Kybella vs Liposuction: Which Should You Choose?

In the battle of who better beats a double chin, what treatment comes out on top: the minimally invasive Kybella®, or the tried and true method of neck liposuction? While both have their benefits, one is likely to be a better option for you, depending on your goals.

Here are a few things to consider.

First things first: what is Kybella?

Kybella is an FDA-approved injectable treatment formulated with deoxycholic acid, a naturally occurring substance in our bodies that helps break down fat cells. Over the past year, it’s become a popular option for slimming down submental fullness (fat under the chin). It’s proven to be a safe and effective alternative to liposuction for some patients.

Kybella vs. Liposuction:

Round 1: Pricing

You may be surprised who wins this round…

Because most patients require only one liposuction procedure to see great results, it’s very likely you’ll pay a known cost just once. While that price tag may seem higher than Kybella, Kybella typically requires more than one treatment session.

Depending on the severity of your concern and the results you’re hoping to achieve, a full Kybella treatment protocol may be just as much, if not more expensive, than liposuction.

Round 2: Recovery

Both are manageable, but Kybella requires less downtime

Kybella may require a few treatment sessions, but they are typically quick and most patients can resume their day after the treatment. You may experience some redness, swelling, and bruising around the injection sites, but these effects are typically mild and improve quickly.

Alternatively, liposuction requires you to plan a day off work for the procedure and take it easy for a few days following. While neck liposuction is not considered to be very invasive, it is still surgery. And, if you’re opting for more extensive neck and chin contouring with a submentoplasty, that will factor into your recovery time as well.

Round 3: Results

You’ll see great results with both

Both Kybella and liposuction are great options that yield noticeable results. Most patients start seeing improvements within a week or two of their neck liposuction, with optimal results appearing over the course of around a year. Kybella can take around 12 weeks to produce final results.

Other things to consider

An attractive benefit of Kybella for many patients is that it leaves no marks; incisions aren’t necessary, so you won’t have to worry about any scarring. Bandaging isn’t typically required; within a couple days, no one will know you paid your surgeon a visit.

Likewise, neck liposuction rarely yields noticeable scars, as your surgeon will place incisions along natural skin folds where they will be least visible. However, you will need to follow specific aftercare instructions that may include bandages.

Weigh your options with a professional

There are obvious benefits to both options, but the only way to truly know which will be best for you is to meet with a board certified cosmetic surgeon who has experience with both. Seattle cosmetic surgeon Dr. Alex Sobel works closely with each and every patient to weight their concerns and desired outcomes and determine which solution is the best fit.

If you’re in the area, we would love to help you navigate your options during a private consultation. Please contact us today to get started!