Whipple procedure diet

I lost weight also. It took me almost six months before I figured out what my new system could and could not do. Your system after whipple doesn't absorb nutrients like it did before the operation, hence the weight loss. Try eating smaller portions more often and see if that helps. Are you taking creon to help break down fatty foods? Best of Luck

Hello @whipple123 and welcome to Mayo Connect. Here are some discussions on Connect about eating after a Whipple procedure.

How Do I Eat After Digestive Tract Surgery?
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/how-do-i-eat-after-digestive-tract-surgery/
– Help…need guidance on eating after Whipple
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/help-need-guidance-on-eating-after-whipple/
- Life after Pancreatectomy: How was your recovery? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/life-after-pancreatectomy/
--Cramps and painful gas after Whipple https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/pain-after-whipple/

While I've not had a Whipple, I have had three surgeries of the upper digestive tract. I also had a difficult time eating and maintaining my weight. I had a few sessions with a registered dietitian to get some new tips on how to eat and maintain my weight. The most important thing I learned was to eat small, frequent meals, low in fat. Were you given any dietary instructions after your surgery?

Are you taking enzymes? Maybe you should be. Do you still have your pancreas?

Hello @whipple123,

I would also like to invite @katieliz to discuss this with you. She has previously posted about her post-surgery eating plan.

@hopeful33250 @whipple123
At my lowest, after the Whipple (June 2025) and maybe 6 rounds of chemo (5 rounds before the Whipple, 1 after), I had lost 22 lbs, I am 5’7” and went down to 106 lbs, had NO body fat, very skinny, loose hanging skin - yikes!
Though I tried to eat well throughout, I knew I had to try harder, did not want to lose any more. Now have put maybe 10 lbs back on in the last 4-5 months, it’s a slow process, but at least scale is now going up and not further down. (106 scared me).
Eating every few hours, or at least 5 X/day, or 6 helps. I do not skip any meals.
Eat breakfast as soon as I get up, steel cut oats made with coconut milk, fruit on top plus more milk (oat milk, it’s fattening); or 2 eggs and toast; sometimes cold cereal, I am always trying variety as it seems I quickly get sick of whatever I’m having, like after 3-4 times in a row, something changes and I CANNOT eat whatever it is at all - it’s very strange. Anyone else have this happen, it’s so weird.
High calorie plus protein foods and snacks are what I aim for - fruit smoothies with protein powder and Greek yogurt. Do not like Greek yogurt plain but great in smoothies; hard cooked eggs, easy to have on hand; cottage cheese with fruit; or snack of fruit, apple, grapes. Dinner - soups and pasta with bland/cream or lemony sauce, I could usually eat. Lemon really helps me, I was putting it on everything for a while.
Eating more fresh fruits than I used to, and that’s good, replacing sweet snacks, cookies, etc.
Another problem I have is I am a little picky, or so I’m told. Used to be a die-hard foodie. Learning to adjust, lol!
And I guess most of us who’ve lost part of our pancreas (and gallbladder and duodenum, I’ve read all these are involved in digestion) need pancreatic enzymes or food isn’t absorbed and things go downhill from there. This medication is $$ (mail order from my hospital pharmacy seems to be the best option), but at least for me, I need it to absorb nutrients, taking 1 20,000 Zenpep (like Creon) plus 2 Vital nutrients (off Amazon OTC) with every ‘larger’ meal. Take 1 10,000 Zenpep with snacks.
Went through February - November 2025 just not wanting or caring to eat - not nauseated - but no appetite (chemo!).
It is helpful if you hopefully have support, and someone to prepare foods for you. I am married but hubby cannot boil water…I guess because I’ve always been the cook/chef in the family. But he is wonderful for emotional support and encouragement, I think this journey is much harder for those not having a partner🙏. Friends bringing food over, which I had for a few weeks after my surgery, was helpful. Couldn't always eat what they brought - but hubby could, lol!
I am very motivated to keep going, too young (72) and not ready to give up!

I to lost weight, a total of over 50lbs. It has now been 9 months and am now holding steady after gaining 15lbs. I have had to experiment a bit and am still tweaking diet as I am also a type 2 diabetic. I was able to make smoothies using Premier Protein Shakes. https://www.premierprotein.com/protein-shakes . I used frozen strawberries and blueberries. This helped me greatly when I did not feel like eating. I tried the chocolate and vanilla strawberry. They also have non-dairy if needed. The chocolate with strawberries and a banana tasted like a ice cream Sunday. I took the approach of four to five small meals. Its a bit of an experiment, but persevere, it does improve, I am almost back to eating as normal as pre-whipple. Well only healthier now!
Good luck, wish you the best 🌟