Legal
Informed Consent
Effective date: May 1, 2026 · Palm Beach Metabolic Care
This document is provided for informational purposes. Your formal consent is collected electronically during the Step 7 onboarding process, where each consent item is individually acknowledged. This page provides the complete text for your review.
Purpose of This Document
This Informed Consent document describes the Palm Beach Metabolic Care program, the medications that may be prescribed, known risks and benefits, alternatives, and your rights as a patient. Please read this document carefully. By acknowledging consent during onboarding, you confirm that you have read, understood, and voluntarily agree to participate.
Description of the Program
The Palm Beach Metabolic Care is a physician-supervised metabolic weight management program. The program may include: • Physician evaluation and ongoing clinical oversight • Prescription of GLP-1 receptor agonist medications (tirzepatide or semaglutide) if clinically appropriate • Telehealth consultations and secure portal-based care • Weekly check-in monitoring of weight, symptoms, and medication adherence • Laboratory monitoring as indicated
GLP-1 Medications: Benefits
GLP-1 receptor agonists (including tirzepatide/Zepbound and semaglutide/Wegovy, Ozempic) are FDA-approved medications associated with: • Clinically meaningful weight reduction (typically 10–22% of body weight in clinical trials) • Improved glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes • Improvements in cardiovascular risk factors • Reduced appetite and caloric intake Individual results vary significantly. These outcomes are not guaranteed.
GLP-1 Medications: Risks and Side Effects
Common side effects (may affect 10–40% of patients): • Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation • Reduced appetite • Injection site reactions • Fatigue, headache Less common but serious risks: • Pancreatitis — seek immediate care for severe persistent abdominal pain • Gallbladder disease, including gallstones • Hypoglycemia (especially if taking insulin or sulfonylureas) • Heart rate increase • Kidney injury (typically related to dehydration from GI side effects) • Thyroid C-cell tumors (observed in rodent studies; human relevance unknown; contraindicated in patients with MTC or MEN2 history) • Suicidal ideation (rare; report immediately to your care team and seek emergency care if needed)
Absolute Contraindications
GLP-1 therapy is contraindicated in patients with: • Personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) • Personal or family history of Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN2) • Active pancreatitis • Pregnancy or planned pregnancy • Known serious hypersensitivity to GLP-1 receptor agonists You were asked about these conditions during onboarding safety screening. Any affirmative responses trigger clinical review before treatment proceeds.
Alternatives to Treatment
You are not required to participate in this program or to accept any prescription. Alternatives to GLP-1 therapy include: • Lifestyle modification (diet and exercise alone) • Other prescription weight-loss medications • Bariatric surgery (for qualifying patients) • No treatment Your physician will discuss alternatives during your consultation.
Telehealth Consent
By participating in the Palm Beach Metabolic Care program, you consent to the delivery of medical services via telehealth, including video consultation, asynchronous secure messaging, and remote clinical monitoring. You understand that: • Telehealth is not a substitute for in-person emergency care • Technical limitations may affect the quality of telehealth services • Your physician may require an in-person visit if clinically indicated • Telehealth services are available to Florida residents only
Secure Messaging
Secure messaging through your patient portal is for non-emergency clinical communications only. Response times are 1–2 business days. If you experience a medical emergency, call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room immediately. Do not wait for a portal response in an emergency.
Photography and Monitoring
You may optionally upload progress photos to your patient portal. By uploading photos, you consent to: • Storage of your images in a HIPAA-compliant, encrypted storage system • Access by your clinical care team at Plastic Surgery of Palm Beach for treatment purposes • Retention consistent with your medical records retention period All photos are stripped of EXIF metadata (including location data) before storage. Photos are never used for marketing or shared outside your care team without explicit written consent.
Right to Withdraw
Your participation in this program is voluntary. You may withdraw at any time without penalty. Withdrawal does not affect any care you have already received. If you wish to withdraw, notify your care team via secure message. Membership fees are non-refundable for the current billing period.
Questions
Before providing consent, you have the right to ask any questions about this program, the medications, risks, or your rights as a patient. Contact your care team via secure message or contact Plastic Surgery of Palm Beach directly.
Medical Emergency Reminder
If you are experiencing a medical emergency at any time — including during or after starting this program — call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room immediately. This portal and messaging system are NOT for emergencies.
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