Stubborn fullness beneath the chin can make the jawline appear less defined, even in individuals who maintain a healthy lifestyle. Kybella® is a non-surgical injectable treatment designed to permanently reduce submental fat, commonly known as a double chin, helping to create a slimmer, more sculpted profile without the surgery or downtime associated with liposuction.
At her warm, welcoming plastic surgery practice in Westport, CT, Dr. Ellen Mahony provides personalized Kybella® treatments tailored to each patient’s facial anatomy and aesthetic goals. Her refined approach focuses on enhancing jawline definition and facial balance while maintaining natural-looking results.
What is Kybella?
Kybella, a prescription treatment, is a safe and effective procedure used to eliminate stubborn, undesired fat deposits under the chin without extensive surgery or recovery time. The main component of these injections, deoxycholic acid, is a molecule that occurs naturally in the body and promotes the breakdown and absorption of fat.
The treatment involves administering a series of injections in the chin area. The number of sessions required depends entirely on each patient’s individual needs. This can be discussed during your consultation. Once injected into the fatty deposits under your chin, Kybella disrupts these fat cells and keeps the region from storing or accumulating fat in the future.
How Kybella Injections Work
Kybella is the first injectable treatment approved by the FDA to treat fat deposits under the chin (the submental area). Once injected, it dissolves the fat, leaving the chin area more contoured.
The technique is similar to Botox treatments: Kybella is injected into the treatment area using a small needle. The number of injections each individual receives varies depending on the individual and the area being treated. The process lasts about 30 minutes, including time to mark the injection site and numb the area.
Candidates for Kybella
You may be a good candidate for the treatment if:
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You’re dissatisfied with excess fat under your chin
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You’re not ready for a cosmetic surgery treatment
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You want to enhance the appearance of your face
Why Choose Dr. Ellen Mahony for Kybella®
Dr. Ellen Mahony combines advanced facial aesthetic expertise with a personalized approach to non-surgical facial contouring. She carefully evaluates facial proportions, skin quality, and chin profile to create customized Kybella treatment plans designed to improve definition and maintain natural facial harmony.
Patients choose Dr. Mahony because of her:
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Board certification in plastic surgery
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Extensive cosmetic and reconstructive surgery training
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Expertise in facial contouring and rejuvenation
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Sophisticated, natural-looking aesthetic philosophy
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Personalized treatment plans
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Boutique patient experience focused on comfort and care
Her thoughtful approach helps patients achieve a more sculpted, balanced appearance without looking overtreated.
Refine Your Jawline With Kybella in Westport, CT
Kybella offers a non-surgical solution to reduce unwanted fullness beneath the chin and create a slimmer, more defined profile. Dr. Ellen Mahony provides personalized Kybella treatments designed to enhance jawline contour and facial balance with natural-looking results.
To learn more about Kybella in Westport and Fairfield, contact Dr. Ellen Mahony, MD at 203-221-0102 to schedule your private consultation.
ASK DR. MAHONY
As with any procedure I undertake with my patients, it’s important that we meet to discuss your expectations and desires and for me to see your unique physiology firsthand. Kybella is usually a very simple procedure that has limited downtime and post-injection swelling. Most patients see the best results after 2-3 sessions. For individuals with significant submental fat in the chin area, liposuction is a tried-and-true “one and done” procedure. We can evaluate the pros and cons together when we meet in my office.
Most of my patients have experienced very minimal side effects from Kybella treatments. These usually include some soreness and swelling for a few days after your procedure. Some patients report a bit of numbness in the chin area, too. That’s because under the surface of your skin, GREAT stuff is going on: As the fat begins to melt away, your body’s good cells come in to clean up the “mess”, so to speak. This whole process repairs and builds collagen deep beneath the surface, helping tighten the area and give an overall enhanced appearance.
By the time of your procedure, a Kybella treatment plan will have been determined. I’ll go over this with you beforehand. Each patient is different, so the number of injections and total number of treatments will vary. First, we’ll go over the consent form with you. Next, I’ll mark the area to be treated with a pen and cleanse it with an antiseptic. A numbing cream will then be massaged into the area. While that’s settling in, I’ll set up the Kybella into tiny syringes. After I remove the cream, you’ll apply some ice to the area. Finally, I’ll apply the final markings to your neck and then do the injections. By this time, the neck area will be pretty numb, and the injections will go quickly. It will be done before you know it!
As I’ve often said about other injectables (like Botox), early prevention is one of the most effective ways to prolong the appearance of your youth. Similarly, Kybella is the best preventive treatment you can give to your thickening neck. Through this treatment, you can look forward to an elegant neck contour into your fifties and beyond! You can expect to see results in about four weeks, and you may see improvement around eight months.
The good news is that the “prick” is less uncomfortable than with Botox! In addition, I’ll apply ice and numbing cream to the skin before the treatment. I’ll also put some ice on after the treatment. Beyond that, it will feel a bit inflamed and slightly swollen for about 72 hours. Completely manageable with massage and ice! Tylenol as needed.
How “obvious” this looks depends largely on the amount of fat in the area. In individuals with greater amounts of fat, the swelling and potential bruising is greater. In these cases, it may be best to do the treatment on a Friday. However, I have had a few people with nothing particularly noticeable who returned to work that day. Once you come in for your Consultation, I’ll be able to give you more specific information!
We expect Kybella results to be very long-lasting, if not indefinite. Your body eliminates the destroyed fat cells and will not grow new cells to replace them. Because of this, you should be able to enjoy a slimmer, more sculpted jawline for a prolonged period. That said, a few factors can affect the appearance of the upper neck and chin. One is your weight, and the other is your body’s unique response to aging. Kybella does not completely eliminate fat cells in the target area. This means that the cells that do remain under the chin can grow larger. Your diet and exercise habits significantly affect the expansion of fat cells. Kybella also works by targeting fat cells. It does not tighten the skin, nor does it prevent the decline in skin firmness that occurs as your body produces less and less collagen. As you age, your chin and neck area may start to loosen and sag, diminishing the results achieved with Kybella. Dr. Mahony offers surgical and non-surgical treatments that can address tissue laxity and can help you determine which approach may be ideal for you.
Because Kybella works by naturally eliminating fatty tissue, it can take some time to see your results. Initially, the area will likely look larger. This is due to the presence of deoxycholic acid in the intercellular space and also the swelling that occurs as part of the inflammatory response to treatment. After a week or two, these side effects diminish, and you may begin to see subtle changes in the appearance of your chin and upper neck. Some studies suggest that younger patients may see results more quickly than older patients. This may be due to the efficiency of the body’s lymphatic system. From this perspective, you can estimate how quickly your results may occur based on your overall cardiovascular health. If you’re older but more physically fit, your lymphatic system may work just as quickly as that of the average 30- or 40-year-old. Also, there may be steps you can take to support your lymphatic system in clearing unwanted fat.
If you want to accelerate the development of your Kybella results, support your lymphatic system! Some of the strategies you might consider include:
- Consume hydrating foods and beverages. Drinking at least 64 ounces of water a day is imperative to efficient lymph flow. When your body is in a more active repair or elimination phase, you want to increase lymph support as much as possible. In addition to maintaining your water consumption, add high-water fruits to your diet, such as watermelon, and also broths.
- Get a lymphatic massage. This special form of massage is highly recommended by many surgeons for patients who’ve had surgery. Because Kybella treatment relies on strong lymph flow for optimal results, it makes sense to seek a massage therapist trained to perform treatments that help move lymph fluid through the body even more efficiently.
- Move your body. Exercise is another way to get lymph moving through your body. This need not be strenuous. Doing dozens of simple, gentle jumps, bringing your heels just an inch or two off the ground, and keeping your toes in place, can encourage lymph flow. Walking, light jogging, or jumping on a rebounder (small trampoline) is also good for this purpose.
Kybella stimulates a mild inflammatory response. You don’t want to discourage this but also don’t want to exacerbate it. After receiving Kybella treatment, you may be advised to avoid excessive heat and strenuous exercise for up to a week. You may also be instructed to avoid taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen. It may also be helpful to avoid or limit your consumption of caffeine, alcohol, and salty foods for at least a few days.
Kybella has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration for people aged 21 or older and is cleared only for treating fat in the submental area. To determine if you’re well-suited for the procedure, several factors will be evaluated during your consultation, including:
- Your medical fitness and overall health
- Treatments you’ve received previously
- The quality of your skin and its ability to respond favorably to this procedure
- Your emotional stability and your expectations for the treatment
Typically, most people see visible improvements in the submental region after two to four sessions.* The sessions are typically scheduled four to six weeks apart, and you may be scheduled for as many as six sessions to help you reduce fat in the chin area. As the treatment destroys fat cells, there is generally no need for retreatment after you’ve achieved the desired results. However, factors such as age, genetics, significant weight gain, and gravity can still affect your newly contoured skin.
The treatment has been proven clinically safe and has a track record of successfully treating more than 2,000 patients worldwide. The FDA seal of approval is the most valued credential for safety and validity in this country.
