Kybella (Fat Dissolving) Aftercare Instructions
A day-by-day recovery guide for kybella (fat dissolving): what to expect, how to care for yourself, and when to call. Free to read and print.
What to expect
What Kybella does
- •Kybella permanently destroys fat cells under the chin.
- •Results are gradual, building over weeks, and usually need more than one session.
Managing swelling
- •Ice, keep your head elevated, and avoid salt and alcohol for the first few days.
- •The first 48 hours are usually the most swollen.
Kybella (Fat Dissolving) recovery, day by day
Expect significant swelling
- Noticeable swelling under the chin and jaw is normal and expected, often most in the first 48 hours.
- Ice the area 20 minutes on, 20 minutes off to help.
- Do NOT massage, rub, or press the area. That can spread the medication and cause uneven results.
- Sleep on your back with your head elevated for the first 2 nights.
Rest of the day
- No strenuous exercise for 48 hours.
- Avoid alcohol and high-sodium (salty) food for 3 days, as both worsen swelling.
- Take acetaminophen for discomfort, not ibuprofen or aspirin.
What is normal
- Swelling, firmness, tenderness, warmth, and patches of numbness are all expected.
- Swelling usually improves noticeably after day 3, and much of the puffiness eases by days 5 to 7.
- Numbness in the area can linger for a couple of weeks. This is normal.
- A supportive chin strap can help if your provider gave you one.
Results build over weeks
- Firmness and numbness gradually resolve.
- Results appear slowly as treated fat clears, over several weeks.
- Most people need 2 to 4 sessions, spaced about 4 to 6 weeks apart, for the full effect.
When to call your provider or 911
- •An uneven or lopsided smile, or facial muscle weakness (possible nerve irritation. Usually temporary. Tell your provider).
- •Trouble swallowing.
- •Open sores, skin breakdown, or an ulcer at an injection site.
- •Hair loss in the treated area.
- •Signs of infection: spreading redness, warmth, pus, or fever.
- •Signs of an allergic reaction: hives, swelling of the face or throat, or trouble breathing. Call 911.
When in doubt, call your clinic. For a medical emergency, call 911.
Recovery milestones
- Day 0
Treated. Swelling begins
Ice and elevate. Do not massage. Swelling is normal and often peaks over the next 2 days.
- Day 7
Swelling easing
Much of the puffiness usually settles around now, though numbness can linger.
- Day 28
Result building
Treated fat continues to clear. A follow-up session may be planned around now.
For clinics
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