Recovery Support Program

Recommended Products

• Ideal if you’re undergoing a comprehensive surgical procedure or have impaired wound healing especially smokers, diabetics or recent corticosteroid users.


• Clinical Support - Morning Formulation supports energy levels in the day. Clinical Support - Evening Formulation supports rest and relaxation in the evening. The use of chronotherapy ensures optimal absorption and assimilation of vitamin C and the B-complex.


• Vitamin A, vitamin C, beta-carotene, zinc and copper promote wound healing and tissue growth repair. Vitamin A and zinc also boost immune system function.


• High levels of selenium, bioflavonoids and other antioxidants deactivate unstable free-radicals that result from surgery.


• High levels of the B-Complex - the “anti-stress” vitamins - counteract stress during the surgical period.


• Homeopathic Arnica Montana 30X reduces bruising, swelling and pain associated with soft tissue injury.


• Bromelain blocks selected proinflammatory metabolites that accelerate the inflammatory process.


• Quercetin inhibits the manufacture and release of histamine and other allergic/inflammatory mediators.


• Excludes vitamin E and other herbals which can cause problems in the peri-operative period and should be avoided.


• Manufactured in the U.S. using Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) and in accordance with the Homeopathic Pharmacopœia of the United States (HPUS).

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INDICATIONS
The Recovery Support Program is indicated for patients undergoing more extensive surgical procedures such as hip, knee or shoulder surgery; plastic surgery procedures such as rhytidectomy (face lift), rhinoplasty (nose reshaping), breast reconstruction, abdominoplasty and liposuction.

CONTRAINDICATIONS
Nutritional supplements have a very safe track record. Because these products are natural, they are generally milder, safer and less likely to cause negative reactions or side-effects than prescription medications. However, if a side-effect or adverse reaction occurs, please notify your physician or contact VitaMedica customer service toll free at 888-367-8605. Certain individuals should seek the advice of their doctor before beginning any nutritional supplement program particularly diabetics and pregnant or lactating women.

CLINICAL SUPPORT contains vitamin A. If you are presently taking Accutane® (isotretinoin) for the treatment of acne, please refrain from taking CLINICAL SUPPORT until the end of the treatment cycle. This product also contains niacin, which may cause temporary redness of the skin and flushing.

BROMELAIN WITH QUERCETIN is contraindicated in patients with a history of abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias); taking blood thinners like Coumadin® (warfarin); or who have allergies to pineapple.

NOTICE
Do not take if safety seal on bottle is broken. KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN.

SUPPLEMENTS TO DISCONTINUE
The following nutritional supplements should be discontinued two weeks prior to, and for up to two weeks after surgery: bilberry, cayenne, dong quai, echinacea, feverfew, fish oil caps, garlic, ginger, ginkgo biloba, ginseng, hawthorne, kava kava, licorice root, ma huang (ephedra), melatonin, red clover, St. John’s Wort, valerian, vitamin E and yohimbe.

CAUTION: Energy drinks often contain ingredients like guarana, ginseng, ginkgo biloba and other herbs which can be contraindicated around the time of surgery. Prior to surgery, consult with your physician regarding their use.

DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION
While taking the Recovery Support Program, NO additional vitamin, mineral or herbal supplements should be taken.

Clinical Support
For optimal results, begin taking Clinical Support 14 days prior to a scheduled surgery and for two weeks post-operatively. If the two-part supplement is started fewer than 14 days prior to surgery; the supplement should be continued after surgery for a longer period of time (until the product is completely used up).

As a dietary supplement, take three tablets of Clinical Support Morning Formulation with breakfast or lunch. Take three tablets of Clinical Support Evening Formulation with dinner or before bedtime.

About 10% of people experience the so-called “niacin flush”with high-potency vitamins. This involves a temporary reddening of the skin that lasts 10-15 minutes. It is a normal response and is harmless. Usually it will disappear after one or two days of taking the vitamins.

To decrease the chances of the niacin-flush occurring, we recommend building up slowly to the full dose of Clinical Support. When starting the supplement, simply reduce the dose to one tablet for 1-2 days, then two tablets for 1-2 days, and so forth. This approach will also help to prevent the uneasy sensation that occurs in some people's stomach after taking vitamins.

Bromelain with Quercetin
For optimal results, begin taking Bromelain with Quercetin 3 days prior to surgery and continue for 7 days following surgery (example, if your surgery is on Thursday, start taking Bromelain on Monday). Take 2 capsules three times a day. For optimal results, Bromelain with Quercetin should be taken between meals preferably on an empty stomach. For example: upon awakening, late morning and late afternoon.

Arnica Montana 30X
Begin taking Arnica Montana immediately after your surgery and continue taking until the bruising and swelling has subsided (usually 7-14 days). Take 3 tablets, 3 times a day. Place tablets under the tongue and let dissolve naturally. For optimal results, do not brush your teeth, eat, or drink anything but water, 15 minutes before or 15 minutes after taking Arnica Montana. Do not handle the tablets.

IMPORTANT
Do not eat or drink anything by mouth (including the Recovery Support Program) after midnight prior to surgery. Following anesthesia and surgery, it is not uncommon for some patients to experience decreased appetite or gastrointestinal upset. If you develop these symptoms after surgery, delay taking the Recovery Support Program until your stomach is feeling better and you are able to eat a normal diet.

MAINTAIN YOUR SURGICAL RESULTS
VitaMedica’s Recovery Support Program is aptly formulated to support healing during the peri-operative period. However, this unique program kit is not intended for long-term use. Instead, VitaMedica’s Wellness Supplements are designed to provide optimal nutrition to maintain surgical results.

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RECOVERY SUPPORT PROGRAM FAQS



• Who should use the Recovery Support Program? Any individual undergoing surgery (general, gynecology, otolaryngology, orthopedic, ophthalmology, podiatric, etc.) can benefit from taking the Surgery Program. Common plastic surgery procedures include liposuction, eyelid, breast, nose reshaping, forehead/face lift, and abdominal surgery. Common non-cosmetic surgical procedures include orthopedic (knee, shoulder, hip, ankle) and gynecologic (hysterectomy).
  
  
• Is the Recovery Support Program appropriate for an individual who has had gastric bypass surgery? Yes, but the dosing may need to be lowered to allow for the proper absorption of nutrients and to prevent gastrointestinal upset. Following gastric bypass surgery, many patients have a difficult time obtaining a sufficient quantity of the micronutrients (vitamins & minerals) required for good health. At the same time, a dramatically reduced stomach size makes it difficult to take certain supplements, especially tablets. This becomes important should the gastric bypass patient elect to have surgery down the road (e.g., body contouring), as nutrient deficiencies delay the healing process. For this reason, the Recovery Support Program is ideally suited for these patients. Even though the Surgery Program products are available in tablet and capsule formulation, many gastric patients have been able to comfortably take the product system.
  
  
• Who should not use the Recovery Support Program? Nutritional supplements have an excellent safety track record. However, certain individuals should seek the advice of their doctor before beginning any nutritional supplement program particularly diabetics and pregnant or lactating women. Please refer to the Directions section for more information on precautions and contraindications.
  
  
• What is the primary benefit of using the Recovery Support Program? The Recovery Support Program is a comprehensive pre-operative and post-operative nutritional supplement system designed specifically for patients undergoing operative procedures. The Recovery Support Program provides nutrients to speed wound healing, support the immune system, prevent infection, minimize inflammation and reduce bruising.
  
  
• What makes VitaMedica’s Recovery Support Program product unique? A combination of high-quality, targeted ingredients, at dosing levels that support healing. The targeted nutrients in the Recovery Support Program were selected based on extensive use of the best evidence and research, currently available in the nutritional science literature. What is unique about the Recovery Support Program is that it provides nearly all of the key nutrients that are beneficial for surgery in a single convenient kit. At the same time, it excludes those nutrients such as vitamin E, which should not be taken during the peri-operative period.
  
  
• What products comprise the VitaMedica Recovery Support Program? The Recovery Support Program is comprised of three products: Clinical Support, Bromelain with Quercetin and Arnica Montana 30X.
  
  
• Arnica Montana is a homeopathic medicine. What is homeopathy? The literal interpretation of homeopathy is “like treating like”. The guiding principle behind homeopathy is that our bodies have natural defense mechanisms to aid in healing. This is often reflected as symptoms. While prescription medications tend to suppress symptoms, homeopathic medications try to elicit them. This approach helps to heal the body faster and is intended to stimulate a person’s overall resistance to infection. Another principle of homeopathy is that the healing power of a medicine can be increased or potentiated while reducing its toxicity. In other words, the healing power of a substance is increased at the same time its concentration is decreased. This is in marked contrast to allopathic medicines that use a greater potency by increasing the amount of a drug given to a patient. Each homeopathic medicine is diluted progressively and proportionately. This is accomplished either through shaking (succussion) or crushing and grinding (truturation).
  
  
• What does the “30X” refer to after the name Arnica Montana? The term “30X” refers to the potency of the Arnica Montana formulation. In the dilution process, the original tincture is called the “mother potency”. The mother potency is then diluted with alcohol or can be mixed with lactose and ground in a mortar and pestle. During each dilution process, the result of the prior dilution is used instead of the mother tincture. A number of dilution processes are available that create different potencies. With the X-process, each tincture is mixed with 1 part medicine and 9 parts of diluting material (e.g. alcohol or lactose). With the C-process, the mixing ratio is 1 part medicine to 99 parts of diluting material. VitaMedica’s 30X potency means that the Arnica Montana was diluted 30 times to one part in ten (or 10 to the 30th power).
  
  
• Some homeopathic formulas are provided in pellets and others in tablet form. What is the difference between the two? Both forms have been used successfully by homeopaths for over a century. While both forms are probably equal from the standpoint of efficacy, tablets have certain advantages over pellets. The pellet is made from porous grains of sucrose (cane sugar). One part of dilution is then mixed with 100 parts of grains until the dilution has been completely and equally absorbed. In making tablets, the active ingredient is mixed with 9 parts of lactose and ground for a specified time to achieve a 1X potency. The process is repeated until the desired potency is achieved. The substance is then mixed with binders and pressed into tablet form. VitaMedica’s Arnica Montana 30X is delivered in a small, soft grain tablet.
  
  
• What does the term “HPUS” mean in regard to homeopathic medications? The term “HPUS” refers to the Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia of the United States. All homeopathic medicines are produced in accordance with the guidelines established by the HPUS. These manufacturing guidelines ensure the purity and potency of each product.
  
  
• What is the importance of Bromelain during the peri-operative period and how does it work? Bromelain is a proteolytic enzyme (capable of digesting protein) that is extracted from the pineapple stem. Bromelain’s most common application is in the treatment of inflammation and soft tissue injury. Bromelain inhibits prostaglandins (hormone-like compounds) that cause inflammation and promotes the formation of anti-inflammatory prostaglandins. Bromelain is also helpful in breaking up hematomas, or a collection of blood that can sometimes occur as a result of soft tissue injury.
  
  
• VitaMedica’s Bromelain also contains Quercetin. What is Quercetin? Quercetin (que-er-ce-tin) is a type of flavonoid (plant pigments that give plants & fruits their color) that has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. The combination of quercetin and bromelain is used to effectively inhibit the inflammatory response function..
  
  
• Bromelain’s strength is measured in milk clotting units or gelatin dissolving units. What do these terms mean? Unlike vitamins and minerals, which are measured in a variety of ways including milligrams (mg), micrograms (mcg), or International Units (IU), bromelain is measured by either milk clotting units (mcus) or gelatin dissolving units (gdus). MCUs and GDUs are used somewhat interchangeably (1 GDU equals 1.5 MCU) and relate to the activity level of the bromelain. Since bromelain is an enzyme, a measure of its strength is how quickly it can breakdown a protein. The unit of measurement is either a MCU or GDU. To be effective, at least 2,000 MCUs must be consumed in divided amounts during the course of a day.
  
  
• Why is Clinical Support provided in a two-part formula? To promote nutrient delivery and to support activity levels. The body most effectively uses certain nutrients when they are provided throughout the day. This is especially true for water-soluble nutrients such as vitamin C and the B-complex. Unlike their fat-soluble counterparts, water-soluble nutrients can’t be stored in the body. As a result, any extra that is not needed at the time, is excreted through the urine. The only way to obtain a sufficient amount of these types of nutrients is to take them in divided doses. Clinical Support Program’s two-part formula uses a Chronotherapy Delivery System (CDS). This approach takes into consideration that our bodies’ requirements for certain nutrients differ based on the time of day. For this reason, the AM formulation contains the bulk of vitamins (especially the B-complex) to support daytime activity levels. Conversely, the PM formulation contains the bulk of minerals to promote rest and relaxation..
  
  
• Clinical Support contains vitamin A. What role does vitamin A have in the healing process? Vitamin A, or retinol, is a fat-soluble essential nutrient that must be obtained through diet or supplementation. Vitamin A is well-known for its role in eye health, growth and development, reproduction, and immune system function. Vitamin A is very important for wound healing. In addition, vitamin A partially reverses immune system depression, which can help to reduce the chance of infection. This nutrient is also needed for maintenance and repair of epithelial tissue. The body can obtain vitamin A by converting carotenes into retinol. Carotenes are a group of fat-soluble compounds that are responsible for giving many fruits and vegetables their color. A number of carotenes can be converted into retinol and include beta-, alpha-, and gamma-carotene. Compared to retinol, the carotenes have significant antioxidant protective benefits.
  
  
• The amount of vitamin A in Clinical Support seems high. I’m concerned about taking too much of this vitamin. Is this level within a safe range? Yes. Although the amount of vitamin A in Clinical Support Program is above the Daily Value of 5,000 IUs, the amount is very safe. Fat-soluble vitamins, such as vitamin A (palmitate), vitamin D, vitamin E and vitamin K, are stored in the liver and fatty tissue of the body. As a result, if an excessive amount is taken, toxicity can become a problem. In the case of vitamin A, toxicity may occur in adults when more than 50,000 IUs is taken on a daily basis for several years. With vitamin A, it is important to distinguish the source – either from the carotenes or from palmitate. Some of the carotenes, which include alpha-, beta-, and gamma- carotene, are precursors to vitamin A. This means that when needed, the body converts the carotene into vitamin A. This is an important distinction because toxicity issues are not associated with carotenoids.
  
  
• Clinical Support contains vitamin C. What role does vitamin C play in the healing process? Clinical Support contains a much larger dose of vitamin C than the Daily Value of 60 mg. The formulation also contains a considerably larger amount of vitamin C than the average multi-vitamin and mineral supplement of 100 mg. Vitamin C or ascorbic acid is an important water-soluble nutrient that provides antioxidant protection. Vitamin C plays a primary role in the formation of collagen and is needed for tissue growth and repair. This nutrient promotes the healing of wounds, protects against blood clotting and bruising; and enhances immunity.
  
  
• Clinical Support contains bioflavonoids. What are bioflavonoids and what role do they play in the healing process? Bioflavonoids refer to a group of substances responsible for giving fruits and vegetables their color. These water-soluble nutrients include citrin, rutin, and hesperidin as well as other flavones and flavonals. Bioflavonoids have several properties including anti-inflammatory, anti-allergenic, antiviral and anticarcinogenic. The bioflavonoids strengthen the walls of capillaries thereby preventing bruising. They also help build resistance to infection. In addition, bioflavonoids are potent antioxidants that enhance the absorption of vitamin C and prevent this nutrient from being oxidized.
  
  
• Clinical Support contains the B-complex of vitamins. What role does the B-complex play in the healing process? The B-complex refers to the water-soluble family of B-vitamins including B1 (thiamine), B2 (riboflavin), B3 (niacin, niacinamide), B5 (pantothenic acid), B6 (pyridoxine), B12 (cobalamin), folic acid, PABA (para-aminobenzoic acid), biotin, choline and inositol. The B-complex is so-named because they are commonly found together in foods. Because the functions of the B-vitamins are so interrelated, it is best to take them as a complex and not as single supplements. As a group, the B-complex is important for circulatory, digestive and nervous system function; energy and adrenal hormone production; and red blood cell formation. The B-complex, known as the “anti-stress” vitamins, is also well suited during periods of stress including after an operation or surgical procedure.
  
  
• Clinical Support contains zinc. What role does zinc play in the healing process? Zinc is an antioxidant that is essential for protein synthesis and collagen formation. This mineral helps to promote healing of wounds and increases the absorption of vitamin A.
  
  
• Clinical Support contains copper. What role does copper play in the healing process? Copper is a trace mineral that aids in the formation of bone, hemoglobin and red blood cells. Copper works in balance with vitamin C and zinc to form elastin, and is essential for the formation of collagen. Copper is necessary for the function of an enzyme which is required to cross-link collagen and elastin.
  
  
• I noticed that the morning formulation for Clinical Support for Surgery is yellow and the evening formulation is white. What is the reason for this and is the yellow color a dye? The morning formulation is coated by the B-vitamin riboflavin; the evening formulation is coated with the mineral zinc. Both are natural colorants and do not contain any artificial dyes or colorants. The color-coding is helpful to distinguish between the daytime and evening supplements.
  
  
• When do I begin taking and when do I stop taking the VitaMedica Recovery Support Program? The Recovery Support Program is begun 14 days prior to surgery and is continued 14 days following surgery (one month program). An instruction card provides detailed instructions are on how to take each of the products in the Surgery Program.
  
  
• Why is it recommended that a patient stop taking all other nutritional supplements 14 days prior to and 14 days following surgery? While nutritional supplements are quite safe, the use of certain supplements around the time of surgery is not recommended. For example, considerable research has shown that vitamin E plays a role in the prevention of heart disease. Part of the reason for this, may lie in its ability to thin the blood. While this is a benefit overall, it can be problematic during surgery. Other supplements such as fish liver oil, ginkgo, garlic and ginseng also thin the blood, which in turn can promote bleeding. Supplements such as St. John’s Wort, while beneficial for mild depression, can intensify the anesthetic effect. Stopping all supplements 14 days prior to surgery provides enough time for these nutrients to be eliminated from the body. These supplements are not necessary 14 days following surgery because the Surgery Program provides all of the nutrients needed for healing and repairing the body. For more information, refer to our Surgery Supplements Guidelines.
  
  
• Why is the Recovery Support Program only a one-month program? The Recovery Support Program includes nutrients such as vitamin A, vitamin C, bromelain and Arnica Montana in appreciable amounts to optimize the surgical outcome. While these nutrients are beneficial during the peri-operative period, it is not recommended that they be used on a long-term basis or in such high dosages. Conversely, while the Recovery Support Program excludes certain nutrients such as vitamin E, it makes sense to take this important fat-soluble antioxidant on a daily basis because it plays such an important role in the prevention of heart disease, cancer and stroke.
  
  
• What other VitaMedica products can be used after the Recovery Support Program to support long-term recovery, health & wellness? The visible aspects of injury and trauma - namely bruising and swelling - typically disappear after a few weeks. However, the body’s effort to repair and rebuild itself often extends several months following a surgical procedure or injury. While the Recovery Support Program is intended to assist the recovery process during this immediate period, a number of VitaMedica nutraceuticals are designed to provide the essential nutrients required for long–term healing and wellness. Our high-potency Multi-Vitamin & Mineral provides all of the essential vitamins & minerals necessary for optimal health and great looking skin. Our Omega-3 supplements, including Flax Seed Oil and Super EPA/DHA Fish Oil, provide an excellent source of these important polyunsaturated fats. Broad Spectrum Antioxidant is formulated with a wide range of phytonutrients to provide protection against multiple types of free-radicals. Glucosamine Sulfate provides naturally occurring compounds that stabilize cartilage to maintain healthy joint function and new cartilage production. For more information, refer to the Wellness Products section of our website.