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What's recovery after distal pancreatectomy and splenectomy like?
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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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.
Hopefully it will go well! Good luck and God Bless!
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2 ReactionsMucinous Nonneoplastic Cyst of the Pancreas
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.
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6 ReactionsI 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.
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4 ReactionsGod bless and keep us posted !!♥️🙏
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!
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3 ReactionsThank 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.
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4 ReactionsAssume 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!
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3 ReactionsI 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?
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