Pancreatic Cancer Surgery: What to Expect at Home

Your Recovery

Surgery for pancreatic cancer removes part or all of the pancreas. Other organs might also have been removed.

Once you are home, be sure to stay in contact with your care team. They can help you manage your pain or other symptoms that you may have. If you have pain, you will have medicine you can take. You will probably feel very tired and weak. Even simple tasks may tire you.

You will probably be able to return to work or your normal routine in about 1 month. It will probably take about 3 months for your strength to come back fully. You may need more treatment for the cancer, such as chemotherapy or radiation.

Most people regain their normal appetite in about 8 weeks. You will probably lose some weight. This is normal.

This care sheet gives you a general idea about how long it will take for you to recover. But each person recovers at a different pace. Follow the steps below to get better as quickly as possible.

How can you care for yourself at home?

Activity

• Rest when you feel tired. Getting enough sleep will help you recover.
• Be as active as you can. It can help prevent problems and help you recover. Walking is a good option for many.
• For about 4 to 6 weeks after surgery, avoid lifting anything that would make you strain. This may include a child, heavy grocery bags and milk containers, a heavy briefcase or backpack, cat litter or dog food bags, or a vacuum cleaner.
• Avoid strenuous activities, such as biking, jogging, weight lifting, or aerobic exercise, until your doctor says it is okay.
• You may shower 24 to 48 hours after surgery, if your doctor okays it. Pat the incision dry. Do not take a bath for the first 2 weeks, or until your doctor tells you it is okay.
• Ask your doctor when you can drive again.
• You will probably be able to return to work about 4 weeks after you leave the hospital.
• Ask your doctor when it is okay for you to have sex.

Diet

• Sometimes the stomach empties food into the small intestine too quickly. This is called dumping syndrome. It can cause diarrhea and make you feel faint, shaky, and nauseated. It also can make it hard for your body to get enough nutrition.
  • Avoid high-sugar foods, such as desserts, soda pop, and fruit juices. They are most likely to cause dumping syndrome.
  • Do not drink liquids within a half hour before eating and up to an hour after eating. Liquids move food even more quickly into the small intestine. Quick emptying of the stomach increases the chance of diarrhea.
  • Eat slowly. Try to chew each bite about 20 times. Allow 20 to 30 minutes for each meal.
  • Eat 5 or 6 small meals or snacks a day. This may keep you from feeling too full after eating and may reduce problems with diarrhea and dumping syndrome.
• If the surgeon did not remove any part of your stomach, you can eat your normal diet. But the surgery affects everyone's digestion differently. You may need to eat more smaller meals instead of fewer larger meals. You may have to try several foods to see what tastes good to you.
• Eat healthy foods. If you do not feel like eating, try to eat food that has protein and extra calories to keep up your strength and prevent weight loss. Drink liquid meal replacements for extra calories and protein. If your stomach is upset, try bland, low-fat foods like plain rice, broiled chicken, toast, and yogurt.
• Whenever you eat, you may have to take enzyme pills to replace enzymes the pancreas makes. These help you digest your food, especially fat.
• If your bowel movements are not regular right after surgery, try to avoid constipation and straining. Drink plenty of water. Your doctor may suggest fiber, a stool softener, or a mild laxative.

Medicines

• Your doctor will tell you if and when you can restart your medicines. The doctor will also give you instructions about taking any new medicines.
• If you stopped taking aspirin or some other blood thinner, your doctor will tell you when to start taking it again.
• You may have to take anti-ulcer medicine for stomach ulcers.
• You may have diabetes. If this is the case, you may have to check your blood sugar and give yourself insulin shots every day.
• You may need to take enzyme supplements to replace enzymes the pancreas makes.
• Be safe with medicines. Read and follow all instructions on the label.
  • If you are not taking a prescription pain medicine, ask your doctor if you can take an over-the-counter medicine.
  • If the doctor gave you a prescription medicine for pain, take it as prescribed.
  • Store your prescription pain medicines where no one else can get to them. When you are done using them, dispose of them quickly and safely. Your local pharmacy or hospital may have a drop-off site.
• If you think your pain medicine is making you sick to your stomach:
  • Take your medicine after meals (unless your doctor has told you not to).
  • Ask your doctor for a different pain medicine.
• If your doctor prescribed antibiotics, take them as directed. Do not stop taking them just because you feel better. You need to take the full course of antibiotics.

Incision care

• Wash your hands before and after touching your incision.
• Wash the area daily with warm water, and pat it dry. Don't use hydrogen peroxide or alcohol. They can slow healing.
• If there are strips of tape on the cut (incision), leave the tape on until it falls off.
• You may cover the area with a gauze bandage if it oozes fluid or rubs against clothing.

When should you call for help?

Call 911 anytime you think you may need emergency care. For example, call if:

• You passed out (lost consciousness).
• You have chest pain, are short of breath, or cough up blood.

Contact your doctor now or seek immediate medical care if:

• You have pain that does not get better after you take pain medicine.
• You have loose stitches, or your incision comes open.
• You bleed through your bandage.
• You have nausea or vomiting and can't keep fluids down.
• You have symptoms of a blood clot in your arm or leg (called a deep vein thrombosis). These may include:
  • Pain in the arm, calf, back of the knee, thigh, or groin.
  • Swelling in the arm, leg, or groin.
• You have symptoms of infection, such as:
  • Increased pain, swelling, warmth, or redness.
  • Red streaks leading from the incision.
  • Pus draining from the incision.
  • A fever.
• You cannot pass stools or gas.

Watch closely for changes in your health, and be sure to contact your doctor if you have any problems.