Whipple And "Real" Age

Has anyone else heard this?

We were told that a person that has the whipple surgery physically ages by 10 years.  So, a 50 yr. old would actually have the body/health of a 60 yr. old. After Whipple. 

I'm not sure how factual it is but I would guess after seeing what people go through I would definatly belive it.

On 5/8/2008 zanam wrote:

Has anyone else heard this?

We were told that a person that has the whipple surgery physically ages by 10 years.  So, a 50 yr. old would actually have the body/health of a 60 yr. old. After Whipple. 

I'm not sure how factual it is but I would guess after seeing what people go through I would definatly belive it.

No, I haven't heard that. None of the doctors or medical staff involved in my care before or since have said anything close to that.

I was 50 when I had the Whipple surgery.  The year prior to the surgery was very difficult, and I felt like I was wearing out piece by piece. So I guess that could be like feeling years older than your actual age.

After surgery, it took some time to recover. I'm 56 now, and I'm not quite sure how a 66 year old woman is supposed to feel.  I've known some 70 year olds that can run circles around some 35 year old women mentally and physically. Right now, I feel MUCH better than before surgery and I'm physically stronger in many ways. 

If Whipple/PC survivors can avoid the malabsorption issues that often come with the surgery, didn't have other health issues before surgery, have no long term complications from the surgery and can avoid remission, I can't imagine a blanket statement like that applies.  How do they establish the facts to support the statement?  Autopsy results?  Reduction in life expectancy? 

It is an interesting observation. I'm curious. Was it someone in the medical field who made it?

Zanam, I just read the post about your Father's experience.  I'm so sorry he has had such a hard time.  My prior post was based on my personal experience.  I do understand the outcome I had is not typical. 

Becoming an insulin dependent diabetic overnight,  with added issues of surgery and total dependency on Pancreatic enzymes for food digestion is a huge challenge. 

Hope my first post did not sound insensitive.  It wasn't intended that way.  

I hope you Dad's situation improves soon. 

Hi - I had my Whipple Aug 2006, 3 weeks before my 60th birthday. The only thing that has made me age or look like I aged is the decrease in muscle mass (saggy skin). Other then that, everyone says I look good... I eat all I want, take my enzymes regularly and hope for the best.

Hang tough and God Bless. 

Yes, it was a medical professional that said it. I guess it depends on each person.  I realize that my dad seems to be having a tougher time than most in his recovery.  It has been 6 years and he is no better than when he got out of the hospital for the whipple. We had been told to expect at least a year of recovery.  I guess we are just feeling that at this point he must not be going to get any better.  At times I think he is worse off than the day he got out.

I am sorry that I may sound like a "debbie downer" and am sorry that I cannot report a positive, successful whipple experince.  I do not mean to upset anyone or give a bad name to whipple but, I do think it is important that people facing whipple know that there are different degrees of recovery. 

I am very thankful that my dad is alive and we still have him around...but he has had no real quality of life since the whipple and wonder if it was all worth it. He SUFFERS daily.

Zanam

Zanam,  You don't sound like a "downer" to me.  You obviously love your Father and it is frustrating when you can't find help.  

In my posts, I didn't mean to make Whipple surgery sound easy because it isn't.  I'm just over 5-1/2 years post surgery.  There are definite challenges you face following this surgery and recovery can take a long time.

Have you tried posting on John's Hopkins discussion board?  There are a couple of people that describe themselves as brittle diabetics who post there (they had their pancreas removed as well).  They may be able to offer some advice for your Father re. diet and some of the other challenges. 

Best wishes to both you and your Father. 

Thank you very much I will try that web site.  You did not offened me in anyway but thank you for taking the time to clear it up. 

I just don't want anyone to get the wrong idea about Whipple...it can save your life and in most cases help you get back to your "old self."  Unfortunatly, my dad has had a terrible time and I would hate it if someone read my posts and thought to themselves "there is no way I would do that!"  My dad is apparently an extreme case where things have not gone so well.  That is why I am here is to try to help him.  Already the advice here has been a tremendous help.