About Pancreatic Cancer Whipple surgery

Whipple surgery is the only surgery that has the potential to cure pancreatic cancer. The surgery involves the removal of the head of the pancreas, most of the duodenum (a part of the small intestine), the gallbladder, a portion of the bile duct and sometimes a portion of the stomach. A piece of the small intestine is then attached to the bile duct, pancreas and stomach to allow your digestive secretions to empty.

Whipple surgery can take 6-10 hours. If you are very weak prior to surgery, your doctors may need to start you on a program to improve your nutritional status and strength.

You will be given a general anesthetic for the operation. In order to access the many organs, a large abdominal incision will be made. Your surgeon will remove the necessary organs, and then spend time reconstructing your digestive tract.
Your intestine needs time to recover and begin functioning again; you will have to stay in the hospital until this occurs, typically up to 6-7 days. If you have any complications after the procedure, your stay could be longer.

PLANETHOSPITAL can take care of all arrangements for you during your whipple surgery, from helping you select the right surgeon for your unique needs and wishes, making sure your medical records are securely reviewed by the surgeons in advance, setting up an interview with the surgeons if needed, and arranging your travel and accommodations. We do all this without marking up the cost of the surgery. If you have Medicare or other insurance, let us know because we might be able to get you a reimbursement. When you arrive at the destination, a PlanetHospital concierge will be there to assist you every step of the way (for a small additional fee). So with PlanetHospital, all you have to do is show up. Your NEXT STEP is to call us or fill out the form at the right and a PlanetHospital doctor will contact you and help you begin your medical tourism Whipple surgery is the only surgery that has the potential to cure pancreatic cancer. The surgery involves the removal of the head of the pancreas, most of the duodenum (a part of the small intestine), the gallbladder, a portion of the bile duct and sometimes a portion of the stomach. A piece of the small intestine is then attached to the bile duct, pancreas and stomach to allow your digestive secretions to empty.

Whipple surgery can take 6-10 hours. If you are very weak prior to surgery, your doctors may need to start you on a program to improve your nutritional status and strength.