Lipolysis Cost and Procedure Guide

Ever wish you could target and get rid of specific pockets of fat? You may be able to with fat-dissolving injections. They do as the name implies and reduce the amount of fat in the areas where they’re injected. Kybella^® is currently the only FDA-approved fat-dissolving injection, and it’s only approved to treat fat under the chin, more commonly known as a double chin.

If you’re interested in fat-dissolving injections, it’s important to consult a qualified healthcare provider. The FDA issued a warning about unapproved fat-dissolving injections and unsafe use by unqualified providers causing adverse reactions.

What Are Fat-Dissolving Injections (Injection Lipolysis)?

Fat-dissolving injections — also known as injection lipolysis — are a non-surgical fat reduction treatment that use a series of injections of a chemical called deoxycholic acid to break down fat cells. Kybella is the brand name of the only deoxycholic acid injection approved by the FDA to reduce submental fullness, commonly known as a double chin.

Some providers use Kybella off-label to reduce fat in other areas of the body. However, several other non-surgical fat reduction procedures are more commonly used to address stubborn fat in other areas of the body, such as cryolipolysis (CoolSculpting^®), laser lipolysis (SculpSure^®) and radiofrequency lipolysis (Vanquish^®).

Types of fat-dissolving injections

Kybella is currently the only fat-dissolving injection approved by the FDA, but you may come across other fat-dissolving injections online. The FDA issued a warning about unapproved fat-dissolving injections sold online under brand names such as Kabelline, Lipodissolve and Aqualyx, and improper and unsafe use by unqualified providers. People who received unapproved injections have reported serious reactions, such as infections, permanent scarring and skin deformities.

If you’re considering fat-dissolving injections, be sure to choose a board-certified healthcare provider who uses FDA-approved injections.

How Much Does Lipolysis Cost?

The national average cost* of lipolysis in the United States is $999, with prices typically falling between $550 and $1,450. These variations are due to several factors, such as:¹

• Area being treated
• Number of vials used per treatment
• Provider’s location
• Type of lipolysis
• Extra costs that may or may not be included, such as a consultation fee and anesthesia

Average cost of lipolysis by state/district

Here is a breakdown of the average costs* of lipolysis by all 50 states and the District of Columbia:¹

Is Lipolysis Covered by Insurance?

Non-surgical fat reduction procedures, including fat-dissolving injections, are elective cosmetic treatments and are not typically covered by insurance.

Many surgeons offer financing plans and sometimes discounts for multiple treatments, so be sure to ask.

Who Is a Good Candidate for Fat-Dissolving Injections?

Fat-dissolving injections are for people who want to get rid of the pocket of fat under the chin and improve their jawline without liposuction surgery.

You may not be a candidate for injection lipolysis if you have loose skin or poor skin tone. Fat-dissolving injections treat a double chin caused by the fat but won’t improve loose or excess skin, which can also create the appearance of a double chin. Surgery with skin reshaping (such as a facelift) will get you the best result if you aren’t a candidate for injection lipolysis.

Consulting a board-certified plastic surgeon is the best way to find out if injection lipolysis is right for you or if you’d benefit from another procedure, such as minimally invasive skin tightening treatment or a neck lift.

How Lipolysis Works

Before getting fat-dissolving injections, you should have a consultation with a board-certified cosmetic surgeon or dermatologist who has experience using Kybella. During the consultation, the doctor will examine the area and discuss your treatment goals and expectations to make sure injection lipolysis is right for you.

Based on the amount of fat in the area, they will determine how much of the medication you will need and how many treatments. Most people need two or three vials per treatment and up to three treatments to achieve the desired results.

If you decide to proceed, Kybella fat-dissolving injections don’t require any special preparation.

Procedure

Here’s a general overview of the procedure:

1. The doctor marks the injection sites using a grid pattern.
2. A local anesthetic is injected into the treatment area to numb it.
3. The fat-dissolving medication is injected in precise amounts into the pre-marked area.

You’ll likely be given a follow-up appointment for your next treatment. Treatments are spaced four to six weeks apart to allow enough time for swelling to resolve.

Possible side effects

Complications from fat-dissolving injections are rare when the treatment is administered properly by a qualified and experienced doctor. These may include nerve injury that results in an uneven smile or difficulty swallowing.

It’s normal to have some mild and temporary side effects after treatment, including:

• Areas of hardness
• Bruising
• Pain
• Redness
• Swelling

Some people also experience some numbness around the treated area. This should resolve within a few days.

If you experience any concerning side effects or your symptoms aren’t improving or get worse, contact your doctor.

Recovery Timing and Tips

There’s no downtime required after fat-dissolving injections, and any side effects — like swelling and areas of hardness — should gradually improve on their own.

Most people see results within six to eight weeks after treatment, and results are permanent as long as you don’t gain weight.

Here are some tips you may find useful after getting fat-dissolving injections:

• Don’t be alarmed if your chin looks more prominent after treatment — swelling and firmness are typical and should improve gradually.
• If needed, take an over-the-counter pain medication as directed to manage pain.
• Apply a cold compress to help with swelling and bruising.
• Applying a warm and/or cold compress may help with numbness.

Financing Fat-Dissolving Injections With the CareCredit Credit Card

When getting fat-dissolving injections or another cosmetic procedure, the CareCredit credit card can help you pay for costs not covered by insurance.** Use our Acceptance Locator to find a doctor or cosmetic specialist near you that accepts CareCredit. Continue your wellness journey by downloading the CareCredit Mobile App to manage your CareCredit account, find a provider on the go and easily access the Well U blog for more great articles, podcasts and videos.

In addition to cosmetic procedures, you can also use your CareCredit credit card for dentistry, pet care, vision, hearing, health systems, dermatology, pharmacy purchases, spa treatments and so much more within the CareCredit network. How will you invest in your health and wellness next?

Expert Reviewer

Dr. Brian Reagan, M.D., F.A.C.S.

Dr. Brian Reagan, a renowned specialist within his field, has spent many years in training and practice. His experience includes writing published articles and completing a National Institute of Health research grant on the science of wound healing and trauma. Dr. Reagan specializes in plastic surgery of the face, breast and body, and is one of the few plastic surgeons in the country skilled in the novel drainless tummy tuck technique.

Author Bio

Adrienne Santos-Longhurst is a writer who has been covering health and lifestyle for almost two decades. Her work has appeared in Healthline, Insider, Medical News Today and more.