Goodbye, Double Chin – Without Surgery!

From the archive: The original post below reflects its publication date. The source-linked safety update provides additional context; ask the practice about current products and availability.

Tuesday, June 30th 2015

Can you believe that 68% of us are bothered by our double-chins?* Nearly 7 out of 10 of us don’t like the fullness in our necks—that’s HUGE! And many of us have a double-chin, even though our body weight is close to ideal. Maybe it’s your grandmother’s neck, and genetics have passed it along to you, even though you diet and exercise.

Liposuction was (and still is) a great option for treating the fullness in a double-chin, but it’s a surgical option, and many people just don’t want surgery.

Meet Kybella, a first-in-class, FDA-approved injectable treatment for double-chin fullness. Kybella, or deoxycholic acid, is a naturally-occurring compound that dissolves fat. It actually destroys the wall of the fat cell permanently. It’s an office procedure, performed according to an individualized plan, with up to six treatments at least one month apart.

I was a Principal Investigator in the clinical trials which tested Kybella (then known as ATX-101), so I first used this product about 3 years ago. It works. Here is an example of results from Kybella:

Kybella was FDA-approved back in April, but the company is being very smart about how they roll it out. They are requiring stringent training before they allow a doctor to buy the product. I am honored to be part of a select group of physicians chosen to teach other physicians how to use this first-in-class treatment. I just returned from Miami, where KYTHERA honed our training skills to perfection.

 

 

 

KYBELLA IS HERE! I’m offering it as part of my practice, and I think it will be a great option for many men and women.

To your health and beauty!

Dr. K

Kybella treatment limits and risks

Kybella is approved for moderate to severe fat-related fullness under the chin in adults, not for other body areas. The treatment plan may include up to six sessions at least one month apart. Risks include bruising, swelling, nerve injury that can affect the smile, difficulty swallowing, and tissue injury. The FDA has warned about serious adverse events associated with use in unapproved body areas.

Source: FDA Kybella labeling and safety update.

Editorial update, October 2, 2026: AI-assisted edits clarify the safety information above using the linked sources. This update is not a clinician medical review or individual treatment advice.

Dr. Carmen Kavali

Dr. Carmen Kavali is a board-certified plastic surgeon serving patients in Sandy Springs, Buckhead, and the greater Atlanta, Georgia area. At Monarch Plastic Surgery & Skin Renewal Center, she focuses on natural-looking results through advanced surgical techniques in facial rejuvenation, breast surgery, and body contouring.

Dr. Kavali earned both her Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering and her Doctor of Medicine from Mercer University. She completed her general surgery residency at the University of Illinois at Chicago and advanced fellowship training in plastic and reconstructive surgery at Wayne State University School of Medicine.

She is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, the only plastic surgery board recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties. Dr. Kavali is also an active member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery, and the Medical Association of Georgia.

Known for her patient-focused approach and refined aesthetic results, Dr. Kavali frequently lectures on topics including breast augmentation, facial rejuvenation, and body contouring. Her work has been featured in publications such as NewBeauty, Best Self Atlanta, and Modern Luxury.