Pancreatitis Support Group

Chronic pancreatitis can present as episodes of acute inflammation in a previously injured pancreas, or as chronic damage with persistent pain or malabsorption. Patients with chronic pancreatitis can present with persistent abdominal pain or steatorrhea, as well as severe nausea. Some patients with chronic pancreatitis often look very sick, while others don't appear to be...

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TP-IAT vs Whipple

seizeit
seizeit
I would like to see if anyone who had either one of these procedures considered the other and why they chose one over the other?
deleted_user
deleted_user
Hi Seizeit, I had a Whipple procedure in 2007, they told me they thought I had cancer and only 6 months to live, after doing the Whipple and they didn't find the cancer in the smears they took they said I have auto immune Chronic Pancreatitis, because it is hard to detect the cancer from auto immune chronic pancreatitis. I was told at that time if I continued to be in a lot of pain they would consider taking the pancreas out. I have cancer in my body anyway, so they did the Whipple. I am not completely pain free, I live with a pain patch. But I am not as sick as I was before the surgery. I don't know if this helped. I wish you well and pray that you and your doctor will make the right choices. Nancy H
seizeit
seizeit
Hey Nancy,

Were do you live, where did you go to have the whipple? I am so sorry to here about all of struggles and pain you have been through. That seems so terrible to have them tell you pancreatic cancer. I take it they left the tail of your pancreas in for isset cells to prevent diabetes or did they take the whole thing out? I have been reading a lot on the TP/IAT procedure so I wanted to see varing view points. What type of patch are you on?
Thanks for the info, Dave from Ohio
deleted_user
deleted_user
Dave, I believe that once you have a Whipple, the TP/AIT is usually not successful, as they can't get enough islet cells from the part of the pancreas which is left. The best candidates for TP/AIT are those who have had no prior surgery on their pancreas. My son had TP/AIT in September with Dr. Sutherland and he now has no pancreatic pain. Feel free to contact us for more information. -Debbie