Patient Experience
The highly trained and supportive Pancreas Center team at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Medical Center will guide you and your family through every step of your surgery and recovery.
Below, is a general overview of what to expect.
How long will I be hospitalized?
Most patients are admitted to the hospital on the day of their surgery.
In general, the surgical procedure for which you have been scheduled determines the length of your stay, although mitigating factors such as your personal rate of recovery might affect how long you are in the hospital.
- Whipple Procedure—8 to 10 days
- Partial Pancreatectomy—7 days
- Bypass of Bile Duct—5 days
- Patient Forms
What kind of anesthesia will I receive?
Pancreas operations require general anesthesia.
General anesthesia is administered by a specialist called an anesthesiologist who works in the operating room with your surgical team, regulating your anesthesia dose and monitoring your vital signs throughout the operation.
Will I experience pain when I wake up after the operation?
All surgery involves some pain or discomfort.
The goal of your Pancreas Center clinical team is to minimize this discomfort.
After the operation our patients receive Patient Controlled Analgesia (PCA) pumps allowing them to administer pain medication on their own as they need it.
The PCA is self-regulating and prevents a patient from administering too much medication.
How soon will I know the findings of my surgery?
During the operation, specimens are provided to the pathology laboratory and your surgeon receives a preliminary finding to guide the remainder of the surgery.
The final pathology report requires careful analysis and is generally available one week following surgery.
Your doctor will review these findings with you as soon as the report is available.
What kind of stitches will I have after the operation?
You will have internal and surface sutures.
The internal sutures are made of material that dissolves gradually during the healing process.
The surface incision is held in place by metal staples that will be removed approximately seven days following the surgery.
Most patients say that their removal is surprisingly painless.
What can I eat after surgery?
After undergoing a pancreatic operation, you may experience symptoms of nausea, vomiting, heartburn or abdominal pain after eating.
These symptoms are caused by a condition known as "gastric ileus," or temporary paralysis of the stomach.
In general, your goal should be to eat small meals throughout the day.
It is important to include enough fluid and protein in your diet as you recover from surgery.
For more detailed suggestions regarding a post-operative diet, click here.
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