Pancreas and spleen removal: how is life afterwards?

Posted by crickard70 @crickard70, Oct 31, 2023

Getting ready for surgery of the removal of the pancreas and I am so nervous. They are hoping to get all of the cancer.
If so, how is life afterwards?

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I am not on a pump yet. I have a continuous glucose monitor which has been great. Hope to have pump in a couple months. I did not have a previous whipple. I did chemo and radiation, but this was my first surgery.

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@crickard70, pancreas and spleen removal is also referred to as distal pancreatectomy and splenectomy. In addition to the helpful replies you've received in this discussion, you may also be interested in this related discussion:

- What's recovery after distal pancreatectomy and splenectomy like?
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/recovery-after-distal-pancreatectomy-and-splenectomy/

When is your surgery? What additional questions do you have for members?

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@colleenyoung

@crickard70, pancreas and spleen removal is also referred to as distal pancreatectomy and splenectomy. In addition to the helpful replies you've received in this discussion, you may also be interested in this related discussion:

- What's recovery after distal pancreatectomy and splenectomy like?
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/recovery-after-distal-pancreatectomy-and-splenectomy/

When is your surgery? What additional questions do you have for members?

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My surgery is the 21st of november. My fear is recovery, losing more weight, not being able to eat. Hoping I can go on an insulin pump with my condition. The members posts were all positive as could be and I feel a little better after ready. I am just nervous and is consuming me. The gathering place is sending me info on meditation before surgery and after. Thank you for your help. Hugs

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@crickard70

Thank you for getting back so soon, I am so nervous. Are you on an insulin pump? I am already 104 lbs, I can’t loose much more weight. Did you have a Whipple before? And is this as awful as the Whipple? Thank you

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Make sure about the pancreatic enzymes!

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@crickard70

My surgery is the 21st of november. My fear is recovery, losing more weight, not being able to eat. Hoping I can go on an insulin pump with my condition. The members posts were all positive as could be and I feel a little better after ready. I am just nervous and is consuming me. The gathering place is sending me info on meditation before surgery and after. Thank you for your help. Hugs

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Your fears and concerns are all very valid. I know I can come off as overly positive. I had surgery in July and am just so damn happy to be alive. But I was absolutely terrified before surgery. Of being diabetic, of losing weight and muscle, of never being able to eat foods I wanted again. I remember bursting into tears when they called me from the waiting room. Just so scared. But when you find a surgeon you trust and weigh the pros and cons and endure the surgery, and then find yourself being told you are cancer free...there's just no feeling like it.

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I don’t know if this might be an option for you or not. My surgeon told me I could do a radio frequency oblation first and if that was not successful then I too would be looking at a distal pancreatectomy and spleen removal. Had the non invasive radio frequency ablation on Thursday 2 Nov 23. My blood sugar is now totally normal and no hypoglycemia at all. May or may not be an option for you. I have a pancreatic NET at stage 1 with no metastasis. Praying for you as I have been on the same path with numerous concerns.

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I talk with him today, thanks

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@crickard70

I talk with him today, thanks

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Going to have the surgery 11/21. Keep you informed

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@crickard70

Going to have the surgery 11/21. Keep you informed

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Yes, please keep us informed.

Wishing you a successful surgery and a uneventful speedy recovery.

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I’m finally will be meeting with the surgeon to discuss surgery. I don’t know if I will have the surgery because if I still have to do chemo after the surgery.
I have a rare pancreatic cancer called Acinar (Acinar cells) that is not as aggressive as the other types.
I have a question about how many of you have to do chemo after completing surgery?
I also wonder how many if you became diabetic after having the surgery.?
Thank you in advance.

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