Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsLocationWhat to WearFood and DrinkMedicationsWhat to Bring
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Location
What to Wear
Food and Drink
Medications
What to Bring
When preparing for theWhipple procedure (pancreaticoduodenectomy surgery), it’s important to know what type of facility you will be having the procedure at, what to expect before the procedure, what medications to take (and which ones to withhold), and about certain lifestyle changes that will help to speed recovery after the procedure.
A Whipple procedure is a complex operation that takes place in a hospital setting. You can expect a total stay of six to 10 days in the hospital. The surgery itself will take four to six hours. You will generally be transferred to a regular hospital room after a night in the intensive care unit (ICU)
After having a Whipple procedure, you should expect to awaken in the ICU. When a person is in the ICU, this indicates that very close monitoring is required.
The ICU looks quite different from a regular hospital room, with various types of special equipment such as defibrillators (devices that deliver an electrical shock to the heart when the heart stops beating normally), patient monitors,ventilators(machines to help those who stop breathing)CPAP systems(equipment for those with sleep apnea), and more.
Chalffy / Getty Images
When preparing for a Whipple procedure, wear clothing that is comfortable and loose-fitting. Once you get checked into the hospital (through the admissions department) you will be taken to the preoperative area of the hospital and given a hospital gown and an ID bracelet.
Things to keep in mind when planning for a Whipple procedure include:
Although religious articles (such as prayer beads) may be comforting to have with you, these items won’t be allowed in the operating room.
Talk to your surgical team about when to stop eating and drinking the night before your Whipple procedure. Some facilities instruct patients to refrain from eating or drinking anything after midnight on the day of the procedure. This is important because it helps the body to better prepare foranesthesia.
Your surgeon may instruct you to take medications for asthma, blood pressure, heart mediation, seizure medication with a very small sip of water the morning of your surgery. Be sure to confirm exactly which medications you should take the day of surgerybeforethe procedure.
Why You Can’t Eat or Drink Before Surgery
Some types of medications should be stopped before having a surgical procedure because they can increase the risk of complications, such as bleeding. Be sure to tell your surgeon if you take:
Miscellaneous Information to Report
In addition to reporting any type of medication you are taking, it’s important to mention other important health factors to your surgeon before your Whipple procedure, these include:
Some types of sleep apnea can cause complications before and after a Whipple procedure. If you have sleep apnea and you use a CPAP machine, bring it with you the day of your surgery.
Timetable Before a Whipple Procedure
Here are some general recommendations regarding when to stop taking specific types of medications before a Whipple procedure. But, always check with your surgery team and follow your surgeon’s exact advice on what medications to take before surgery and when to stop taking certain medications in preparation for Whipple surgery.
10 Days Before Your Surgery
If you take vitamin E,stoptaking it 10 days before your Whipple procedure is scheduled; this is because vitamin E may cause bleeding.
7 Days Before Your Procedure
Quit taking blood thinners seven days before your scheduled Whipple procedure.Withhold any type of natural or herbal remedies or supplements seven days before your surgery (including vitamins and other dietary supplements, herbal tea, or powdered supplements).
2 Days Before Your Procedure
Stop taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen (Motrin) or naproxen (Aleve), at least two days before your scheduled Whipple procedure because NSAIDs can cause bleeding.
1 Day Before Your SurgeryShower with Hibiclens skin cleanser the night before surgery; this is a solution that helps to kill germs for 24 hours after use. This will help to lower your overall risk of infection after surgery.
Items that you should pack for your hospital stay include:
Preoperative Lifestyle Changes
A Whipple procedure is a major medical operation that impacts how a person can digest food. People withpancreatic cancer(and other conditions that may require a Whipple procedure) are known to lose a lot of weight.
Your healthcare provider may prescribe pancreatic enzyme supplements before your surgery to help your body adapt to the digestive problems involved in having a serious pancreatic condition.
DietIn addition to taking pancreatic enzymes, it’s important to eat a healthy, balanced diet to strengthen the body before surgery. It’s advisable to consult with a dietitian to get advice on eating healthy for weight gain (particularly if you’ve lost a significant amount of weight). Your healthcare provider can write an order for a consultation with a dietician.
Exercise
If your current lifestyle involves a pattern of regular exercise, continue your workouts as usual, before your procedure. If you don’t exercise, consult with your healthcare provider before starting any type of workout routine and follow your healthcare provider’s advice.
It’s usually advisable to try to move as much as possible, starting with low-intensity exercise (such as walking) for short distances, then, build up each day as your body adapts to exercising for longer periods of time.
Ultimately (with your healthcare provider’s approval) a regular aerobic exercise routine is advisable each day, such as walking briskly, swimming, or biking.
Never attempt any type of exercise without the approval of your healthcare provider. What is appropriate will depend on your individual condition.
SmokingIf you are a smoker, stop smoking as soon as possible. Smoking can lead to a higher risk of serious complications during and after surgery, including heart and breathing problems. If you can’t quit long-term, consider quitting (or at least reducing the amount you smoke) for as many days as possible before your scheduled surgery.
Quitting smoking for even a few days before surgery (and staying smoke-free after surgery) was found to help lower risks of complications, while hastening the recovery period postoperatively.
Alcohol Consumption
Drinking alcohol regularly can increase complications during and after your Whipple procedure (such as bleeding, heart problems, and infection). For heavy drinkers, stopping suddenly could result in serious health issues (such as seizures, delirium or even death).
Be sure to have a conversation about how much you drink with your surgeon before your surgery is scheduled. Many medical professionals advise that once your procedure date has been scheduled, it’s a good time to try to stop drinking.
If you have early withdrawal symptoms such as headache, nausea, anxiety, or insomnia when trying to quit, talk to your healthcare provider right away. Your healthcare provider can prescribe medication that can help prevent complications of suddenly quitting drinking.
If you are unable to quit drinking, talk to your surgery team. Be aware that any information you share about drinking will be kept confidential.
6 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.MUSC Health (Medical University of South Carolina).Whipple Procedure.Columbia University Irving Medical Center. Columbia Surgery.What to expect from your surgery and hospital stay.Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.About your Whipple procedure.Pancreatic Cancer UK.Preparing for your pancreatic cancer surgery.Cancer U K.Preparing for your pancreatic cancer surgery.Truth Initiative.Why you should quit smoking before having surgery.
6 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.MUSC Health (Medical University of South Carolina).Whipple Procedure.Columbia University Irving Medical Center. Columbia Surgery.What to expect from your surgery and hospital stay.Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.About your Whipple procedure.Pancreatic Cancer UK.Preparing for your pancreatic cancer surgery.Cancer U K.Preparing for your pancreatic cancer surgery.Truth Initiative.Why you should quit smoking before having surgery.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
MUSC Health (Medical University of South Carolina).Whipple Procedure.Columbia University Irving Medical Center. Columbia Surgery.What to expect from your surgery and hospital stay.Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.About your Whipple procedure.Pancreatic Cancer UK.Preparing for your pancreatic cancer surgery.Cancer U K.Preparing for your pancreatic cancer surgery.Truth Initiative.Why you should quit smoking before having surgery.
MUSC Health (Medical University of South Carolina).Whipple Procedure.
Columbia University Irving Medical Center. Columbia Surgery.What to expect from your surgery and hospital stay.
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.About your Whipple procedure.
Pancreatic Cancer UK.Preparing for your pancreatic cancer surgery.
Cancer U K.Preparing for your pancreatic cancer surgery.
Truth Initiative.Why you should quit smoking before having surgery.
Meet Our Medical Expert Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
What is your feedback?
