Most people who walk into Bodiatrics asking about body contouring aren’t beginners.

They’re not brand new to exercise.
They’re not looking for a miracle.

And they’re usually not unhappy with their weight.

A very typical patient we see in Atlanta is someone who works out three to five days a week, eats reasonably well, and still feels frustrated when certain areas don’t respond the way they expect — especially the abdomen, flanks, or glutes.

That’s usually when the comparison starts: EMSCULPT NEO vs CoolSculpting.

And this is where people often get confused — because these treatments don’t actually solve the same problem.

Where People Usually Get This Wrong

One of the most common misconceptions we see at Bodiatrics is this:

“If I just remove the fat, everything will look better.”

Sometimes that’s true.

But very often, it’s not.

In many cases, the issue isn’t just fat. It’s muscle tone underneath the fat — or the lack of it.

This is where CoolSculpting can be oversold.

Freezing fat doesn’t build muscle. And if muscle definition is the missing piece, removing fat alone won’t give the result people are expecting. We’re very upfront about that during consultations.

How CoolSculpting Fits (and When It Doesn’t)

CoolSculpting targets fat only. It freezes fat cells so the body can gradually eliminate them over time.

For certain patients, that works well — especially when:

  • There’s a clearly defined fat pocket
  • Muscle tone underneath is already decent
  • The goal is subtle size reduction, not shape change

But we routinely see patients who were told CoolSculpting would “tighten” or “define” an area — and that’s simply not what it does.
When muscle tone is the issue, CoolSculpting isn’t the right tool. And we say that directly.

Why EMSCULPT NEO Is Often a Better Fit at Bodiatrics

EMSCULPT NEO treatment approaches the problem from a different angle.

Instead of asking, “How do we shrink this area?”

It asks, “What’s missing here — fat reduction, muscle strength, or both?”

EMSCULPT NEO uses:

  • Electromagnetic energy to trigger extremely strong muscle contractions
  • Radiofrequency energy to heat and reduce fat at the same time
  • That combination matters.

Many Atlanta patients are active year-round — Pilates, OrangeTheory, Barry’s, personal training — and what they want isn’t just smaller. They want firmer, stronger, more defined.

That’s where EMSCULPT NEO consistently outperforms fat-only treatments.

EMSCULPT NEO vs. CoolSculpting & Other Body Contouring Options: What’s Best for You?

A Real Decision Point We See All the Time

This happens more often than people realize:

A patient comes in asking specifically for CoolSculpting.

We evaluate them.

And we recommend EMSCULPT NEO instead — or sometimes no treatment at all.

Why?

Because:

  • Removing fat won’t fix poor muscle tone
  • Some bodies need strength, not shrinkage
  • Selling the wrong treatment creates disappointment

We turn people away from treatments when we know expectations after EMSCULPT NEO won’t match reality. That’s a big part of why patients trust Bodiatrics.

What Results Usually Look Like (Realistic Expectations)

With CoolSculpting:

  • Gradual fat reduction over weeks
  • No change in strength or muscle tone
  • Results depend heavily on initial fat thickness

With EMSCULPT NEO:

  • Noticeably firmer muscle
  • Improved definition
  • Some fat reduction
  • Increased strength in the treated area

Neither replaces exercise. Neither causes weight loss. But EMSCULPT NEO tends to enhance what active patients are already doing.

Why This Decision Should Be Made With a Medical Team

One of the biggest differences at Bodiatrics is that these treatments aren’t offered in isolation.

We look at:

  • Body composition
  • Activity level
  • Metabolic health
  • Weight-loss history (including bariatric surgery)
  • Long-term goals

That context changes everything.

A device alone doesn’t create results. Dr. Will Johnson plan does.

Frequently Asked Questions

Not universally. It depends on whether fat, muscle tone, or both are the real issue.
Sometimes. But combining treatments only makes sense when there’s a clear reason.
Results last best when paired with continued activity and healthy habits.
No. They feel very different, but both are generally well tolerated.
No. These are body-contouring tools, not weight-loss treatments.

Contact Bodiatrics

If you’re comparing EMSCULPT NEO, CoolSculpting, or other body contouring options in Atlanta, the most important step is an honest consultation.

At Bodiatrics, that means:

  • Clear expectations
  • Real recommendations
  • No pressure to choose a device
  • A plan that actually fits your body

Website: https://bodiatrics.com

Serving Atlanta, Johns Creek, Alpharetta, and surrounding areas

The right treatment isn’t the trendiest one.

It’s the one that solves the actual problem.