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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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Profile picture for skiball
skiball | @skiball | Feb 8 3:09pm
In reply to @siosal "I just met with dr Fernandez. How did it all work out. I have an interductal..." + (show)
Profile picture for siosal @siosal

I just met with dr Fernandez. How did it all work out. I have an interductal mucinous cyst. He does not see cancer but we are waiting for mri results,. He seems to think there are more cysts. How did it all work out for you. I thought he was pretty fantastic. .Still pretty nervous though

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I think you are in very good hands if you are in need of surgery. I may have mentioned I saw Dr Fernandez partner for a second opinion as to what to do. He seemed to be recommending having a proactive Whipple but I opted not to do this given the length of time I have had this.

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skiball | @skiball | Feb 8 3:04pm
In reply to @siosal "Hi I just found this. I am being watched for IPMN in tail. 2.2 cm. Surgeon..." + (show)
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Hi
I just found this. I am being watched for IPMN in tail. 2.2 cm. Surgeon thinks mri may show more cysts, he wants to watch and wait depending on mri results that we will have in a couple of days. What is your story pre and post surgery? Thank you.

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Hi, to date I have had no surgery. I have an 8mm dilated main pancreatic duct, found incidental to a cyst on my colon, diverticulitis. I was found to have it in 2013 when I had a kidney stone but was never told about it until 2022. I have an MRI with contrast every 6 months and (knock on wood) nothing has changed in 12 years. I have had a few ERCP's with nothing found, they have stopped using them for me anyway as it could cause pancreatitis. I hope I have been of some help. These issues can be alarming and scary.

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siosal | @siosal | Feb 8 10:28am
In reply to @thawk32 "I’m currently doing radiation for 28 days at Mass Hospital in Boston. My medical team of..." + (show)
Profile picture for thawk32 @thawk32

I’m currently doing radiation for 28 days at Mass Hospital in Boston. My medical team of surgeon Dr. Fernandez radation doctor Dr. Hong had said they had great success with having radiation prior to surgery. I was wondering who you saw at Mass General and why they opted to do radiation after surgery. Hope you’re doing well.

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I just met with dr Fernandez. How did it all work out. I have an interductal mucinous cyst. He does not see cancer but we are waiting for mri results,. He seems to think there are more cysts. How did it all work out for you. I thought he was pretty fantastic. .Still pretty nervous though

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2 replies
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siosal | @siosal | Feb 8 10:23am
In reply to @skiball "Thanks Colleen. I have been told mine is IPMN intraductul pappilary mucinous neoplasm. Wonder if they..." + (show)
Profile picture for skiball @skiball

Thanks Colleen. I have been told mine is IPMN intraductul pappilary mucinous neoplasm. Wonder if they are one and the same?

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Hi
I just found this. I am being watched for IPMN in tail. 2.2 cm. Surgeon thinks mri may show more cysts, he wants to watch and wait depending on mri results that we will have in a couple of days. What is your story pre and post surgery? Thank you.

REPLY
1 reply
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Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Feb 7 11:46am
In reply to @leesyb "Hello! I had a distal pancreatectomy/splenectomy and gall bladder surgery 10 years ago and you are..." + (show)
Profile picture for leesyb @leesyb

Hello!
I had a distal pancreatectomy/splenectomy and gall bladder surgery 10 years ago and you are the first person to PERFECTLY categorize a sensation I have sometimes — “gripping”!!
I know it has been awhile since this was posted but could you explain what you meant by gripping and what kind of rehab I should have done? It’s never too late!

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@leesyb, do you continue to have this sensation of "gripping" in your abdomen even 10 years after surgery? Was it always there since surgery?

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leesyb | @leesyb | Jan 25 10:33am
In reply to @bb21 "I did not have a distal surgery but rather a Whipple but any abdominal surgery is..." + (show)
Profile picture for bb21 @bb21

I did not have a distal surgery but rather a Whipple but any abdominal surgery is a serious operation . My surgeon opted to do an open surgery and I am glad but many opt for Laparoscopy which less invasive. Either way, I think you need to plan for 4 week minimal and then slowly get back to full effort. REST is very beneficial to healing. I do not mean, no movement as walking is a great way to get the internal organs operating better and smoother again and it really helps to reduce abdominal pain and "gripping".

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Hello!
I had a distal pancreatectomy/splenectomy and gall bladder surgery 10 years ago and you are the first person to PERFECTLY categorize a sensation I have sometimes — “gripping”!!
I know it has been awhile since this was posted but could you explain what you meant by gripping and what kind of rehab I should have done? It’s never too late!

REPLY
1 reply
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csanjurjo | @csanjurjo | Nov 25, 2024
In reply to @hopeful33250 "That is very good news, @csanjurjo. Have any follow up tests/scans been scheduled yet?" + (show)
Profile picture for Teresa, Volunteer Mentor @hopeful33250

That is very good news, @csanjurjo. Have any follow up tests/scans been scheduled yet?

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Yes i had a MRI last June and the next month i have the next one. My tumor was an insulinoma so is easy to detect the possible appearance of a new nodule just monitoring the sugar blood level

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Mentor
Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Nov 25, 2024
In reply to @csanjurjo "Yes, after three months everything went back to normal, my energy levels too" + (show)
Profile picture for csanjurjo @csanjurjo

Yes, after three months everything went back to normal, my energy levels too

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That is very good news, @csanjurjo. Have any follow up tests/scans been scheduled yet?

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1 reply
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csanjurjo | @csanjurjo | Nov 25, 2024
In reply to @hopeful33250 "That is very good news, @csanjurjo. Is your energy level somewhat back to normal?" + (show)
Profile picture for Teresa, Volunteer Mentor @hopeful33250

That is very good news, @csanjurjo. Is your energy level somewhat back to normal?

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Yes, after three months everything went back to normal, my energy levels too

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1 reply
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Mentor
Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Nov 22, 2024
In reply to @csanjurjo "Hello Teresa, Luckily after some months I stopped having digestive symptoms and the situation stabilized. They..." + (show)
Profile picture for csanjurjo @csanjurjo

Hello Teresa,

Luckily after some months I stopped having digestive symptoms and the situation stabilized. They did some tests to check out what is now my pancreas capacity to segregate enzymes and I passed the tests, so at this moment i do not need to take enzymes and my sugar levels are also inside the expected bounds that is also a very good new.

Best regards,
Carlos

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That is very good news, @csanjurjo. Is your energy level somewhat back to normal?

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