually as your body metabolizes the destroyed fat cells, often taking 2-3 months in total.

Liposuction Recovery

• Immediate Results: While some swelling persists for a few weeks, you’ll notice a marked change in your chin and jawline very soon after the procedure.
• Short Downtime: Many patients can return to desk work in a day, though more strenuous activities may need to be postponed for a week.
• Lasting Effects: Once the fat cells are removed, they don’t come back (assuming stable body weight), so your chin sculpt is permanent.

How to Choose the Right Procedure

1. Assess Your Goals

• Mild to Moderate Fat: If you have a small amount of stubborn fat, Kybella may work. However, be prepared for multiple sessions and the fact that Kybella does not tighten the skin.
• More Pronounced Chin Fat: If you need substantial fat removal or want to shape the jawline, liposuction provides a more comprehensive solution and you can opt for skin tightening using Renuvion (J Plasma) at the same time through the same entry sites.

2. Consider Your Timeline

• Immediate Results: Liposuction is your best bet if you’re hoping to see a big difference without waiting months.
• Gradual Changes: Kybella’s slower timeframe might be attractive if you want more subtle changes over time.

3. Evaluate Your Tolerance for Invasiveness

• No Incisions: If the idea of surgery is off-putting, Kybella injections might be more appealing.
• Minimal Surgery: Liposuction is more invasive, but modern techniques like FormSculpt significantly reduce incision size and recovery times.

4. Think About Budget

• Multiple Sessions: Kybella sessions cost anywhere from several hundred to over a thousand dollars each, and you will need multiple treatments.
• One-Time Procedure: While the upfront cost for liposuction can be higher, it’s often a single expense with a guaranteed result.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: How long does a chin liposuction procedure take?
A chin liposuction session usually lasts about 45 minutes to an hour. You can often head home shortly afterward.

Q2: Can I combine chin liposuction with other treatments?
Absolutely. Many patients opt to combine liposuction or fat transfer in the rest of the body with neck liposuction or skin-tightening treatments to optimize their results.

Q3: Will I lose sensation after liposuction under my chin?
Some temporary numbness can occur due to swelling or local anesthesia. Sensation typically returns as the area heals.

Q4: Are Kybella injections painful?
Kybella treatments involve a series of small injections. While discomfort levels vary, they may be significant, but a topical anesthetic or ice pack can be used to minimize any pain.

Q5: Is there a chance of developing loose skin after liposuction or Kybella?
That depends on your skin elasticity. Liposuction does remove the fat immediately, so in cases where the skin can’t retract, you may notice some laxity. Kybella also doesn’t tighten skin. In either scenario, additional skin-tightening treatments may be beneficial if you have significant loose skin.

Final Thoughts

Removing unwanted chin fat can be a game-changer for your overall appearance and self-confidence. While Kybella offers a non-surgical method with a gradual progression, liposuction stands out as an excellent Kybella alternative for those seeking more immediate, dramatic, and predictable results. In Chicago, both options are widely available, but modern, minimally invasive liposuction techniques like FormSculpt™ at BodyLuxe can be a particularly compelling choice. By using the same air-powered Euromi device found in AirSculpt procedures, BodyLuxe provides a state-of-the-art approach to permanently removing submental fat. 

No matter which route you take, it’s vital to consult with a qualified practitioner who can offer a personalized recommendation. If you’re tired of a stubborn double chin and want long-lasting transformation, consider the power of liposuction as a versatile and safe alternative. Request a complimentary in-person consultation at BodyLuxe in Chicago, weigh your options, and choose the procedure that aligns best with your goals, timeline, and comfort level. Ultimately, the path to a more refined, youthful profile is within reach—helping you look and feel your best every time you step out the door.