A Whipple procedure is a type of surgery often used to treat pancreatic cancer. A surgeon removes a portion of the pancreas, which can affect the amount of insulin and digestive enzymes your body produces. You may find it more difficult to digest your food, requiring you to alter your diet, perhaps permanently.
Loss of Appetite
After your surgery, you may not have much appetite. Even so, you should strive to eat a balanced diet with enough calories to prevent weight loss and enough nutrition to promote healing. It may take six weeks or longer until your appetite is back to normal. Food may taste bland or even have a bad taste for the first few weeks. You may have a feeding tube inserted for several weeks after your surgery, through which you can take liquid nutrition. As your appetite improves and you eat more solid food, your liquid nutrition will be replaced.
Gastroparesis
Gastroparesis is the term for when your stomach takes longer than normal to empty its contents. This is a normal side effect of surgery and may leave you feeling overly full and bloated after eating. You also may experience nausea and vomiting. It can take six weeks for this condition to pass, and during this time you may not be able to tolerate food very well. Avoid eating fatty and greasy foods.
Digestion
The reduction in your digestive enzymes may cause you to experience frequent diarrhea, gas, abdominal pain and weight loss. Your doctor may prescribe pancreatic enzyme replacements for you to take with your meals. If you experience diarrhea, avoid sugary, fried or fatty foods and milk products. You also may need to limit your intake of raw vegetables and fruits. Drink plenty of fluids so you do not become dehydrated.
Diet
To heal properly, your body will require more calories and protein than normal. Do not fill your stomach with junk food such as chips and sweets. Eat several servings of vegetables and fruit every day if you do not have diarrhea. Get the most mileage from the food you eat by choosing meals and snacks that are packed with nutrition and protein. Eat small meals more often throughout the day instead of a few large meals. Consume only a small amount of beverages with your meals and save the rest to drink between meals in order to improve your digestion and keep you from filling up too fast. Eat your favorite foods and add more flavor with tart condiments such as vinegar, lemon and pickles.
According to Vanderbilt University Medical Center, you may experience what is called "dumping" syndrome, which means you can become lightheaded and get stomach cramps and diarrhea if you eat sugary foods such as cake and candy for up to three months after your operation. Vanderbilt also recommends that you wait one month before resuming dairy products. In addition, you should avoid gas-producing foods such as broccoli, cabbage and dried beans for the first two to four weeks after surgery.
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