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Your First Visit: What to Expect
Knowing the shape of the first visit makes it more productive. Here is what happens from intake to plan at First Response Doctors Clinic.
Before the visit
Complete the online new patient intake. It collects your identifying details, health history, pharmacy preference, and whether you are using insurance or self-pay. Your information is used only to schedule and verify coverage.
If you selected insurance, our team verifies benefits and tells you your expected out-of-pocket cost before you are seen.
During the visit
Your clinician reviews your history, current medications, prior weight-management attempts, and your goals. Vitals and measurements are taken in clinic; telehealth visits use your home readings.
You will discuss options — including whether medication is appropriate at all — along with expected side effects, monitoring, and cost.
Leaving with a plan
You should leave knowing your starting approach, your nutrition targets including a protein floor, when your next visit is, and what to do if a side effect appears. Any prescription is sent to the pharmacy you specified.
What to bring
Your insurance card and photo ID if using insurance, a medication list including supplements, and any recent labs or home readings. We do not collect document photos online — bring your card and license to your first in-clinic visit.
How results are discussed at FRDC
Your clinician sets your goals — many plans target 10–16 lbs/month with strict protein protocols; individual results vary.
Medication and dosing are always determined by your clinician after evaluation.
Frequently asked questions
- How long is the first visit?
- Plan for a longer appointment than a routine follow-up so history and options can be covered properly.
- Will I get a prescription at the first visit?
- Only if clinically appropriate. Medication and dosing are always determined by your clinician after evaluation.
- Can my first visit be telehealth?
- Yes, for patients located in Maryland, including Saturday and Sunday appointments.
Keep reading
- What Is Medical Weight Loss?
An educational overview of clinician-supervised medical weight loss, who it is for, and what a program involves in Maryland.
- GLP-1 Medications Explained
A plain-language explanation of how GLP-1 and dual-agonist medications work, how they are titrated, and what monitoring involves.
- Prior Authorization for GLP-1 Medications
Prior authorization is a plan requirement that your clinician document specific criteria before the pharmacy benefit will pay for a medication. It is the m
- FRDC blog
Articles on pain care access, GLP-1 program costs, telehealth, and insurance in Maryland.