How Much Does Kybella Cost?
Kybella is an FDA-approved injectable drug used to treat moderate to severe fat deposits in the chin area. This injection contains a naturally occurring molecule that is able to dissolve the fat, which, eventually, your body will then flush out.
To put it simply, it is basically a non-invasive alternative to liposuction for treating a double chin and is not intended for significant weight loss.
How much does Kybella cost?
The average cost, according to most costs we found online, tend to be within the $1,100 to $2,200 range per session. However, since you need more than one session, often as many as three to four to see results, the total costs can far exceed $3,000 to $5,500+ In fact, according to Kybella, only 59 percent needed six treatments. This cost, ultimately, will depend on the number of treatments required, the professional you use and where you live. As one vial can cost close to $600 each, many patients find themselves needing more than one vial for treatment, with the average being two to four treatments to see desirable results.
The reason it is so expensive, according to many surgeons, is due to Kybella being the sole patent holder and wanting to recoup its costs which were incurred during the developmental process. Until this patent runs out, the prices will remain around this average for quite some time.
Since it is considered to be a cosmetic procedure, most health insurance providers will not cover it.
With hundreds of costs posted online, we went ahead and organized them in our table below, broken down by geographical location.
| Geographical Location | Price Reported |
|---|---|
| Cincinnati, OH | $1,250 |
| Pasadena, CA | $1,500 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $1,900 |
| San Antonio, TX | $1,900 |
| San Jose, CA | $2,000 |
| Scottsdale, AZ | $2,000 |
| Seattle, WA | $1,500 |
| West Bloomfield, MI | $1,200 |
Glamour Magazine claims Kybella typically requires a series of three treatments, about four to six weeks apart. This, in total, according to the magazine, can be close to $5,400.
A blogger at abeautifulwhim.com stated she was paying $1,000 to $1,500 per procedure, and as we mentioned, she stated it will all depend on how many treatments you need to see results.
The process
During the procedure, the area will be slightly numbed before the treatment starts. Kybella, according to doctors, will come with a small dotted grid which can be used to mark the injection spots. This grid will be used to mark the healthy areas beneath the under-chin area before the solution is injected. During the injection, depending on the patient’s pain tolerance, a slight burning sensation may be felt, but it will only last a few minutes. The entire process, from start to end, will be about an hour long, and the average patient will need 10 to 20 injections, with up to three visits spread out about six weeks apart.
The recovery process will all depend on the swelling and/or bruising near the injection site. Most patients will find the swelling subsiding about a week after the procedure, but in better cases, it may be less than a few days.
As adults, you will not produce new fat cells, so when any cells are destroyed, the body remains static. When weight is gained, however, the fat cells will expand, effectively creating a double chin is a healthy weight isn’t maintained.
Tips to know
As with any medical treatment, it is always best to meet with a board-certified provider to make sure Kybella is a good treatment option for your situation. Practitioners often find this treatment as a great alternative for healthy adults who are simply looking to lose stubborn fat beneath their chin. The best candidates, as per Dr. Robert Sheffield on RealSelf.com, will have a great skin tone, less skin laxity and will be helpful for patients with extra fat regardless of their age.
Consider having the procedure done on a Friday so you can take advantage of the weekend while the swelling subsides.
The colder months are ideal as well as the chin can be hidden behind a scarf, for example.
Kybella, at this time, can only be used as a treatment to reduce the fat beneath the chin. While it may tighten the skin slightly, it isn’t designed to help a “sagging” chin. For patients who have a sagging skin or poor skin elasticity, this procedure can actually make things look worse in some cases.
Even though the procedure is safe, there are some side effects to consider. This can include, as mentioned, bruising or swelling near the injection site, but in most cases, this is normal. The biggest danger lies outside of the area being treated. If the provider were to hit a nerve, for example, this could result in muscle weakness or an uneven smile.
In a clinical trial, 82.4 percent of people noted significantly improved satisfaction with their appearance.
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Average Reported Cost: $555
How much did you spend?
- Donald Purser (St. George, Utah) paid $555 and said:
One treatment some reduction
Was it worth it? Yes
