What's recovery after distal pancreatectomy and splenectomy like?

We are new to this site, as I am searching because my husband will be having a distal pancreatectomy with splenectomy. We need to speak to someone who had it done. He has been suffering with ongoing chronic pancreatitis, in and out of hospitals for the past 1.5 years, numerous scans, mri's, EUS, MCRP's and ERCP. He has suffered with pain and they need to remove the tail and spleen. Would you recommend this surgery for relief from the pain? Does it improve the quality of life. Any honest feedback is requested before we decide to go forward with th8i removal.

I remember feeling terrified! My surgery was March 3. Similar to you, discovery of a MCN happened incidental to an ultrasound for another purpose. No symptoms. Open surgery because of the large mass (9 cm). Very thankful this was discovered.

Surgery on Friday, walking on Sunday, soft diet on Tuesday and discharged on Wednesday. As many have said, walking is good. Was discharged with a drain which seemed to give me more discomfort than the incision. After discharge, pain was managed with Tylenol. Today was the first day with no Tylenol.

Surgeon suggested that digestion may not be an issue since the pancreas was probably not working properly for a while because of the large mass. So far, he seems to be right. Small meals to start. Portion sizes are still smaller than pre-surgery....which is probably good anyway 🙂

Suggestions for what you might need:
(1) Ensure or some other supplement to get the calories and protein you need in the event you don't have much of an appetite.
(2) Shower chair. My daily shower helped me feel so much better.
(3) Gauze (4x4) if you are discharged with a drain.
(4) Rest.

Wishing you an uneventful surgery and a speedy recovery.

Food in the freezer and some help lined up.

I had an EUS biopsy. Dr had difficulty getting a good tissue sample. Results were inconclusive. Said they could perform a 2nd biopsy but odds of getting an accurate sample were not good due to location of tumor. A biopsy will be done post surgery. The tail of my pancreas is atrophied.
I’m spending this week cleaning the house and setting up my bedroom with what I think I’ll need;) Any suggestions for what I may like to have on hand?

Assume they biopsied it? Mine was adenocarcinoma. Operation was 5 1/2 hours but next day I was up and walking around. Stayed in hospital 3 more days. Went home without a lot of pain and all tubes out. Pretty routine from there. Tired, slept more than normal but no complications! You are going to do well!

Thank you for the uplifting words. The surgeon did say I am lucky; I’m in the 15-20% that can have surgery. Just feels weird that I will be having surgery when I have no symptoms & no family history. This surgeon was my 2nd opinion; just 2 weeks ago so vaccines will be post surgery. Sorry to hear of those that passed.

You are very fortunate to have found this incidentally and it is operable. I had same thing happen last summer - did 3 mo chemo, robotic surgery and then another 3 mo of chemo. 1st post treatment scan showed NED, so hope it continues in that direction. From the time I was 1st diagnosed, I have had 3 acquaintances who have been diagnosed after having symptoms and all three have passed on. I feel incredibly lucky! Recovery was pretty routine, not much pain at all. Did they give you more vaccines for various issues since you won't have a spleen? Best wishes to you - hope you can build on your good fortune!

God bless and keep us posted !!♥️🙏

I am getting nervous. On May 8th I will have a distal pancreatectomy & splenectomy. 1.2 cm tumor in main duct tail. Surgery at UofM AnnArbor. No symptoms, was found on MRI when checking for something else. Mostly nervous about living without a spleen. I sleep with my dog, we love to walk in the woods, always been susceptible to bug bites so always take Zyrtec and use bug spray with 98%deet. I know there will be a recovery period post surgery and chemo may be part of my after care but I am thinking ahead after I’m
‘recovered’ from it all and my new lifestyle resumes. Hoping my days in the woods with my dog are a part of it.

My distal/spleenectomy was in December. I had no chronic concerns coming into it except my liver metastases.

Did it two weeks prior to Christmas and was walking at the beach first week of January.
Definitely felt fine to enjoy Christmas, attend services.

Pain occurred when I laughed or breathed hard for several weeks and it took about 3 weeks to lose all the gas/air in my abdomen (I looked bloated!)

Started creon immediately and soft diet. Transitioned slowly from that on my own.

My surgery was laperoscopy.