You can’t out-train a weak core, and you can’t spot-reduce fat where your body doesn’t want to let it go. Most people feel that mismatch, strong in some areas, stuck in others, or slower to bounce back after time off or surgery.
That’s the idea behind NOVA Body, a structured approach that builds muscle, reduces stubborn fat, and supports the body through recovery. Not by doing everything at once, but by working through each layer in the right order.
At the Pittsburgh Center for Plastic Surgery & Rejuvenation, we approach these treatments the same way we approach surgery: with sequencing and control. NOVA Body uses technologies like Emsculpt HIFEM (High-Intensity Focused Electromagnetic energy) and TruSculpt NIRF (Non-Invasive Radiofrequency) to target muscle and fat separately, so each can be treated at a level that actually produces change. It can be used on its own, before surgery to prepare the body, or after surgery to support recovery and return to baseline. Clear expectations, clean protocols, and a plan that makes sense over time.
Building the Foundation
Emsculpt uses HIFEM or high-intensity electromagnetic energy to create supramaximal muscle contractions, far beyond what can be achieved through voluntary exercise. These contractions stimulate muscle fibers at a level that leads to increased muscle mass, improved tone, and enhanced metabolic activity. Over a series of treatments, patients can see meaningful changes in muscle definition and core stability. Within NOVA Body, this is the foundation phase. It builds the structure that everything else depends on.
Refining the Contour
TruSculpt uses radiofrequency energy to heat fat cells to temperatures typically ranging between 42 and 47 degrees Celsius. At these levels, fat cells are damaged and gradually cleared by the body’s lymphatic system. This results in:
Within NOVA Body, this is the refinement phase, shaping what sits over the muscle foundation.
Why One Device Isn’t Enough
Some platforms attempt to combine muscle stimulation and fat reduction into a single treatment. While that sounds efficient, it often limits how effectively each function can be delivered.
Muscle and fat respond to different types of energy, at different intensities, over different timeframes. When those are blended into one system, the treatment typically settles in the middle, rather than pushing either to a level that produces meaningful change.
Muscle stimulation requires high-intensity, repeated contractions to create adaptation. Fat reduction, on the other hand, depends on reaching and sustaining temperatures that stress fat cells without damaging surrounding tissue. These are not the same goal, and they are not achieved the same way.
For example, many combined systems operate around 42°C when targeting fat. While this can have an effect, higher temperatures—closer to 46°C—are generally more effective for consistent fat reduction. Reaching that level safely requires a dedicated system designed for that purpose.
At PCPS, we separate these steps intentionally:
By treating muscle and fat independently, each can be pushed to a level that actually creates change. The result is not just improvement in one area, but a more complete and balanced outcome.
Setting the Stage
Before surgery, NOVA Body can be used to prepare the body in a more controlled way:
This is not required for surgical patients, but in select cases it can change how the body responds to surgery. Better muscle engagement can improve early mobility. Reducing minor fat deposits can simplify the surgical plan or reduce the need for additional contouring. Improved circulation supports how tissues handle swelling and recover in the first few weeks.
In practice, this is less about “doing more” and more about starting from a better baseline. When the body goes into surgery stronger and more balanced, outcomes tend to be more predictable—and recovery tends to feel more controlled.
After surgery, NOVA Body shifts from contouring to support. The goal is no longer changing shape, it’s helping the body recover in a more controlled way.
Depending on the procedure and timing, it can help:
After most procedures, there is a period where muscles are underused, swelling is present, and normal movement patterns are disrupted. That combination can slow recovery or make the return to baseline feel uneven.
Reintroducing muscle activation in a controlled setting can help patients reconnect with those muscle groups earlier. Supporting circulation and lymphatic flow can help the body process swelling more efficiently. Neither replaces standard recovery protocols, but they can complement them.
It can also be useful in areas that don’t fully respond the way you expected after surgery. Small pockets of fat, mild contour irregularities, or areas that feel slow to recover can sometimes be improved without additional surgery by targeting them more precisely.
In practice, this is about guiding the transition back to normal function, rather than waiting for it to happen passively. That’s where the NOVA concept extends beyond aesthetics and into recovery and performance.
Not For Everyone - That’s the Point
NOVA Body is designed for patients who are close to where they want to be, but need more precision than diet, exercise, or time alone can provide. It works best when the goal isn’t to change everything, but to refine what’s already there.
This can mean different things depending on timing. For some, it’s an entry point, an option for patients who aren’t ready for surgery but still want measurable improvement. For others, it’s part of a larger plan, used before surgery to establish a stronger baseline, or after surgery to support recovery and fine-tune the result.
It’s also a common fit for patients who are already near their goal weight but find that certain areas don’t respond proportionally. Muscle may be harder to build, or small pockets of fat may persist despite consistent effort.
This is not a weight-loss treatment, and it’s not meant to replace surgery when surgery is the right answer. It works best as a way to optimize what’s already in place, not overhaul it.
Simple Sessions, Structured Plan
Each session is straightforward. Treatments are non-invasive and typically last between 15 and 30 minutes depending on the area being treated. Most patients return to normal activity immediately, with only mild soreness or warmth in the treated areas.
What matters more is how the treatments are organized. Results don’t come from a single session. Results build over time, through repetition and proper sequencing. Muscle adapts gradually. Fat reduction occurs over weeks. Recovery support depends on timing.
In practice, this is less about the individual session and more about the plan behind it. When treatments are spaced and layered correctly, the changes are more consistent, and more noticeable.
A System, Not A Treatment
Most non-surgical treatments are offered as standalone solutions as one device, one session, one goal. That approach can create incremental change, but it often leaves gaps.
NOVA Body is built differently. It separates muscle, fat, and recovery into distinct steps, then organizes them into a sequence that reflects how the body actually responds. Each treatment is used for what it does best, rather than asking one system to do everything at once.
That means building muscle at a level that creates adaptation. Treating fat at temperatures that are actually effective. The result is not just improvement in one area, but a more complete outcome. One that looks more balanced, behaves more predictably, and holds up better over time.
Emsculpt and TruSculpt can be effective on their own, but they target different layers. NOVA Body uses them together to address muscle, fat, and recovery more completely.
Muscle stimulation and fat reduction require different energy levels to be effective. Combined systems often operate at a middle setting, which can limit results. Separating these treatments allows each to be delivered at a level that produces more meaningful change.
No. NOVA Body is not designed for weight loss. It works best for patients who are near their goal weight and want to improve muscle tone, reduce stubborn fat, or refine specific areas.
Most patients complete a series of treatments, typically over several weeks. Muscle and fat respond gradually, so results build over time. Your plan will be customized based on your goals and timing.
Some changes may be noticeable early, especially with muscle activation. Fat reduction and contour changes typically develop over several weeks as the body processes treated tissue.
There is no required downtime. Patients can return to normal activity immediately after treatment, though mild soreness or warmth in treated areas can occur.
Yes. NOVA Body can be used before surgery to help establish a stronger baseline, or after surgery to support recovery and refine results. Timing depends on the procedure and your recovery plan.
In some cases, yes. Smaller areas of residual fat, mild contour irregularities, or areas that feel slow to recover can sometimes be improved without additional surgery by targeting them more precisely.
These treatments are non-invasive and FDA-cleared when used appropriately. As with any treatment, candidacy depends on your medical history, and we will review that during your consultation.
Our state-of-the-art facility is equipped with the latest technology and amenities to ensure your comfort and privacy during your visit. We are located in the heart of Pittsburgh and serve patients from all over the world. When you are ready to take the next step, contact us to schedule your consultation with Dr. Davila or Dr. Turer. We look forward to helping you achieve your goals of looking and feeling your best.
Pittsburgh (Main) Office
3109 Forbes Ave, Ste 500,
Pittsburgh PA 15213
Mon: 8am - 4pm
Tuesday: 9am - 4pm
Wednesday: 8am - 4pm
Thursday: 9am - 4pm
Friday: 8am - 4pm
