Which questions should I ask my surgeon? (I think Whipple is likely.)

One other question the doctor that I forgot to list:

24) Is there anything you can think of that I should know, but forgot to ask?

I just stumbled across this link, thought it would be a good place to paste it:
https://www.mdanderson.org/cancerwise/whipple-procedure-and-pancreatic-cancer-treatment-9-things-to-know.h00-159459267.html

Ask about recovery and set up people or agency to check on you. Or could you be discharged to assisted living? Any other services besides being home by yourself?

I am at the same point in life as you. Whipple is in my future. "The 9 things you should know" is a good start. And, like you, I can't think of a good follow-up question to the doc's first answer to my question. I have come up with one. It's untested but I'm going to give it a try: "Why do you say that?" or "tell me more about that." My surgeon is a little bit more open than yours, but there's still more I need to know. We need to be better self-advocates.

I am also alone, but feel fortunate to have friends nearby. Minister and therapist, zoom contacts have helped keep me going. Your cancer center might have some resources to offer. I have found the recovery from surgery has been a difficult time to be alone. On chemo I got out a little intermittently. People might not be aware of how much the phone calls, text messages, and cards can be. I hope you will be able to find some sources of support.

Thanks for putting this in the thread -- very helpful. My oncologist mentioned it in passing, as did a surgical liaison whom I spoke with briefly and whom I'll speak with again c. 9-6-23 (after I've read the materials she sent me).

This is very helpful. Thank you!

If you have been referred to a surgeon, be SURE they have done 100s of these. Seriously. You need a liver and pancreas specialist that states that clearly. Not just a GI person.
Doing chemo remotely from centers of experience and excellence is one thing, but surgery is entirely different.

Thanks. Very helpful.

Thank you for this. I'll be operated on by a heptobiliary surgeon who works out of a center of excellence (my onc. is at the same facility).

I had planned to consult with a Hopkins surgeon as well (I would have preferred to get my surgery from him), but the scheduling office told me that there would be a big delay (12-18 weeks) bc of insurance incompatibility. Ironic that I've stayed in my current location in part bc of proximity to Hopkins -- but I can't access care there!

I didn't ask "my" surgeon how many of these procedures he has done, but I'll now call PanCan or the NPF for some info -- thank you for reminding me, and a shout-out to @markymarkfl, who also underscored the importance of getting that info. Best wishes to you.