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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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skiball | @skiball | Jan 29, 2023

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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1 reply
skiball | @skiball | Jan 29, 2023
In reply to @shezza51 "Hi there Im 71 & reasonably fit --prior to my op --centre of pancreas removed due..." + (show)
@shezza51

Hi there
Im 71 & reasonably fit --prior to my op --centre of pancreas removed due to pre-cancerous cysts plus total spleen removed --i was walking 3km every day but they did open surgery not laparoscopy so I was on 3 painkillers and exhausted for 4-6 weeks. 3 months out im now on 2 painkillers and can drive for up to an hour each way but 2+ hours is exhausting.
Diet is a challenge as with a partial pancreotomy you have 5-6 small meals a day not 3 meals but 90% of the time I now feel ok.
Best of luck--get as fit as you can as you will recover sooner.
Im in Australia but surgery is same

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

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1 reply
gamaryanne | @gamaryanne | Jan 29, 2023

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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4 replies
milagro45pr | @milagro45pr | Jan 28, 2023

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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1 reply
shezza51 | @shezza51 | Jan 28, 2023

Hi there
Im 71 & reasonably fit --prior to my op --centre of pancreas removed due to pre-cancerous cysts plus total spleen removed --i was walking 3km every day but they did open surgery not laparoscopy so I was on 3 painkillers and exhausted for 4-6 weeks. 3 months out im now on 2 painkillers and can drive for up to an hour each way but 2+ hours is exhausting.
Diet is a challenge as with a partial pancreotomy you have 5-6 small meals a day not 3 meals but 90% of the time I now feel ok.
Best of luck--get as fit as you can as you will recover sooner.
Im in Australia but surgery is same
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1 reply
snd | @snd | Jan 27, 2023
In reply to @skkirby "Hi there- I had a distal pancreatectomy/splenectomy for a pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor in January 2021 with..." + (show)
@skkirby

Hi there-
I had a distal pancreatectomy/splenectomy for a pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor in January 2021 with Dr. Cleary (Rochester Mayo). I was admitted for an 11 day stay. I would say its not a horrible recovery; but its a long one as I am a year and a half out from surgery and still have trouble laying flat. I just had to have scar tissue removed from the 6 inch incision and that was actually more painful than the initial surgery. I hope you are feeling better soon. If you need me to share more, or if you have additional questions please ask. I will be happy to share. Wishing you peace.

Sherry

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What kind of tumor did you have plz?

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1 reply
snd | @snd | Jan 27, 2023
In reply to @leighs2011 "Hello I had a distal pancreatectomy/splenectomy about 5 years ago at UCLA and it was about..." + (show)
@leighs2011

Hello I had a distal pancreatectomy/splenectomy about 5 years ago at UCLA and it was about a two month recovery with the first month being hard but second month much better. My daughter really helped me by nagging me to walk and walking with me every day in hospital. She is a physician at UCLA and really helped me get used to diabetes even though i took care of my Mother who had type 2 in her later years. Having it your self is a shock but now with a glucose monitor and pump it is easier. It depends on where your tumor is if you will have diabetes after surgery. I never needed any digestive enzymes though so was thankful for that. Good luck with all, leigh

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Please what type of tumor did you have? Did you check every 6 months?...me i had the surgery since 5 weeks

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Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Jan 19, 2023
In reply to @skkirby "Hi there- I am sorry for my delay in responding as I have been traveling back/forth..." + (show)
@skkirby

Hi there-

I am sorry for my delay in responding as I have been traveling back/forth to Mayo for my appointments. How are you doing? How did your surgery go? What questions can I help you with? I would love to hear from you. I wish you a speedy recovery!

Warmest Wishes,
Sherry

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Hi Sherry, you'll notice that I removed your personal phone number. Connect is a public forum. We recommend sharing personal contact information using the secure private message function.

I’d like to underline the benefit of sharing in the group discussions. By posting in the Pancreatic Cancer support group your experience and helpful posts benefit many members. 🙂

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Sherry | @skkirby | Jan 19, 2023
In reply to @avargas "Hi Sherry, I will have my distal pancreatectomy next week, I have some questions that I..." + (show)
@avargas

Hi Sherry, I will have my distal pancreatectomy next week, I have some questions that I would like to ask you, is it ok if I give you my email or can we send messages on here?
Thanks in advance

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Hi there-

I am sorry for my delay in responding as I have been traveling back/forth to Mayo for my appointments. How are you doing? How did your surgery go? What questions can I help you with? I would love to hear from you. I wish you a speedy recovery!

Warmest Wishes,
Sherry

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1 reply
gilbertre2 | @gilbertre2 | Jan 13, 2023

Hi, I have pancreatic and liver cancer stage 4. I’ve have 8 chemos and getting another one on Tuesday. I have an appointment with the Mayo Clinic on the 25th of January. I was hoping the had a pill or something to cure me

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