How painful is Whipple surgery?

There is no doubt that the Whipple procedure is a painful operation. This is largely due to the extent of the organs being removed or rearranged and the proximity of the pancreas to nerves as they exit the spine at the back of the abdomen during the operation.

How do you feel after Whipple operation?

You may feel sore, tired, and weak during the first days at home after surgery. You should take any pain medication as prescribed and follow your surgeon's written discharge instructions. Try to have family members or trusted friends available to support you at home during the early days of recovery.

How many hours does Whipple surgery take?

Surgery may take four to 12 hours, depending on which approach is used and the complexity of the operation. Whipple surgery is done using general anesthesia, so you'll be asleep and unaware during the operation. The surgeon makes an incision in your abdomen to access your internal organs.

How long does it take to heal from a Whipple surgery?

How long does it take to recover from a Whipple procedure? Patients typically leave the hospital and go home within a week. But, for most people, it takes as long as 2 to 6 months to fully get back to a normal quality of life. Ultimately, patients should be able to do anything after surgery that they could do before.

Why is the Whipple procedure so difficult?

Whipple procedures are complicated because they involve so many different organs, but that's not the only reason. “The pancreas is located in a very difficult spot, deep in the central part of the abdomen,” Reddy explained.

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Did Steve Jobs have the Whipple procedure?

Jobs finally took medical leave and underwent surgery at Stanford University Medical Center, as physicians performed a modified "Whipple procedure" that removed part of his pancreas.

Is chemo necessary after Whipple surgery?

You should be offered chemotherapy after surgery to remove the cancer (such as the Whipple's procedure), to try to reduce the chances of the cancer coming back. There are three types of chemotherapy that may be used: FOLFIRINOX.

How do you eat after Whipple surgery?

Eat small, frequent meals (5 to 6 meals per day). After surgery, you will feel full quickly and will be able to eat only small amounts at a time. Stop eating when you feel full. Eat slowly and chew your foods very well.

What are the long term side effects of the Whipple procedure?

What is the best hospital to have the Whipple surgery?

Mayo Clinic surgeons are specially trained to provide you with the best care, and they perform over 450 Whipple procedures and related surgeries each year.

Is Whipple procedure open or laparoscopic?

The laparoscopic Whipple procedure is performed through small incisions in the abdominal wall. A laparoscope, a long thin tube with a lighted camera at its tip, is inserted through one incision.

What is the survival rate after pancreatic surgery?

The overall mortality after pancreatoduodenectomy (PD) was 4.1%, and the overall morbidity was 42%. The actuarial 3- and 5-year survival rates were 31.5% (95% CI, 25.04%-39.6%) and 11.86% (95% CI, 7.38%-19.0%), respectively.

Can you drink alcohol after Whipple procedure?

Can I drink alcohol? In the first few weeks after major pancreatic surgery it is wise to be cautious and avoid alcohol. Patients with alcohol related diseases such as chronic and acute pancreatitis alcohol should be completely stopped.

Do most people survive Whipple surgery?

The survival rate for a Whipple procedure has improved a lot in the last few decades. Thirty years ago between 5% and 15% of people who went through the Whipple procedure died from complications. Now the mortality rate is about 1% to 3%.

Why am I losing weight after Whipple?

Some people have problems absorbing fat after their surgery. This may cause weight loss or make it harder for your body to absorb some vitamins. You may not be absorbing all the fats you're eating if you're having any of the following symptoms: Frequent bowel movements.

What are five organs are involved in a Whipple procedure?

During this procedure, surgeons remove the head of the pancreas, most of the duodenum (a part of the small intestine), a portion of the bile duct, the gallbladder and associated lymph nodes. In some cases, the surgeon may remove the body of the pancreas, the entire duodenum and a portion of the stomach.

Can you eat ice cream after Whipple surgery?

Increase fluid intake to avoid dehydration. Strive for 5-6 small meals of low fiber foods such as applesauce, bananas, white toast, oatmeal, crackers, or a plain baked potato. Avoid dairy products other than yogurt containing live cultures called probiotics.

What is dumping syndrome after Whipple?

Delayed gastric emptying is more common after a modified Whipple procedure than a Whipple procedure. Dumping syndrome is when food moves too fast from the stomach into the small intestine. It may also be called rapid gastric emptying.

Can you eat popcorn after Whipple surgery?

Do not eat raw fruits and vegetables, nuts, seeds, or popcorn. Do not eat high fat, greasy, or fried foods. If you have tried these tips and do not feel better, you can try a liquid or puréed diet. Try liquids high in calories, like milkshakes or nutritional supplement drinks.

Is a 3 cm pancreatic tumor big?

Stage IB: A tumor larger than 2 cm is in the pancreas. It has not spread to lymph nodes or other parts of the body (T2, N0, M0). Stage IIA: The tumor is larger than 4 cm and extends beyond the pancreas.

Can the Whipple procedure be a cure?

The Whipple procedure, or pancreatoduodenectomy, is the only possible chance for a cure. The aggressive, difficult procedure is recommended when the pancreatic cancer is confined to the head of the pancreas.

Is it better to have chemo before or after surgery?

The idea is to first shrink the tumor with chemotherapy before any next steps, specifically surgery. “This approach not only can improve surgical options, but also allows for a better assessment of the patient's response to the chemotherapy,” Dr. Moore says.

Who is a candidate for Whipple surgery?

You're a candidate for a Whipple procedure if your pancreatic cancer is only in the head and neck of the pancreas and hasn't spread to other organs, lymph nodes or blood vessels.

What does pancreatic back pain feel like?

Pain in the stomach area or back

Pain is more common in cancers of the body and tail of the pancreas. People describe it as a dull pain that feels as if it is boring into you. It can begin in the stomach area and spread around to the back. The pain is worse when you lie down and is better if you sit forward.

What kind of tumor did Steve Jobs have?

Jobs was diagnosed with a rare form of pancreatic cancer, called an islet cell tumor or gasteroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumor (GEP-NET), which is a different form of pancreatic cancer than the highly aggressive and often rapidly fatal pancreatic adenocarcinoma.