Q. How Long Will It Take Me To Recover From Whipple Procedure Surgery? How Is The Recovery After The Whipple Procedure?
Most people return to their normal schedule and activity level in about six weeks after the procedure.
Q. What are the risks of Whipple’s procedure surgery?
The Whipple surgical procedure is a technically complex operation that comes with several risks. Some of these risks include:
- Bleeding at the incision site
- Infection at the incision site or inside the abdomen
- Delay in the stomach emptying itself of food making it difficult to eat temporarily.
- Leakage of the bile duct or pancreas
- Diabetes that may be either temporary or permanent
Q. What is the survival rate following Whipple surgery in India?
The long-term survival rate following the Whipple procedure depends on a number of factors including age, pre-existing health, and the type of disease or cancer being treated. For cancer and tumors in the pancreas, Whipple surgery is the only cure. On average, the five-year survival rate is 20%. The five-year survival rate increases to 40% if the cancer is discovered and treated before it spreads to the lymph nodes and nearby tissue.
Q. Are there alternatives to Whipple’s surgical procedure?
There are other surgical options that can be considered to treat diseases and cancers of the pancreas. Whether you are a candidate for these procedures depends on a number of factors. Speak to your medical professional about your options and seek a second opinion if you feel unsure about your decision. Some of the alternate options include:
- Distal Pancreatectomy – If the tumor is located on the left side of the pancreas, surgeons can remove the body and tail on the left side of the pancreas. In some cases, the spleen will need to be removed as well.
- Total Pancreatectomy – This procedure involves the complete removal of the pancreas. While you can live a normal life without your pancreas, enzyme replacement therapy will be needed for the rest of your life.
- Blood Vessel Surgery – Some patients are not eligible for Whipple surgery because the tumors have spread to nearby blood vessels. There are a few surgeons that specialize in removing tumors from blood vessels and recreating the blood vessel.
Q. Why consider India for the Whipple surgery?
India has some of the best-equipped hospitals in the world. The facilities are held to exacting standards of cleanliness and maintenance. The doctors, nurses and supporting staff are among the most experienced and best-trained professionals in the field and equal or superior to their colleagues in the west. One of the primary reasons so many people travel to India for this medical procedure is the financial savings. The Whipple procedure in India is significantly lower than in western countries and unlike the US and UK packages that are all inclusive are available reducing the risk of hidden and unexpected costs.
