The practice of “lipodissolve”, utilizing a mixture of fat melting chemicals injected into the area of interest, has long been controversial. The lack of regulation and standards of exact mixtures and techniques lead the ASPS to tell its members the practice was not safe. Some surgeons and even lay practitioners in spas swore by it, and Allergan launched the first FDA approved product, Kybella, for the use in the double chin area.

I underwent a training in Kybella, including an online certification as well as a hands-on observed injector training. Some of the photos are impressive, but is this product the end of submental liposuction? Let us compare.

Kybella is a nonsurgical treatment, so there are no stitches or anesthesia risks involved. You are awake and can walk out on your own after a brief observation period. No blood tests or doctor’s visits are needed before. The treatment is about 30 minutes, and consists of multiple tiny injections into the fat cells. You will experience significant swelling, especially over the first week, and can have a burning sensation. The average patient in the studies conducted received a little more than 4 treatments to achieve the results. The average cost of each treatment is currently $2500 in NYC. Therefore, for Kybella, it is a total of about 2 hours-2.5 hours of treatment time over 4-6 months to get the result at an average cost of around $10,000. There is no surgery, and less healthy patients can undergo the procedure.

Liposuction of the double chin is a surgery. I use 3 tiny incisions requiring a single stitch each (behind each earlobe and one under the chin), and testing is required beforehand. You will receive twilight anesthesia, and someone has to take you home. You will get swelling and potentially some more bruising, and we recommend some massage after to help the swelling fade faster. It is a single 30 minute procedure, though you will be in the office a little over an hour. Results can be seen in as little as 2 weeks, though small areas of swelling may persist for a few months. Average cost in NYC is $3500-$4500.

I offer both, and the choice is yours.