What to eat after the Whipple

Did your whipple only remove a partial part of your pancreas? How about the other trailing organs? Spleen, small intestines etc ….?

Yes, just part of pancreas, and took out my gallbladder and duodenum.

I was told by my surgeon that I should try to eat things that I’ve had all along but in moderation. My situation is a little more restrictive than yours so eating smaller portions of things you like would be a good starting point. I’m sure that an endocrinologist would still push for a balanced plate with equal portions of protein, carbs and veggies/fruits. The lack of your duodenum causes for the lack of an initial place where the food will initially get its digestive enzymes. This causes for the food to go directly into the stomach so the breakdown process will be slower and less complete. If you can avoid taking Prilosec or one of its shelf mates, it might be beneficial as this class of pills hampers the nutritional adsorption process. Also be good to start your eating regimes with your veggies/fruits then work to the carbs and then onto your proteins. This helps with the processing and nutritional adsorption. Just a tip but try to stay away from sausages and pepperonis when eating pizza! They tend to coat the stomach lining and prevent proper nutritional adsorption.

I just had my Whipple (sounds like yours but with Pylorus preserving) 2+ weeks ago at Mayo. Their dieticians put me on a low-fiber diet (actually, in order of food prioritization: low-fiber, low-sugar, low-fat, low-salt). The goals were to not damage new plumbing joints, not become Type 3c diabetic, not experience dumping syndrome, not encourage fluid retention, get enough protein to promote healing, and to get new digestive system working and flowing. My biggest challenge has been eating small enough meals, slow enough, so I do not experience discomfort or have diarrhea/ constipation. I eat 7 small meals a day - starting at roughly 3 oz each (I am up to 6 oz as my largest meal). I take stool softeners every day and laxative at first sign of constipation (Senokot-S covers both). I have Mayo food guidelines but I cannot attach to this Connect Site. Hang in there - it is a marathon and not a sprint.

Thank you for the information. I have read what’s on Mayo’s website. I would love to go to Mayo, but can’t, I have a medicare advantage plan which they don't take. Your recommendations are helpful. I just got the ok to eat solid foods and don't want to mess anything up. I will get more chemo starting in a month or so, and that throws my tastes off, but I can live on scrambled eggs and banana protein drinks/smoothies I think. I have a really hard time drinking all the water they say to drink daily - 48-64oz. Will find out - probably soon - if I have problems digesting the food I had today, the guidelines I have been given are very general - no spicy or fried foods, no raw or cruciferous veggies, high protein and the 6 smaller meals/day - that is something I can do.
Thanks again!

I could private message you the Mayo food guides, assuming I knew how to do that and that I could attach a PDF file to that message.

For protein, there is a Shamrock Farms, Rocking Protein Builder Shake (Chocolate) that is high in protein, meets my other dietary constraints, tastes good to my altered sense of taste, and is easy for me to stomach - I buy at Publix (in dairy section) .

Our dietician advised to eat anything and focus on fluid intake and increased protein as tolerated . Taking a rein enzymes regularly but only needs two - 25’s per meal and tolerates pretty much everything -especially his pre op favourites . We add a daily protein shake along with a small bowl of nuts sitting out on the ready helping to boost weight gain . It’s a road to recovery he’s in the drivers seat

Altered sense of taste, good way to put it! People have asked me about this and I’ve tried to explain it, but hard to get it across. I will look for that shake, but sadly, we no longer live near a Publix- and we miss it! I have seven more rounds of chemo after I have some recovery time from the surgery, so that definitely changes my taste!

Has anyone been given the okay to eat without first taking the prescribed enzymes? Got our of the hospital earlier today with ZENPEP script needing to transferred as hospital pharmacy did not have it. And have not found it anywhere else, guess I’ll now eat something and take my chances, until we can find the med. I had the Whipple on June 10.

Good to know about the sausages and pepperoni.... I always take off any pepperoni...but, have kept the sausage... hmmm... Is there a better meat or should one eliminate any pizza meat.? Stick with veggie?

THANKS , BETTE DAVIS