We all have that one thing we’re self conscious about. Mine is my chin (or it was). I have had a fuller neck for years, resulting in a double chin (or at least a bit more fluff than I’d like). This has bothered me in photos, and I can’t tell you how many times I’ve deleted a shot just because of the way my neck looks. With the increase of zoom meetings, I noticed it even more. Since I was so self-conscious, it was time to remedy it.
We’re in the day where the narrative around injectables is changing. I’ve never felt there should be any shame associated with injectables (go get that Botox!), but as it becomes more commonplace, we should be more open about what we do! I see it as an educational moment. I have been so intrigued by Kybella for so long, but had a hard time finding real life experiences of people who’ve had it, so I feel this post is necessary. Also, price and how much you need seems to be a mystery, so I am giving you my perspectives!
Kybella is an injectable by Allergan, and it’s the only FDA approved injectable for dissolving fat below the chin (or submental fat), resulting in an improved profile and appearance. This treatment permanently destroys the fat cells by dissolving the membrane of fat cells (using a synthetic version of a chemical found in our bile), and the contents are then absorbed into our body. This is a nonsurgical intervention for the jawline fat, with minimal downtime and less risks.
I did a lot of research before I went in to do this treatment, and found so many different results. Some aesthetic offices are advertising miracles after one vile, while others are saying you need 4 viles up to 5 times. Some still say that it isn’t a miracle worker, and surgery is more effective. I’ve heard that it can hurt like crazy, or it feels like nothing! Some people can swell like crazy, while others not as much. This Allure article is a great comprehensive overview of all the variation. The level of contradicting information is insane, so I want to give my full personal account of what happened during my treatment. Time to lift off some of the mystery surrounding aesthetic work!
So, with my neck fat in tow, I headed to Style MedSpa, an aesthetic and laser hair removal office in Allentown, PA. I met with Marcy, a skilled injector, and we went over my options! After looking at my neck, she decided on two vials for my first treatment. This cost me $1100. I learned that while you can look at the neck and make predictions, you don’t get a full judge until the tattoo is placed on. She did some drawing with a makeup pencil, placed the tattoo, and I had 22 dots on my neck!
After placing the tattoo and numbing me with ice, she got to work. Each little spot was injected with the product, until the 2 vials were used. I was worried about the pain of the injections, but that part didn’t hurt too bad. What did hurt was the product itself creating a burning feeling in my neck. She was pinching as she was injecting, worsening it.
I’ll be honest, I found it incredibly painful. It’s not supposed to be as bad as I felt it was (I have a low pain tolerance), but I thought I was going to throw up it hurt so badly. I couldn’t turn my head for the rest of the day, and couldn’t sleep on the side of my head for a good week. Tender is an understatement!
That evening, I began swelling. By the next day, I looked like a complete bullfrog! The swelling stayed high for about a week, and then it started to reduce. Each week, it reduced more and more, and I noticed a better shape and profile. The swelling can last up to 6 weeks, and even at week 6, I had some residual puffiness in areas. By week 8, I found the swelling to have mostly disappeared and my neck to have changed. In the 6 week transition photo featured above, you can still see insane results!
I also want to bring attention to the numbness I felt in the injection area for about 10 weeks. Have you ever gone to the dentist, had an injection, and your lip has that weird numb feeling when you touch it? My neck felt the same way! After researching, this is completely normal, but I just wanted to make you aware that this could happen.
So, enough of the specifics…how did it work? Fantastic! Now if you look at the before and after, you’ll see that I didn’t have a massive gullet to begin with, but the Kybella really trimmed things down. I noticed my neck fat was very asymmetrical beforehand, and now it really has evened out. For 1 treatment with 2 vials, it was magic. Before, I definitely had a pocket of fat that could be seen from the side, but now it’s much more level.
I’m incredibly happy wit how this looks, but would like to go back for a second treatment just to taper out the sides a bit more. She concentrated the product in the center, and I think I need a few finishing touches to get where I want to be with my neck. I’m not in a huge rush (and very happy with how it looks now), but I think that would be the icing on the cake. I may wait until it cools down again so I can hide the swelling!
So, if you have minor under the chin fat you want to fix, I’d highly suggest having a consultation to see if Kybella is right for you. I’m so pleased with my results, and think it was the perfect fit. You bet I have been enjoying candid photographs much more too! Just be prepared for swelling, maybe a bit of pain, but probably good results a month or two later.
All thoughts and opinions are my own, I paid for this service myself.