Medical professionals perform Whipple procedures to remove portions of your pancreas, bile ducts, gallbladder and small intestines infected with pancreatic cancer. Before your Whipple procedure, you should adhere to a high-protein diet to lower your risk of surgical complications and encourage proper healing after your operation. You must also follow post-surgical dietary guidelines to help prevent diarrhea, flatulence, abdominal cramping or bloating, according to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network.
Pre-Surgical Diet
Your pre-surgical, high-protein diet should include lean meats, seeds, nuts, protein powders, eggs, dairy, peas, beans and lentils. You should also eat vegetables and fruits every day, according to the University of Virginia Health System.
Following Surgery
Your surgeon may insert a jejunostomy tube, or a feeding tube, into your digestive tract during surgery to help maintain and restore optimal nutrition. You might need to resume eating by first following a liquid diet and work your way up to eating solid foods again. Your doctor will advise you as to whether or not this is necessary. You doctor will also determine how long you need to remain on a liquid diet, as this can vary among individuals.
Post-Surgical Diet
Once you are eating solid foods, you should have 5 to 6 nutrient-rich small meals and snacks each day spaced 2 to 3 hours apart to prevent feeling overly full. These meals should not include any fried, greasy or high-fat foods. You should also not consume any alcoholic beverages. You should eat several servings of fruit and vegetables per day, according to UVA Health. Additionally, you should drink 8 cups of fluids, such as water, smoothies, juices or medically prescribed nutritional beverages. However, you should only take small sips of approved fluids with meals to avoid nausea and filling yourself on liquids rather than receiving adequate nutritional intake from your meals and snacks. If you feel too full drinking fluids with meals or snacks, consume beverages one hour before or one hour after you eat. Additionally, if your doctor prescribes pancreatic enzyme replacement supplements, you should take them with each snack or meal you consume. You might also experience diarrhea after your Whipple procedure. If you do, increase your fluid intake to 12 cups per day, limit dairy, as well as raw fruits and vegetables. Eat only eat soft foods such as applesauce and oatmeal until your diarrhea symptoms subside.
Warning
Speak with your doctor about your individual nutritional needs before your Whipple procedure. Your doctor might suggest that you hire a registered dietitian to help you develop an individualized diet to follow before and after your surgery. Your doctor might also recommend that you contact her immediately if you experience any adverse reactions to foods or beverages you consume after your procedure.
