Surgery of PNET

I had to keep a drain in for four months after my whipple surgery due to a leak. It was inconvenient but manageable and the leak healed on its own at fours months, which I was happy I did not need another surgery. I don't think it delayed my discharge from the hospital. Stay positive, wishing you a good recovery.

Thank you for the info greatly appreciated.

Outlaw, my wife is having the exact same surgery onMarch 1st, we just wanted to wish you great thoughts for successful surgery and look forward to any updates after the surgery that could help us both move forward with great results.

@kim, I wish you and the wife a successful surgery as well. I will do my best to give you an update after surgery. I actually met with my surgeons this morning to go over any questions. My biggest question and worry is the pancreatic fistula leaking after the surgery. She told told this happens regularly. Thus why they have a drain tube. Some recover within days and no leaks some however can take longer like weeks and up to couple of months. Good news is that it goes away eventually. The dr also told me they use a steroid treatment before and after surgery to help minimize the pancreatic juice leakage. Let me know if you need anything else I e done extensive research on the procedure. If your gut can handle it, there are several YouTube videos out there that shows the procedure.

Best wishes on your procedure!!
I have had both a modified Whipple and a distal pancreatectomy and splenectomy. I had a drain after both surgeries. I was fortunate that the drains were able to be removed prior to my discharge from the hospital. I kept the drain after the Whipple for around 11 days and around 5 days for the distal pancreatectomy and splenectomy. Since you asked specifically about the distal pancreatectomy and splenectomy - I did not have any complications from the procedure and tolerated it well. My surgery was done at Mayo.
Take care!

@ahtaylor , how did you feel after the surgery? Nauseous? Did it take awhile before you could start eating? Any complications now months or years after surgery? Any word of advice??

Initial recovery was challenging and took my intestines a little bit to recover. Yes, some nausea initially but I think that was more the pain medication than surgery. Whipple procedure took my intestines longer to recover and to be able to eat than the distal pancreatectomy/splenectomy. No long term effects from the surgery other than challenges with constipation and/or intestines working like normal. That comes from my intestines being rerouted during the modified Whipple. Linzess has been helpful. Everyone is different and I wish you smooth sailing through the procedure!

@ahtaylor thank you for the information. I appreciate you sharing that with me.

Hello. I had a distal pancreatectomy with splenectomy. A common complication is a leak from the pancreas. This is something I experienced and a drain was put in to deal with this. I had the drain for about 2 months. It was inconvenient but manageable. You can expect a "paralysis" of the stomach for about three months. I did mostly a liquid diet and had to force myself to even do that due to lack of appetite. But this will pass. You will need alot of rest to recuperate. My advise is to be positive and be patient. Healing takes time and sometimes there are bumps in the road. I'm 100% better now with a small scar. I hope everything goes great for you. Hugs!

@jadedprincess thank you for sharing your story with me. This has been very challenging for me to deal with. The anxiety is overwhelming and the thought of having to deal with a drain tube is over the top. I’m about 2 weeks away from surgery and I have to say it tough coping with not only having cancer but having this surgery as well. Thank you again for the information.