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47 minutes ago, sillykitty said:

I know that @Matt Z is happy with the Patches, as are others on here. But they are controversial and some programs don't allow them.

There is still a lot of "work" to be done with the company themselves, my surgeon, nutritionist, head nurse and head pharmacist were all involved in granting approval initially. But I don't think we are really required to / or are limited to just a specific Vitamin intake, just that they want our levels to be "good" for our check ups. I was taking the Patches before surgery and outside of some extra Vitamin D because of where I live, some B12 until they saw my levels were good... that's all I've taken for my Vitamins.
Right now, I'm only on the patches and the weekly vitamin D. (I'm also taking daily vitamin D myself because I live in New England and Work IT...so me and the sun don't see much of each other, as well as Biotin and chewable fiber)

I was quite skeptical about the patches. But I'm glad I gave them a go. Everyone is going to differ, absorption rates change based on skin type, etc. So if you are interested, it might be a good idea to talk to your doctor about it, if only to let them know you'll be trying out a new form of vitamin intake so they are aware. I really only was approved because I was firm on my desire to try them.

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2 minutes ago, Matt Z said:

There is still a lot of "work" to be done with the company themselves, my surgeon, nutritionist, head nurse and head pharmacist were all involved in granting approval initially. But I don't think we are really required to / or are limited to just a specific Vitamin intake, just that they want our levels to be "good" for our check ups. I was taking the Patches before surgery and outside of some extra Vitamin D because of where I live, some B12 until they saw my levels were good... that's all I've taken for my Vitamins.
Right now, I'm only on the Patches and the weekly Vitamin D. (I'm also taking daily vitamin D myself because I live in New England and Work IT...so me and the sun don't see much of each other, as well as Biotin and chewable fiber)

I was quite skeptical about the patches. But I'm glad I gave them a go. Everyone is going to differ, absorption rates change based on skin type, etc. So if you are interested, it might be a good idea to talk to your doctor about it, if only to let them know you'll be trying out a new form of vitamin intake so they are aware. I really only was approved because I was firm on my desire to try them.

I looked into the patches and was seriously considering using them, because most supplements cause me nausea. I spoke in depth to my surgeon's PA (she has a much better bedside manner!) about them. She has the same issue w nausea, and had looked into them herself. She was skeptical and ultimately decided against them. She told me I should use the patches only as a last resort, as they might be better than nothing. Thankfully she suggested the Multivitamin she takes, and it's easy on my stomach, so that problem solved.

When I was considering the patches I also talked to a good friend of mine who's a GI. He very much doubted that most Vitamins and minerals could be absorbed transdermally. I asked him about labs tests to verify, and he said that labs can be very misleading and it can take many months, years, or even decades for deficiencies to show up. He said for instance Calcium will almost never show deficient, our bodies will just take from our bones. And that labs don't even test for all the vitamins and minerals we need.

So taking those two opinions, plus my own doubts from this article, stating that the weight of the patch was significantly less than the combined weight of the claimed vitamins and minerals on the patch. https://www.unjury.com/blog/important-information-if-you-are-recommending-a-patch-vitamin/ . It just puts patches into the too good to be true category, and I'm staying away.

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28 minutes ago, sillykitty said:

I looked into the Patches and was seriously considering using them, because most supplements cause me nausea. I spoke in depth to my surgeon's PA (she has a much better bedside manner!) about them. She has the same issue w nausea, and had looked into them herself. She was skeptical and ultimately decided against them. She told me I should use the patches only as a last resort, as they might be better than nothing. Thankfully she suggested the Multivitamin she takes, and it's easy on my stomach, so that problem solved.

When I was considering the patches I also talked to a good friend of mine who's a GI. He very much doubted that most Vitamins and minerals could be absorbed transdermally. I asked him about labs tests to verify, and he said that labs can be very misleading and it can take many months, years, or even decades for deficiencies to show up. He said for instance Calcium will almost never show deficient, our bodies will just take from our bones. And that labs don't even test for all the Vitamins and minerals we need.

So taking those two opinions, plus my own doubts from this article, stating that the weight of the patch was significantly less than the combined weight of the claimed vitamins and minerals on the patch. https://www.unjury.com/blog/important-information-if-you-are-recommending-a-patch-vitamin/ . It just puts patches into the too good to be true category, and I'm staying away.

The patches have a similar issue to GENEPRO Protein claiming to provide more protein than was in the serving itself. I've reached out to PatchMD looking for clinical trials etc because, I was skeptical as well. But I figured I'd give them a try anyway. And all my levels are normal - high end of normal. Less the Vitamin D as stated. So, they are working for me. I've read the report you posted, before I started my own trials. I've taken it into account and still figured I'd try these myself. I'll see if my levels change at the 6 month check in or not.

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Great info, I’ll take my multivitamin with my Iron and my Calcium and d3 separate then. I’ll look into Patches with my program and I’ll see about the pills if I go that route.

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On 7/10/2018 at 11:45 AM, AshAsh1 said:

IMG_2680.JPG.1c8ff0de1e6e1e6b7969e86f8bf35a8b.JPG

This is what I take, its one pill per day. You do have to take your Calcium separately due to the Multivitamin containing Iron. So I take my Calcium citrate/vitamin d tab in the mornings and 1 Multivitamin at night. Once you can swallow pills, these are a great option. $45.99 for a 90 day supply.

I just looked at the label for these Vitamins, and they meet all of my programs requirements, particularly the Iron and folic acid requirements that most Multivitamins do *not* meet. They seem to be perfect! Except...The only problem is that they are capsules, which means they must be taken with food (for Vitamin absorption) and Water. And drinking while eating post-op is a no-no for me. Ugh!

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On 07/11/2018 at 13:49, gr8ful1 said:





I just looked at the label for these Vitamins, and they meet all of my programs requirements, particularly the Iron and folic acid requirements that most Multivitamins do *not* meet. They seem to be perfect! Except...The only problem is that they are capsules, which means they must be taken with food (for Vitamin absorption) and Water. And drinking while eating post-op is a no-no for me. Ugh!


I always take mine at bedtime, never with food. I’ve been taking these for my last two checks and all perfect levels. All Bariatric patients can’t eat or drink at the same time, I doubt they would put it on the market with that assumption. Also, if you have a small sip of Water before a meal, that isn’t going to hurt you. It’s the act of eating while drinking that can cause problems. I hate for you to pass on an awesome Vitamin for these reasons.

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1 minute ago, AshAsh1 said:

Also, if you have a small sip of Water before a meal, that isn’t going to hurt you. It’s the act of eating while drinking that can cause problems. I hate for you to pass on an awesome Vitamin for these reasons.

I agree!

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7 minutes ago, AshAsh1 said:

I always take mine at bedtime, never with food. I’ve been taking these for my last two checks and all perfect levels. All Bariatric patients can’t eat or drink at the same time, I doubt they would put it on the market with that assumption. Also, if you have a small sip of Water before a meal, that isn’t going to hurt you. It’s the act of eating while drinking that can cause problems. I hate for you to pass on an awesome Vitamin for these reasons.

I put them on my Amazon wish list. I have some Flintstones on hand for post-op, but will definitely try something like these if I can't stand chewables. gummies are also not allowed by my program, but I'm not sure why. Maybe the sugar content.

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4 minutes ago, gr8ful1 said:

I put them on my Amazon wish list. I have some Flintstones on hand for post-op, but will definitely try something like these if I can't stand chewables. gummies are also not allowed by my program, but I'm not sure why. Maybe the sugar content.

gummies require stomach acid to break down, and you don't have much after Bypass. They are forbidden in my program too.

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10 minutes ago, gr8ful1 said:

I put them on my Amazon wish list. I have some Flintstones on hand for post-op, but will definitely try something like these if I can't stand chewables. gummies are also not allowed by my program, but I'm not sure why. Maybe the sugar content.

I know other OPs that take Flinstones, but it seems like you have to supplement with other Vitamins. I like the ones that I take because, besides Calcium, its got it all, plus some. Like I said, I take at bedtime. I get nauseous with vitamins unless I take at night. These are perfect. And you can't beat the price for an actual Bariatric Vitamin.

This is the description from the website. It doesn't specify to eat with food. It also specifies that it is easy to digest and absorb.

Product description:

ProCare Health Bariatric once-a-day Multivitamin 30ct. capsule

The ONLY complete once daily multivitamin in the industry! Our vitamin is designed to specifically meet the health needs of those who have undergone bariatric surgery such as gastric bypass, vertical sleeve, Roux-en-Y and Duodenal Switch. This formula was developed in cooperation with Doctors, Dieticians and Nutritionists to make this the most complete once-a-day vitamin in the industry! It is designed to be convenient, small, easy to digest and absorb and cost effect.

Convenient. Unlike other products on the market today, which require you to take 3 to 4 tablets per day, ProCare Health’s Bariatric Nutritional Supplement gives you all of the ASMBS and your Doctor’s recommended daily nutrients in a once daily easy to swallow capsule.

Affordable. Our competitive pricing makes ProCare Health’s Bariatric Nutritional Supplement affordable to everyone. Over 45% less than other leading brands.

71DDQ3Xlr4L__SL1500_.jpg

Edited by AshAsh1

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18 minutes ago, gr8ful1 said:

gummies are also not allowed by my program, but I'm not sure why.

gummies are not allowed on my program because they are not very complete at all. I looked high and low for one, because supplements upset my stomach so much. A very complete Gummy just doesn't seem to exist.

Another alternative is a prenatal that I take. It's complete and I can take it on an empty stomach, with no issues. The dose is 3 per day though, so that kind of sucks.

Whole Foods Prenatal (I buy on Amazon)

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B074KKKMBQ/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

WF.jpg.e67893e8f5377da78b08995a0591f5f6.jpg

71CLlP2bQLL._SY679_.jpg.86b7adc3b1d431693a2d1a226e8a33fc.jpg

Edited by sillykitty

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On 07/09/2018 at 18:42, Laura7 said:

I am going to take all of these at the same time at night. It just says the dosage is 2 for Multivitamin, 2 for Calcium, 3 for iron/vitamin C and 1 for D3. So this picture is a 1-2 month supply depending on the bottle. It cost me about $20 a bottle. I’m sure you can find them cheaper somewhere. But yea I’m going to take them all at night.
You have to spread them apart you can only absorb 500mg of Calcium at a time also you have to take multi and calcium 2 hours apart otherwise the Iron in the multi binds with the calcium and neither work

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    • Alisa_S

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      Soooo I am coming to a realization
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      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
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      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

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    • CaseyP1011

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