A diagnosis of pancreatic cancer can be a scary. The Whipple procedure is a surgery that was developed in the 1930s to help control this type of cancer and provide hope to survivors. It can be difficult to process food in the immediate post-operative phase, but if you eat many small meals, you will soon find that you can adapt to your new stomach. While there are no specific diet restrictions diet following this surgery, some patients may not tolerate very sweet foods and may need to avoid these types of food, notes the USC Center for Pancreatic and Biliary Diseases.
Whipple Procedure Explained
The Whipple procedure is a surgery that is usually performed for cancer or chronic inflammation. According to the University of Chicago Medical Center, the surgeon removes 50 percent of the pancreas, the duodenum, or first part of the small intestine, the gall bladder, part of the bile duct and sometimes part of the stomach. He also removes lymph nodes. After removal, the surgeon then reconstructs your stomach and intestines so that you will be able to eat and digest foods again.
How to Eat after the Procedure
After the Whipple procedure, your appetite may be poor. It is best to consume 5 to 6 small meals a day and eat slowly as your body adjusts to your new stomach. According to the University of Virginia, it can take 4 to 6 week for your appetite to return to normal. During this time, you need to try to eat things that you enjoy to keep your weight stable. High fat and greasy foods are not recommended, but fruits and vegetables can help your healing. Your sense of taste may also be more metallic. Try eating with plastic forks and spoons to minimize this side effect.
Diabetes and Whipple
Since the Whipple procedure removes part of the pancreas, there is a chance of diabetes following the surgery. However, according to the University of Virginia, if you did not have diabetes prior to your surgery, then there is only a very small chance of developing it. If you already have diabetes prior to the procedure, you may experience a worsening of symptoms, so you should pay close attention to your blood glucose readings if you are a diabetic.
Vitamins and Supplements
There are various vitamins, medications and supplements that may be useful to you post-operatively. If you have having trouble digesting your food, your doctor may prescribe a pancreatic enzymes in a pill form. This can help with the bloating, gas and diarrhea you may be experiencing. A medication called Reglan can help your stomach contract and move food through to help with nausea. Your doctor may also prescribe a multivitamin and calcium supplement. If you are losing too much weight and becoming malnourished, you may also need to take a liquid nutritional supplement.
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