Re: whipple surgery to Mira

[Guest guest]

Mira,

As my surgeon told me, everything I knew about eating would change. For a

very long time my meals had to be very small. I had to space liquids out

from my meals. I depended upon Slim-Fast and Ensure for a couple of

months. It was just a matter of learning how my body would react to

different foods and beverages. I didn't have any bad tastes at all. As a

matter of fact everything tasted too good. I put on a bunch of weight

after the surgery.

In time as my stomach and duodenum healed my eating habits changed to close

to what they had been before the surgery. I put the weight back on that I

had lost. Dr. Brunicardi made me understand that this surgery isn't like

sewing muscle or skin. It is viscous tissue and sometimes doesn't seal

properly or move right for a time. It takes longer to heal. The human

body is a wonder. It took only a few months to get function back.

It looks like one of the differences between us may be expectations. I was

told to expect for things to be strange for 6 months. I just had to be

patient (now, that is a real chore for me) and try to understand what was

happening. The strangeness and pain tapered off. I was not pain free when

I went back to work after 7-8 weeks but I could manage it. I did have some

leakage (fistula) which caused pain for quite a while. I wasn't overly

disappointed or depressed because it was just what I was told to expect. I

guess I became rather clinical about it.

I am sorry to hear you have been having such a rough time. I hope it turns

around for you. Just remember that it will seal up in a while and things

will start going smooth for you.

Best wishes for a better recovery,

Chuck

>Chuck I know you are insulin free, Let me know if you

>had to change your diet and relay on liquids?.

>and what about bad taste in the mouth?

Chuck Sullivan

chuck@...

" When in command, Take charge. When faced with a decision, do what is

right. Nothing else matters. " - Gen. Norman Schwarzkopf