I did fine eating whatever I wanted after the pylorus-preserving Whipple, but after the recurrent tumor completely blocked my stomach outlet 2 years later, I had to get a "central line" (feeding tube) installed for TPN (12-hour overnight), and a "G-tube" (gastric venting tube) to relieve pressure and drain my stomach. All I could consume orally after that was liquids and super-soft solids like ice cream that could be drained out via the G-tube.

About 2 months later, on the second attempt, surgeons were able to open my stomach outlet enough to insert a stent. The stent keeps my stomach outlet open all the time, so it's sort of like a pylorus-NON-preserving Whipple now. After 2 months of the GI tract below my stomach being inactive, it took a little while for things to wake up.

I continued with the liquid and soft/blenderized diet for a few weeks, and then advanced to slightly more solid foods gradually. I did (and still do) experience some vomiting. There were times I was not convinced food was actually going down, but tests showed that it was. I was prescribed Reglan (Metoclopramide) to help stimulate the bowels, but didn't need a whole lot of it to get them moving.

I did (and still do) experience some stomach spasms that are occasionally painful, but am now (about 4 months after the stent) am able to eat a good range of foods that I ate before the blockage, but have to be careful. I still have to chew food to a very soft consistency, and try to wash it down with enough fluids so that it won't sit in my stomach and rot. I take Bentyl (Dicyclomine) when needed to manage the spasms, Protonix (Pantoprazole, a PPI) to minimize acid production, and Carafate (Sucralfate) to coat my stomach/intestines and make them less sensitive to food reactions.

Overall, it seems like a lot to manage, but between the ongoing TPN and my ramping up oral consumption, I've gained about 12 pounds since Thanksgiving and feel pretty good outside the chemo days. I do have to be careful to avoid reflux by not eating too close to bedtime, and by sleeping with the head of my bed elevated 6 inches to keep food flowing downhill.