"I also don’t eat meat or dairy so I don’t need all the digestive enzymes."

Again, my point is protein isn't just in meat and dairy. You need protein to survive of which you claim that you don't need all the enzymes because you don't eat meat or dairy. BUT you are still eating protein which requires pancreatic enzymes to digest, whether supplements or your own natural pancreatic enzymes.

You can't see the forest for the trees.

@aceman66
Chronic constipation 5 weeks post-Whipple is surprising to me; I'm almost jealous!

Seriously though, if you haven't already informed your surgeon of this fact, you probably should, just to make sure you don't have some kind of blockage, gastric paralysis, or delayed gastric emptying. Also, if you're taking any opioid pain meds, they are notorious for contributing to constipation.

I lost about 15 pounds in the first 6 weeks after my Whipple, but have been at a very stable weight for the year since.

My big side effect after Whipple was "steatorrhea," which may be similar to diarrhea in consistency and frequency, but noticeably more oily (floating) and orange in color, indicating the need for more enzymes (particularly lipase to digest fat if you're consuming any). I'm a big meat eater and coffee drinker (with heavy creamers), and was consuming some serious "comfort foods" (ice cream, banana nut bread w/ real butter) and other sources of fat that were wreaking havoc on my digestion day and night.

Since normalizing my diet somewhat, and starting enzymes (I didn't have any the first 5 weeks), it has all been under pretty good control. I seem to only get the extra gas with certain foods or if I take too many enzymes, but steaorrhea if I take too few. Three of the 36K unit Creon capsules is about right for me with a typical meal.

Your mileage may vary, and you may need another few weeks to get the right balance. It helps to back off most of your foods and drinks for a few days, then keep a journal as you start adding new ones. It's not surprising to still be a little out of sorts this soon after surgery.

I found Creon did not increase my chronic constipation. Even though I had gas and oily stools, I still needed to take Miralax. Over 6 months, the dose of Creon was increased until I finally got to a dose that controlled it, 36,000 units two with a meal. I was starting to regain weight before the Whipple's. I was down 7 lb after surgery. I struggled with gas, abdominal discomfort and increased constipation after surgery. I am now 6 weeks out from my Whipple's. It has been difficult. To eat six times a day, I need to eat about every 3 hours. I am not hungry but I am able to eat. If I wait until I am hungry, I am not able to eat enough at a meal to get my calories in. I have been working with the hepatobiliary dietician at MSKCC and nut butters were suggested as a way to increase calories. I have tried almond and cashew butter since I was really tired of peanut butter. I have started gaining some weight. It has been a difficult six weeks. Just in the past few days I have felt more like myself fand begining to feel more hopeful about getting back to my usual state of energy

Aceman66, I had my whipple on july12 and it has been a miserable time. Everyone has been telling me I’m doing great but couldn’t eat couldn’t sleep and pain was miserable. For the past week I have been taking 2 36000 creon tabs with each meal. Eating 1 gas x tab after each meal, and taking a dose of miralax every morning. This has been a life saver, the only issue over the passed week has been the top of my scar pain. Get your diet under control and you will be good