What's recovery after distal pancreatectomy and splenectomy like?

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.

Mucinous Nonneoplastic Cyst of the Pancreas

Hopefully it will go well! Good luck and God Bless!

It took me some time to recover from surgery plus adjusting to diet, Creon pills and being a new Type 1 diabetic. Also, I had many weeks using a tube to drain bile from surgery caused by scar tissue. Recovery takes time.

Thank you very much for your comments. Not to scare me or to encourage me, the doctors did not paint the gruesome details of post-surgery recovery. This assignment is just for 9 days, mostly sitting all day long, waiting on calls (I did not get to interpret the players' interviews at all last year and got paid. lol) at the beautiful Pebble Beach Golf course. I thought I might be able to do this. However, I decided not to take this assignment since I will never know what condition I will be. Thank you very much for your advice.

Health comes first. I've just come out of hospital in Lindon today having had distal pancrectomy and a splenectomy.
I think the whilltle takes a little longer for you to strengthen.

Good luck for the procedure. Just be happy that it's operable

Sending hugs

@maedanosetchan
It was no where able to be able to work. I highly suggest you turn it down, you will not be able to do more than rest and light walking, my wife wasn’t able to drive till week 5. The whippel surgery is even more intensive then her surgery. You will be barely starting to eat, very light eating. Please address your health as your first priority, dream jobs will happen again, your health should be number 1 now. We are all here to help, if you need an opinion on anything else please let us know. Good luck.