New to Lubbock - Injection to Erase Double Chin

LUBBOCK, TX (KCBD) - The Before and After results of a new drug called Kybella are pretty impressive. The drug is injected under the chin to get rid of that double or triple chin.

Kybella is the trade name for deoxycholic acid which is found naturally in our intestines where the body uses it to break down fats. Likewise, when injected under the chin, it destroys those fat cells.

Dr. Rob Schmid, a plastic surgeon, says "So they found a way to make it commercially available. It's used for, or FDA approved for under the chin fat."

He explains that it is actually a process that takes several injections.  "It's anywhere from 1 to 3 injections. The cost is anywhere from 1500 to 2500 dollars total." Dr. Schmid says it's convenient in that it can be done in the clinic with no downtime. A patient can actually have this done during a lunch break since there's no surgery or anesthesia.

So far, Kybella is only approved for use under the chin.  Dr. Schmid says the most common side effect is a temporary swelling. The best candidate, he adds,  would be someone with mild to moderate fat under the chin because a very large chin area could require surgery to lift the skin as well.

Kybella arrives in Lubbock on October 1st. In fact, his office is already scheduling patients for this first of its kind procedure.

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