The Whipple procedure is a major surgery performed as a treatment for some types of cancer of the pancreas, bile duct and other organs. Following the procedure, a patient can expect to experience a change in appetite, digestion and taste. If you have difficulty keeping food down, talk with your doctor immediately. Although your digestive system won't resume normal operation for several weeks to a month after the procedure, it should begin to restart within the first week following surgery.
Immediately After Surgery
Immediately after the Whipple procedure, you will not be allowed to eat or drink anything. The operation affects many digestive organs. To allow proper healing, a tube is placed in your nose to remove the contents in your stomach. This allows your system to begin healing before introducing any food. Your intestines must also begin to resume activity before you can introduce food; this can take several days. During this time, the nursing staff will provide swabs to keep your mouth and lips moist, while you aren't allowed to eat.
Clear Liquids
Once your gastrointestinal system resumes some activity, you can begin eating a clear liquid diet, which includes foods like broth, gelatin, ice pops and clear fruit juices such as apple juice. This diet allows you to introduce foods back into the system slowly with foods that are easily digested, limiting the possibility of complications. You stay on this clear liquids diet for a few days until your doctor determines that you are ready to advance to a regular diet.
Regular Diet
Toward the end of your first week after the surgery, your doctor may allow you to begin eating normal food. While in the hospital, many people have to eat what is considered a mechanical soft diet to ease digestion. The food on this diet is low in fat to accommodate decreased digestive enzymes due to the removal of part of the pancreas. You can expect to eat foods like mashed potatoes, macaroni and cheese and lean meats that are ground in a food processor. If you don't like the foods served in the hospital, ask if your family can bring food from home, but have them bring only low-fat and soft foods.
Considerations
If you have continued nausea, or are unable to eat, talk to your doctor. Prior to discharge from the hospital, you must be able to eat, keep food down and have bowel movements. You will eat 5 to 6 small meals a day because your digestion will be slower than normal. If you cannot eat like you should, it may be a sign of complications and you should alert your doctor.
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