The Difference Between Medical Weight Loss & Body Contouring

January 12, 2026

The Difference Between Medical Weight Loss and Body Contouring

When it comes to achieving health and wellness goals, many people wonder if medical weight loss or body contouring is right for them. These two treatments serve different purposes and understanding the differences can help you find the best treatment plan for your lifestyle and health goals.

At Aesthetica, we are dedicated to creating personalized treatment plans that align with your body, goals, and overall health. Below we will discuss the differences between medical weight loss and body contouring and which is best for you!

What Is Medical Weight Loss?

Medical weight loss focuses on reducing overall body weight through GLP-1 injections and hormone therapy, overseen by a medical professional. GLP-1 weight loss injections work by supporting appetite regulation, improving metabolic function, and decreasing food intake and glucagon levels. GLP-1 patients can expect to lose anywhere from 12-22% of body weight. Medical weight loss injections treatment plans are customized to your health history, lifestyle, and long-term goals.

BioTE hormone optimization therapy works by addressing underlying hormonal imbalances, such as estrogen, testosterone, and thyroid. These hormones are closely linked to weight gain because disruption can slow metabolism, increase fat storage (especially in the belly), increase appetite, and reduce energy. Hormone pellet therapy can help balance estrogen, testosterone, and thyroid levels, improving fat burning, increasing lean muscle mass, and managing cravings, for an overall better health.

Medical Weight Loss May Be Right for You If:

You are looking to lose significant amount of weight
Diet and exercise alone have not delivered the results you want
You want Nurse Practitioner-guided support and knowledge
You are focused on improving overall health

Book Your Weight Loss Consultation Today

What Is Body Contouring?

After GLP-1 injections, some patients turn to CoolSculpting Elite or CoolTone to enhance their results. Body contouring treatments such as CoolSculpting and CoolTone are designed to refine and sculpt specific areas of the body by targeting stubborn fat that does not respond to diet or exercise. Unlike GLP-1 injections, body contouring treatments target specific areas of concern (not overall body weight).

CoolSculpting Elite uses controlled cooling to gently and effectively eliminate stubborn fat that resists efforts through diet and exercise. FDA-cleared CoolSculpting areas include: abdomen, arms, back, flanks, chin, banana roll, inner and outer thighs.

CoolTone is another body contouring treatment that uses magnetic muscle stimulation (MMS), to strengthen, firm, and tone muscles. CoolTone treatments can help define, contour, and sculpt targeted muscles in the abdomen, buttocks, and thighs. This body contouring treatment is best suited for patients with a leaner body composition seeking improved muscle definition and contour.

Medical Weight Loss May Be Right for You If:

You are close to your goal weight
You struggle with stubborn fat in areas like the abdomen, back bra fat, flanks, arms, or thighs
You want to refine your shape in specific areas
You are seeking a non-invasive, non-surgical solution to fat reduction with minimal interruption to daily life

book a complimentary body contouring consultation at aesthetica

Can Medical Weight Loss and Body Contouring Be Combined?

Yes! For some patients, it’s not medical weight loss vs. body contouring, rather than pairing the two to support a more sculpted appearance and increased confidence.

Medical weight loss can help reduce overall body fat and improve health, while body contouring can be used afterward to refine areas that remain resistant even after weight loss. Timing and treatment selection are key, which is why professional guidance is essential.

Choosing the Right Approach for Your Goals

If your primary goal is to lose weight, improve metabolic health, and create long-term lifestyle change, medical weight loss may be the appropriate starting point.

If your goal is to enhance your body’s shape, smooth stubborn areas, or refine results after weight loss, body contouring may be the better option.

If you’re seeking a more comprehensive approach to weight loss and body contouring, which is the case for most patients, a personalized treatment plan that includes both is the best option. Most weight loss patients notice stubborn pockets of fat in areas like the flanks, back bra fat, arms, or thighs even after their weight loss journey. These areas can highly benefit from body contouring treatments like CoolSculpting and/or CoolTone.

A Personalized Plan Makes All the Difference

At Aesthetica, an experienced provider will perform a personalized assessment during a private consultation and create a custom treatment plan tailored for your goals, health history, and body composition. Our team collaboratively works with you to help you achieve results that align with your overall health, wellness, and body goals.

If you’re still wondering if body contouring or medical weight loss is right for you, schedule a consultation with a Nurse Practitioner or Body Contouring Specialist at Aesthetica by texting or calling us at (801) 785-8884 or by clicking the button below!