Stubborn fullness beneath the chin can be frustrating, especially when you’re consistent with your diet and exercise routine. Fortunately, KYBELLA® offers a non-surgical way to reduce submental fat and create a more defined profile.
At her practice in San Antonio, TX, board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Jessica Belz provides personalized KYBELLA treatments that refine the jawline and restore balance to your facial contours.
What Is KYBELLA?
KYBELLA is a unique product designed to improve the appearance and profile of the area below the chin. The active ingredient in this injectable is synthetic deoxycholic acid, which helps to permanently destroy excess fat below the chin, also known as submental fat. This may improve the appearance of a “double chin” and reduce excess fullness.
KYBELLA Candidates
Whether you live in San Antonio or Timbuktu, most of us have some degree of a double chin, so most of us could use a little KYBELLA.
For some people, though, their double chin isn’t due to fat accumulating under their chin; it’s due to serious sagging in their skin in this area. When skin is the issue rather than fat accumulation, a surgical neck lift or facelift can be more effective.
What Happens During a KYBELLA Appointment?
During your treatment, Dr. Belz injects KYBELLA with a very tiny needle into numerous locations under the chin. Each session takes just 15-20 minutes, and most patients describe the injections as just small pinpricks.
KYBELLA Results
KYBELLA permanently destroys targeted fat cells beneath the chin. Once those cells are eliminated, they cannot store fat again, leading to long-lasting improvement in your profile. While natural aging may still affect skin elasticity over time, the reduction in submental fat remains.
After treatment, swelling is common and often more noticeable in patients with greater fat volume, as deoxycholic acid begins to break down fat cells. Visible improvement develops gradually as the body clears the treated fat, with noticeable changes typically appearing within 4-6 weeks. Results continue to improve over time and may build with additional sessions.
Treatment Recommendations
The FDA has set the maximum number of KYBELLA treatments at six. Dr. Belz has found that, on average, most patients are satisfied after three treatments. Other patients opt for all six. It really depends on how much fat has accumulated under your chin.
The time between treatments is supposed to be four weeks, as this allows KYBELLA to fully do its thing before having the next set of injections. However, we believe five to six weeks apart is a better degree of spacing. This allows your results from the previous injection session to fully show before you decide to proceed with another round.
Potential KYBELLA Side Effects
The potential side effects of KYBELLA are similar to those of dermal fillers. All side effects have proven very rare and include nerve injury in the jaw that can create an uneven smile, trouble swallowing, and some weakness in the surrounding facial muscles. In clinical studies involving 1,600 patients, these side effects were not long-term but did not resolve immediately.
Swelling is common, although not really a side effect. As KYBELLA targets fat cells, it can cause swelling in the area, especially after the first treatment. There will also be slight bruising, which will resolve in about 3 days for most patients.
Other common, and generally short-lived, side effects include:
- Numbness
- Redness
- Residual pain
- Areas of hardness in the treatment area
Why Choose Dr. Jessica Belz for KYBELLA in San Antonio, TX?
Choosing Dr. Jessica Belz for KYBELLA in San Antonio means placing your care in the hands of a board-certified plastic surgeon with exceptional training and a strong local connection. A San Antonio native, Dr. Belz combines academic excellence — Princeton University, the University of Pennsylvania, and elite surgical training at Washington University in St. Louis — with a compassionate, detail-oriented approach. Fluent in Spanish and German, she offers personalized care shaped by both technical skill and a thoughtful perspective, always prioritizing patient safety and natural-looking results.
FAQs
As with most injectables, KYBELLA is priced by the vial. That means the cost depends upon how much of the product Dr. Belz feels is needed during your session. If you have less fat, you’ll need less of the product.
Yes, KYBELLA can often be combined with BOTOX Cosmetic or dermal fillers to create more balanced facial rejuvenation. While KYBELLA targets and reduces submental fat beneath the chin, BOTOX relaxes dynamic wrinkles, and fillers restore volume or refine facial contours. Treating multiple areas can improve the overall definition of the lower face and jawline.
In many cases, Dr. Belz can perform these services during the same visit, depending on your goals and anatomy. She will evaluate your facial structure and recommend a customized plan for natural-looking, harmonious results.
KYBELLA requires minimal downtime, but some temporary swelling is expected. Most patients experience noticeable swelling under the chin for several days, with peak fullness typically occurring within the first 48 hours. Mild bruising, tenderness, firmness, or numbness may also occur.
Many people return to work and routine activities within a day or two, although you may prefer to plan treatment when you have lighter social obligations. Swelling gradually improves over one to two weeks. Dr. Belz will provide detailed aftercare instructions to help you recover comfortably.
Preparation for KYBELLA is simple. Before your appointment, avoid blood-thinning medications and supplements — such as aspirin, ibuprofen, fish oil, or vitamin E — unless medically necessary and approved by your physician, as these can increase bruising.
Arrive with clean skin free of makeup, lotions, or creams on the treatment area. It’s also helpful to discuss your medical history, prior cosmetic treatments, and aesthetic goals during your consultation. Staying well-hydrated and maintaining a stable weight can support optimal results.
Dr. Belz will review all pre-treatment guidelines to help you feel fully prepared.
To minimize swelling, avoid the following for 24-48 hours after KYBELLA injections:
- Strenuous exercise
- Heavy lifting
- High temperatures (such as saunas or hot yoga)
It’s also important to avoid massaging or manipulating the area under the chin (unless specifically instructed to do so). Limit alcohol intake for a day or two as well to reduce bruising, and sleep with your head elevated the first night to decrease swelling.
Most daily activities can resume quickly, but following Dr. Belz’s aftercare recommendations will help support a smooth recovery and optimal contouring results.
Contact Dr. Belz For KYBELLA In San Antonio
Dr. Jessica Belz proudly provides KYBELLA injections to patients from San Antonio, Stone Oak, Universal City, Cibolo, TX, and the surrounding area. Contact us at (210) 497-7100 or fill out our contact form to schedule your consultation.