I am having a Total Distal Pancreatectomy and Splenectomy tomorrow @ Mayo. I have idiopathic chronic pancreatitis, none of the non surgical treatments have been helpful and I end up in the hospital with a flare every 2 months. I was not able to tolerate stenting, I was not able to tolerate any of the medications, such as Lyrica, or gabapentin, the nerve blocks made everything worse and in the end I am still having surgery. My duct is also very narrow with an ansa loop and an unidentified possible stone. My previous doctor removed my gall bladder to no avail as it was not abnormal and not causing any issues, I think he was just not sure what to do. When that team recommended a TDP, splenectomy, hysterectomy and appendectomy I decided I needed an 8th opinion and came to Mayo. I now live in Rochester and work at Mayo. I had been in healthcare already and I know you need to be your own advocate. Ask as many questions as you need to in order to feel comfortable it is Your body. You need to be comfortable with where you end up. Surgery was last straw for my doctors in Mayo and I am frustrated that I still need surgery, but we did try everything else first. They had told me they had only seen this maybe 2 other times, and the other treatments were successful. So, from my experience I would go through trying everything else first unless they can give you good reason why not to. I am also very intolerant and have my allergies to medications which is why I have had so many issues trying these other treatments. You are your best advocate, don't let anyone try to steam roll you into something you are not sure about.