What's recovery after distal pancreatectomy and splenectomy like?

I had a distal pancreatectomy and spleenectomy at Mayo in November. Surgery went well, just a little abdominal pain afterwards and some gas pains. The best thing to do is get up and move no matter how painful. It alleviates some of the gas pain. I have not needed any enzymes or insulin but I just watch my fat intake. I am back to doing everything I did prior to chemo and surgery (hiking, bike riding, canoeing). I feel wonderful. Hoping the best for you and anyone that has to go through this for this awful disease.

gamaryanne. Thank you. Agree sunshine, fresh air and walking are all good for keeping your spirits up. I mentioned that I was embarking on 8 cycles of chemo (oxaliplatin, irinotecan and 5Fu) followed by 28 rounds of radiation. Was wondering if you had any tips and advice that would help me get through. If I recall you had a similar regimen. Any advice from your experience would be appreciated. Regard Steve

Guaranteed quick recovery from everything when you travel for fun. Especially if it includes walking and sunshine!

I hope your surgery goes well.

You are amazing. I have surgery scheduled for tomorrow and I hope I will have the courage you had in dealing with the complications

I had a distal pancreatectomy/splenectomy in 2016 (7 years ago). At that time I was in my late 20's. A few things have changed in my life after my pancreatectomy. First I no longer have daily pain now that my tumor is gone, that is the good news. However, I can no longer drink alcohol due to getting pancreatitis from consumption. I also now take digestive enzymes with all my meals to better digest food. I have also had two pregnancies since my pancreatectomy and got bad gestational diabetes with both babies and had to go on insulin. But going back to 2016 for post surgery recovery I was in the hospital for 11 days. My procedure was done at Mayo Clinic laparoscopically. I had some post surgery complications my incision site on my pancreas leaked and I had to get a drain put in. I got to wear this drain for a month. It does take a lot to care and clean the drain daily. Also once my drain was put in I had to get a nose tube put in to suck the leaking pancreatic fluids from my stomach, so I was hooked up to a bed for three days straight. This was the worst part of my recovery since I could not talk or eat with my nose tube in. After I got my nose tube taken out I was so weak from not eating or moving for days that I had to use a walker to walk. I sure did not feel like a 27 year old at this point. My full recovery time till I felt pretty good to eat normally and leave the house was about 12 weeks. Feel free to reach out to me if you need any support or have questions.

I had a distal pancreatectomy/splenectomy in 2016 (7 years ago). At that time I was in my late 20's. A few things have changed in my life after my pancreatectomy. First I no longer have daily pain now that my tumor is gone, that is the good news. However, I can no longer drink alcohol due to getting pancreatitis from consumption. I also now take digestive enzymes with all my meals to better digest food. I have also had two pregnancies since my pancreatectomy and got bad gestational diabetes with both babies and had to go on insulin. But going back to 2016 for post surgery recovery I was in the hospital for 11 days. My procedure was done at Mayo Clinic laparoscopically. I had some post surgery complications my incision site on my pancreas leaked and I had to get a drain put in. I got to wear this drain for a month. It does take a lot to care and clean the drain daily. Also once my drain was put in I had to get a nose tube put in to suck the leaking pancreatic fluids from my stomach, so I was hooked up to a bed for three days straight. This was the worst part of my recovery since I could not talk or eat with my nose tube in. After I got my nose tube taken out I was so weak from not eating or moving for days that I had to use a walker to walk. I sure did not feel like a 27 year old at this point. My full recovery time till I felt pretty good to eat normally and leave the house was about 12 weeks. Feel free to reach out to me if you need any support or have questions.