Emsculpt is currently authorized by the FDA for use in the abdomen, buttocks and thighs, according to Martino. The actual Emsculpt process is relatively painless. The device is placed over the stomach area (or buttock area) and then a professional increases the power. Frank says they usually start at a lower power level and then increase because going straight to 80 percent or 100 percent can hyperstress the muscle and even cause a hernia.
According to Frank, this risk is why you probably won't find an Emsculpt device in your local Equinox anytime soon; you'll need a trained professional who knows how to handle the device safely. The operation of EMSculpt is simple. First, the doctor measures the patient's amount of abdominal fat. If it's more than an inch of fat, Sobel says he might recommend liposuction first.
But if it's about an inch or less, Sobel recommends EmSculpt. EMSculpt contracts 90% of your muscles compared to the 20% to 30% you can tone during a gym session. Both devices can also reduce diastasis of the rectum, a condition in which the abdominal muscles separate (usually during pregnancy) and create an abdominal pocket. In fact, these are the only non-surgical treatments that have been shown to be effective in treating abdominal separation.
While RealSelf doctors still recommend a tummy tuck for people with significant separation, they say Emsculpt may be a good option to avoid surgery.
