Guest guest Posted June 27, 2001 Report Share Posted June 27, 2001 In a message dated 6/26/01 9:52:12 PM Eastern Daylight Time, Szepelak2@... writes: > > Hello .......My name is Don > I'm very new at using a computer and have been trying to find out as much > as I can on the Whipple Procedure . I am going to have it done in about 6 > weeks . I'm not sure how much information I need to tell you about myself > at this time but I would like to hear from some one before I go into the > hospital . Thank you Don > > > Dear Don, welcome to the group. I didn't have the Whipple operation but I did have my pancreas removed and now I have no pain and can eat all I want. I will give you two sites to look up to help you know what else is out there to cure pancreatitis. Shirley http://www.insulin-free.org/stories/rebello.htm http://www.insulinfree.org/sutherland.htm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 27, 2001 Report Share Posted June 27, 2001 > Hello .......My name is Don > I'm very new at using a computer and have been trying to find out >as much as I can on the Whipple Procedure . I am going to have it >done in about 6 weeks . Thank you Don Hi Don, I think someone (Kimber?) just mentioned the Hopkins web site as a source of good information/explanations of the various surgical procedures sometimes used to treat pancreatitis. Here's a direct link: http://www.hopkinsgi.org/subspecialties/chronic/therapy/surgical.htm In the Whipple, they remove a portion of the " head " on the pancreas, and then re-connect the remaining portion directly to the duodenum (large intestine). >I'm not sure how much information I need to >tell you about myself >at this time but I would like to hear from >some one before I go >into the hospital A number of our members have had this procedure, to varying degrees of success. I'm sure you'll be hearing more from them. We always like to know where you are from, and how long you have had symptoms of pancreatitis, how you got diagnoses, and what other treatments you've already tried, etc. Cheers, --Tull tull@... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 27, 2001 Report Share Posted June 27, 2001 Hi Poncho , Thanks for responding to my E-mail . First of all I'm a recovering alcoholic . On the 24th of Oct. 95 I had a major attack and was at 70% mortality rate. In July of 96 I had my first operation to connect a cyst to my stomach to drain , and they removed my gallbladder at the same time . In Dec. of 98 I had my 2nd surgery to repair a hernia from my 1st surgery . They put in a mesh screen to repair it . I was admitted to the hospital about every 3 month so they could put me on an I.V. and give me shots of demerol for the pain. And I was NPO for 3 to 4 days each time. In Nov. 99 I had my last surgery . They had to attach my intestine to a different part of my stomach , a new cyst was blocking my stomach from empting . I continued to be admitted when the pain gets to much to handle , along with the nausea and diarrhea . They did an ERCP and found that my pancreatic duct and part of my common bile duct is blocked . The doc said that he can not say for sure that there is no cancer untill he gets in there. Because I have had the other surgeries , this one will take a little longer . They're figuring about 10 hrs. For the past year I have been able to manage the pain at home with demerol and NPO . Except when they did the ERCP and that caused another attack . I spent the next 6 days getting it calmed down . My quality of life has gone down hill so I'm hoping that it will get better with the whipple procedure . Thanks for being here Don Re: Whipple Procedure Hi Don, Just responding to your question about a Whipple, I had a modified Whipple about 15 years ago. I think that when the surgeon actually views the operating field they make decisions of what exactly they will do during the procedure. The actual view tells them more that all of the pre-operation diagnostic tests and information. The Whipple is one of the longest surgeries done, it's not uncommon for one to take 6-8 hours and that's a lot of time in an OR. Recovery is slow and frustrating due to the time involved and pain. I was able to return to work after 5 months but most likely should have waited 6 months. Being in good general health and having a very positive attitude will help with recovery time and ease. I do think that improvements have been made in the procedure during the 15 year interval since I had mine. But, the procedure is still a rare operation. Not many doctors do Whipples as they see so few of them. Thus any cutter that will do one has generally had experience assisting another surgeon and then doing several as the chief cutter. The gas guy is usually the best around as it's not easy keeping the patient under for as long as it takes to do the operation. That's about all I can comment for now, if you inform this board of your specific case maybe I or others could comment more or better. However, I must comment, my Whipple cured my condition at the time, my 15 year interval was with a normal lifestyle, and I cannot connect the operation to Pancreatitis. The procedure can affect the normal treatment for Pancreatitis though as it makes changes in your GI structure that might be unusual. Good Luck with your pending operation Poncho Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 27, 2001 Report Share Posted June 27, 2001 Hi Tull I just replied to Poncho ......I'm from Massachusetts but was living in Florida when I was diagnosed in 91 but I didn't listen to the docs till it was to late . That was in 95 when it got my attention in a big way . Thanks Don Re: Whipple Procedure > Hello .......My name is Don > I'm very new at using a computer and have been trying to find out >as much as I can on the Whipple Procedure . I am going to have it >done in about 6 weeks . Thank you Don Hi Don, I think someone (Kimber?) just mentioned the Hopkins web site as a source of good information/explanations of the various surgical procedures sometimes used to treat pancreatitis. Here's a direct link: http://www.hopkinsgi.org/subspecialties/chronic/therapy/surgical.htm In the Whipple, they remove a portion of the " head " on the pancreas, and then re-connect the remaining portion directly to the duodenum (large intestine). >I'm not sure how much information I need to >tell you about myself >at this time but I would like to hear from >some one before I go >into the hospital A number of our members have had this procedure, to varying degrees of success. I'm sure you'll be hearing more from them. We always like to know where you are from, and how long you have had symptoms of pancreatitis, how you got diagnoses, and what other treatments you've already tried, etc. Cheers, --Tull tull@... PANCREATITIS SUPPORT NETWORK Online e-mail group To reply to this message hit " reply " or send an e-mail to: Pancreatitisegroups To subscribe to this e-mail group, simply send an e-mail to: Pancreatitis-subscribeegroups Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 28, 2001 Report Share Posted June 28, 2001 gail a miller wrote: > Don, > I had a Whipple procedure in 1997 for a stricture in the panceas duct. > The Whipple procedure is a very long and involved surgery. The results of how > you will do after surgery have a great deal to do with the experience of you surgeon. > Also, what type of Whipple you will had also will affect the rest of you life. There are many theories of what is the best approach to this surgery. Do they save the pyloris or remove is. They usually remove the duodenum, part of the pancreas, usually as little as possible, reroute the bile remaining bile and panceas > ducts thru a loop of small bowel they bring up and connect to the remaining part of the stomach. > Who is doing your surgery? Be sure they do alot of this type of procedure!! If they only do 1 or 2 a year, steer clean and look for someone do does them as a pancreatic surgery speciality. Alot of big Unv. Med colleges had a pancro-billiay clinic. You may or may not have a gastrostomy tube or a nasal gastic tube, > depends on the surgeon. You will have at least 4 drains in your abdomin after surgery. If you have part of your pancreas remaining after the surgery you may have pancreatitis after surgery. It is very painful as I can vividly recally!! Be sure you have a good idea what the pain management is going to be after surgery. > I had a Central line before the surgery, you may or may not be on TNP after surgery. > I was eating 11/2 weeks aftersurgery. The amount of time you spend in the hospital after surgery depends on where you have it done and by whom. I was there 3 weeks, but that was in 1997. I do not mean to change you mind or thinking, but is this you only option. > I wish I would ahve not had the Whipple done and went right to the pancreatectomy with the islet cell auto tramsplant. I know that those who I have spoken to who have skipped the Whipple had much less pain and problems after the pancreatectomy. Less chronic pain and less problems from all the radial reroutining the the > Whipple requires. > Please don't heistiate to ask. I know it is not had to hear about what is is going to be like after the surgery, but I wish I would have had someone to ask these questions before I ahd the Whipple. > Also, ask what the experience the surgeon has with the long term effects after the Whipple. Do patients' have chronic pain after the Whipple, do they have problems with stomach emptying, and what is the long terms effect on the gastroentesintal sytem after the Whipple. I am now having episodes of small bowel obstruction > and no one seem to know what the long term effect of the Whipple procedure is?? > Take care and keep asking those questions. > gail > > DONALD SZEPELAK wrote: > > > Hello .......My name is Don > > I'm very new at using a computer and have been trying to find out as much as I can on the Whipple Procedure . I am going to have it done in about 6 weeks . I'm not sure how much information I need to tell you about myself at this time but I would like to hear from some one before I go into the hospital . Thank you Don > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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