1. < Neuroendocrine Tumors (NETs)

Who has had Distal Pancreatectomy and regretted it?

Posted by billyfeet @billyfeet, Apr 11, 2023

I am seeking input about experiences with losing the tail of the pancreas and spleen. Has this been the right choice for you? I will be facing this procedure in a month so would like some information from folks who have lived it. Any comments are welcomed. Thanks!

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michellesimpson10 | @michellesimpson10 | Apr 20, 2023
In reply to @hopeful33250 "Given all of the symptoms that you mentioned, I'm sure you will be glad to have..." + (show)
@hopeful33250

Given all of the symptoms that you mentioned, I'm sure you will be glad to have this surgery, @michellesimpson10.

Any idea on how long you will be hospitalized after the surgery?

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I am very hopeful I will feel better after surgery.

My Dr said at least 4-5 days depending on how I am doing

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pavlina60 | @pavlina60 | Apr 21, 2023

I went through that surgery ( and hysterectomy at the same time due to endometrial cancer). Had no choice - pancreatic Net was 1.8 kg! Some liver debulking, too. Was put on Lanreotide injection a month after surgery. Will know wether it is working or not early June via CT scan. I also take Creon ( enzymes for digestion). Slowly returning to ' new normal'. After surgery my ' diabetic conditions ' reversed - A1C went from 7.1 last September to 5.4 this week!
Definitely worth the surgery! And if there is a laparoscopic option - recovery should be a breeze!

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2 replies
Mentor
Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Apr 21, 2023
In reply to @pavlina60 "I went through that surgery ( and hysterectomy at the same time due to endometrial cancer)...." + (show)
@pavlina60

I went through that surgery ( and hysterectomy at the same time due to endometrial cancer). Had no choice - pancreatic Net was 1.8 kg! Some liver debulking, too. Was put on Lanreotide injection a month after surgery. Will know wether it is working or not early June via CT scan. I also take Creon ( enzymes for digestion). Slowly returning to ' new normal'. After surgery my ' diabetic conditions ' reversed - A1C went from 7.1 last September to 5.4 this week!
Definitely worth the surgery! And if there is a laparoscopic option - recovery should be a breeze!

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Thanks for sharing those great results, @pavlina60. I'm sure it will be encouraging to @michellesimpson10 and others who are considering surgery for NETs in the pancreas.

How long ago was your surgery?

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1 reply
pavlina60 | @pavlina60 | Apr 21, 2023
In reply to @hopeful33250 "Thanks for sharing those great results, @pavlina60. I'm sure it will be encouraging to @michellesimpson10 and..." + (show)
@hopeful33250

Thanks for sharing those great results, @pavlina60. I'm sure it will be encouraging to @michellesimpson10 and others who are considering surgery for NETs in the pancreas.

How long ago was your surgery?

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February 1st 2023

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michellesimpson10 | @michellesimpson10 | Apr 21, 2023
In reply to @pavlina60 "I went through that surgery ( and hysterectomy at the same time due to endometrial cancer)...." + (show)
@pavlina60

I went through that surgery ( and hysterectomy at the same time due to endometrial cancer). Had no choice - pancreatic Net was 1.8 kg! Some liver debulking, too. Was put on Lanreotide injection a month after surgery. Will know wether it is working or not early June via CT scan. I also take Creon ( enzymes for digestion). Slowly returning to ' new normal'. After surgery my ' diabetic conditions ' reversed - A1C went from 7.1 last September to 5.4 this week!
Definitely worth the surgery! And if there is a laparoscopic option - recovery should be a breeze!

Jump to this post

Big hugs to you. I’m glad you are feeling better and have had some positive outcomes so far.
I just received my 4 vaccinations yesterday and boy is my right are sore. Not sure why only that one as I had 2 shots in each arm. But I’m moving it and pushing through.
I already had a partial hysterectomy 19 years ago and my ovaries have atrophied and gone away. So far the only liver issue known is fatty liver and slight enlargement. Of course they will look at that while they are doing the surgery.
They are planning a laparoscopic surgery but did say some incisions will be larger due to removing the spleen. So I’ll have to delay my sports illustrated bikini cover debut for a bit.
Have an awesome day 😎😎💜💜

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1 reply
pavlina60 | @pavlina60 | Apr 21, 2023
In reply to @michellesimpson10 "Big hugs to you. I’m glad you are feeling better and have had some positive outcomes..." + (show)
@michellesimpson10

Big hugs to you. I’m glad you are feeling better and have had some positive outcomes so far.
I just received my 4 vaccinations yesterday and boy is my right are sore. Not sure why only that one as I had 2 shots in each arm. But I’m moving it and pushing through.
I already had a partial hysterectomy 19 years ago and my ovaries have atrophied and gone away. So far the only liver issue known is fatty liver and slight enlargement. Of course they will look at that while they are doing the surgery.
They are planning a laparoscopic surgery but did say some incisions will be larger due to removing the spleen. So I’ll have to delay my sports illustrated bikini cover debut for a bit.
Have an awesome day 😎😎💜💜

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Michelle, drink water ( during vaccination and after, move your arms. I had the same -one arm hurting more :).
I had open surgery (9hrs), the cut is 13".
Laparoscopic surgery offers faster and easier recovery! But - whichever it will be - good luck!! You can do it!!💜

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1 reply
michellesimpson10 | @michellesimpson10 | Apr 21, 2023
In reply to @pavlina60 "Michelle, drink water ( during vaccination and after, move your arms. I had the same -one..." + (show)
@pavlina60

Michelle, drink water ( during vaccination and after, move your arms. I had the same -one arm hurting more :).
I had open surgery (9hrs), the cut is 13".
Laparoscopic surgery offers faster and easier recovery! But - whichever it will be - good luck!! You can do it!!💜

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Thank you so much. Wow 9 hours is a long surgery. I’m glad you are doing better. I have been drinking water and resting.
Have a wonderful weekend 💜💜

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2 replies
pavlina60 | @pavlina60 | Apr 21, 2023
In reply to @michellesimpson10 "Thank you so much. Wow 9 hours is a long surgery. I’m glad you are doing..." + (show)
@michellesimpson10

Thank you so much. Wow 9 hours is a long surgery. I’m glad you are doing better. I have been drinking water and resting.
Have a wonderful weekend 💜💜

Jump to this post

It was a ' combined' pancreatectomy ( with spleen and gallbladder removal), liver debulking AND hysterectomy :). But I survived it. Stayed in the hospital for 6 days.
Have a great weekend! You will do great!

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ahtaylor | @ahtaylor | Apr 22, 2023

I had a distal Pancreatectomy/splenectomy in 2017 (that followed a modified Whipple in 2015). I also had an open procedure. The incision is L shaped. I was in the hospital for 5 days at Mayo in Rochester. The recovery was easier than the Whipple. No surgical complications and a pretty typical surgery recovery course. Best wishes on your procedure!

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1 reply
kim1965 | @kim1965 | Apr 22, 2023
In reply to @michellesimpson10 "I am having this surgery in 2 weeks and feel better reading these posts and words..." + (show)
@michellesimpson10

I am having this surgery in 2 weeks and feel better reading these posts and words of encouragement. It’s scary and a bit overwhelming to process at times but so thankful for options to deal with this condition. All of you are in my prayers 💜💜💜💜

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You got this, and any help we all can give you in terms of what to aspect and helping to bring you along in this journey we all are fighting NET. We got YOU!

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