Re: Update & Diet After TP/Splenectomy

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 9/10/2004 10:17:12 PM Eastern Daylight Time,

pg0803@... writes:

Today it's my wifes 15th post surgical day since her TP and

Splenectomy. Overall she's doing fine, the challenge is now dealing

with diet, some pain and carbohydrate intake as she is now a

diabetic.

I put a call into the surgeon with a question re: TP. I won't get

to speak with him until Monday but perhaps someone here knows the

answer to my question,which is,,,,,,,As part of the TP -

Splenectomy, is any part of the stomach removed during the

procedure ?

The reason I ask is, when she eats, she feels like her " stomach

is full " after only eating half her dinner !!!

Other than the diet, she does have pain on her left and right side

( at the ends of the insision ) which we were told is from re sewing

those thick lateral stomach muscles back together. The healing

muscles is what's causing the pain. The surgeon says that it's not

unusual for it to take up to 6 weeks for the pain to disappear.

Hope you all are well and free of pain and do enjoy your weekend.

Doc.

Hi Doc: Some patients have to have part of their stomach removed due to the

pancreas attaching itself to the stomach. Dr. Sutherland said that the

pancreas is like an onion peal. I didn't have to have any part of my stomach

removed since my pancreas didn't adhere to my stomach. I believe that it is

common for the pancreas to attach itself to the stomach. I would think that

having surgery to removed part of the stomach would increase pain during the

healing time.

It takes a few months for the stomach to comfortably hold a full meal after

the TP. I didn't try to eat large meals for quite a long time. Instead I

ate small meals more often. That worked well for me. By eating small meals

really eliminated much of the pain.

I was cut from my pelvic to my ribs vertical. I don't recall having any

trouble with pain from the cutting. I believe the reason for not noticing the

surgical pain was due to having pancreatitis for so long. Having pancreatitis

and enduring terrible pain I guess the incision was minor to me. I was so

happy to be rid of my pancreas and to be able to eat once again. I hope that

your wife feels better very soon.

I was in the hospital for one month. I was really surprised to read your

post telling us that you and your wife were going home from the hospital in

such a short time. That is wonderful. Remember that she is really just out of

the hospital and maybe too much is expected too soon. I know that it is hard

but be patient and before you know it she will be eating full meals and

going out to dinner. Yeah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Good luck and good food to

you

both. Shirley

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 9/10/2004 11:36:36 PM Eastern Daylight Time,

pg0803@... writes:

We just take one day at a time now, figuring this thing out.

Next week, we're also looking into getting more info on Insulin

Pumps which I think my Health Insurance provider will pay for.

Be Well, Doc in Az. ***

Hi Doc: I am so glad that your wife is feeling better by eating smaller

meals. She amazes me. I am so shocked that she is able to eat what she is

eating and the amounts that she is eating. Good for her. That is wonderful.

I have an insulin pump. I love it. It is great not having to inject

insulin all of the time. I just push two buttons and it is done. I have the

Medtronic MiniMed. It makes life so much easier. Good luck to you both.

Shirley

[Guest guest]

*** Thanks again Shirley,,,, yes, we did spend only 9 days in

hospital this time. 4 years ago she was in 27 days following her

Trans Duodenal Sphicnteroplasty. At this time her stomach and

intestines were not active, not rumblin so to speak, so they kept her

until they did " wake up " , lol.

We saw the surgeon yesterday, but of course we forgot to ask this

question re : the Stomach. He and the GI said the same thing you did

about eating more frequent smaller meals which she is doing by

snacking and taking the edge off her appetite for a larger dinner.

He also said the insission and drain holes were clean and clear od

any infection. Now she can shower without having to be wrapped in

Saran Wrap, hehehe. She also had the NG tube removed yesterday.

We love Chinese food, hehehe, and tonite she managed to eat the

entire entree of Chicken Chop Suey ( didn't eat the noodles, too many

carbs ),,,, is that over doing it ? hahahaha.

We just take one day at a time now, figuring this thing out.

Next week, we're also looking into getting more info on Insulin

Pumps which I think my Health Insurance provider will pay for.

Be Well, Doc in Az. ***

[Guest guest]

Hi Doc,

What exactly is removed during the TP depends on the type of procedure, so

you need to check with your wifes surgeon. Generally, i don't think any part of

the stomach is removed. When i had my TP a small rim of pancreas was left

which maintains the blood supply to the duodenum, which is just below the

stomach.

I, too, had this feeling of being full when i had only eaten a small amount,

in the first few weeks. It does take a while to get back to eating normally.

As for the pain, i think your surgeon is quite right, that it can take

several weeks for healing to be complete, and it is normal to get some pain in

this

time.

Anything else i can help with, please feel free to email me.

Best wishes to you both.

Sue (UK)