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What's recovery after distal pancreatectomy and splenectomy like?

Posted by blw77 @blw77, Jun 6, 2022

Can anyone give me information on how their recovery was after distal pancreatectomy and splenectomy? After 2 years of MRIs every 6 months and watching an MNC slowly but steadily grow, my doctor said that I should have this procedure. I'm 45 and typically a fairly healthy and active female. I'm trying to figure out how much time I'll need to be off of work or if I can manage to squeeze in in during the summer yet while I'm off.

Thank you for any information you have!

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breezygirl | @breezygirl | Jun 15, 2023
In reply to @gamaryanne "@breezygirl i Also had a distal pancreadectomy for tumor in tail of pancreas, which included spleen..." + (show)
@gamaryanne

@breezygirl i Also had a distal pancreadectomy for tumor in tail of pancreas, which included spleen removal.
This surgery did require a few weeks of “relaxing” but by no means was I bedridden. Just sore when yawning or laughing for awhile. The surgery normally does not take very long with an experienced surgeon that does it laperoscopically. Lots of immunizations afterwards. Not only have I never had Covid, but I haven’t even contracted a cold since the surgery in December, 2022. Last month i travelled to Portugal for a little vacation. shoulder to shoulder often !
my health, even after 14 rounds of Fulfurinox, was good. so my case is different than your husband's. Just be sure the surgery is done by Lap with a surgeon very experienced with the DaVinci machine they use! a pancreas/liver/hepobiliary specialist.

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Thank you-that information is so helpful! Our surgeon cannot do it laparoscopically and has to do an open surgery apparently. He explained why it has to be open but it is kind of a blur since this was a shock to hear. I will ask again. I appreciate a response.

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billyfeet | @billyfeet | Jun 15, 2023

I am 3 weeks post distal pancreatectomy with spleen removal. I am a 68 YO male who was in fine condition prior to surgery. It has been miserable! Shooting pain when I breathe, nausea, fever and lack of appetite. 9 days in the hospital….then got to go home and sleep in my own bed. The most wonderful feeling. Spiked a fever…..doctor can’t figure out exactly why……getting antibiotics and hoping.

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1 reply
breezygirl | @breezygirl | Jun 15, 2023
In reply to @billyfeet "I am 3 weeks post distal pancreatectomy with spleen removal. I am a 68 YO male..." + (show)
@billyfeet

I am 3 weeks post distal pancreatectomy with spleen removal. I am a 68 YO male who was in fine condition prior to surgery. It has been miserable! Shooting pain when I breathe, nausea, fever and lack of appetite. 9 days in the hospital….then got to go home and sleep in my own bed. The most wonderful feeling. Spiked a fever…..doctor can’t figure out exactly why……getting antibiotics and hoping.

Jump to this post

I am sorry to hear that. Can I ask why you had to have it done?

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stevm | @stevm | Jun 15, 2023
In reply to @gamaryanne "@breezygirl i Also had a distal pancreadectomy for tumor in tail of pancreas, which included spleen..." + (show)
@gamaryanne

@breezygirl i Also had a distal pancreadectomy for tumor in tail of pancreas, which included spleen removal.
This surgery did require a few weeks of “relaxing” but by no means was I bedridden. Just sore when yawning or laughing for awhile. The surgery normally does not take very long with an experienced surgeon that does it laperoscopically. Lots of immunizations afterwards. Not only have I never had Covid, but I haven’t even contracted a cold since the surgery in December, 2022. Last month i travelled to Portugal for a little vacation. shoulder to shoulder often !
my health, even after 14 rounds of Fulfurinox, was good. so my case is different than your husband's. Just be sure the surgery is done by Lap with a surgeon very experienced with the DaVinci machine they use! a pancreas/liver/hepobiliary specialist.

Jump to this post

@gamaryanne Encouraged to read about your recovery and the fact that you have been able to travel to Portugal. Must have felt great. Congratulations. I had a laproscopic/robotic distal panreadectomy and splenectomy at MGH in Boston on May 17. Was discharged 48 hours after surgery and recuperation has been relatively easy. I was up and about every day and increased walking up to 3 miles by the end of week two. I just started the first of 8 cycles of chemo (oxaliplatin, irinotecan and 5Fu) So far no side effects. However I undersatnd that side effects may accumulate over the course of treatment. Although I know that every patient is different, any advise you have to offer would be appreciated. At the conclusion of chemo I'll be doing 28 days of radiation. Looking forward to a time when we can make up that trip to Amstredam planned for early May that was abruptly cancelled due to my diagnosis. Thanks in advance, Steve

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1 reply
gamaryanne | @gamaryanne | Jun 15, 2023

Guaranteed quick recovery from everything when you travel for fun. Especially if it includes walking and sunshine!

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1 reply
cravas25 | @cravas25 | Jun 19, 2023

I had a distal pancreatectomy/splenectomy in 2016 (7 years ago). At that time I was in my late 20's. A few things have changed in my life after my pancreatectomy. First I no longer have daily pain now that my tumor is gone, that is the good news. However, I can no longer drink alcohol due to getting pancreatitis from consumption. I also now take digestive enzymes with all my meals to better digest food. I have also had two pregnancies since my pancreatectomy and got bad gestational diabetes with both babies and had to go on insulin. But going back to 2016 for post surgery recovery I was in the hospital for 11 days. My procedure was done at Mayo Clinic laparoscopically. I had some post surgery complications my incision site on my pancreas leaked and I had to get a drain put in. I got to wear this drain for a month. It does take a lot to care and clean the drain daily. Also once my drain was put in I had to get a nose tube put in to suck the leaking pancreatic fluids from my stomach, so I was hooked up to a bed for three days straight. This was the worst part of my recovery since I could not talk or eat with my nose tube in. After I got my nose tube taken out I was so weak from not eating or moving for days that I had to use a walker to walk. I sure did not feel like a 27 year old at this point. My full recovery time till I felt pretty good to eat normally and leave the house was about 12 weeks. Feel free to reach out to me if you need any support or have questions.

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2 replies
breezygirl | @breezygirl | Jun 19, 2023
In reply to @cravas25 "I had a distal pancreatectomy/splenectomy in 2016 (7 years ago). At that time I was in..." + (show)
@cravas25

I had a distal pancreatectomy/splenectomy in 2016 (7 years ago). At that time I was in my late 20's. A few things have changed in my life after my pancreatectomy. First I no longer have daily pain now that my tumor is gone, that is the good news. However, I can no longer drink alcohol due to getting pancreatitis from consumption. I also now take digestive enzymes with all my meals to better digest food. I have also had two pregnancies since my pancreatectomy and got bad gestational diabetes with both babies and had to go on insulin. But going back to 2016 for post surgery recovery I was in the hospital for 11 days. My procedure was done at Mayo Clinic laparoscopically. I had some post surgery complications my incision site on my pancreas leaked and I had to get a drain put in. I got to wear this drain for a month. It does take a lot to care and clean the drain daily. Also once my drain was put in I had to get a nose tube put in to suck the leaking pancreatic fluids from my stomach, so I was hooked up to a bed for three days straight. This was the worst part of my recovery since I could not talk or eat with my nose tube in. After I got my nose tube taken out I was so weak from not eating or moving for days that I had to use a walker to walk. I sure did not feel like a 27 year old at this point. My full recovery time till I felt pretty good to eat normally and leave the house was about 12 weeks. Feel free to reach out to me if you need any support or have questions.

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Thank you! Very helpful

REPLY
gardenlady1116 | @gardenlady1116 | Jun 20, 2023
In reply to @cravas25 "I had a distal pancreatectomy/splenectomy in 2016 (7 years ago). At that time I was in..." + (show)
@cravas25

I had a distal pancreatectomy/splenectomy in 2016 (7 years ago). At that time I was in my late 20's. A few things have changed in my life after my pancreatectomy. First I no longer have daily pain now that my tumor is gone, that is the good news. However, I can no longer drink alcohol due to getting pancreatitis from consumption. I also now take digestive enzymes with all my meals to better digest food. I have also had two pregnancies since my pancreatectomy and got bad gestational diabetes with both babies and had to go on insulin. But going back to 2016 for post surgery recovery I was in the hospital for 11 days. My procedure was done at Mayo Clinic laparoscopically. I had some post surgery complications my incision site on my pancreas leaked and I had to get a drain put in. I got to wear this drain for a month. It does take a lot to care and clean the drain daily. Also once my drain was put in I had to get a nose tube put in to suck the leaking pancreatic fluids from my stomach, so I was hooked up to a bed for three days straight. This was the worst part of my recovery since I could not talk or eat with my nose tube in. After I got my nose tube taken out I was so weak from not eating or moving for days that I had to use a walker to walk. I sure did not feel like a 27 year old at this point. My full recovery time till I felt pretty good to eat normally and leave the house was about 12 weeks. Feel free to reach out to me if you need any support or have questions.

Jump to this post

You are amazing. I have surgery scheduled for tomorrow and I hope I will have the courage you had in dealing with the complications

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1 reply
nhow234 | @nhow234 | Jun 20, 2023

I had a distal pancreatectomy and spleenectomy at Mayo in November. Surgery went well, just a little abdominal pain afterwards and some gas pains. The best thing to do is get up and move no matter how painful. It alleviates some of the gas pain. I have not needed any enzymes or insulin but I just watch my fat intake. I am back to doing everything I did prior to chemo and surgery (hiking, bike riding, canoeing). I feel wonderful. Hoping the best for you and anyone that has to go through this for this awful disease.

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1 reply
breezygirl | @breezygirl | Jun 20, 2023

So glad to hear that you are not experiencing complicated problems from this surgery. It helps to hear how others have done. Appreciate your comments!

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