KYBELLA® in Pittsburgh, PA

Even a little extra fat in the upper neck area can cause the appearance of a "double chin" that can be bothersome to both men and women. The excess pockets of fat under the chin (also known as the submental area) may be caused by genetics, weight fluctuations, or aging that lead to a weaker chin and jawbone for an undefined profile. Board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. James Fernau is proud to offer a new way to get rid of neck fat at his practice in Pittsburgh, PA. Approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Kybella is the first nonsurgical treatment for submental fat. The active ingredient in Kybella is a synthetic version of deoxycholic acid (DA) that acts like the natural DA in the body to break down and absorb fat. Once it is injected under the chin, you may see a noticeable reduction in fat. When the fat is destroyed, the cells cannot return, so you are able to enjoy your new, slim profile and strong jawline for years to come.

After cleaning the area, we apply numbing cream and ice for patient comfort, Dr. Fernau will then inject Kybella into multiple sites under the patient’s chin. Most patients will begin to see visible results in 2 – 4 treatment sessions. Patients can have up to six treatment sessions with less than a month in between each session. After the treatment, patients may have temporary swelling, bruising, pain, numbness, or redness.

Injections of Kybella don't need general anesthesia, so you are allowed to leave our office when you are ready to return to your daily routine. You may notice short-term bruising, swelling, or numbness below your chin, although this shouldn't last more than a couple of days. Contact our office right away if you are noticing any unusual symptoms, including difficulty swallowing, facial muscle weakness, or if your facial expressions are uneven. While the fat that is eliminated does not regenerate, the cells left over can grow larger, so you need to keep a stable weight after your Kybella treatments to keep new pockets of fat from developing. Ideal results after this procedure leave your neck appearing tighter and sleeker and your neckline will be better defined.

Kybella is an alternative to surgical neck liposuction for patients who only need fat removed from the area under their chin. If the patient wants fat removed from the rest of the neck, surgical neck liposuction is the best option. Dr. Fernau will help every patient determine their best treatment plan after listening to their concerns and goals in the initial consultation.

While it is being researched, Kybella is not currently approved to eliminate fat in any other areas of the body and Dr. Fernau can only inject Kybella into the area below the patient’s chin. The uses of Kybella will hopefully be expanded, but for now, patients can enjoy getting rid of their double chin with Kybella.

Before receiving Kybella injections, Dr. Fernau will ask about the patient’s current medications and medical conditions during their initial consultation. Patients who are pregnant or breastfeeding may not get Kybella injections. Kybella is also not available for anyone under the age of 18.

The body naturally makes deoxycholic acid (DA) to break down and destroy fat. The active ingredient in Kybella is a synthetic version of DA, which destroys fat in the submental area. Once destroyed, these fat cells cannot return. However, the remaining fat cells can get larger if the patient gains weight.