Post-Kybella swelling lasts on average for about a month with its maximum in the first weeks. To learn everything you need to know about what to expect during your Kybella recovery day by day and tips to reduce the swelling keep reading! It is all here in today’s article.
Do you have a double chin and it will not go away despite everything you do? What if I tell you that there is a nonsurgical way to make the double chin go away? The results would be similar to liposuction but faster and less invasive. Sounds great, right? Well, this is not science fiction, there is a product that can do just that.
An Overview of Kybella: How It Works
Kybella permanently destroys fat cells through a chemical reaction resulting from deoxycholic acid and yields permanent results. Kybella will remove the fat but it does not help tighten or contract loose skin; however, other procedures can address that if needed.
Kybella® is approved by the FDA for use under the chin and can effectively eliminate a double chin. Most patients require 2 treatments of Kybella to gain the best results but some individuals reported receiving 2 vials of Kybella during one treatment and obtaining the results they desired.
Final results can take up to six months to be revealed but some patients reported an improvement in their double chin by eight weeks after the procedure.
What to Expect From a Kybella Procedure?
When we hear about procedures and all the amazing things they can do for us, we get excited and are yelling “Sign me up!”, BUT we often do not ask or find out how long the recovery experience is going to be.
The Kybella procedure will deliver amazing results for the right candidates; however, patients have reported that the injections can sting, and the stinging and burning at the injection site can last for a few days. Also, the swelling associated with the injections can be intense for some patients, lasting as long as 4 weeks.
The procedure itself is fairly quick and does not require the use of general anesthesia but the recovery can be (in some cases) more than what patients bargained for. Understanding the entire process from start to finish will make your experience go much smoother.
Knowing what to expect from the procedure and Kybella swelling day by day will help your recovery process go smoother. Also, having an understanding of how fast you can expect to recover from injections of Kybella week by week can properly set your expectations and help you plan accordingly.
Side Effects of Kybella Can Include:
- Soreness;
- Tightness when swallowing;
- Redness;
- Tightness of skin;
- Numbness or tingling.
How Long Does Kybella Swelling Last?
Every patient is unique and will respond to the injections differently. Most patients seem to have swelling for about four weeks with the most significant swelling in the first couple of weeks. Some patients reported opting for 2 vials of Kybella at once instead of splitting them into two treatments. They did not want to go through the recovery process two times. However, their recovery may have taken a bit longer and they may have experienced more swelling. If you have an important event to attend, keep in mind you will need to factor in enough time for your recovery.
Kybella Swelling Recovery Timeline
Information about recovery after Kybella injections was obtained from actual Kybella patients and their experience with the procedure.
Day 1
Receiving the injections is not too painful but since there are quite a few injections you may feel some discomfort about halfway through. The injection sites can sting and burn for the rest of the day and you may also experience a strange numbing sensation similar to Novocain spreading throughout the area. Swelling can be immediate and many patients described it as ‘bull-frog” swelling. Small red marks may be present at the injection sites.
Day 2
The swelling will most likely be worse and you may experience itching and increased numbness in your neck. Pain may be present when the area is touched or stretched. Many patients also experienced the feeling that their neck was “wobbly or dangling”, and experienced pain when they moved. Some patients wear a compression chin strap to help keep the neck steady so it will not wobble.
Day 3
You may see some new bruising appearing by now, and the numbness is most likely starting to wear off in some places. Some people have increased swelling under their chin but the swelling in the jawline area may be starting to subside. You will probably still have some pain when moving or stretching your neck.
After the first 3 days, most patient testimonials tell their stories of recovering from Kybella week by week.
After 1 Week
There may be more bruising appearing, and swelling may be a bit better in some areas and seem slightly worse in others. You may still experience some discomfort when touching your neck.
After 2 Weeks
Swelling normally peaks at this point. You should not see any new bruises but will most likely still have some visible ones. Your skin may feel tight and hurt if you touch it. Small lumps may form where the injections were administered.
After 3 Weeks
Some of the numbness should be gone by now but some patients reported that they were still numb around the injection sites. You may still be experiencing slight pain and lumps at the injection sites. The injection area should be starting to firm back up and not feel as wobbly.
After 4 Weeks
The swelling should be almost completely gone but you may still have isolated areas that are painful to the touch. For many patients at this point, the lumps at the injection sites began to disappear.
After 5 Weeks
You may still feel some tightness with slight discomfort to the touch right under the chin area. Most patients can notice a significant slimming of their jawline by this time.
When Will I See Improvements in Kybella Swelling?
Patients reported swelling from the procedure started to go down around the second week after the procedure. By the four-week mark, they felt that they were back to their baseline and after that time, they started to see results of the fat dissipating. Full recovery from Kybella injections can take up to eight weeks with final results at about six months.
How to Alleviate Kybella Swelling?
It is completely normal to experience swelling and bruising after a Kybella injection; in fact, the swelling is a sign that the injections are working. Each patient will recover at a different pace but there are some things you can do to help yourself recover a bit faster:
- Avoid touching or massaging the treated area.
- Apply an insulated ice pack to the area a few times a day.
- Alternate ice with warm compresses.
- Use over-the-counter pain medication to help alleviate discomfort and reduce swelling, e.g. Advil or Motrin.
- Sleep with your head elevated as much as possible for the first week.
If you are unhappy with your double chin, desire a more defined profile, and never want to take another “bull-frog” selfie again, Kybella may be a wonderful option for you. The fat cells that are eliminated during the Kybella procedure will never return and the results are permanent as long as you maintain your weight.
To learn more about Kybella injections and find out if you are a candidate for the procedure, contact us to set up a consultation with Dr. Angelina Postoev.
Dr. Angelina Postoev, MD, FACS, a triple-board certified cosmetic surgeon, and Christopher Ibikunle, MD, FACS, offer Kybella injections for men and women in Lawrenceville, Suwanee, Johns Creek, Buckhead, and the surrounding areas of Atlanta, Georgia. To learn more, schedule a consultation.
