On 2/23/2008 ccasama wrote:
I am a 42-year-old woman who is about to have the Whipple procedure and I am seeking advice/info about what sorts of things I will be able to eat during my recovery period. Any detailed information/websites, etc. would be most helpful. Also, I don't hear too much about young, otherwise healthy people having this surgery, but I would love to chat with someone close to my age who has undergone the procedure. Thanks! Chris
My mother had her whipple in January. She was not given any food restrictions upon her release from the hospital. The doctors told her to eat as she normally would and she would have to learn the foods that she could tolerate initially, then she would be able to add more to her diet as she continued to heal. They did prescribe her meds to stimulate her appetite. She stuck to bland foods that were easy to digest. You will probably have a visit from the dietian while in the hospital and your diet will be similar to a diabetic diet due to the fact that they are messing around with your pancrease. They did check Mom's sugar each day and even in the begining when she wasn't able to eat at all (for the first few days) her sugar was good. I haven't been able to find a whole lot of information specifically geared toward pancreatic cancer, but I have hit all the usual ones like, Pancan.org and cancer.org. Just keep searching and know that your body will change after you have the surgery. You have to work to be as healthy as you can be before the surgery and your doctor will be able to work with you afterwards. Also, my mother has terrible fatigue...just another side affect..................good luck and God speed on your recovery! Karen