Can you stop taking enzymes after the Whipple?

Hi,
I had a Whipple 2 years ago (anniversary was 10 days ago!). I was non- cancerous, and my surgeon decided not to have me go on Creon or other medication. I have never taken any enzyme medication, and while I did struggle through some phases, I am mostly doing very well now. I still do not have the full energy I used to before the surgery, but at least I am not in daily buckling over pain......

I had a Whipple in September 2023. I had been taking Creon/Zenpep prior to the procedure and continued with it for a few months afterwards before weaning myself off. No problems. I continue taking psyllium, which I took prior to the diagnosis and throughout treatment.

However, within the last six months I switched to eating smaller meals and more of them. That has had the effect of making my bowel movements more regular and decreasing occasional ill smelling flatulence and poops. Neither of those had been significant to begin with. My weight has stayed pretty constant throughout treatment and aftewards.

I am amazed and grateful, given the removal of the gall bladder, part of the pancreas and, especially, the duodenum, that my digestive system still works as well as it does. It’s perhaps a little less efficient—I think that’s helped by smaller, more frequent meals.

I’ve had some other after effects of the Whipple, but not digestive.

Thank you for the encouragement! I am going to start weaning myself off. I am eating small meals, that does help. And yes, a few ‘changes’ along the way are to be expected, overall I’m very happy with the results!

I had a Whipple in Feb for an NET on my pancreas and another on my ampula and had 25% of my pancreas removed and 10% of my stomach along with gallbladder and duodenum. I started taking 6 Creon pills a day, basically 2 with each meal, but I've since cut the figure in half to 3 a day by skipping breakfast and only 1 at lunch. My doctor believes I'll be able to eliminate the Creon totally by 12 months. He basically told me its just time and trial and error getting there. I did try skipping pills at dinner this past weekend and just experienced some gas and bloating but nothing that was terrible.
From what I've been told it's a function of how much pancreas you lost and then time along with trial and error. Good luck.

Hmmm. I have not had a Whipple, however, I have pancreatic insufficiency and take Creon enzymes. It’s my understanding that once you need the enzymes, you need them for your lifetime. I’m not a doctor though. However, if you truly want to know I suggest a Fecal Elastase test which will tell you the answer to that definitively. That is, if you need enzymes or not. It’s a stool test. Good luck.

@artistrose What I think happens and is possible, is that after the Whipple, your pancreas, and it's ability to produce the enzymes needed for digestion, can recover and get back to functioning as it needs to, over time. As someone wrote, this is dependent at least somewhat, on how much of your pancreas is removed. I will ask about the Fecal Elastase test though. Thanks for the information!