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Legal

Weight Loss programs have a registered dietician per Florida 469.505 1. Dietician information and weight loss consumer bill of rights supplied at screening.

 

Medical and psychological clients require written referral in the state of Florida.

 

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Title XXXIII

 

REGULATION OF TRADE, COMMERCE, INVESTMENTS, AND SOLICITATIONS 

 

Chapter 501 

 

CONSUMER PROTECTION 

 

501.0575 Weight-Loss Consumer Bill of Rights.— 

 

(1) The Weight-Loss Consumer Bill of Rights shall consist of the following provisions: 

 

(A) WARNING: RAPID WEIGHT LOSS MAY CAUSE SERIOUS HEALTH PROBLEMS. RAPID WEIGHT LOSS IS WEIGHT LOSS OF MORE THAN 11/2 POUNDS TO 2 POUNDS PER WEEK OR WEIGHT LOSS OF MORE THAN 1 PERCENT OF BODY WEIGHT PER WEEK AFTER THE SECOND WEEK OF PARTICIPATION IN A WEIGHT-LOSS PROGRAM. 

 

(B) CONSULT YOUR PERSONAL PHYSICIAN BEFORE STARTING ANY WEIGHT-LOSS PROGRAM. 

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(C) ONLY PERMANENT LIFESTYLE CHANGES, SUCH AS MAKING HEALTHFUL FOOD CHOICES AND INCREASING PHYSICAL ACTIVITY, PROMOTE LONG-TERM WEIGHT LOSS. 

 

(D) QUALIFICATIONS OF THIS PROVIDER ARE AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST. 

 

(E) YOU HAVE A RIGHT TO: 

  • ASK QUESTIONS ABOUT THE POTENTIAL HEALTH RISKS OF THIS PROGRAM AND ITS NUTRITIONAL CONTENT, PSYCHOLOGICAL SUPPORT, AND EDUCATIONAL COMPONENTS. 

  • RECEIVE AN ITEMIZED STATEMENT OF THE ACTUAL OR ESTIMATED PRICE OF THE WEIGHT-LOSS PROGRAM, INCLUDING EXTRA PRODUCTS, SERVICES, SUPPLEMENTS, EXAMINATIONS, AND LABORATORY TESTS. 

  • KNOW THE ACTUAL OR ESTIMATED DURATION OF THE PROGRAM. 4. KNOW THE NAME, ADDRESS, AND QUALIFICATIONS OF THE DIETITIAN OR NUTRITIONIST WHO HAS REVIEWED AND APPROVED THE WEIGHT-LOSS PROGRAM ACCORDING TO s. 468.505(1)(j), FLORIDA STATUTES. 

 

(2) The copies of the Weight-Loss Consumer Bill of Rights to be posted according to s. 501.0573(6) shall be printed in at least 24-point boldfaced type on one side of a sign. The palm-sized copies to be distributed according to s. 501.0573(5) shall be in boldfaced type and legible. Each weight-loss provider shall be responsible for producing and printing appropriate copies of the Weight-Loss Consumer Bill of Rights. History.—s. 4, ch. 93-274; s. 45, ch. 2000-154.

 

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Weight Loss Consumer Bill of Rights 

Florida Statute 501.0575 outlines the rights of consumers seeking professional weight-loss services. Please read these rights below: 

 

A. Warning: rapid weight loss may cause serious health problems. Rapid weight loss is weight loss of more than 1 1⁄2 to 2 pounds per week or weight loss of more than 1% of body weight per week after the second week of participation in a weight loss program. 

 

B. Consult your personal physician before starting any weight-loss program. 

 

C. Only permanent lifestyle changes, such as making healthful food choices and increasing physical activity, promote long-term weight loss. 

 

D. Qualifications of this provider are available upon request. You have a right to: 

  • Ask questions about the potential health risks of this program and its nutritional content, psychological support and educational components. 

  • Receive an itemized statement of the actual or estimated price of the weight loss program, including extra products, services, supplements, examinations, and laboratory tests. 

  • Know the actual or estimated duration of the program. 

  • Know the name, address, and qualifications of the physical, dietician or nutritionist who has reviewed and approved the weight-loss program according to Section 468.505(1)(i)of the Florida Statute. Patient Informed Consent to Use Appetite Suppressants Please carefully read the following statements. On the next page, please sign indicating your understanding and agreement. I. 

 

I. Procedures and Alternatives 

A. I have read and understand each of the following statements: 

  • All prescription medications, including appetite suppressants, have labeling approved by the Food and Drug Administration. This labeling contains suggestions of the use of the medication. The labeling found on most appetite suppressants is based upon medical studies of less than twelve weeks using the dosages indicated on the labels. 

  • Notwithstanding such labeling, I understand that my physician, based upon his experience, the experience of his colleagues, and other factors, may recommend the use of such medications for a period of time or at doses in excess of those recommended by the manufacturer’s label. I further understand that such usage may not have been as systemically studied as that suggested by the labeling, and it is possible, as with many other medications, that serious side effects could occur. 

  • After consulting my physician, I believe that the probability of such side effects is outweighed by the potential benefit of the appetite suppressants being prescribed and/or provided to me, notwithstanding the fact that the dosage and/or term may exceed those recommended by the manufacturer. 

 

B. I understand that it is my responsibility to follow my physician’s instructions carefully and to report any medical problems immediately, regardless of whether I think that they may be related to my weight control program. I further affirm that I am not now pregnant and will report any pregnancy to my physician immediately. 

 

C. I understand that there are other ways and programs that can assist me in my desire to decrease my body weight and to maintain any weight loss. In particular, a balanced diet combined with physical exercise is recommended, with or without the use of appetite suppressants. I understand that a program including a revised diet and physical exercise could prove successful without appetite suppressants if I followed it, even though I would probably be hungrier than if I used appetite suppressants. 

 

II. Risks of Proposed Treatment 

I understand that this authorization is given to me with the knowledge that the use of appetite suppressants poses various risks, including by not limited to, pulmonary hypertension, nervousness, sleeplessness, headaches, dry mouth, weakness, fatigue, psychological problems, medical allergies, high blood pressure, rapid heartbeat, and heart irregularities. These and other possible risks could occasionally be serious or even fatal. 

 

III. Risks Associated With Being Overweight or Obese 

I understand that remaining overweight or obese poses certain risks, among them being tendencies to high blood pressure, to diabetes, to heart attack and heart disease, to arthritis at the joints, hips, knees and feet, and to certain cancers. I understand that these risks may be modest if I am not very overweight, but that these risks increase significantly with any weight gain. 

 

IV. No Guarantees 

I understand that much of the success of this program will depend on my efforts. Notwithstanding my efforts, I understand that there are no guarantees or assurances that the program will be successful. I also understand that I will have to continue watching my weight all my life if I am to be successful. 

 

V. Patient’s Consent 

I have read and fully understand this consent form, the attached Weight Loss Consumers Bill of Rights (see page 6 of this document), and I have had all concerns addressed by the physician.

 

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Disclaimer

Comments made by former clients, students, trainees and business associates are true, factual and documented. Lake Hypnosis (LH), its officers and assigns do not imply, suggest or claim these comments represent a typical result. Results vary depending on age, gender, lifestyle, physical activity and individual commitment and motivation to achieve a desired result.

 

Comments have been collected over a 25 year period. LH makes no claim or intent to represent comments and reviews as current. Each comment and or review is one persons opinion given at a specific time. Comments and reviews should only be considered in that context and not as example of current experience.

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