Healthy Eating After the Whipple Procedure: Care Instructions

The Whipple procedure is a surgery to remove a tumor in the pancreas and a lot of the nearby tissue. If the tumor hasn't spread, the surgeon will take out the part of the pancreas containing the tumor. During the surgery, part of the small intestine, the gallbladder, and other nearby tissues will be removed. The surgeon may also remove part of the stomach.

The pancreas is an organ in the belly that is attached to the small intestine. It makes digestive enzymes that your body needs to digest food properly. It also makes insulin, a hormone that controls your body’s blood sugar level. After part or all of your pancreas is removed, you may need to take medicine to manage your blood sugar. You may also need to take enzyme supplements to help your body break down and digest food. You may need to take them for a while after surgery. Or you may need to take them on a long-term basis.

Since the surgery involves your digestive system, it can make it hard to eat the amount and types of healthy foods that you need for good nutrition. At first, focus on getting enough calories and protein to help your body heal after surgery.

Your doctor may advise you to work with a dietitian to help you find ways to get the nutrition you need in the first few weeks and months after surgery.

It’s normal not to have much of an appetite for several weeks after surgery. You may feel full quickly. To be sure you’re able to eat enough to get the nutrition your body needs, try to follow these steps:

• Try to eat 5 or 6 small meals a day. If you eat a small amount every 2 to 3 hours, you won’t feel as full. Small meals are easier to digest.
• Try to eat slowly and chew your food thoroughly to help with digestion.
• As you recover, you can eat the usual foods that you enjoy. But try to avoid foods that you do not tolerate well.
• Choose high-protein foods at each meal to help your body heal.
  • Protein smoothies and protein supplement shakes are a good choice. Protein drinks like Boost, Carnation Instant Breakfast, and Ensure may be an easy-to-digest way to get protein.
  • Other good sources of protein are peanut butter, tender meats, fish, poultry, eggs, dairy products, and beans.
• To help your body digest your food, sit upright during meals and walk after meals.
• Try to drink fluids about 30 to 60 minutes before or after meals to prevent yourself from feeling full. Try not to drink fluids with meals.
• To prevent gas in your stomach, try not to drink out of a straw for the first few weeks after your surgery.
• If you have gas, bloating, or diarrhea after you eat dairy foods, try drinking lactose-free milk or taking lactase enzyme pills when eating dairy.
• Try not to lose weight. It can make you feel weaker and delay healing. Your registered dietitian can offer tips for staying at the same weight.

• If high-fiber foods (such as beans, lentils, broccoli, or bran cereal) cause gas, bloating, or discomfort, try eating smaller amounts until you tolerate them better.
• At first, fatty foods may be harder to digest. Limit fried and greasy foods if they cause symptoms.
• Limit foods and drinks that are high in added sugar, especially if they cause blood sugar spikes or digestive symptoms.

• If your doctor prescribes them, take pancreatic enzymes to help your body digest proteins, fats, and carbohydrates in foods.
• Ask your doctor about taking a daily multivitamin or mineral supplement.
• If your doctor recommends it, take a calcium and vitamin D supplement.

When recovering from this major surgery, contact your doctor right away if:

• You have a fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher or as advised by your doctor.
• You have chills.
• You have increased redness, pain, swelling, bleeding, or drainage from any incisions.
• You are vomiting.
• You have too much bloating.
• You don't have bowel movements.
• Your stools are oily or loose.
• You have jaundice (a yellow tint to the skin or eyes).