Post whipple diet suggestions

Hi,

I was online looking around for a post whipple support group, or anything for post whipple patients. I came across this site and found it very helpful.  :) I was wondering if anyone had food tips for me. I am in my 4th week of recovery from the whipple procedure. ( Praise God the pathology came back with high grade dysplasia no cancer!!! )    I have enzymes to take with each meal, however food is still not my friend. Nothing appeals to me. I do make myself eat. I have several small meals, however after I eat I feel sick or I have pain.  Should I take the enzymes before or after. I was told either way was okay.

Also, is it common to have no pain during the day and then be in uncomfortable pain at night?

I would be so thankful for help.

JL

Hello, I am in my 4th month post whipple and finally in the last week really start feeling as normal as is possible with eating and the pain,The pain still comes and goes but not as much,,Hope this helps

Rick

I can't answer the enzyme question as I do not have to take them but for me, I was not comfortable eating until around the 8th week and yes I had pain in the day and nite.  You have to eat smaller meals, stay away from fried and fatty foods.

I am a little over 3 mos post whipple and eating just about anything but in  smaller portions.  Everyone is affected differently from this surgery so you may get lots of answers.  What helped me with the pain were the left over percocets that I had once I went home. Give it time you will be fine.

I cannot stress enough how helpful a nutritionist can be in helping post-whipple patients get back to normal.  My husband had his whipple Aug 09 and battled with the enzymes etc until late Nov 09 when we finally went to see this nutritionist who specialized in cancer patients.  My husband maintained his weight through three months of chemo and radiation prior to surgery, only to lose 30 pounds within a couple of months after surgery.  The oncologist/surgeon/gi specialist - none of them could help but the nutritionist (I believe) saved him.

Please consider this in your recovery.

Good luck and God Bless you!

Hi J,

I am now 10 months post-op and I still have some food issues.  I take my enzymes before eating and cannot tolerate fats or spicy still.

I wrote a blog called my whipple story and there are lots of posts.  Feel free to read and get tips from other who respond there too.

Good luck, it does get better.

Mojo,

susan

On Oct 11, 2010 11:30 PM JL8173 wrote:

Hi,

I was online looking around for a post whipple support group, or anything for post whipple patients. I came across this site and found it very helpful.  :) I was wondering if anyone had food tips for me. I am in my 4th week of recovery from the whipple procedure. ( Praise God the pathology came back with high grade dysplasia no cancer!!! )    I have enzymes to take with each meal, however food is still not my friend. Nothing appeals to me. I do make myself eat. I have several small meals, however after I eat I feel sick or I have pain.  Should I take the enzymes before or after. I was told either way was okay.

Also, is it common to have no pain during the day and then be in uncomfortable pain at night?

I would be so thankful for help.

JL

I had the whipple proceedue  mos ago. When I asked my Dr. what I could eat and he just schruged his shoulders. So I came home and tried everything.

I can't say that any foods affected me differenc. But on occasion I have to go to the bathroom about an hour after I eat. This will go on for days. Although I gained all my weight back.

I think if I take my medicine Creon with my meals and take my Welchol as prescribed I do better. It's just a matter of trail and error.

At first I ate continuously. Crackers, cheese neutral tasting food.  Gradually I have cut down although I get hunger pains for snacks.

On Oct 14, 2010 3:17 PM RocCandy wrote:

I cannot stress enough how helpful a nutritionist can be in helping post-whipple patients get back to normal.  My husband had his whipple Aug 09 and battled with the enzymes etc until late Nov 09 when we finally went to see this nutritionist who specialized in cancer patients.  My husband maintained his weight through three months of chemo and radiation prior to surgery, only to lose 30 pounds within a couple of months after surgery.  The oncologist/surgeon/gi specialist - none of them could help but the nutritionist (I believe) saved him.

Please consider this in your recovery.

Good luck and God Bless you!

What did the nutritionist suggest?

On Oct 14, 2010 3:28 PM e2moma wrote:

Hi J,

I am now 10 months post-op and I still have some food issues.  I take my enzymes before eating and cannot tolerate fats or spicy still.

I wrote a blog called my whipple story and there are lots of posts.  Feel free to read and get tips from other who respond there too.

Good luck, it does get better.

Mojo,

susan

J

How do I reach your blog. I have never gone onto one. Is it site that says "My Whipple Story"?

I had the whipple surgery 7 months ago. Spicy foods don't bother me. Too much fat does.

Sorry for the delay in answering this. His nutritionist recommended drinking Isopure (1 per day), and minimum 2 cups of homemade broth per day - these items are easy for the pancreas to digest and full of protein.  He also put him on plant based enzymes because my husband was having allergic reactions to the creon/pancrease etc.  He also has him on several "herbal" supplements that are suppose to fight cancer cells (Corrulis/Brocomax).  Also, while he was going through post-op chemo, the nutritionist had him on glutamine powder.  If you would like more detailed information, let me know and I'll write it ALL down for you.  I think one of the most important things is the home-made broth - make sure you cook this with LOTS of bones - meat is not necessary.  This provides a whole lot of really good protein that his body doesn't have to "work" to digest.

I had the Whipple op in July 2010 at the Liverpool Royal

I lost about 2 stones  after the op and the stay in hospital

After about 2 weeks at home i gained about 1/2 stone which has remained static todate regardless what i eat

I find if I eat fatter foods like fish & chips, curry, spare ribs etc I have to take 3 Creon

I asked at the clinic when I should take Creon that they said it doesn't matter if it is before, during or after a meal

If I take 3 i take one before, one during and one after the meal

I have found that for some unknown reason i cannot eat suet ie dumplings or cheap sausages that have not been grilled no matter how many Creon i take it just goes straight through me

I had a pain in my left side a few weeks after i went home, mainly if i tried to swing my arms ie playing golf but that has now gone and i have no physical effects of the op

My lack of weight gain causes me concern but most people reply 'what do you want to put weight on for, before i took ill with this problem ( which was Jaundice and a blocked bile duct, no cancer thank goodness  ) i was 17 stone i am now 13 1/2 stone

Brian