First, I was 83 years old at the time of the robotic Whipple, lots of work on ducts, removal of gall bladder, designated Stage 2B cancer on pancreas. I stayed in the hospital 8 nights--and had my "gray socks" so I could walk by myself in the hospital halls. MOST IMPORTANT: have 24-hour help at home (qualified spouse, paid help, etc.) or go to home of someone who is qualified to care for you. I went to my daughter's home which was closer to the hospital; she and her husband gave up their main-floor bedroom and granddaughters (over 20 yrs old) were available to help. I had a ton of pills (in retrospect I should have refused most of them) and they kept tract of them all, fixed nutritious meals, provided a toilet seat with arms, helped me in the walk-in shower with seat, cleared all 4 of my drains daily and kept track of the fluid, etc. No way could I have managed with my (then) 87 yr old husband with early onset dementia although I could walk and eat. It was a constant battle with diarrhea vs constipation. I think I was there about 2 weeks as my home was in the mountains and an hour drive to the hospital.
At one point my face swelled up; I checked it in my phone camera. I was terrified; used my call button and a granddaughter appeared by the bed. Looked like allergy though I never had that happen before, so they gave me a Benadryl and prepared to take me to emergency or call an ambulance. Fortunately the swelling immediately started to go down. Was it a protein bar? Was it all the meds? Still don't know, but it was great the family was there and able to handle an emergency.
Probably TMI here; I do get carried away. I agree with all the other hints you have received; this is a wonderful website. Courage, Carrie
First, I was 83 years old at the time of the robotic Whipple, lots of work on ducts, removal of gall bladder, designated Stage 2B cancer on pancreas. I stayed in the hospital 8 nights--and had my "gray socks" so I could walk by myself in the hospital halls. MOST IMPORTANT: have 24-hour help at home (qualified spouse, paid help, etc.) or go to home of someone who is qualified to care for you. I went to my daughter's home which was closer to the hospital; she and her husband gave up their main-floor bedroom and granddaughters (over 20 yrs old) were available to help. I had a ton of pills (in retrospect I should have refused most of them) and they kept tract of them all, fixed nutritious meals, provided a toilet seat with arms, helped me in the walk-in shower with seat, cleared all 4 of my drains daily and kept track of the fluid, etc. No way could I have managed with my (then) 87 yr old husband with early onset dementia although I could walk and eat. It was a constant battle with diarrhea vs constipation. I think I was there about 2 weeks as my home was in the mountains and an hour drive to the hospital.
At one point my face swelled up; I checked it in my phone camera. I was terrified; used my call button and a granddaughter appeared by the bed. Looked like allergy though I never had that happen before, so they gave me a Benadryl and prepared to take me to emergency or call an ambulance. Fortunately the swelling immediately started to go down. Was it a protein bar? Was it all the meds? Still don't know, but it was great the family was there and able to handle an emergency.
Probably TMI here; I do get carried away. I agree with all the other hints you have received; this is a wonderful website. Courage, Carrie
@truly520 I was told the average stay was seven days. I was 70 and in pretty good health. The surgery itself was on the minimal side, e.g., none of my stomach was removed and relatively little of my pancreas. All that said, I was in the hospital for five nights. The stay and recovery are very much is dependent on a lot of factors. Good luck.
@truly520 I was told the average stay was seven days. I was 70 and in pretty good health. The surgery itself was on the minimal side, e.g., none of my stomach was removed and relatively little of my pancreas. All that said, I was in the hospital for five nights. The stay and recovery are very much is dependent on a lot of factors. Good luck.
Hello. In 2023, I had the Whipple Procedure. Two years later, I can't seem to find a diet that works for me. Does anyone have suggestions for the 6 small meals I should be eating? I have been to a Dietician but all she did was raise my A1C. I appreciate any feed back I can get on this issue.
Hello. In 2023, I had the Whipple Procedure. Two years later, I can't seem to find a diet that works for me. Does anyone have suggestions for the 6 small meals I should be eating? I have been to a Dietician but all she did was raise my A1C. I appreciate any feed back I can get on this issue.
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Thank you.
I think there are a lot of factors that go into time spent in the hospital for recovery plus unknown factors post surgery.
Wishing you the best 💖
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2 ReactionsFirst, I was 83 years old at the time of the robotic Whipple, lots of work on ducts, removal of gall bladder, designated Stage 2B cancer on pancreas. I stayed in the hospital 8 nights--and had my "gray socks" so I could walk by myself in the hospital halls. MOST IMPORTANT: have 24-hour help at home (qualified spouse, paid help, etc.) or go to home of someone who is qualified to care for you. I went to my daughter's home which was closer to the hospital; she and her husband gave up their main-floor bedroom and granddaughters (over 20 yrs old) were available to help. I had a ton of pills (in retrospect I should have refused most of them) and they kept tract of them all, fixed nutritious meals, provided a toilet seat with arms, helped me in the walk-in shower with seat, cleared all 4 of my drains daily and kept track of the fluid, etc. No way could I have managed with my (then) 87 yr old husband with early onset dementia although I could walk and eat. It was a constant battle with diarrhea vs constipation. I think I was there about 2 weeks as my home was in the mountains and an hour drive to the hospital.
At one point my face swelled up; I checked it in my phone camera. I was terrified; used my call button and a granddaughter appeared by the bed. Looked like allergy though I never had that happen before, so they gave me a Benadryl and prepared to take me to emergency or call an ambulance. Fortunately the swelling immediately started to go down. Was it a protein bar? Was it all the meds? Still don't know, but it was great the family was there and able to handle an emergency.
Probably TMI here; I do get carried away. I agree with all the other hints you have received; this is a wonderful website. Courage, Carrie
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6 Reactions@carrie40 thank you so much for sharing! Especially the details of what care you needed at home.
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2 ReactionsI was 71 and had the Whipple this past June. I was in good physical shape and went home in 6 days.
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5 ReactionsThank you!
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1 Reaction@truly520 I was told the average stay was seven days. I was 70 and in pretty good health. The surgery itself was on the minimal side, e.g., none of my stomach was removed and relatively little of my pancreas. All that said, I was in the hospital for five nights. The stay and recovery are very much is dependent on a lot of factors. Good luck.
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5 Reactions@jeeplewis thank you
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1 ReactionHello. In 2023, I had the Whipple Procedure. Two years later, I can't seem to find a diet that works for me. Does anyone have suggestions for the 6 small meals I should be eating? I have been to a Dietician but all she did was raise my A1C. I appreciate any feed back I can get on this issue.
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2 Reactions@sheryldill
Hello!
What are the issues after the whipple?
Does your stomach hurt after eating?
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