RE: Pancreas Surgeries

[Guest guest]

Hi, would you all please tell me if you have had pancreas surgery? I am

supposed to have it in the next few months. I would really like to know if

anyone has had pancreas surgery, what type, and if there is an improvement in

their health. Any information you can give me will be greatly appreciated.

I am so scared because my health is bad from other diseases as well as

pancreatitis. I also hear so many people tell me not to let the doctor's cut

on me. Please help!!! Thank you

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 7/26/00 7:29:25 PM Eastern Daylight Time,

shirlf3542@... writes:

<< I also hear so many people tell me not to let the doctor's cut

on me. Please help!!! Thank you >>

Shirley, I has my Pancreas cut in half in 1986, 14 years ago, I was 44 at the

time, once recovered from surgery I had no problems until last year, I don't

think the surgery was part of the current problem as it was so long an

interval between the surgery and the chronic Panc. So it can be done

successfully, best of luck with whatever your path might be

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 7/26/00 9:36:37 PM Eastern Daylight Time,

poncho9191@... writes:

<< Shirley, I has my Pancreas cut in half in 1986, 14 years ago, I was 44 at

the

time, once recovered from surgery I had no problems until last year, I don't

think the surgery was part of the current problem as it was so long an

interval between the surgery and the chronic Panc. So it can be done

successfully, best of luck with whatever your path might be >>

Poncho we are the same age! You said that you had your pancreas cut in half

is that a Whipple? Does it have a name? Was recuperation horrific? Do you

have divisim? Please let me know and I appreciate what you have already told

me. I am so nervous about having surgery. I have had four major surgeries

but this one really scares me. Thanks, Shirley

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 7/26/00 11:36:35 PM Eastern Daylight Time,

VLGreenhill@... writes:

<< Before the surgery, I only had an attack of pancreatitis every couple

of years, but now I have pain and at least one symptom of

pancreatitis every day. Of course, the pain may be less one day and

more the next. >>

Oh Vickie, I am so sorry that happened to you. I know that can easily happen

to me also. Vickie what was the name of your surgery. Part of it sounds

like the one they plan for me. The part where they slit the pancreas and the

bowel and wrap the bowel around the pancreas. The doctors said nothing about

removing the tail although other doctor's have said that is what I need done.

I have had so many different opinions from different doctors I now don't

trust any of them. I have also had many surgeries that they said would help

other problems with my body but they just made my condition worse. Please

Vickie give me anymore information about your surgery that you can. Like

name of surgery, do you have divisim? Recuperation, how was that? Anything.

Thank you so much for answering my post. Shirley

[Guest guest]

> Hi, would you all please tell me if you have had pancreas surgery?

I am supposed to have it in the next few months. I would really like

to know if anyone has had pancreas surgery, what type, and if there

is an improvement in their health. Any information you can give me

will be greatly appreciated.

Hi Shirley,

In 1984, I allowed a surgeon to operate on my pancreas twice. He

removed my spleen and a portion of the tail of my pancreas. He

filleted my pancreas open and linked the duct with a small piece of

small intestine.

Before the surgery, I only had an attack of pancreatitis every couple

of years, but now I have pain and at least one symptom of

pancreatitis every day. Of course, the pain may be less one day and

more the next.

With what I have gone through after the surgeries, I will never have

surgery on my pancreas again. The only way would be, if it was a

life and death situation. All I can tell you is my experience, but

surgery may be the best thing for you. In the end, you have to make

that decision along with the Lord, your family, and your doctor. I

know that you will make the right decision for you.

I will have you in my prayers and thoughts. I hope you have a

peaceful night.

Vickie

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 7/26/00 11:49:46 PM Eastern Daylight Time,

shirlf3542@... writes:

<< Poncho we are the same age! You said that you had your pancreas cut in

half

is that a Whipple? Does it have a name? Was recuperation horrific? Do you

have divisim? >>

Hi Shirley, As you asked for more details, here is a brief history. My

surgery in 1986 was a " modified " Whipple. The reason for surgery was an

identified cancerous tumor in my small intestine, since the tumor was

bleeding and my hemo count was half normal, immediate surgery was chosen. It

really began as explority as the Drs. didn't know exactly what they would

find. Once viewed this modified Whipple was decided to be the best course of

action. This procedure removed a foot of small intestine containing the

tumor, shortened the main bile duct from the liver, removed the head of the

pancreas it's duct and the main blood supply, part of the stomach and it's

main blood supply. The pancreas was connected to the small intestine by a

couple of small openings to a handy spot of the bowel. Of course the main

objective was to remove the tumor and thus stop the blood loss.

Recovery from surgery was about five months before returning to work and

really took about a year. Full surgical recovery was totally effective after

about 18 months when I had a incisional hernia repaired. The Whipple incision

became infected and while it was " cured " it weakened the muscle structure to

cause the hernia. I didn't have divisim. The name of my pancreas in

but now I call him Chuck for short. Surgery and recovery is never easy, but

it's sometimes to effect a " cure " and/or improve one's quality of life. With

whatever decision you make, I wish you well, full recovery, and lots of luck.

[Guest guest]

Hi Shirl

I had the Whipple Procedure done August of 99. I would say overall the

surgery has helped me. I still have problems, don't get me wrong. I think a

lot of people have problems once they've had surgery. What type of surgery do

they plan on doing? There are a lot of different surgeries they can do on the

pancreas depending on what is wrong. I actually had a tumor on the head of my

pancreas. I don't think I had a lot of options at the time. Just get as much

information as you can and ask a LOT of questions. I pray your surgery will

improve your health. If I can be of any help please feel free to email

anytime. A lot of people in this group have a lot of experience in the

medical field and can probably answer a lot of your questions or lead you in

the right direction to find them. Best of luck to you. I'll be keeping you in

my prayers.

Terri L.

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 7/28/00 4:19:34 AM Eastern Daylight Time, Tll619@...

writes:

<< What type of surgery do

they plan on doing? There are a lot of different surgeries they can do on

the >>

Hi Terri, Thanks for answering my e-mail. I have divisim and I am supposed

to have a puestow surgery. It is different from a regular puestow because I

only have the small duct in use in my pancreas. The doctor has a theory that

if the duct is stretched larger by using stints then maybe the duct won't

close again. I have an appointment with the doctor in Indiana Aug. 4th for a

consultation. He might decide to cancel the surgery because he told me that

if I could not eat with the stints in the duct then the surgery would not

help me. I had to go to the doctor today to get hooked up to tpn because I

cannot eat. I have lost eight pounds since the stint process was started.

So as you can see I don't know what is going to happen. The whole stint,

surgery, and the unknown is making me very depressed and scared. Do pray for

me Terri. I am so scared. My family is worried and frightened for me. We

are so upset. Thanks again. Shirley