Kybella For Stomach Fat

In the past, if you wanted to remove stomach fat, there were no non-surgical options. You would need to book an appointment with a plastic surgeon for invasive liposuction and spend weeks in recovery. Today, with modern dermatological treatments, Dr. Michele Green is able to improve the appearance of belly fat and love handles without the need for any plastic surgery or downtime. Thanks to Kybella, fat cells in various areas of the body can be dissolved easily and effectively. Dr. Green was one of the first dermatologists in New York City to inject Kybella in her discreet, private, Upper East Side dermatology office and is here to help you achieve your body contouring goals.

Classically, Kybella has been used to remove the “double chin” and produce a more defined jawline. Kybella is the only FDA-approved injectable treatment used to eliminate submental fat or the “double chin”. In recent years, Kybella has become increasingly popular due to its effectiveness in improving the appearance of the jawline by reducing submental fat when traditional weight loss methods such as diet and exercise just aren’t working. The active ingredient in Kybella is deoxycholic acid, a naturally occurring compound found in your body that aids in the breakdown of dietary fat. When Kybella is injected into the fat bulge, it destroys the fat cells. Once these fat cells are destroyed, these cells can no longer store or accumulate fat. This innovative fat-dissolving procedure leads to permanent fat cell destruction in the treatment area.

Kybella has revolutionized non-invasive body contouring, and the use of Kybella injections has broadened to remove excess fat deposits in other treatment areas such as the jowls, arms, bra fat (“brabella”), knees, and upper and lower abdomen. Dr. Green has over 25 years of experience providing her patients from around the world with the best cosmetic injectable treatments including Kybella, Botox, Juvederm, Sculptra, and Restylane, and is consistently recognized as one of New York City’s best dermatologists by Super Doctors, Castle Connolly, and New York Magazine. As an artful and expert injector, Dr. Green will work with you to create a customized treatment plan that targets your unique skin concerns and delivers your ideal cosmetic results so that you look and feel like the best version of yourself.

Can Kybella be used on the stomach?

Kybella is currently FDA-approved to treat moderate to severe submental fat and any other area of the body is considered an “off-label” usage of this injection to eliminate body fat. However, Kybella has been successfully used in other parts of the body, such as with lipomas (pockets of fat) or fat by the armpits (bra fat, often called “brabella”), knee fat, and other discreet areas. Kybella injections should be performed by an experienced, board-certified dermatologist, like Dr. Michele Green in NYC, in order to minimize the possibility of developing unwanted side effects. In addition, there are other effective, non-invasive, and FDA-approved alternatives for removing stomach fat such as CoolSculpting and VelaShape.

Is Kybella safe for the stomach?

Kybella is an injectable medication that is FDA-approved to remove unwanted submental fat, which means it has been extensively studied for its safety and efficacy. It has not been studied specifically for the stomach, but dermatologists have utilized the benefits of Kybella as an “off-label” treatment to safely and effectively remove fat in the abdomen. Kybella injections for the removal of stomach fat can be an excellent non-surgical alternative to liposuction- an invasive plastic surgery procedure that requires anesthesia and a significant amount of downtime. It is important to always be selective when choosing the provider who is to perform your cosmetic injections, and particularly so when having an “off-label” cosmetic treatment. An experienced and knowledgeable injector will have the expertise to execute your injections in a manner that is safe and produces optimal cosmetic results.

Dr. Michele Green in New York City is an expert injector with over two and a half decades of experience providing her patients from across the globe with their ideal body contouring goals. As an international leader at the forefront of the field of cosmetic dermatology, Dr. Green utilizes the most cutting-edge treatment modalities and innovative techniques to help her patients look and feel like the best version of themselves. Dr. Green was among the first dermatologists in New York to incorporate Kybella injections into the treatment plans of her discerning patients, and has used Kybella for safe fat reduction, to wonderful effect, in various treatment areas including the chin area, upper arms, thighs, and lower abdomen.

What does Kybella feel like?

Most patients who do the fat-dissolving Kybella treatment are numbed with a topical anesthetic before the procedure to minimize any temporary discomfort. Patients often experience a burning sensation and have some swelling and/or soreness in the area post-treatment. An ice pack or a cold compress will be applied to the area to provide relief and minimize bruising and swelling.

Kybella is non-invasive with minimal discomfort and very few risks compared to invasive plastic surgery like liposuction. Liposuction is a major surgery that can result in bleeding, a reaction to the anesthesia, and skin laxity. These concerns are not applicable to Kybella. Kybella injections do not require anesthesia, the fat reduction process is gradual so the skin doesn’t sag, and no incisions are made on the skin. In fact, many patients notice that there is some skin tightening as a result of the Kybella injections.

How many vials of Kybella for the stomach?

To treat submental fat, an average of two vials are typically needed per treatment with 3 to 4 sessions to obtain optimal results. Most patients see results in 2 to 4 treatment sessions, but up to 6 treatment sessions may be needed for a larger neck. Compared to the chin, the abdomen is a much larger area that stores substantially more fat. The number of vials of Kybella needed for the stomach area will depend on the size of the fat bulge and vary from individual to individual. If there is a substantial amount of abdominal fat, some patients may prefer CoolSculpting treatments or a combination of both Kybella and CoolSculpting for the best cosmetic results.

CoolSculpting for Abs and Flanks – 3 months

How quickly does Kybella work on the stomach?

Few dermatologists and medical practitioners have used Kybella to treat the abdominal area, so there is insufficient data as to how quickly Kybella works on the stomach. Most patients who have done Kybella on other areas of their body typically notice a difference after 3 months. The results will vary from individual to individual, depending on the amount of fat you have.

Dr. Michele Green has been injecting Kybella since it was first FDA approved to dissolve fat cells as a painless, minimally-invasive treatment to permanently dissolve fat cells. Although Kybella was originally designed for use in the submental area to dissolve the “double chin,” Dr. Green successfully uses Kybella treatment to dissolve fat cells in other areas of the body such as the abdomen, buttocks, and bra area to achieve the ultimate nonsurgical body contouring. If you are interested in facial contouring and melting away your double chin, Dr. Green is here to help and can help recommend the best option to help you get the results you want, whether it be Kybella, CoolSculpting, VelaShape, or a combination of procedures.

How long do Kybella side effects last?

The most common side effects for Kybella include swelling, redness, numbness, slight bruising, and mild pain. The downtime is usually 1-3 days but the side effects can last for up to a week. Other more serious side effects that require medical attention include trouble eating and swallowing, severe bruising, infection, and/or muscle weakness.

To minimize the side effects, there are a few steps you can take beforehand. You should not take Aspirin, Aspirin-containing products, blood thinners like Coumadin, ibuprofen, Aleve, Motrin, and supplements like Multivitamins, fish oil, and vitamin E, for 1-2 weeks before your procedure. These medications increase the risk of bleeding and bruising. You can also start taking Arnika or Bromelain pills 3-4 days before your treatment. Arnika is a herbal supplement that will help reduce pain and swelling. Bromelain pills also deal with inflammation and help reduce any swelling you may have after the procedure. If you have any concerns or questions, always reach out to your healthcare provider.

CoolMini for chin area, 4 months

Does Kybella work on the stomach?

Yes! Kybella works to reduce fat cells in stubborn areas like the stomach. Despite maintaining a healthy diet and exercise, as well as losing weight, fat bulges may remain commonly in areas like the abdomen, chin, and bra area. Thankfully, there are non-surgical options like Kybella and CoolSculpting to reduce the appearance of stubborn fat deposits without extensive downtime and recovery. Kybella is made of synthetic deoxycholic acid, which is a naturally-occurring compound that breaks down and absorbs fat in our bodies. It was FDA-approved in 2015 to treat the submental area or double chin, and its use has expanded to treat bra fat, abdomen, and knees. Because the results of Kybella are permanent, and treating areas other than chin fat is considered an “off-label” use, it is important to seek experienced, board-certified dermatologists like Dr. Green who is well-versed in body contouring and anatomy to ensure the risk of side effects are minimal and your aesthetic goals are met.

Does fat come back after Kybella?

The active ingredient in Kybella, deoxycholic acid, destroys adipocytes (fat cells) in the treatment area which are naturally excreted from the body. The destruction of fat cells by Kybella is permanent, meaning those fat cells will not return. However, Kybella does not destroy 100% of fat cells in the injected area. Therefore, if there is significant weight gain after the procedure, the remaining fat cells in the treated area will expand, giving the illusion that the treated fat cells have returned. Patients should continue to maintain a healthy lifestyle, including regular exercise and a well-balanced diet, following their Kybella treatment in order to keep up their ideal results.

What happens if you lose weight after Kybella?

Kybella works by breaking down fat cells in the injected area to permanently reduce the appearance of stubborn fat. Kybella, however, does not destroy all of the fat cells when injected. If you lose weight after Kybella injections, the remaining fat cells in the treated area may shrink. If you are genetically predisposed to fat deposits in that area, you may notice fat bulges in the area again as surrounding fat cells shrink.

Prior to undergoing Kybella injections, it is optimal to reach your goal weight that you are able to maintain post-treatment for a variety of reasons. First, the injector will be able to better assess the treatment areas and aesthetic goals. Second, more treatments will be needed if there are larger fat deposits, so if you are planning on losing more weight, we can reassess after you have reached and maintained your goal weight. The fat deposits may be more clearly visible when you have reached your goal weight, and the treatment itself will cost less if you have fewer fat cells in the treatment area. If you are unsure about whether it is a good time to start Kybella injections, reach out to Dr. Green who will carefully assess the desired treatment area and your aesthetic goals to create a plan that works best for you.

Kybella and the double chin

Kybella was the first FDA approved to treat the fat cells in the double chin. The fat-dissolving properties of Kybella as an injectable treatment to refine the jawline made Kybella one of the most popular cosmetic treatments at the office of Dr. Michele Green in NYC. Non-surgical body contouring has soared in popularity over the last decade since patients do not want the recovery time associated with surgical procedures. If the amount of fat in the neck area is large, Dr. Green may recommend CoolSculpting with the CoolMini applicator to ‘debulk’ the neck fat first and wait several months to remove the remaining fat cells with Kybella injections. In addition, many patients combine Kybella injections with Thermage laser treatment for skin tightening. By combining these two non-surgical treatments, you can reduce the fat cells in the treatment area and tighten the skin at the same time.

How much does Kybella cost for the stomach?

The cost depends on a variety of factors, including the size and number of treatment areas, the number of vials needed, and the number of treatments necessary. The price also depends on geographical location, as well as the experience, expertise, and qualifications of the injector; for example, Kybella injections performed by injectors at med spas cost less than injection treatments by a board-certified dermatologist. However, clinical data shows that the risk of adverse side effects is significantly reduced when cosmetic treatments are performed by an experienced, board-certified physician. The average price of one Kybella session in the submental area ranges from $1500 to $1800. The size of the desired treatment area on the abdomen is likely much larger than the chin, so the price will vary accordingly.

What are my other options to get rid of stomach fat?

CoolSculpting

CoolSculpting is an FDA-approved treatment that is the gold standard for non-invasive body contouring. Its use has increased by 823 percent since CoolSculpting was FDA-approved in 2010. CoolSculpting is a procedure designed for fat reduction and reduces the fat cells in any treatment area by up to 25 percent. Since fat cells freeze at higher temperatures, CoolSculpting targets just the fat cells, which your body then excretes through its own natural metabolic process. The process is quick, easy, and painless. Most patients can work on their laptops or take a nap during the procedure. Clinical trials show that repeat sessions can yield even greater results with up to a 40 percent decrease in fat cells.

In addition, CoolSculpting has few side effects and no downtime. This means you can resume your normal daily activities as soon as you’re done with your procedure. Minor numbness and swelling are typical but should subside soon afterwards. You can also treat multiple areas during the same day. Many patients elect to have several areas of the body, such as the stomach and flanks, treated on the same day.

VelaShape

VelaShape is an FDA-approved non-invasive body contouring treatment that uses infrared light (IR) and radiofrequency (RF) to shrink fat cells and tighten the skin. RF and IR are combined with vacuum suction and deep-tissue massage to deep heat the fat cells and underlying collagen fibers. This causes your body to regenerate new elastin and collagen, reducing cellulite and giving your skin a more youthful appearance.

Similar to CoolSculpting, VelaShape has no downtime nor does it have side effects. It is also easy, painless, and quick. Most patients will need 5 to 6 treatments scheduled approximately two weeks apart. Like all body contouring procedures, patients will need to maintain a healthy diet and exercise regime. If you gain a substantial amount of weight, the remaining fat cells may expand and take up more room in the previous treatment area.

How do I get started with Kybella or other non-surgical fat reduction options?

The appearance of stubborn fat deposits can be disheartening to many patients, especially after working diligently to maintain a healthy diet and engage in regular daily exercise. In the past, invasive surgical procedures like liposuction were the only option for safe and effective fat removal. Thankfully, non-invasive fat reduction treatments like Kybella and CoolSculpting are now available to help reduce the appearance of stubborn fat bulges and restore your self-confidence, without any downtime.

If you are frustrated by the presence of stubborn excess fat that is unresponsive to diet and exercise, Kybella injections may be just the solution for you. For the best body contouring results, schedule a consultation with Dr. Michele Green in NYC. Dr. Green is an internationally renowned, board-certified cosmetic dermatologist with over 25 years of experience providing her patients from around the world with the best non-invasive treatments available. Dr. Green is an expert in non-invasive cosmetic procedures including Botox, dermal fillers like Juvederm and Sculptra, CoolSculpting, Kybella, Microneedling, skincare, and laser treatments, among others. She will conduct a thorough assessment and work with you to carefully devise a personalized treatment plan that meets your needs and caters to your aesthetic goals. Dr. Green is consistently voted as one of the best dermatologists in New York by Castle Connolly, New York Magazine, and Super Doctors her dedication to her patients and to her practice. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Green, and to learn more about non-surgical fat reduction options and other non-invasive body contouring treatments, contact us online or call 212-535-3088.