TO: : Re: Really in the dumps

[Guest guest]

Kaye the surgery is called a " sphincteroplasty " . The last time I

looked on the DDC web page it had a drawing of the procedure but not

a real definetion. I told it was a cartoon and that it really

did not explain it very well to the general public but I guess he did

not listen.

Anyway, what he does is takes the sphincter of oddi and the ampulla

of vater and basically widens or removes them. Then attaches the head

of the pancreas and main pancreatic duct directly to the intestinal

wall. Its really a plastics procedure (hence the " plasty " part). It

enables the duct to drain directly into the intestine. It is very

successful for some but it depends on the physiology of ones ducts.

The procedure takes about 4 hours and the pt is in the hospital for

about 5-7 days. My incision was about 4 inches or so from just below

my sternum to just above my navel. If I recall, I have a huge

incision now and sure do miss that little one.....lol. I had mine

done on Oct 26, 2004.

Its a big surgery and not something to jump into lightly. If there

is anything else I can help you with please dont hesitate for one

second.

With all my love,