Double chin is an aesthetic problem which worries both women and men. It isoften formed by isolated accumulation of adipose tissue and it can appeareven in individuals with well-shaped bodies. Among the main reasons for theappearance of a double chin can be weight gain, genetic inheritance and agingprocesses. Dietary and physical regimens are recommended to obtain thedesired results for the other parts of the body, but excessive adipose tissueunder the chin remains. This makes the patients feel older and fuller than they really are.
What is Belkyra ™?
Belkyra ™, a cosmetic produced by Allergan, is the first product for non-surgical treatment and contour enhancement due to submental fat caused by the excessive adipose tissue in the area. The main ingredient of the product is deoxycholic acid – an essential molecule which takes part of the digestion and absorption of dietary fats. After the product has been injected into the fat under the chin, it causes the destruction of the cell membrane of the fat cells.
Subsequently, these cells cannot be stored and no fat is accumulated in these areas. A tissue regenerative response in which a particular kind of cells called „macrophages“ is stimulated. Their function is to clean the fatty residues. Afterwards second types of cells called fibroblasts stimulate the collagen production in the area. The treatment must be preceded by a consultation with a doctor. The specialist assesses the cause of the weight gain (the product is effective when there is an excessive adipose tissue in the area, not when the double chin is due to clean excess skin), gives information on the nature of the treatment and what patients should expect in the following days and weeks. The number of the sessions needed to get the desired results is also assessed. The procedure is performed after the area has been locally anesthetized with a subcutaneous injection of Lidocaine through a fine cannula with or without the addition of topical anaesthesia in the form of cream. A special „injection template“, given by the manufacturer, will be placed under the chin just before the procedure (15 minutes after the Lidocaine infiltration). The template will map out the exact injection points. The treatment is entirely done by injections, with the finest needle being used to reach into the subcutaneous adipose tissue. The volume of product injected in each point is 0.2ml (2mg) (the maximum tolerated dose for one session should not exceed 10ml (100mg) of the product). During the procedure the patients often experience burning sensation and / or pain when the product is being injected. Applying an ice compress for 15 minutes after the procedure reduces the discomfort.
What to expect after the procedure?
Swelling (edema) occurs as a result of the treatment. It is mostly visible in the first 1-3 days, after which it slowly decreases and most often disappears entirely for about 10-14 days, although it could last for about 20 days. Edema is a result of the degraded fat and it subsides together with the removal of the fatty residues by the macrophages. Meanwhile, the stimulation of collagen synthesis prevents the skin from sagging and ensures its tightening in the area. The effect of the treatment is assessed on the 28-30 day after the procedure.
The appearances of hematomas in the injection sites are also possible but they also disappear within the next few days. The degree of adipose deposits under the chin will determine the required number of procedures for an optimal effect. Satisfactory results are possible even after one procedure, although in most cases it takes about 2-4 sessions. The interval between procedures must be at least 4 weeks. The maximum number allowed is 6 procedures.
How much does it cost?
Prices are formed individually after an online consultation and depending on the patient’s personal needs. Once we know what you want, you will receive our offer within 24 hours. You also can check our PRICE LIST.
Once you have made contact with us, we will organize a free video consultation with the surgeon we believe is best suited for your particular situation.
This consultation will be within 5 days of your request. Prior to the video consultation, we will ask you to fill out a questionnaire about your medical history and send photos of the problematic areas.
If necessary during the video consultation your doctor will advise you to take additional photos of the problematic areas and suggestions for the angle from which to take photos.
This consultation will be combined with a detailed discussion about your wishes and the possibilities for achieving them. We will discuss with you the expected results, possible risks and any other issues that you might be concerned about.
We advise you to make a list of all the questions you may want to ask concerning the procedure before the actual consultation. After the official request to us, and if you wish, we can arrange a meeting for you with our representative in London.
Within 24 hours of the video consultation, we will send you a costing describing the price of the procedure and the needed length of stay in Bulgaria. In the costing there will also be preferential prices offered for our partner hotels with which we work and for which we can guarantee the quality and comfort.
You will then have 3-4 days of time to reflect, and give us your decision.
If you decide to proceed and agree with all terms and conditions , you will have 48 hours within which you must prepay 30% of the total amount of the procedure. This amount is paid directly to the clinic where your procedure will be performed and thereby you will have a reserved date and time for your procedure and a room in the hotel you have chosen. The remaining balance has to be paid by the day before the procedure itself after conducting the preliminary examination in the clinic.
If you decide or need to cancel the procedure, this must be done at least 30 days before the date of your flight in order to be able to trigger a process for returning your deposit.
If you decide to cancel our services within the last 30 days before your flight, you must have a good reason for doing so (supported by evidence) in order to take your money back. If you cancel it within these 30 days and the reason is acceptable, your money will be returned, but you will be suspended 50 euro for an administrative fee. If you wish to change the date of the procedure, this can happen at least 30 days before.
If you wish, we can also arrange your travel from your home to the airport. We are partners with a transport company and you can use our preferential prices. This also applies to your return flight. To do this, you will need to send us the details of your flight one week in advance.
Upon arrival in Bulgaria, you will be greeted at the airport by one of our employees who will take you to your hotel.
On the day before the operation, you will have a preliminary examination, where some necessary tests will be performed (e.g. blood tests) and we will specify all the details related to the operation (treatment plan, proposal for some additional or adjacent procedures for a better outcome, recovery plan etc). Our employee will take you to the clinic and after that to the place where you are to be accommodated.
Before the surgery, you will need to sign an informed consent document (i.e. a document certifying that you have been informed by the doctor about all potential risks and complications and that you understand them) and agree to proceed with the procedure).
On the day of the operation our employee will bring you back to the clinic. Depending on the procedure, you may need to have one or several days of hospital stay. After the completion of the procedure and the hospital stay, our employee will take you back to your hotel.
During the entire stay, our employee will be at your service throughout.
If you wish, and if the procedure allows, we can arrange your stay according to your requirements but this must be specified in advance.
On the day of departure, you will be accompanied by our employee back to the airport.
If you wish, we can arrange your stay according to your requirements. This must be specified in advance.
You will be provided with a detailed plan on the recovery process.
Online consultations in the recovery period will be arranged with your surgeon, but if you have stayed in the hospital after your procedure, the doctor will give you post-operative examinations on the first and third days.
On the seventh and fourteenth days, preventive online consultations will be made to track how the recovery goes.
Online consultation reviews are also done on the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 6thmonths.You will be able to contact us at any time!
