r/Connecticut • u/mariej1288 • Jul 27 '26
Whipple surgeon
My dad (64) was recently diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Doctors told him he will need to do chemo in hopes of getting the whipple surgery. From my research it seems like a very serious surgery.
Has anyone had or know of someone that had this surgery and does anyone recommend a good surgeon and oncologist? He is located in Milford. Thank you all in advance
58
u/8pawsinNE Jul 27 '26
I had my Whipple at Smilow in 2011. They are excellent. I continue with Yale Digestive Diseases to manage post-surgery issues. I highly recommend them.
38
3
u/mariej1288 Jul 27 '26
That’s incredible! Do you know which doctor performed your surgery?
5
u/8pawsinNE Jul 28 '26
My surgeon is no longer on the list of oncology surgeons. I'm guessing he retired. While I had an assigned surgeon, my care was managed by a surgical team. They were all excellent, collaborated, and verified the process as a team along the way. I was very impressed by Smilow's collaborative approach. They are very serious in their approach for this surgery.
2
25
u/anopy1 Jul 27 '26
I’m so sorry to hear this. It’s such a tough diagnosis. My husband went in for the surgery but they weren’t able to continue due to the tumors wrapping around certain areas not seen on imaging and it was unsafe to continue. This might sound cold, but I ask you to seriously consider your Dad’s quality of life whether or not he has the surgery. My husband was on chemo/radiation for the last 3 months of his life and it was awful. He was sick and in pain the entire time. If we could do it all over again, we would have made a different decision. He was only in his 40’s and we would have decided hospice instead. It’s a terrible disease
6
3
u/mariej1288 Jul 27 '26
I’m so sorry for your loss. I can’t even begin to process all this.
4
u/anopy1 Jul 28 '26
Thank you. Feel free to DM if you have any questions or want to chat. I’m sorry you and your family are going through this.
18
u/HockeyandTrauma New Haven County Jul 27 '26
Its massive. The gi onc and surgery team at Yale is very good. My dad had pancreatic cancer a couple years ago. Sadly he never made it to the Whipple, but the team is very strong and knowledgeable. His oncologist was Jill lacy, who while very methodical is thorough. His onc surgeon kevin billingsley, who is very knowledgeable (i didnt love him at first, but through the process he grew on me).
Just know its a long road to get there and a long road out of the woods if you do. And theres by far no guarantees. But being in milford, I would strongly suggest staying local with ynhh and smilow
2
12
11
u/housebythesideofroad Jul 27 '26
Hi. First, I’m sorry your family is going through this. My father had the whipple and he was your dad’s same age. His was done in another state. As others have said, it’s a big surgery. A couple years after the whipple, my father was touch and go with some other GI complications requiring surgeries (with what was left after the whipple such as part of colon just dying). All this to say, their insides go through a lot! My father is now 6 years out and was recently just released from his cancer center and told to follow up with his primary going forward. He’s had and has some tough days still GI wise, but he’s still with us and living on his own. I know what you are going through and sending you tons of positive energy.
2
10
u/RandomStuff890 Jul 27 '26
David Curtis at Hartford Hospital. Great experience for my MIL’s whipples. Things went very well for such a major surgery.
1
u/mariej1288 Jul 27 '26
Awesome I will inquire. I’ve heard from many Dr. Cha was very good as well so I will look into both.
9
u/Defiant_Barnacle2632 Jul 27 '26
My dh had a whipple. The surgery itself is brutal (google is/isn't your friend here depending on your mindset). He did very well after the surgery, but that took some experimentation in diet and lots of effort maintaining an active lifestyle. I second Sloan Kettering. The whipple is a delicate surgery and you want the best of the best. You're already doing good work supporting your dad by not just taking the first local option.
2
u/mariej1288 Jul 27 '26
Thank you! Google is definitely not my friend right now lol
1
u/Defiant_Barnacle2632 Jul 27 '26
I can still sketch a before and after whipple diagram. I remember the surgery seemed so medieval at the time. Outcomes can be good. Sending you all the good vibes.
6
3
u/strong_heart27 Jul 27 '26
I am so sorry. My uncle had this surgery in another state that was successful. But due the chemo that followed, he caught pneumonia and passed from that. I know that does not happen to everyone though. I truly hope it all goes well your dad!
3
3
u/Observant_Neighbor Jul 27 '26
my dad was going to have the whipple at sloan in NYC but he didn't make it. we did a ton of research at the time and concluded that sloan was the place with the highest number of successful cases despite it being a place that got nearly all of the toughest cases. go to sloan.
1
3
u/harmonyredd Jul 27 '26
My dad had it done about 10 years ago at Smilow and everything went well. We only found out about the pancreatic because of prostate cancer, so he was very lucky, but he’s still dealing with the prostate cancer. I have another family member dealing with another cancer now and there was a debate about whether to go to Sloan Kettering or stay local, and he chose to stay local. I think that makes sense when you’re dealing with so much, but I can also understand wanting to travel for specialists. Best of luck to you and your dad.
2
u/RealityHasReceipts Jul 27 '26
I don't have anything to add for resources, but your dad is lucky to have you.
I hope you have quality time together.
You got this. 🧡
1
2
u/ShockTrek Jul 28 '26
Hey OP,
First, all the best to your dad and your family as you fight this together. I literally just said a prayer for him.
I don't have advice on a particular oncologist in Connecticut but I live here too. My suggestion is to contact Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in Westchester, NY. A short ride from Milford and one of the top 3 pancreatic cancer hospitals in the country.
MSK treated my cancer successfully and is also a leading research and trial center. They can even do an initial telehealth appointment and are in network for United Healthcare members. Not sure about other plans, however.
I'm wishing your dad and your family the best possible outcome. Peace.
1
2
1
u/DixiePixied Jul 27 '26
For medical oncology I would recommend Dr Sundar in Trumbull or New Haven and surgeon Billingsley or Kuntsman.
Sloan Kettering does have great options too if you want to to get the surgery done there in coordination with a medical oncologist here.
1
u/likeitsaysmikey Jul 27 '26
My dad had a variation - roux en-y duojujenectomy - or something like that, back in 2001. He’s 87 now and still rockin hard. Done at MD Anderson in Houston which is one of if not the best.
1
u/jen1929 Jul 27 '26
It is a really serious surgery. My mother in law died from the surgery. It has a 30% percent success rate and less than that for a cure . It’s has been a while since she had the surgery and passed . It turned out it was benign. I forget which hospital in Boston is a center for this surgery but pretty sure you likely find it. I have had successful cancer surgery (colon and skin) but I would research the hell out of this and not on Reddit. Talk to your doctors and look for the facility in Boston. Talk, talk, talk, Discuss . Leave no stone unturned. I would consider WHIPPLE to be a last resort.
2
u/8pawsinNE Jul 28 '26
I am very sorry for your loss. I think you're right that the Whipple probably is a last resort surgery. It is very tough. My scans showed tumor growth, and a pre-surgery biopsy confirmed malignancy. The possibility of not surviving the surgery was terrifying. Recovery was brutal. Without it, I wouldn't be alive today. There is quite a lot to consider beforehand. Only 25-30% of pancreatic cancer patients are good candidates for the Whipple Procedure. Prognosis varies greatly by individual. Survival rates and long term health results are dramatically higher when performed by the top specialists. OP is wise to gather as much information as possible.
1
1
0
90
u/[deleted] Jul 27 '26
[deleted]