Hello,
I am not sure you will find this helpful or not. I am a 50 year old male, have had zero health issues in my life (other than broken bones here and there). 3 years ago (back in 2022) I started experiencing a very low grade stomach ache. A couple weeks later, I still had the stomach ache (i tried everything from Pepto, to GasX) and nothing seemed to help, however it did not get better or worse at this time.

My doctor of 20+ years had just died from COVID a few months before, so I found a new doctor, and was instantly told I was dealing with an ulcer and to take this medication for 4 months and come back. 4 months later, I was not better off, no worse, I was then referred to a gastroenterologist.

To save time, and years off this story, the conclusion was:
I was in and out of the hospital time and again, generally for 3 to 4 days stay at a time. I had been cycled through 7 "world class specialists" only to be told that no one could figure out what was happening with my body. There were days of severe pain, days I could not get out of bed. I ended up losing almost 100 lbs, because I could not keep food down, and I was having a max exodus of Bile from my system, at both ends.

Getting no help from anyone, and feeling like it was the end (death was very near). I was finally contacted by a doctor at the Mayo Clinic - I had sent my last 2 years of medical files to them, as I was boarding a flight to Switzerland to meet with a doctor to explore medically assisted suicide, as I was feeling like there were no options left.

I was told that this Dr. that called me (wish I could remember his name) said he had reviewed my file and got me an appointment with a Gastro at VHC in Arlington, VA. I met with him and we decided to start from the beginning - that means all the testing, all the colonoscopies, all the endoscopies, all the pain, all the poking and prodding. I was ok with it, if it meant a solution. Again, they were left baffled as to why my pancreas was swelling (and when it would go back down, it would not go back to normal, but slightly inflated). This kept happening over and over, each time my pancreas getting larger and larger. Finally, having collapsed at home for a bit and waking up on the floor, I ended up in the emergency room. I was introduced to my surgeon, and he told me about the Whipple - and while I was non cancerous, it may still be an option.

After researching the Whipple - HELL NO - this was not for me, and I was not about to even entertain the procedure (specially after I watched part of it on YouTube - I do not recommend this)

2 months later, I ended up in the hospital again - to be told that if I did not have surgery, I would likely be dead within 6 months (that would have been December 2024, 1 year ago). I ended up having a full open whipple on July 1, 2024. I am 1 year, and 5 months out from the surgery, and while I feel like i became a "hospital celebrity" at my hospital for making such a quick recovery, I was able to go home 6 days after my surgery, I did not feel like myself inside - understandably.

Being noncancerous, I did not have to go through Chemo or Radiation, I am lucky!
I have my good days, and still have my bad days this far out post surgery. I am a person that has always been highly energetic, however, my energy levels today are a fraction of what they once were. However, at least I am not in pain daily.

Anyway - if there are any specific questions you may have about the surgery, or the recovery, or trying to return to a normal life - please feel free to ask away........