Whipple procedure: What is the recovery like?

Thank you Becky. This is the idea to shrink the tumor, he will start chemotherapy in 10 days because they need other exams to complete his file. But it can be increased ... I am just thinking loud.

@nasagia36, having chemo before surgery is called neoadjuvant chemotherapy, and is becoming a good option for many pancreatic cancer patients. As per @susan2018's suggestion, here is a short video about Dr. Mark Truty, a cancer surgeon at Mayo Clinic, a leading research in pancreatic cancer.
https://youtu.be/gF5QBrC67K0

If you're interested in seeking consultation at/with Mayo Clinic, please see this page about International Services: https://www.mayoclinic.org/departments-centers/international

Keep asking questions.

I had a whipple April 2018. Everyone is different. They also took my gallbladder and also had to repair the valve from the pancreas to the stomach and small intestine. I no longer eat fried foods, no meats unless they are organic, limited sugars, lots of fruits, vegetables and some fish. No pork or shellfish. I am still struggling to put on weight, but it is starting to come back. You just have to figure out how much creon to take. But I also had other medical issues so I am a bit out of the norm and have had countless procedures and recently an additional 7 hour surgery which was exploratory and they got clear margins. Eat healthy fats such as nuts, avocados and the like. Please feel free to ask me additional questions. Diana

I had my Whipple in early February of 2018. Goofed up by trying to eat too much too soon, and it set me back big time. By week 8, I could eat well, exercise ( 2 mile walks, cutting down tress, feeding our horses, and could drive with no problems. At week 10, I started Folfirinox chemo, twice a week for 6 months. I was good for about 5 -6 sessions, but by session 8 I really wanted to quit, but did not. This week I am in my last chemo session, can still eat like a horse, but am very weak and wobbly most of the time. I find I spend a lot of time in the recliner, or laying down. Thru Whipple, recovery and chemo, I have lost up to 54 lbs. I have gained 13 of it back. I take Creon with my meals. Bowels are inconsistent. Some time I only ave a five second warning, and that leads to messes in pants, which made me cry at first, but I have overcome the feelings. It has gotten bed with perscription drugs, but I do not go out without a change of clothes. If I had not had chemo, I think I would have been sailing along at week ten. MY Mayo Drs. said it was best to do the chemo, and I figured they know a lot better than me. I will say I will ever do chemo again. I went thru 6 months of feeling pretty crappy, and am told it may take up to a year to get back to a my new normal. Well. I am pretty hard headed and strong in my faith. I will reach my new normal in 3 - 4 months. Best to all in the battle. We all recover differently, but we recover. Never give up.

Try to not eat any fatty foods, and no fried foods. That might help with your bowels. You May have to increase your creon. It takes at least a year to recover and for your body to figure out the new “norm”. Best of luck! I only put back 20 of the 68 pounds I lost, but I lost a lot of muscle. Keep going strong!

Will the medication make me gain weight? I dont want to add to my wt just do better with digestion.

No it will not. Especially if you do not eat fried foods, no processed foods and no processed sugary foods.

Thanks!! I struggled many years to be thin or thinner than I was....finally now after my surgery and recovery from pancreatic cancer I'm at my ideal weight. I do suffer from gas bloating and bathroom issues after eating.....whether small or normal portions!! My oncologist gave me a prescription for an alternative to the Creon. I will try it!! Thanks again!!

My Dear brother had the Whipple 2003, he had stage four pancreatic Slone Kettering. I had br. Cancer different hospital. I asked my Oncologist if he would recommend this kind of surgery at this stage. He said no! He will be more comfortable with out a big surgery. He was right. He was seen by a Scientist who works in a lab and my brother was his 'Lab Rat" Dr. Gary Schwartz, My brothers 6" tall, 175. Brother lived in NJ. Take the train into the city at 75 lbs for more Chemo. I should have yelled, do what ever I had to do to get my brother to go to my Oncologist who truly cared and who cared for Jackie Kennedy when she was in NJ. Begged his wife to allow my brother David to see my dr.. she refused.

My husband was diagnosed in March and has finished his 12 rounds of chemo. We are set for surgery Wed. 10/07. Can anyone offer some advice to me as the caregiver on what to expect post surgery?