Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsBenefits of SurgeryPossible Future SurgeriesLifestyle AdjustmentsNext in Whipple Procedure GuideWhipple Procedure: Overview
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Benefits of Surgery
Possible Future Surgeries
Lifestyle Adjustments
Next in Whipple Procedure Guide
For a person withpancreatic cancer, surgery may be the only option for a cure, and one such type of surgery is aWhipple procedure(pancreaticoduodenectomy). But a Whipple procedure is a very complex operation that often causes major changes to the digestive system.
This can translate into some serious long-term effects, including abdominal discomfort, weight loss, digestive problems, and chronic fatigue.
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There is one large benefit of the Whipple procedure—it may save your life. In fact, according to some studies the expected five-year survival rate is 16.4% of those who undergo a successful Whipple procedure.
Compared to the overall prognosis (outcome) of pancreatic cancer (which is only about 5% who are still alive five years after diagnosis), a Whipple procedure is one of the only knowntreatment modalitiesable to give people with pancreatic cancer a chance to survive.
The reason the overall pancreatic cancer survival rate is so low is that pancreatic cancer often begins to grow and spread (metastasize) long before a person even has symptoms. By the time pancreatic cancer is diagnosed, often, it is already too late for surgery to be effective.
So, the primary benefit of having a Whipple procedure is that with early screening and diagnosis, it can give people a chance to live for many years in relatively good health. According to a 2009 report, the highest rate of successful outcomes after a Whipple procedure comes from high-volume hospitals where many Whipple procedures are performed.
According to Harvard Health, “The operation [the Whipple procedure] is held up as an example of why steering patients to high-volume centers for complex surgeries and treatments might be one way to improve the quality of health care and treatment outcomes.”
Once a Whipple procedure is complete, most people who have had pancreatic cancer will need to undergo cancer treatment (such as chemotherapy) as well.
The side effects of a Whipple procedure can impact a person’s long-term health and have a major effect on one’s emotional well-being as well.It’s important to learn what can be done to lessen this impact and to cope with the stressors that come with such a multifaceted procedure.
In fact, according to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, the Whipple procedure has the potential to cause long-term challenges such as:
It can take a person approximately two months torecover from a Whipple procedure, but some people could take as long as a year (or even longer) to feel normal again.
Can You Live Without a Pancreas? Understanding Life After Pancreatic Surgery
Of the people in the study who required an additional surgical procedure, 72 needed the surgery early in their recovery process and only 18 required surgery later on; six patients required two subsequent surgeries—including one that was early in recovery and one that was required later on.
The study found several reasons that people who underwent a Whipple procedure needed another operation for various reasons, these included:
After a Whipple procedure, there are some common medical complications that may occur, including:
Digestive Enzymes
The body’s pancreatic enzymes include:
Examples of FDA-approved pancreatic enzyme supplements include:
Diet
Diet is one of the most common lifestyle changes required for people who have undergone a Whipple procedure. If you are having digestive problems, it’s important to consult with a professional; ask your healthcare provider or surgeon to refer you to a dietitian for specific diet recommendations.
Some general long-term post-surgical nutritional guidelines from the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network include:
Fats and OilsHealthy sources of fat include nuts and nut oils, avocados, seeds, olive oil, and avocado oil. Note, some healthy oils, such as olive oil become denatured (broken down) when using them to cook at high heat levels.Olive oil is best used raw, in salad dressings or in dips. Other oils, such as avocado oils can be used to cook foods at higher heat levels without destruction to the healthy fats in the oil.
Fats and Oils
Healthy sources of fat include nuts and nut oils, avocados, seeds, olive oil, and avocado oil. Note, some healthy oils, such as olive oil become denatured (broken down) when using them to cook at high heat levels.Olive oil is best used raw, in salad dressings or in dips. Other oils, such as avocado oils can be used to cook foods at higher heat levels without destruction to the healthy fats in the oil.
Healthy sources of fat include nuts and nut oils, avocados, seeds, olive oil, and avocado oil. Note, some healthy oils, such as olive oil become denatured (broken down) when using them to cook at high heat levels.
Olive oil is best used raw, in salad dressings or in dips. Other oils, such as avocado oils can be used to cook foods at higher heat levels without destruction to the healthy fats in the oil.
Exercise
Getting active after a Whipple procedure has always been part of the recovery protocol. But, a 2018 study discovered new evidence on the impact of exercise before and after a Whipple procedure.
“There’s good evidence to suggest exercise should be part of your first line of defense. In fact, research suggests “prehabilitation”—conditioning your body prior to undergoing surgery or cancer treatment—could boost your odds of survival,” says Matthew Katz, M.D., Associate Professor of Surgical Oncology and Chief of Pancreas Surgery at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas.
The study found that exercising before a Whipple procedure enhanced the quality and quantity of life for study participants who realized benefits such as:
Expert sources may differ on the recommended duration of physical activity before and after a Whipple procedure. Consult with your healthcare team and employ their recommendations when starting any type of physical exercise.
Tips for Establishing an Exercise Routine
Tips for establishing a regular workout routine before or after a Whipple procedure include;
Although many people are instructed to take it easy during and immediately after cancer treatment (such as a Whipple procedure), the study data shows that getting people to engage in regular exercise for 150 minutes of moderate to vigorous exercise each week and strength training exercises (such as weight lifting) for two days per week, had tremendous benefits for pancreatic cancer patients.
11 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.Speer AG, Thursfield VJ, Torn-broers Y, Jefford M.Pancreatic cancer: surgical management and outcomes after 6 years of follow-up.Med J Aust. 2012;196(8):511-5. doi:10.5694/mja11.10890Harvard Health Publishing. Harvard Medical School.The Whipple procedure.Pancreatic Cancer Action Network.Whipple procedure (pancreaticoduodenectomy).Reddy JR, Saxena R, Singh RK, et al.Reoperation following pancreaticoduodenectomy.Int J Surg Oncol. 2012;2012:218248. doi:10.1155/2012/218248Pancreatic Cancer. UK.Pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (PERT).Cleveland Clinic.Whipple procedure.Columbia University Irving Medical Center.What you need to know about pancreatic enzymes.The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network.Diet after pancreatic surgery.Neils T, Tomanek A, et al.Exercise improves patient outcomes in advanced pancreatic cancer patient during medical treatment.Pancreatic Disorders & Therapy. 2018;08. doi:10.4172/2165-7092.1000193Let’s Win Pancreatic Cancer.Exercise before, during, and after pancreatic cancer treatment could save your life.Sullivan AN, Lachman ME.Behavior change with fitness technology in sedentary adults: A review of the evidence for increasing physical activity.Front Public Health. 2016;4:289. doi:10.3389/fpubh.2016.00289
11 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.Speer AG, Thursfield VJ, Torn-broers Y, Jefford M.Pancreatic cancer: surgical management and outcomes after 6 years of follow-up.Med J Aust. 2012;196(8):511-5. doi:10.5694/mja11.10890Harvard Health Publishing. Harvard Medical School.The Whipple procedure.Pancreatic Cancer Action Network.Whipple procedure (pancreaticoduodenectomy).Reddy JR, Saxena R, Singh RK, et al.Reoperation following pancreaticoduodenectomy.Int J Surg Oncol. 2012;2012:218248. doi:10.1155/2012/218248Pancreatic Cancer. UK.Pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (PERT).Cleveland Clinic.Whipple procedure.Columbia University Irving Medical Center.What you need to know about pancreatic enzymes.The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network.Diet after pancreatic surgery.Neils T, Tomanek A, et al.Exercise improves patient outcomes in advanced pancreatic cancer patient during medical treatment.Pancreatic Disorders & Therapy. 2018;08. doi:10.4172/2165-7092.1000193Let’s Win Pancreatic Cancer.Exercise before, during, and after pancreatic cancer treatment could save your life.Sullivan AN, Lachman ME.Behavior change with fitness technology in sedentary adults: A review of the evidence for increasing physical activity.Front Public Health. 2016;4:289. doi:10.3389/fpubh.2016.00289
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.
Speer AG, Thursfield VJ, Torn-broers Y, Jefford M.Pancreatic cancer: surgical management and outcomes after 6 years of follow-up.Med J Aust. 2012;196(8):511-5. doi:10.5694/mja11.10890Harvard Health Publishing. Harvard Medical School.The Whipple procedure.Pancreatic Cancer Action Network.Whipple procedure (pancreaticoduodenectomy).Reddy JR, Saxena R, Singh RK, et al.Reoperation following pancreaticoduodenectomy.Int J Surg Oncol. 2012;2012:218248. doi:10.1155/2012/218248Pancreatic Cancer. UK.Pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (PERT).Cleveland Clinic.Whipple procedure.Columbia University Irving Medical Center.What you need to know about pancreatic enzymes.The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network.Diet after pancreatic surgery.Neils T, Tomanek A, et al.Exercise improves patient outcomes in advanced pancreatic cancer patient during medical treatment.Pancreatic Disorders & Therapy. 2018;08. doi:10.4172/2165-7092.1000193Let’s Win Pancreatic Cancer.Exercise before, during, and after pancreatic cancer treatment could save your life.Sullivan AN, Lachman ME.Behavior change with fitness technology in sedentary adults: A review of the evidence for increasing physical activity.Front Public Health. 2016;4:289. doi:10.3389/fpubh.2016.00289
Speer AG, Thursfield VJ, Torn-broers Y, Jefford M.Pancreatic cancer: surgical management and outcomes after 6 years of follow-up.Med J Aust. 2012;196(8):511-5. doi:10.5694/mja11.10890
Harvard Health Publishing. Harvard Medical School.The Whipple procedure.
Pancreatic Cancer Action Network.Whipple procedure (pancreaticoduodenectomy).
Reddy JR, Saxena R, Singh RK, et al.Reoperation following pancreaticoduodenectomy.Int J Surg Oncol. 2012;2012:218248. doi:10.1155/2012/218248
Pancreatic Cancer. UK.Pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (PERT).
Cleveland Clinic.Whipple procedure.
Columbia University Irving Medical Center.What you need to know about pancreatic enzymes.
The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network.Diet after pancreatic surgery.
Neils T, Tomanek A, et al.Exercise improves patient outcomes in advanced pancreatic cancer patient during medical treatment.Pancreatic Disorders & Therapy. 2018;08. doi:10.4172/2165-7092.1000193
Let’s Win Pancreatic Cancer.Exercise before, during, and after pancreatic cancer treatment could save your life.
Sullivan AN, Lachman ME.Behavior change with fitness technology in sedentary adults: A review of the evidence for increasing physical activity.Front Public Health. 2016;4:289. doi:10.3389/fpubh.2016.00289
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