Smaller pancreas than normal

[Tootall]

Hi, my thoracic surgeon advised me yesterday that my pancreas is smaller than normal. I had total gastrectomy 6 months ago and I have been having some pain after eating. Does anyone know if I am not producing enough enzymes, causing issues to gain weight?

[Mauser1905]

Ask GP to check your blood for HbA1c.

Keep diary of symptoms after meals.

Is the added weight only on stomach area?

Assuming you dont have any existing blood glucose issues pre surgery, chances are your blood glucose in pre diabetes type II.

[Tootall in reply to Mauser1905]

Thank you for your reply. I will be dealing with a gastroenterologist for my pancreas which I have not yet met. I am assuming I will go through some blood tests and other tests. Hopefully, its not serious.

[Mauser1905 in reply to Tootall]

The GI consultant should be able to do something better. All the best

[liz_crisp]

Hi 6 months is no time at all. If you are managing to maintain weight you are doing well. Your system is trying to relearn digestion, heal itself and how to deal with food. I didn’t gain much weight at all until about 3 years down the line. Then it was a slow and steady process 10 years on and I’m just about back where I was when I had the op. Don’t eat too much at any one time, if you eat too much you will often get pain after eating , you need to be kind to your digestive system. Small meals 5-6 times a day at least, also try not to over exercise or drink lots of protein shakes to build muscle., you need calories and fat for easy energy, building muscle etc takes energy and without fat that is in short supply. Graze all day on whatever you want as long as it’s got some calories in it. You could ask your doctor about Creon , it helps the body absorb fat Good luck

[Tootall in reply to liz_crisp]

Thank you so much for your response. Your recommendations are helpful.

Cheers!

[kiddy]

Hi I have the same problem nearly 4 years post op I take Creon. I found I had Polysplenia through mri scan’s which is complex a lot of my organs are different to normal.

I eat and graze small amounts throughout the day. My weight has crept up gaining a stone of the 3 stone loss. Still get reflux and dumping so have to watch what I eat but have a new normal life.

Best Wishes

Debbie

[Tootall in reply to kiddy]

Thank you for your reply. Your suggestions are very helpful.

[Tootall in reply to kiddy]

Hi Debbie, I am not sure what is a stone weight, but I assume it is 16 lbs. What type of food have you been grazing on if you don't mind me asking? I believe that there are different type of Creon based on each individual condition!

Thank you again for assisting.

Ray

[kiddy in reply to Tootall]

Hi 14 lbs to a stone. Not sure what types of creon there is my dietician altered my dosage. I snack on crackers, cheese, crisps bun and butter, anything high calorie that doesn’t cause dumping. Small meals child size portions.

I guess its trial and error. I cant eat yoguart, custard, ice cream or a lot of milk and have to be careful with sugar.

Best wishes

Debbie

[Fizzy35 in reply to kiddy]

Well done !!

We found Creon a difficult one to juggle with but with time and lots of patience realised is something isn’t fatty.... ice lolly/ juice/ fruit etc you get the picture. Then no Creon.

A biscuit/bit cake/ chocolate / cheese/ milk/ etc Creon really needed

But at times it still goes wrong and the pain begins.

Best wishes for your journey

Fizzy35