Kybella™ in Jacksonville, FL

Do you hate the thought of looking in the mirror because you have somehow found yourself the owner of a double chin? As we grow older, our bodies aren’t able to process fat as efficiently as before, which often results in the storage of extra skin and fat in the chin area. Kybella™, a revolutionary treatment designed to specifically target and eliminate this chin fat, is now available to North Florida residents at Garcia Facial Plastic Surgery, led by double board-certified facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon Dr. Phillip Garcia, serving men and women in Ponte Vedra Beach, Orange Park, Lakeside and nearby areas in North Florida. 

Kybella™ in Jacksonville, FL

What is Kybella™?

Kybella™ is a non-invasive, non-surgical treatment which utilizes injections to reduce the amount of fat under the chin, thus improving the appearance of a “double chin”. It is the only FDA-approved treatment to target this specific area of concern.

The active ingredient in Kybella™ is deoxycholic acid which is identical to the deoxycholic acid naturally produced by the body. Deoxycholic acid works by absorbing fat, thereby allowing the Kybella™ to destroy fat cells in the targeted area. Once these cells are destroyed, they are no longer able to store fat. In addition, they are unable to gain back the fat they once held, therefore making Kybella™ an extremely effective solution for eliminating unwanted fat.

The typical treatment course for Kybella™ involves undergoing several treatments sessions occurring over a span of several months. The procedure itself is quick and simple, with very few associated risks and side effects.

How Much Does Kybella™ Cost in Jacksonville?

The cost of Kybella™ will vary from patient to patient, depending on the amount of fat in your chin area, your desired result and the number of injections required to achieve your goal. Often, patients elect to undergo other cosmetic treatments in conjunction with their Kybella™ treatment, which will affect the cost of each visit. We are proud to offer flexible payment options, including cash, personal checks, and major credit cards, in addition to several financing options.

Why Choose Kybella™?

Kybella™ offers a non-surgical solution to a problem that, in the past, would have been treated with invasive surgery and liposuction. Kybella™ zeros in on fat cells, literally melting them away to reduce the appearance of the dreaded double chin. One of the reasons people seek out Kybella™ treatment at Garcia Facial Plastic Surgery in Jacksonville is to improve their outward appearance in order to experience an increase in their self-esteem. While having a double chin may seem like one of the more insignificant cosmetic conditions, 80 percent of people with a double chin report a desire to get rid of it. Kybella™ is a simple, pain-free means to contouring the facial profile and gaining confidence by getting rid of a negative aspect of your appearance. Past Kybella™ patients at Garcia Facial Plastic Surgery report feeling an overwhelming increase in self-confidence and self-esteem as a result of undergoing treatment.

Having extra fat under your chin and at the top of your neck can cause you to be self-conscious and may often be uncomfortable, as well as interfere with your ability to perform certain activities, such as golfing, reading or playing the violin. A double chin is a common problem that now has an incredible solution.

How is Kybella™ Administered?

During a single treatment session, anywhere from 12 to 20 injections are made in the targeted area. For the majority of patients, two to three separate treatment sessions at Garcia Facial Plastic Surgery, spaced about a month apart, are necessary in order to achieve maximum results. Each session takes around 15 minutes. The entire appointment takes only an hour and, therefore, makes Kybella™ a great option for those individuals with very busy lives.

Your Kybella™ experience will be uniquely tailored to your needs and desired results by double board-certified facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon Dr. Phillip Garcia. During your one-on-one consultation with Dr. Garcia, the number of sessions needed and number of injections to be used will be decided in order to map out your personalized course of treatment.

Every treatment session takes place in our office in a comfortable reclining chair. A local anesthetic will be administered to ensure your comfort during the procedure. Afterward, you may be asked to remain at the office for a few minutes so that Dr. Garcia can be sure you aren’t experiencing any adverse reactions, namely, nerve weakness or swelling.

What Should Be Expected After Kybella™ Treatment?

Side effects that can be expected as a result of treatment with Kybella™ may include discomfort, numbness, swelling and redness and/or bruising in the treatment area. Some areas may also be sensitive to touch. The procedure itself is quick, and you may resume working and other normal daily activities immediately following your appointment. You will need to call the office and let us know if you should experience any facial muscle weakness or asymmetry in your smile.

A noticeable difference in your chin profile is generally achieved after two to four separate treatment sessions. It is important that you maintain patience post-treatment. The swelling you experience will take some time to go down before you are able to appreciate your results.

If the Kybella™ injections are performed by a trained plastic surgeon such as Dr. Garcia, the fat cells in the chin area are successfully targeted and eliminated. However, as a result of the reduction of fat in this area, there may be some excess skin under the chin post-procedure. This will need to be removed via a separate skin tightening procedure as Kybella™ is only designed to treat fat cells.

The main concern with injections and treatment being performed correctly is the risk of trauma to the mandibular facial nerve. If the Kybella™ injections are made too close to the mandibular nerve, facial muscle weakness and an asymmetrical smile can result. Dr. Garcia prepares the targeted area for treatment by carefully marking the places for injection and being sure to avoid the mandibular area in order to prevent this uncommon, but potential, complication. In very rare circumstances, Kybella™ can also cause trouble swallowing.

Am I a Good Candidate For Kybella™?

More than 80 percent of people who have a double chin are bothered by it. If you are part of this 80 percent, you may be a good candidate for Kybella™.

If you are currently suffering from an infection under your chin, you are advised to postpone Kybella™ treatment until it has cleared up. If you suffer from a known bleeding or clotting condition or are being treated with anticoagulant or antiplatelet therapy, it is not recommended you undergo treatment with Kybella™, as excessive bruising or bleeding may result.

If you have had past surgeries on the neck or chin areas, you may not be able to receive Kybella™ treatment. If you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant or are currently breastfeeding, you may not receive Kybella™. It is not currently known how Kybella™ affects unborn infants or if it is transferred through breast milk.

Before any treatment, you will have a one-on-one consultation appointment with Dr. Garcia to talk about your needs, goals for treatment and medical history. It is highly recommended you disclose your current medications with Dr. Garcia so that it may be discussed whether or not they have a potential of reacting to the Kybella™ injections. Ultimately, Dr. Garcia will partner with you in determining if treating your double chin with Kybella™ is the right course of action for you.

How Long Will Kybella™ Treatment Last?

An entire course of Kybella™ treatment takes place during several sessions over the course of several months. The results obtained with treatment are expected to be relatively permanent. Because Kybella™ works by destroying existing fat cells, the targeted cells lose their ability to store or accumulate additional fat.

What Can I Expect After Kybella™ Treatment?

Swelling, discomfort, redness, sensitivity, bruising, stiffness and numbness are the side effects that have been associated with Kybella™. The majority of patients reported experiencing a few of the side effects listed above, but not all of them. It was also cited that the treatment area was tender after the procedure as opposed to being painful.

Because several treatment sessions are required in order to achieve maximum results, dramatic improvement will not be seen after only one session. Most patients saw a reduction in chin fat and improvement in their chin profile between the second and fourth sessions. The majority of Kybella™ patients will see visible improvement after the second treatment and will not require a third session. Similar to other cosmetic injection treatments, healing time will vary from patient to patient. You may experience swelling for only a few days or for up to a few weeks post-treatment. Any tightness and swelling that results may be relieved with a gentle massage of the treatment area.

How Soon Can I Return to Work After Kybella™?

You may return to work as soon as you feel comfortable doing so. The procedure requires only a localized anesthetic, so you are able to return to work immediately following your treatment session, if necessary. The only conflict with work may be in scheduling your Kybella™ treatment sessions ahead of time, spaced out over several months. You will want to make sure you can get time off work to attend each individual session.

Garcia Facial Plastic Surgery is the leading facial plastic surgery center on the First Coast. As a double board-certified facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon, specializing solely in cosmetic facial procedures, Dr. Phillip Garcia provides his North Florida patients with exceptional skills and results that last. For more information on Kybella™ or to schedule a consultation at our convenient location in Jacksonville (Town Center), please contact us today.