1. < Pancreatic Cancer

What's recovery after distal pancreatectomy and splenectomy like?

Posted by blw77 @blw77, Jun 6, 2022

Can anyone give me information on how their recovery was after distal pancreatectomy and splenectomy? After 2 years of MRIs every 6 months and watching an MNC slowly but steadily grow, my doctor said that I should have this procedure. I'm 45 and typically a fairly healthy and active female. I'm trying to figure out how much time I'll need to be off of work or if I can manage to squeeze in in during the summer yet while I'm off.

Thank you for any information you have!

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gamaryanne | @gamaryanne | Jan 29, 2023
In reply to @milagro45pr "That would be great. I’m getting it laparoscopically but I’m scared of the possible complications that..." + (show)
@milagro45pr

That would be great. I’m getting it laparoscopically but I’m scared of the possible complications that can happen with the surgery. Glad your doing well.

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Please don’t fear it. Especially if your doctor is well experienced with the lap equipment. As a part of your progress plan you will be advised to get a host of vaccines. I will be going back next week to get my boosters of those vaccines. Expect to rest for about two weeks and get up and walk as soon as you can in the hospital. They will encourage that. Liquid diet for a few days that will progress to soft foods. Then 6 small meals/snacks each day until it’s understood how the enzymes are working for you. You will be okay. We are so blessed that medicine has come this far to do this via Lap.

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skiball | @skiball | Jan 29, 2023
In reply to @shezza51 "Yes you could say that--the 4 cysts were found in 2015 when having Diverticular disease diagnosed--they..." + (show)
@shezza51

Yes you could say that--the 4 cysts were found in 2015 when having Diverticular disease diagnosed--they were 15-20mm in size but by march of 2022 2 were 25mm & 2 were 30mm pre-cancerous and "entangled" I was told by surgeons. Spleen was removed due to problems removing cysts & it was 6 hour complicated surgery. Removjng complete pancreas would have been "over treating" plus results in diabetes
Also there isn't a forum for Distal Pancreotomy & Splenectomy for non cancerous removals--

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Were you told that a main duct was dilated? If so, how much?

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1 reply
shezza51 | @shezza51 | Jan 29, 2023
In reply to @gamaryanne "Hello, I had the surgery on December 7 laperoscopic. Totally the best way if one can..." + (show)
@gamaryanne

Hello, I had the surgery on December 7 laperoscopic. Totally the best way if one can find a surgeon in your area that is skilled to do it. I am now 6 weeks out and feel totally normal. I am still taking the enzymes and learning what foods affect me but as one could expect, it’s usually things with high fat( which we don’t need anyway)!
Happy to go into detail on recovery and post op pain if anyone is interested. Strongly recommend having a nutritionist available for consulting during this time.
Hugs to all!

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Thats great you were lucky--was it for cancer ?
Mine was going to be laparoscope but cysts were entangled hence changed to open surgery and to prevent cancer developing
(pre-cancerous cysts)

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1 reply
shezza51 | @shezza51 | Jan 29, 2023
In reply to @gamaryanne "Hello, I had the surgery on December 7 laperoscopic. Totally the best way if one can..." + (show)
@gamaryanne

Hello, I had the surgery on December 7 laperoscopic. Totally the best way if one can find a surgeon in your area that is skilled to do it. I am now 6 weeks out and feel totally normal. I am still taking the enzymes and learning what foods affect me but as one could expect, it’s usually things with high fat( which we don’t need anyway)!
Happy to go into detail on recovery and post op pain if anyone is interested. Strongly recommend having a nutritionist available for consulting during this time.
Hugs to all!

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Did you have cysts in your pancreas ?
on a ct one of mine looked like 1/2 a cauliflower--stems everywhere

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shezza51 | @shezza51 | Jan 29, 2023
In reply to @skiball "What is MNC? I am a healthy and fit 70 year old with IPMN (pancreatic cyst)..." + (show)
@skiball

What is MNC? I am a healthy and fit 70 year old with IPMN (pancreatic cyst) dilated 7mm at the main pancreatic duct. Only found out I had this in June 2022 incidental to diverticulitis. It was also there in 2013 with a kidney stone but I was not told until 2022.
Thanks for any info, and what part of the country do you live?

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im in victoria australia

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1 reply
shezza51 | @shezza51 | Jan 29, 2023
In reply to @milagro45pr "I’m getting that surgery on March 10th. They told me 6-8weeks. That’s is if all goes..." + (show)
@milagro45pr

I’m getting that surgery on March 10th. They told me 6-8weeks. That’s is if all goes well and nothing gets complicated.

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They told me that too !! and if you're not 71 it prob will be--on your next visit ask how long before fully recovered internally
Also i didnt rest enough when 1st home nor did i have any help for 1st week
See that bulge in my pic ? Surgery was oct 27 & it was visible before i went to ICU--had a CT on Jan 19th to confirm if blood & fluids--what happens next i dont know.

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shezza51 | @shezza51 | Jan 29, 2023
In reply to @milagro45pr "Im worried about also getting spleen removed. I work at the hospital. Should I worry even..." + (show)
@milagro45pr

Im worried about also getting spleen removed. I work at the hospital. Should I worry even though I’m getting vaccines. There’s so much germs and viruses that can circulate in the hospital.

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Do you have a choice ?

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shezza51 | @shezza51 | Jan 29, 2023
In reply to @skiball "Would you consider this a prophylactic surgery then? You had not been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer?..." + (show)
@skiball

Would you consider this a prophylactic surgery then? You had not been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer? Was it IPMN?

Jump to this post

Yes you could say that--the 4 cysts were found in 2015 when having Diverticular disease diagnosed--they were 15-20mm in size but by march of 2022 2 were 25mm & 2 were 30mm pre-cancerous and "entangled" I was told by surgeons. Spleen was removed due to problems removing cysts & it was 6 hour complicated surgery. Removjng complete pancreas would have been "over treating" plus results in diabetes
Also there isn't a forum for Distal Pancreotomy & Splenectomy for non cancerous removals--

REPLY
1 reply
milagro45pr | @milagro45pr | Jan 29, 2023

Im worried about also getting spleen removed. I work at the hospital. Should I worry even though I’m getting vaccines. There’s so much germs and viruses that can circulate in the hospital.

REPLY
1 reply
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