To whipple or not to whipple? What is quality of life like after?

I was diagnosed May 2025 had Whipple September 2025. Currently doing well. Was recently told that I have a hernia and now I’m wearing a belly band.
Prior to Whipple surgery the stent needed to be replaced every few weeks was very uncomfortable.
Whipple tolerable.

@tomrennie I am trying to stay positive. It is so hard watching my son in pain. His stomach is always hurting, I guess it's time for me to call the surgeon.

@bilas I can only imagine on the watching your son in pain. I know it wasn't easy for my wife. Did the surgeon give you any suggestions to help with the pain?

@ellyou069 Hi and welcome to Mayo Connect. I am happy for you that your Whipple sounds successful. What treatment did you do prior to your Whipple that required a stent? I am not familiar with a belly band. What is it, and how does it work? Thanks.

@tomrennie
The stent opened the bile duct area that was being blocked by the tumor pressing on my bile duct. It’s like a tiny straw that is placed inside the duct to keep it open and make it easier for digestion . However the plastic stents would become clogged and needed to be surgically removed and replaced every few weeks prior. Any pressure in the vicinity where the stent was located had increased pain. afterwards. I had to have echo gram week prior to Whipple and was in pain for the whole week prior to surgery. When I would go for routine oncology exams prior to my Whipple surgery the doctor would press in the area of the mass which was also area of the stents and I would be in discomfort and pain all day.

@tomrennie
The stent opened the bile duct area that was being blocked by the tumor pressing on my bile duct. It’s like a tiny straw that is placed inside the duct to keep it open and make it easier for digestion . However the plastic stents would become clogged and needed to be surgically removed and replaced every few weeks prior. Any pressure in the vicinity where the stent was located had increased pain. afterwards. I had to have echo gram week prior to Whipple and was in pain for the whole week prior to surgery. When I would go for routine oncology exams prior to my Whipple surgery the doctor would press in the area of the mass which was also area of the stents and I would be in discomfort and pain all day.

@ellyou069 Thanks for the explanation. It does sound very painful. That is hard to work through. So the Whipple took care of the need for the stents? How does the belly band help?

@ellyou069 2 stents were removed during the Whipple. If I remember correctly. My brain isn't working right these days. I know my husband will remember all the details. One thing that was amusing is my son is situs inverses dextrocardia. The surgeon drew all the outline of his organs on his tummy. The surgeon had never seen this before. I am just doing the best I can.

@ellyou069 Thanks for the explanation. It does sound very painful. That is hard to work through. So the Whipple took care of the need for the stents? How does the belly band help?

@bilas I have never heard of dextrocardia with situs inversus. I had to look it up. I read that it is, "A rare congenital condition where the heart points to the right instead of the left, and other major chest and abdominal organs are arranged in a mirror-image reversal." Is that correct? If so, that is unbelievable. That drawing on his tummy had to be confusing. I have a hard enough time understanding my organs, and they are where they are supposed to be. Your surgeon had to perform the Whipple a little differently on your son didn't she/he? Wow. Doing the best that you can is all that you can ask of yourself. You folks have been through a lot. Just try to focus on the moment and take the rest in as it comes.