Kybella® (Deoxycholic Acid)

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, Dallas Medicine & Aesthetics is able to improve the appearance of belly fat and love handles without the need for any plastic surgery or downtime. Thanks to Deoxycholic Acid also known as Kybella®, fat cells in various areas of the body can be dissolved easily and effectively.

Classically, Kybella has been used to remove the “double chin” and produce a more defined jawline. It 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. Physician Associate, Heidi Medcalf, PA-C has over 15years of experience providing her patients with the best cosmetic injectable treatments. She is consistently recognized not only as one of Dallas, Fort Worth’s best aesthetic, health, and wellness providers as well as instructor. Dallas Medicine & Aesthetics 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, belly fat, and other discreet areas. Kybella injections should be performed by an experienced, medical professional like PA Heidi Medcalf, in order to minimize the possibility of developing unwanted side effects.

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.

PA Heidi Medcalf in Dallas, Texas is an expert injector with over 15 years 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 medical aesthetics & wellness, PA Medcalf utilizes the most cutting-edge treatment modalities and innovative techniques to help her patients look and feel like the best version of themselves. She was among the first Physician Associates in Dallas Texas 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, flanks, bra area, and upper 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.

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.

Physician Associate, Heidi Medcalf 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,” PA Medcalf 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 stubborn fat, Heidi Medcalf, PA-C is here to help and can help recommend the best option(s) to help you get the results you want, whether it be Kybella, body contouring, and or medical weight loss.

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.

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, providers like PA Heid Medcalf, 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. We recommend lymphatic drainage to assist the body in eliminating the fat cells. 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.

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; However, clinical data shows that the risk of adverse side effects is significantly reduced when cosmetic treatments are performed by an experienced, medical professional. 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.

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 Body Contouring 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 Dallas Medicine & Aesthetics. Physician Associate, Heidi Medcalf, PA-C is a renowned, medical aesthetic provider and educator with over 15 years of experience providing her patients from around the US with the best non-invasive treatments available. She is an expert in non-invasive cosmetic procedures click here for all procedures: dallasmedaesthetics.com. 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. To schedule an appointment with us, and to learn more about non-surgical fat reduction options and other non-invasive body contouring treatments, contact us online or call/text 214-623-6742.