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Pancreatectomy

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Hello Jamiesamp

I am very sorry to hear of all your troubles you certainly have had a rough time.

I can imagine your head is all over the place as was mine four years ago when I had my total pancreatectomy, but I considered myself lucky that an operation was possible. I was 71 years old and wasn't diabetic at all before. The surgeon's plan was to perform a partial pancreatectomy but this wasn't to be, and to learn that my whole pancreas had gone was a bit of a shock, I was in Intensive Care for four days and in hospital a month. The team in ICU were brilliant, I had epidural pain relief and they were very careful to keep me comfortable. When I was transferred to the main ward Physio soon had me out of bed and walking round pushing my drip. Take things easy when you come out of hospital and don't try to rush things, it takes time quite a long time to regain your strength. I take lots of Creon capsules and I am on a diet called Frodmap which avoids fermentable foods and helps my digestion.

One year after the operation I attended a DAFNE course and I learned a lot from that, two years after the operation I was granted an Insulin Pump and I am doing well.

Keep in touch and feel free to message me if you want to ask any questions.

Take care
Annie
 
thanks been reading up that medicines and research also mean people are living longer as well so i can have a long life which was my biggest fear. i was also reading about new technology called an artificial pancreas which will take the worry out of monitoring blood suger levels
 
Don't put too much reliance on getting an artificial pancreas if I were you. They first went public nearly 30 years ago and OK it might have got nearer now - but the speed things happen in diabetes - I don't expect it to be available in my lifetime. I'm 66 by the way.
 
i was reading it could be available in 2017 but the point is medicine and research is improving so we can have a long life
 
Jamiesamp said:
thank you hopefully i won`t be in intensive care and on the ward for a month
Click to expand...
I spent a day in intensive care, 2 days in high dependency then the rest of a fortnight on the ward, at which point I ticked the NHS boxes for going home. My consultant and family were not happy about this so I spent another week in a private hospital (ouch££££££££££) but worth it. So three weeks in total.
 
I think it is almost certain you will be in intensive care for a period of time. A pancreatectomy is a major operation. I was in intensive care for 4 days then spent a further 10 days on a ward before being allowed home.
 
I was in intensive care for a couple of days, I think, wasn't really with it. Then in a room of my own to minimise infection for at least another week, then on a ward. Was in 3 weeks but I did have a pancreatic leak, still have a bit left. Not a pleasant experience! This happened on New Years Eve, while the fireworks were being let off over Newcastle. Not the best bringing in of the New Year I've ever had! @Ref is right, it's major surgery, you'll be in as long as they feel you need to be.
 
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