What is your Recovery Advice for a Distal Pancreatectomy?

Posted by jenniferweirich1 @jenniferweirich1, Nov 27, 2025

Hello. I have a pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor in the tail of my pancreas. My surgeon at the Mayo Clinic has scheduled a distal pancreatectomy (and possibly splenectomy) on Jan 6th. Therefore, I was trying to hear other people’s experiences who have had a distal pancreatectomy? How was recovery, pain, and eating after the surgery? Also, please tell me the stuff you wish you knew beforehand so I can be prepared as possible! Thank you

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cazalia | @cazalia | Oct 17 3:15pm

In reply to @bunky2078 "@cazalia, I did have a laparoscopic distal. I was 52. Happy to answer any questions you..." + (show)

@bunky2078 thank you for the follow up! Did you do chemo after or did you do it before surgery as well? My mom will do chemo after. We were at first wondering if she should have chemo first but she’s having surgery in less than 2 weeks after we found the initial tumor in her scan so we feel lucky we can do it so soon and if all goes well hopefully she will start chemo in 5-6 weeks.

did they find that your tumor was consistent with the scans or did they find anything new during surgery?

My mom is very active now but she does have a lung and heart condition so hoping this won’t put too much of a strain on her body but we will get her walking as soon as we can.

bunky2078 | @bunky2078 | Oct 17 4:33pm

In reply to @cazalia "@bunky2078 thank you for the follow up! Did you do chemo after or did you do..." + (show)

@cazalia I did chemo after surgery. I had a chemo port placed first and then chemo started about 6 weeks after surgery. My care was at MSKCC and for me there was nothing new found during surgery. My hospital had me walking (slowly) the next day. Personally, I found the surgery easier on my body than the chemo. I had 12 rounds of Folfirinox. Best to you and mom. 💜 Happy to answer any questions you have. PS…I also sent you a private message.

alanbeavfan | @alanbeavfan | Oct 18 4:30pm

In reply to @bunky2078 "@cazalia, I did have a laparoscopic distal. I was 52. Happy to answer any questions you..." + (show)

@bunky2078 do you happen to know what decision criteria is used to determine laparoscopic versus open surgery? I am facing this possibility first half of next year. (Thankfully my distal panc tumor is stable as are all Mets tumors. Currently getting y90 for liver Mets.)

bunky2078 | @bunky2078 | Oct 18 8:01pm

In reply to @alanbeavfan "@bunky2078 do you happen to know what decision criteria is used to determine laparoscopic versus open..." + (show)

@alanbeavfan I actually do not know what determines open surgery from laparoscopic. I know my surgeon told me that she planned on laparoscopic (which I got) but was very clear that once she got in there if she needed to switch over to open surgery that she would.