Pancreaticoduodenectomy (whipple) with vascular reconstruction?

Posted by pat125 @pat125, Dec 10, 2023

Surgery to remove the head of the pancreas and reconstruction of the vascular system?
I would love to hear your experience please.
Thanks for your help.
Sending you blessings.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Pancreatic Cancer Support Group.

I had the head of my pancreas resected in 2012 along with a section of the portal vein being resected. The surgery was without complications and I returned to work after an 8 week convalescence. Some patients may require taking a pancrealipase short or long-term as the pancreatic head is where the majority of acinar cells are found. This is the cell type responsible for producing and secreting the digestive enzymes.

REPLY
@stageivsurvivor

I had the head of my pancreas resected in 2012 along with a section of the portal vein being resected. The surgery was without complications and I returned to work after an 8 week convalescence. Some patients may require taking a pancrealipase short or long-term as the pancreatic head is where the majority of acinar cells are found. This is the cell type responsible for producing and secreting the digestive enzymes.

Jump to this post

My husband has been diagnosed with pancreatic Cancer with the tumor located at the head of the pancreas. He is going to start chemotherapy shortly to shrink the tumor.
I am so happy to hear that you had successful surgery.
Thank you for sharing.
K

REPLY

Yes, I had a whipple surgery in Jan 2022.
They removed head of pancreas, part of stomach, part of small intestine and part of duodenum. Would have removed gallbladder but I had already had that done. My recovery was really about 6 weeks. I got out walking as soon as possible and that helped with a speedy recovery. I had to follow the surgery with 6 months of chemo.
Best wishes to you for
continued good health..
Surviving and thriving!!

REPLY
@lilliejane2

Yes, I had a whipple surgery in Jan 2022.
They removed head of pancreas, part of stomach, part of small intestine and part of duodenum. Would have removed gallbladder but I had already had that done. My recovery was really about 6 weeks. I got out walking as soon as possible and that helped with a speedy recovery. I had to follow the surgery with 6 months of chemo.
Best wishes to you for
continued good health..
Surviving and thriving!!

Jump to this post

Hi lillie - Do you have chemo after your whipple surgery? I had a similar surgery for removal of a cancer gastrino NET at the head of pancreas. However no follow up of chemo as the team felt it would not be effective.

REPLY
@stageivsurvivor

I had the head of my pancreas resected in 2012 along with a section of the portal vein being resected. The surgery was without complications and I returned to work after an 8 week convalescence. Some patients may require taking a pancrealipase short or long-term as the pancreatic head is where the majority of acinar cells are found. This is the cell type responsible for producing and secreting the digestive enzymes.

Jump to this post

Where did you have your Surgery and where are you being treated?

REPLY

My Whipple surgery was performed at Weill Cornell Medical Center/NY Presbyterian Hospital. I advocated for aggressive chemotherapy because of the advanced stage and they responded to my request of doing more than the standard of care cycles. It more than likely played a significant role in the cancer never having reoccurred in 11.5 years.

REPLY
@lilliejane2

Yes, I had a whipple surgery in Jan 2022.
They removed head of pancreas, part of stomach, part of small intestine and part of duodenum. Would have removed gallbladder but I had already had that done. My recovery was really about 6 weeks. I got out walking as soon as possible and that helped with a speedy recovery. I had to follow the surgery with 6 months of chemo.
Best wishes to you for
continued good health..
Surviving and thriving!!

Jump to this post

Yes, had chemo for 6 months after surgery,
Even though the surgery was successful. I was cancer free for 2months, and now experiencing a resurgence. But the chemo is going well and I am very optimistic.

REPLY
@stageivsurvivor

I had the head of my pancreas resected in 2012 along with a section of the portal vein being resected. The surgery was without complications and I returned to work after an 8 week convalescence. Some patients may require taking a pancrealipase short or long-term as the pancreatic head is where the majority of acinar cells are found. This is the cell type responsible for producing and secreting the digestive enzymes.

Jump to this post

Thanks! You give me hope!🙏

REPLY
@lilliejane2

Yes, had chemo for 6 months after surgery,
Even though the surgery was successful. I was cancer free for 2months, and now experiencing a resurgence. But the chemo is going well and I am very optimistic.

Jump to this post

Wishing you a very quick recovery Lillie Jane!
Please keep me posted!
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!🎄🙏

REPLY
@stageivsurvivor

My Whipple surgery was performed at Weill Cornell Medical Center/NY Presbyterian Hospital. I advocated for aggressive chemotherapy because of the advanced stage and they responded to my request of doing more than the standard of care cycles. It more than likely played a significant role in the cancer never having reoccurred in 11.5 years.

Jump to this post

So happy for you!
Wishing you a very quick recovery!
Merry Christmas!🎄

REPLY
Please sign in or register to post a reply.