I had a great experience, if any surgery is great. My surgeon had done open surgery as he liked to really see what was going on and he had me in recovery in less than 4 hours. I had a spinal block that allowed me to walk more comfortably the next morning and was sent home in 5 days since I met all the requirements for release. Did great for 2 weeks and then major intestinal cramping and gas as things healed. This lasted for a good 4 weeks and on my revisit with my surgeon, he assured me this was normal and it would get better and it did so in the next week or so. I ate a lot of peanut butter and saltine crackers, a couple at a time, to get protein without a lot in the gut. I also drink high protein, 30 grams, once or twice a day. Fighting metastasis to the liver right now and fighting is good for the soul. I do everything I can to enjoy life with family and friends. Keep a positive outlook,, talk frankly with your medical team and move forward. My Nurse Pract. suggested that use Galviscon for cramping and gas and it helps me a lot. Drink lots of water (which I am bad about doing) and eat what you can. Talk with this group. I am sure that others have good suggestions as well. Take care and smile, even when it hurts.

Hello: If it would help you, I can certainly share it with you. I have been thinking about writing more about it for quite a while. My recovery from the Whipple was also very slow. I was so weak and could not eat much. I can share with you what I did and/or how I coped, if would help.