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Pancreas and spleen removal: how is life afterwards?
Pancreatic Cancer | Last Active: Dec 19, 2023 | Replies (42)Comment receiving replies
Has anyone had their pancreas and spleen taken out? How did diet go afterwards?
Replies to "Has anyone had their pancreas and spleen taken out? How did diet go afterwards?"
I take 2 of the 36,000 with meals and 1 with snacks. I don't have bloating ,belly pain, or blurred vision.
I also had these removed. Creon was necessary for about 2 months. I journaled my food as I was coming out of the post surgery diet.
I found that fat content and flour played havoc with my system. I no longer take any creon and instead am careful with the quantity of food, it’s content, and how often I eat (more small meals not 3/day. It’s really not that hard! I now think of food as fuel and eat smaller quantities slower. Actually enjoy food even more now😊
Hello crickard70!
Are you the one who had a total pancreatectomy around Nov. 21? I was totally praying for you and a good recovery. If you are on this website, I assume you are doing decently with the exception of the runs? I had a distal pancreatectomy last year and then took Creon 3x (36k units) per day (2 for each meal) for about 5-7 months post surgery. I've heard from others that you might need to add more if you continue to have digestive issues. If I ever failed to take my Creon, then yes I did have diarrhea. 1 week post surgery seems a little too quick to draw any conclusions just focused on Creon, (could still be abdominal upset following surgery?) Early this year when I got kicked into a new phase of insurance status for medications, and when I could no longer afford paying $500 copays for Creon, I took papaya enzymes which worked well for me. Abbvie did eventually approve my application for free Creon which I keep on hand in case I find myself needing it again (Thanksgiving meal proved I need to take it when I plan on eating a large meal); but at this time I don't take anything and have no issues of diarrhea or not digesting my food adequately. Wish you well and keep the faith.
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I had pancreas, spleen, and gallbladder removed in July. I have a great appetite, but 3-4 diarrhea bowel movements per day now. I take Immodium. And also Creon. Not sure if my bowel issues are due to certain foods (high fat, processed, fried) and lack of gallbladder. But from what I've seen, diarrhea is very common following pancreatectomy and can last quite a while, if not forever.