Absorption of Transdermal Vitamins in Post Bariatric Surgery Patients

Absorption of Transdermal Vitamins in Post Bariatric Surgery Patients

Patients undergoing bariatric surgery often develop new vitamin and/or mineral deficiencies or exacerbate prior deficiencies after surgery. Several bariatric supplement products exist including oral tablets and transdermal patches. The purpose of this study is to observe the concentrations of serum micronutrients and determine how many deficiencies develop in patients who use a transdermal patch.

Patients will undergo either a sleeve gastrectomy or gastric bypass procedure. All patients enrolled will have previously chosen to use the Patch MD MultiVitamin Plus patch for vitamin and mineral supplementation versus oral or other dosage forms of vitamins after surgery. A conversation between the patient and provider will occur first during a pre operative appointment, at which time the patient will be presented with the option to use oral vitamins or the Patch MD MultiVitamin Plus patch after surgery. Only if the patient chooses the patch will he/she be made aware of the study and recruited. Pre operative blood draws will be used to determine baseline micronutrient serum concentrations and existing deficiencies. The Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale (GSRS) will be used pre operatively to determine baseline gastrointestinal symptoms. Post operative blood draws and GSRS data will be collected at 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year after surgery.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Candidates for a sleeve gastrectomy or gastric bypass surgery
2. Willingness and ability to provide informed consent in English
3. Commitment to the 1 year study period

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Planned bariatric revision surgery
2. Patients with a left ventricular assistance device
3. Known End Stage Renal Disease
4. Known mutation in methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene
5. Medical conditions requiring vitamin and mineral supplementation