Kybella® and the Neck

By Don J. Fontana, MD, PA

A youthful appearance is defined by an elegant jaw-neck line. A trademark of facial aging is a full, baggy neck. It is the loss of definition between the jaw and the neck that inevitably develops in the aging patient. For the patient with a “turkey neck” almost always surgery is required to rejuvenate its appearance.

There is a group of patients, both men and women, of all ages, who do not have a “turkey neck,” but exhibit fullness underneath the chin in the neck. There is a deposition of fat in this area and it is referred to as “submental fat.” There is an anatomic similarity in all of these patients. This appearance is often inherited. It is the man who grows a goatee and the woman who prefers wearing a turtleneck hoping to camouflage the area.

There are scores of TV commercials advertising a treatment for this condition, including face and neck exercises, creams, lotions, heat, ultrasound and massage. None of these “treatments” do anything to improve the condition. Of course, every plastic surgeon can offer you an excellent surgical treatment for the condition and give you excellent results.

But what about the person who does not want or cannot have surgery of any type?

Kybella is the first and only FDA-approved injectable treatment to improve the appearance of moderate to severe submental fat. Presently, there are a few select physicians trained to administer the treatment. It is a new in-office procedure taking approximately 30 minutes.

Kybella is injected with a tiny needle in the submental fat dissolving it gradually over time. In the hands of a board certified plastic surgeon, the treatment is simple and straightforward.

No anesthesia of any type is needed although some patients may experience slight stinging in the area of the injections, which subsides quickly.

Depending on the amount of submental fat, more than one treatment is given to achieve the best results. Other than mild bruising in patients and some swelling immediately after the treatment, there are very few risks.

If you are bothered with your full neck and submental fat, consider a complimentary consultation to discuss Kybella, with a board certified plastic surgeon.