Whipple or TP,,,,,

[Guest guest]

My wife has surgery scheduled for 8/25 here in Phoenix. The

surgeon states he will determine how bad the organ is and either do

a Whipple or a TP once he looks at it. From what I have learned from

many of you here, the Whipple is more unsuccessful than not.

She told the surgeon that if there is any doubt, to remove the

entire organ at that time rather than have to go back for additional

surgeries.

Am I correct in the assumption that many of you still have pain

and problems requiring more surgery after the initial Whipple

procedure is done ?

Thanks in advance, Doc.

[Guest guest]

Hi Doc, I'm glad that you and your wife are finally getting some

treatment options. I think you and her need to understand these

procedures very well before just letting the doc remove what he

may. The whipple and a total are 2 completely different

procedures. Are you sure the doc in Pheonix did not say a partial

to total resection of the pancreas?

A whipple includes removing other organs part then just the head of

the panc. Then rehooking these organ parts, putting things back

together, the anastomosis, can often be more difficult to recover

from. A total has less things to put back together,less is removed,

over all, less anatomosis to heal from. I'm speaking typically in

very general terms, each case is different.

Also after a total she will be a diabetic in a big way. If a total

is what she really needs look into going someplace to have it with

the autologous islet cell transplant. Her own islet cells, the

insulin producing cells, are removed from the panc and injected into

the portal vein.

I'm sorry if I'm telling you things you already know, I just think

ya'll need to look into every aspect before surgery. I had the

beger, a partial resection of the panc last april, and I'm now

looking at a total in my very near future. Just think about all the

options available so she doesn't have to face this again. I wish

only the best for you both.

Warmly,

[Guest guest]

Hi Doc,

I've seen your posts on Whipples / TP. I have had a TP without ICT (i live in

UK and they tend not to do ICT). That was 4 years ago. I have had occasional

bouts of pain since the surgery, but on the whole i am doing well. Yes, i have

diabetes, but it is easier to cope with than the CP. I do get fluctuations in

my blood sugar, but it is manageable. I am a nurse, and i manage to work

shifts, including nights.

I'd like to wish you both luck with your decisions.

Sue (UK)

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 8/1/2004 12:43:47 AM Eastern Daylight Time,

jruggieri@... writes:

Am I correct in the assumption that many of you still have pain

> and problems requiring more surgery after the initial Whipple

> procedure is done ?

> Thanks in advance, Doc.

Doc:

I had the tp/ict Dec. 2000. I continue to be very happy that I made that

choice. If one has a surgery like a Whipple or any other surgery on their

pancreas before the TP/ICT there is a very good chance that they will develop

pain

due to scar tissue from having two surgeries on their pancreas. I didn't have

any surgeries before I had my TP and now I don't have any pancreas pain. I do

know many people who had previous surgeries to there pancreas before the TP

and now they are in constant pain and have gastroparisis (sp)? So, my

suggestion to you is not to make a mistake and have the Whipple, peustow or any

other

surgery since I know several people who had them and weren't relieved of

pancreatitis. They then had the TP/ICT and were left with pain because they had

a

surgery to their pancreas before the TP. As I said I don't have any pancreas

pain and I am so glad I had the TP/ICT. I hope this information helps with

your decision. Shirley