Why body sculpting deserves the same attention as Botox—and a critical message for GLP-1 patients
Here's something I've been pondering: Why do patients eagerly come in for Botox and skin treatments, but hesitate when it comes to body sculpting?
I know cost plays a role—body treatments require more time, more energy delivery, and naturally come with a higher price tag. But I also know there are people out there who would love these results. People who are actively searching for solutions to stubborn fat and muscle tone. People on GLP-1 medications watching their skin lose elasticity as the weight comes off. So why the gap between interest and action?
Part of the answer might surprise you: marketing.
But there's another piece to this puzzle—timing. Many people wait until the problem feels "bad enough" to justify the investment. With body sculpting, especially for those losing weight rapidly on medications like semaglutide or tirzepatide, waiting too long means missing the window when non-surgical solutions can still help.
The Tale of Two Technologies: When the Better Mousetrap Doesn't Win
When I invested in our Physiq 360 device from Cartessa Aesthetics (manufactured by DEKA), I was told it was designed to outperform the competition. The sales pitch claimed that DEKA reverse-engineered the leading body sculpting devices on the market—including Emsculpt (Manufactured by BTL Industries)—and created a system that delivered comparable or superior results with key advantages:
Multi-modality approach: Physiq combines laser energy (LZR) with electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) using proprietary STEP technology (Sequential Thermal & Electrical Pulse)
Dual action in one session: Unlike Emsculpt, which originally focused solely on muscle stimulation (with fat reduction occurring indirectly through increased metabolic rate from larger muscles), Physiq simultaneously targets direct fat reduction AND muscle building in a single treatment
Four independent applicators: Allowing us to treat multiple areas at once
Cone-shaped energy delivery: Designed to provide broader tissue coverage
Zero consumables: Keeping operating costs low and treatment prices competitive
Built-in sapphire crystal cooling: Eliminating the need for probes while protecting the skin
The claim was that Physiq offered the benefits of multiple devices in one—without patent infringement thanks to different energy delivery methods.
But I didn't simply believe the sales rep… I did some digging and…
So, Was It True? The Research Says... The device combines laser-based direct fat reduction with muscle stimulation, and patients who commit to the protocol experience
The Good News: Physiq's technology was legitimate and did deliver:
Improved muscle definition and muscle building
Direct fat reduction through laser energy targeting adipose tissue
Skin tightening and increased elastin production
Visible body contouring results
So, in 2019 I Bought it and then we took body sculpting technology even further – we decided to combine Physiq with our Venous Legacy RF device and perform treatments twice weekly and here's what happened: we achieved remarkable results in half the typical time—including significant improvements in skin thickness and elastin production that our patients can see and feel.
Here's where our protocol becomes truly superior: While Physiq already delivers direct fat reduction through its laser technology, we layer additional RF therapy on top. That means our patients get double fat reduction mechanisms—laser fat targeting from Physiq PLUS radiofrequency fat reduction from Venous Legacy—along with muscle building and collagen/elastin production. It's a comprehensive body transformation protocol.
The Reality Check: Physiq is an excellent device, but then in 2020—after I had already invested in Physiq—BTL decided to take their Emsculpt device and add a Radiofrequency component, creating Emsculpt NEO. I will give BTL credit – they did do significantly more clinical studies and published them. This is where this company shines: it has invested heavily in research, securing over 35 patents and generating nearly 14 billion media impressions. Their studies show:
25% increase in muscle mass
30% reduction in subcutaneous fat (Emsculpt NEO's RF component adds direct fat reduction; original Emsculpt achieved fat loss indirectly through increased metabolic rate from larger muscles)
Reduction in visceral fat (the deep abdominal fat that even surgery can't address)
Collagen and elastin production in the skin—essential for patients experiencing skin laxity from weight loss
The key difference in our protocol: While Emsculpt NEO now has RF for fat reduction, we're layering RF therapy on TOP of Physiq's already-direct laser fat reduction. This gives our patients dual fat reduction mechanisms (laser + RF), muscle building (EMS), AND enhanced collagen/elastin production—all in one comprehensive treatment protocol.
Both technologies work. Both deliver results. The difference isn't necessarily in efficacy—it's in awareness and the depth of the treatment approach.
The Marketing Gap: Why You've Heard of Emsculpt But Not Physiq
Here's where the story gets even more interesting.
BTL Industries is a powerhouse marketing machine. They've:
Partnered with celebrity spokespersons like Drew Barrymore
Generated 30,000+ monthly website visitors
Achieved mainstream media coverage (remember seeing it on "The Doctors"?)
Built branded treatment names that patients request by name
Invested aggressively in targeted advertising campaigns
Expanded their sales team by 80+ professionals in North America alone
Reported $146 million in Q1 2023 revenue with a 21% year-over-year increase
Cartessa Aesthetics, on the other hand, takes a completely different approach. As a boutique distributor that sources best-in-class devices from manufacturers worldwide, they focus on:
Product innovation and clinical efficacy
Provider support and education
Keeping costs low for practices
Building long-term partnerships
What they don't do? Massive consumer-facing marketing campaigns.
Cartessa has done very little marketing to consumers compared to BTL's aggressive campaigns. They rely on providers like us to educate patients about their devices. This means an excellent technology remains relatively unknown—not because it doesn't work, but because patients simply haven't heard about it.
What The Numbers Tell Us: A North Shore Reality Check
I did something I rarely do - I researched what our neighbors are charging for body sculpting. Here's what I found about Emsculpt pricing in the North Shore—and then I'm going to show you the math that nobody talks about.
Emsculpt NEO on the North Shore:
Advertised price: $750 per session
Package deal: $3,000 for 4 treatments
Sounds reasonable, right?
Here's the fine print:
Treatment protocol: 4-8 sessions, 2-3x per week
Reality: Most patients need 8 sessions for optimal results
Actual total investment: $6,000-$9,000
That's the bait and switch. The "$3,000 package" gets you halfway through the protocol. Then you're buying more sessions at $750 each.
But wait—there's more they don't mention in the ads:
Quarterly maintenance treatments are necessary to maintain results
Their maintenance: $750 per treatment, every 3 months
Annual maintenance cost: $3,000
Physiq + Venous Legacy RF at Trevi:
Our protocol: 10 treatments, twice per week for 5 weeks
What you're getting: Physiq (4 applicators treating 2 areas) + Venous Legacy RF
That's actually 20 device treatments (10 Physiq sessions + 10 RF sessions)
Total investment: $4,950
No hidden costs. No "you'll need more sessions" surprise.
Our maintenance protocol (communicated upfront):
2 treatments per quarter (Physiq + RF)
Cost: $550 per quarter
Annual maintenance: $2,200
Let's do more math:
North Shore Emsculpt NEO:
Initial protocol (8 sessions): $6,000-$9,000
Year 1 maintenance (4 quarterly treatments): $3,000
First year total: $9,000-$12,000
Trevi Combined Protocol:
Initial protocol (20 device treatments): $4,950
Year 1 maintenance (8 treatments across 4 quarters): $2,200
First year total: $7,150
You're getting:
More treatments (20 initial vs 8)
More maintenance treatments (8 vs 4 annually)
Dual fat reduction technology (laser + RF, not just RF alone)
Muscle building and preservation
Enhanced collagen and elastin production for skin tightening
Two body areas treated simultaneously
Complete protocol with no upsells
Everything communicated upfront—no surprises
First year savings of $1,850 to $4,850 compared to Emsculpt
The only cost increase? If you want to treat more than 2 areas. Otherwise, $4,950 is your complete initial investment, and $550 quarterly keeps your results looking their best.
Here's the uncomfortable truth: When I searched for "Physiq body sculpting North Shore," nothing came up. Zero providers in Highland Park, Glencoe, Northbrook, or Deerfield advertising this technology. Including me… UGGHH.
Why? Not because it doesn't work - but because Cartessa hasn't spent millions on consumer advertising like BTL has with Emsculpt.
What This Means for You
If you're considering body sculpting, here's what matters:
Technology: Both Emsculpt NEO and Physiq 360 are FDA-cleared, research-backed technologies that deliver real results. The "best" choice depends on your body composition, goals, and treatment plan.
Expertise: The skill of your provider matters more than the brand name on the machine. At Trevi, we've perfected our Physiq protocols, combining it with RF therapy for accelerated results that match or exceed Emsculpt's timeline.
Value: North Shore patients are paying $750/session for a brand name. We can offer superior technology with our combined protocol at a better total investment - not because our technology is inferior, but because we're not paying for celebrity spokespersons and billion-dollar marketing campaigns.
Results: What you see in the mirror matters more than marketing hype. Our patients achieve significant body contouring, muscle definition, and skin quality improvement - often in less time than traditional protocols.
And for our GLP-1 patients: This is where timing becomes critical. Body sculpting isn't just aesthetic—it's preventive. Starting treatments early in your weight loss journey helps your skin tighten as you lose weight, preserving elasticity before it's too late. Wait too long, and what could have been addressed with RF and muscle stimulation may require surgical intervention instead.
A Critical Message for GLP-1 Patients
If you're on semaglutide, tirzepatide, or any GLP-1 medication, I want to be direct with you about something we're seeing more and more in our practice.
Rapid weight loss without muscle preservation and skin support creates a ticking clock.
As I discussed in our January newsletter, one of the biggest risks with GLP-1 medications is losing muscle mass along with fat—leaving patients with reduced metabolic resilience and the dreaded "skinny fat" appearance. But there's another issue that's becoming impossible to ignore: skin laxity.
When you lose significant weight quickly, your skin doesn't always have time to contract. The collagen and elastin fibers that keep skin firm need time and stimulation to remodel. Without intervention, you end up with loose, crepey skin on your abdomen, arms, thighs, and other areas—skin that eventually becomes so lax that only surgery can address it.
The window of opportunity is NOW—not when you've reached your goal weight.
Body sculpting treatments aren't just about fat reduction and muscle building. Our Physiq + Venous Legacy RF protocol actively stimulates collagen and elastin production while you're losing weight. We're essentially giving your skin the biological scaffolding it needs to contract naturally during your transformation.
Think of it this way: You wouldn't wait until a house is collapsing to add structural support. Why wait until your skin is irreversibly damaged to address it?
What we're doing differently at Trevi:
Customized protocols that work alongside your GLP-1 therapy
Twice-weekly treatments that accelerate collagen remodeling
Combined technologies (Physiq + RF) that address both muscle preservation and skin tightening simultaneously
Regular monitoring to adjust treatments as your body composition changes
This is regenerative medicine in its truest form—supporting your body's natural ability to heal and rebuild while you're transforming your health.
If you're already noticing loose skin as the weight comes off, don't wait. What can be prevented or reversed now with body sculpting may require a surgical solution six months from now.
The Bottom Line: Great Results Don't Always Come with Great PR
Body sculpting treatments work. Whether it's Emsculpt, Physiq, or other technologies, these devices can deliver transformative results for the right candidates.
The reason body sculpting hasn't achieved the same cultural saturation as Botox isn't about efficacy—it's about:
Investment required (time and cost)
Marketing muscle (or lack thereof)
Patient education (people can't ask for what they don't know exists)
If you've been curious about body contouring but weren't sure where to start, now you know: the technology is here, it's proven, and it works. You just might not have seen it advertised during your favorite TV show.
Ready to Experience What Marketing Can't Buy?
At Trevi Longevity & Aesthetics Institute, we believe results speak louder than advertising budgets. Our Physiq 360 treatments, especially when combined with RF therapy, deliver the body contouring outcomes our patients are looking for—without the premium price tag attached to household names.
Interested in learning what body sculpting can do for you?
Let's have a conversation about your goals. Book a consultation, and we'll create a personalized treatment plan based on your body, your timeline, and your vision.
Because the best technology isn't always the most famous one—it's the one that works for YOU.
Book your body sculpting consultation today and discover why our patients are getting results that rival any big-name device on the market.
