A Pancreaticoduodenectomy or "The Whipple" is an complex operation to treat tumors, polyps, and other conditions of the pancreas, duodenum, and bile ducts. It removes the head of the pancreas, bottom of the stomach ( the pylorus), the duodenum (the first part of the small intestine), the gallbladder and the bile duct.
The Pancreaticoduodenectomy or "The Whipple" , Nov 2023, went okay they tell me, but after I developed a pancreaticojejunostomy (PJ) leak, followed by hepaticojejunostomy (HJ) leak, gastrojejunostomy (GJ), and a stubborn fistula. The resulting complications , leaks, and fistula did so much extra damage to my body, and abdominal muscles, I lost most of my core strength, and flexibility. I was very discourage and worried my quality of life was going to change more because of the complications, than from the changes to my body from the surgery. I told my friends if I can walk, and eat everything else will be a bonus, I just wanted to get out of the hospital, and get on with my “new normal” life. I still have a golf ball size scar in the middle of my incision, from the fistula, the tissue is sunk in, and much thinner the the surrounding tissue. I am concerned about future problems, like hernias, but live a very active life so have to balance getting stronger, enjoying what I li...

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