Have you noticed bands of fat on your neck recently? Do you feel like you have a double chin? Do you wish your chin was a little more defined? If so, Kybella may be the perfect solution for you. Today, our aesthetic experts at The Dermatology, Laser & Vein Center in Cincinnati, OH are discussing the results you can enjoy from this injectable fat removal treatment. Keep reading to discover how long the results last and much more.
Is Kybella a Permanent Fix?
Kybella can be a permanent fix, but the longevity of your results is really up to you. The deoxycholic acid in the formula destroys a percentage of the fat cells in the submental region permanently. However, it leaves a percentage of the fat cells in the area unharmed. These unharmed fat cells can still expand and store a noticeable amount of fat in the event of a caloric surplus. Therefore, you need to keep your weight maintenance in mind post-treatment.
Can I Gain Any Weight After My Treatment?
Yes, it is possible to gain weight after your treatment without affecting your results. To be clear, you only need to worry about preventing fat gain to maintain the results of your treatment. If you gain water weight, even if your lower face becomes puffy and bloated, it will go away when you eat more potassium and less sodium and drink more water. Also, gaining muscle mass will not affect your results.
As a good rule of thumb, you should do your best to gain no more than 10 pounds of fat after your treatment to enjoy permanent submental fat removal results. However, if you have an immediate family history of submental fullness, you may start to notice your chin or neck softening after gaining only five pounds of fat.
How Can I Maintain My Weight After Treatment?
To maintain the results of your injectable fat removal treatment for life, you need to develop sustainable habits that you can maintain for the rest of your life. The habits you choose to build are up to you, but the key is to choose things that you are willing and able to stick to.
For example, if you can’t stand HIIT, don’t create a plan that involves doing the CrossFit WOD (workout of the day) every morning. Let’s take a look at some of the simplest, most effective weight maintenance techniques.
Walking Regularly
Walking regularly is one of the most popular weight maintenance techniques because it is so effective and accessible. Experts recommend engaging in at least 2.5 hours of moderate exercise weekly for weight maintenance, and walking can make up a large part of this. In fact, there is nothing wrong with only walking for aerobic exercise if you don’t like other forms of exercise.
However, you should be aware that the older you get, the more important it is to include anaerobic exercise into your weekly workout routine. You may want to consider adding anaerobic exercise into your workout routine once or twice weekly to really strengthen your muscles, bones, joints, tendons, and ligaments.
Staying Hydrated
Staying hydrated is another extremely effective weight maintenance technique, and it comes with lots of added benefits. For example, when you are hydrated, your skin is healthier, your hair is shinier, and you can think more clearly. When it comes to weight maintenance, the primary benefit of staying hydrated is that it fills up your stomach without adding calories. Therefore, you can eat smaller meals and feel full.
Another benefit of staying hydrated for weight maintenance is it reduces the chance that you will snack too much and go over your daily calorie budget. We all get signals from our body telling us it is deficient in something, like hydration. However, most people aren’t in tune with their body’s signals, mistake thirst for hunger, and crave salty foods. If you indulge in salty foods in addition to your regular meals and snacks, you may gain weight over time.
Eating Enough Protein
Eating enough protein is an effective technique for weight maintenance because protein is extremely filling but much less calorie-dense than fat. Individual protein needs vary, but sedentary women need around 46 grams of protein every day. Sedentary men need around 56 grams of protein per day. If you are mostly sedentary, try eating at least 46 or 56 grams of protein every day.
Especially if you have a protein-packed breakfast, you may find yourself eating less throughout the day. This technique can be perfectly paired with staying hydrated, especially if you drink eight ounces of water 30 minutes before your meal. If you drink water with your meal and eat meals with lots of protein and slow carbs and some healthy fats, you should have no trouble maintaining your weight.
Fasting
Fasting for weight maintenance requires some careful planning. However, once a plan is in place, it can be a simple, very effective weight maintenance tool. Fasting simply means going a period of time without eating, and there are many types of fasting. One of the most popular fasting methods is the 16:8 method where fasting occurs for 16 hours and food is consumed within an eight-hour window.
Fasting is a particularly helpful weight management tool for people who find that they snack too much. For example, if you have a midnight snack of ice cream before you go to bed every night, you could set your fasting window from 11 AM to 7 PM. You have eight hours to consume all of the protein and micronutrients you need, but you are less likely to overindulge if you decide you are fasting and aren’t allowed to eat after 7 PM.
Am I a Good Candidate for This Fat Removal Treatment?
The only way to know for sure whether you are a good candidate for this fat removal treatment is to come in for an initial consultation. During this initial consultation, we will discuss your cosmetic concerns and evaluate your problem areas. If your concerns can be treated with deoxycholic acid injections, we will discuss your health to ensure you are currently a good fit for this treatment.
Who Isn’t a Good Candidate for This Treatment?
Poor candidates for this treatment include individuals under 18 years of age, women who are pregnant, and women who are nursing. Also, you must be able to follow all preparation instructions exactly as given to qualify for this treatment. If there are any medical conditions, like heart conditions or blood disorders, that prevent you from safely following the preparation instructions, this treatment may not be the best fit for you.
How Should I Prepare for This Treatment?
Due to the non-invasive nature of this treatment, preparation requirements are minimal. However, they are all very important. One of the most important preparation steps is to stop taking NSAIDs in the days leading up to your treatment. You should also stop taking any other pharmaceutical that thins your blood.
Another very important preparation step is wearing adequate sun protection in the two weeks leading up to your treatment session. It is essential that your skin is not irritated at the time of your injection session. If it is, your session will need to be rescheduled. Therefore, it is of the utmost importance that you prevent sunburn.
Will I Have to Take Any Time Off From Work After My Treatment?
No, you will not have to take any time off from work following your fat removal treatment. Due to the non-invasive nature of the treatment, there is no downtime required. The number of doses that need to be administered varies based on the individual receiving the treatment, but you should not expect your treatment to take any longer than 30 minutes.
How Soon After My Treatment Will I See My Results?
You can expect to see your final results just a few months after your final round of treatments.
Learn More About Eliminating Submental Fullness Today
If you are concerned about the appearance of your submental region, Kybella may be just what you need to achieve the strong profile you desire. This injectable fat removal treatment eliminates some of the fat in your submental region permanently.
However, your contours may change over time due to fat gain or other factors. To find out if this treatment is right for you, schedule your initial Kybella consultation at The Dermatology, Laser & Vein Center in Cincinnati, OH.