Hi Craig. Did you have the whipple? I am supposed to have it in May. I have an active neuroendocrine tumor of the head of the pancreas. I have heard a lot of bad and good. If you had it, how soon were you able to go back to work? How much weight did you loose? At 5'2 and 200 lbs I won't mind loosing the weight. How long was your hospitalization? Did you get sepsis or circulatory problems? Thank you and anyone else who responds. My whipple will be a loss of my pyloric sphincter, duodenum, part of my jejunum, gb and common bile duct and head of pancreas. My tumor is almost 5 cm by 5 cm. I know there will be pain. I will have an epidural, hopefully that will cover it. I am allergic to pain! I am going to have mine done at the VA by the surgeons with UT southwestern medical center of Dallas. It sure is scary. They do 20 a year, I have learned that experience is a key factor and 16 is a pretty good number. I also have to have ovarian cysts (very large ones removed, so I am doubly worried. I am also a nursing student and ex navy corpsman. I am not sure the extra medical knowledge serves me well in my case. maybe ignorance would be more blissful. I sure do wish I could have my old life back!!! I am a christian. I have handed it over to God.