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

Posted by calvink69 @calvink69, Dec 9, 2025

Am 56 years old in generally good health, though with type 2 diabetes. Have a very large (41mm) adenoma in my duodenum. It's not malignant but is of a type that will almost certainly become malignant, it will eventually block my duodenum. I also have abnormal cells in the bulb of my duodenum, so endoscopic removal is not an option. Surgeon is suggesting a full Whipple, without preserving the pylorus. Realize that I'm blessed that things are pre-malignant but also didn't have a Whipple on my bingo card at this point in my life. Whole process has moved very quickly - started with anemia in mid-October and am looking at a potential surgery date in January. Would appreciate anyone's perspective on living with a Whipple and on quality-of-life post recovery.

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Turkey, Volunteer Mentor | @tomrennie | Jul 1 9:55am
In reply to @ellyou069 "@tomrennie The belly band works as a support like a back support/compression stocking but for the..." + (show)
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@tomrennie
The belly band works as a support like a back support/compression stocking but for the stomach/abdomen. It definitely helps a lot.
Through it all I am grateful for the Whipple procedure. Keeping a positive attitude and just knowing my worst days are someone’s best days helps me to keep things in perspective.

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@ellyou069 I understand now. I wear compression socks for neuropathy. Thanks for the analogy. I am a believer in keeping a positive attitude and also realizing my worst days are someone's best days. I used to be that someone. Thanks for the reminder. I sometimes lose sight of that.

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Turkey, Volunteer Mentor | @tomrennie | Jul 1 9:58am
In reply to @bilas "@tomrennie Yes the condition is very rare. I am taking Jamie to the movies today. He..." + (show)
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@tomrennie Yes the condition is very rare. I am taking Jamie to the movies today. He and I need a break. HUGS

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@bilas Yay for the two of you. I think that the distraction will help. Are you going to see anything fun? A good belly laugh or two might be just what the doctor ordered.

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bilas | @bilas | Jul 4 10:00am
In reply to @tomrennie "@bilas I have never heard of dextrocardia with situs inversus. I had to look it up...." + (show)
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@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.

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@tomrennie Jamie has an appointment with the oncologist Monday 6th

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Turkey, Volunteer Mentor | @tomrennie | Jul 4 10:26am
In reply to @bilas "@tomrennie Jamie has an appointment with the oncologist Monday 6th" + (show)
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@tomrennie Jamie has an appointment with the oncologist Monday 6th

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@bilas Please let us know how it goes? Hopefully, you can enjoy the holiday!!!

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bilas | @bilas | Jul 4 10:29am
In reply to @tomrennie "@bilas Please let us know how it goes? Hopefully, you can enjoy the holiday!!!" + (show)
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@bilas Please let us know how it goes? Hopefully, you can enjoy the holiday!!!

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@tomrennie Yes, I will keep in contact. Happy 4th of July.

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bilas | @bilas | Jul 5 11:19am
In reply to @hopeful33250 "Hello @bilas and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. I'm glad to hear that Jamie is doing..." + (show)
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Hello @bilas and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. I'm glad to hear that Jamie is doing OK after his Whipple procedure in April. Do you know the name of the chemo he will be having? Once you know the name, there will undoubtedly be members who will post with you about their experience with that type of chemotherapy.

Has Jamie's appetite been affected by the surgery?

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@hopeful33250 Jamie will see the oncologist Monday the 6th. Yes his appetite has been difficult for him to eat anything.

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Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Jul 5 6:32pm
In reply to @bilas "@hopeful33250 Jamie will see the oncologist Monday the 6th. Yes his appetite has been difficult for..." + (show)
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@hopeful33250 Jamie will see the oncologist Monday the 6th. Yes his appetite has been difficult for him to eat anything.

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@bilas
I hope the appointment on Monday provides you both with some helpful information about his next treatment step. Will you post an update after his appointment?

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bilas | @bilas | Jul 6 7:58am
In reply to @hopeful33250 "@bilas I hope the appointment on Monday provides you both with some helpful information about his..." + (show)
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@bilas
I hope the appointment on Monday provides you both with some helpful information about his next treatment step. Will you post an update after his appointment?

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@hopeful33250 Yes I will let you all know. thank you so much

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bilas | @bilas | Jul 17 9:12am
In reply to @bilas "@hopeful33250 Yes I will let you all know. thank you so much" + (show)
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@hopeful33250 Yes I will let you all know. thank you so much

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@bilas On the 27th of July I am taking Jamie to Sloan Kettering for another opinion.

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djr1206 | @djr1206 | Jul 18 5:32am

I had a similar diagnosis. A cyst on my pancreas. Not cancerous at the time, but the size and location of the cyst was determined to be pre-cancerous. In 2021, I was 69 at the time, in relatively good health. Active. I decided to move forward with the mini-Whipple surgery. With the mini-Whipple, no removal of any of the stomach. I'm not going to lie, the Whipple is no joke. An incision in my mid section, approximately 10 inches long. I was in the hospital for 5 days. Recovery was slow. Eating was a challenge for a while. However, I am glad I had the surgery to circumvent the possibility of developing pancreatic cancer. 2 years after the sugery I was diagnosed Type3C diabetes. I have to take Creon and insulin with every meal. Another set of challenges to manage, but still not pancreatic cancer. You are young, at 56, no one can tell you what to do, they can only tell you of their experiences. Good luck and better health with your decision.

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