Slightly Discouraged

[danielleleigh90 124]

So, one of the requirements for my surgery was to have a pancreatic cyst checked out that my GI found back in September. In September they aspirated it and said there were no malignant cells. Well, according to the doctors..by viewing the MRI the cyst contains mucinoids which could eventually turn into cancer. The characteristics of the Fluid points to it being nonmalignant but they want to make an action plan...which could be surgery. I just feel kind of discouraged because of the possibility of everything being pushed back. I'm thee biggest worrier alive, so this has definitely thrown a wrench in my plan. UGH

[FluffyChix 17,415]

Hang in there hon! ((hugs)) So much better to take care of this now!!!

[MaineDoc 31]

Not trying to sugar coat things, but simply trying to offer a hopeful/optimistic perspective:

The good news with your decision to take better control of your health by pursuing WLS necessitated that this pancreatic issue got worked up prior to going ahead with WLS. Perhaps if you hadn’t made this decision, the pancreatic issue would have become more of a problem if it hadn’t been discovered or if you had waited longer to have it worked up.

Again not trying to minimize your anxiety and how frustrating this whole process can be for so many reasons, but just trying to maybe reframe your outlook on this as something else that will lead to improved health for you.

I hope that you get an answer quickly, that it’s benign, and that you can proceed with WLS ASAP. My best wishes to you.

[danielleleigh90 124]

My mom tells me to pretend my insurance requires the six month supervised visits lol. So I'm trying to do that as well. No worries @MaineDoc ...any and every suggestion from you all helps! And thank you @FluffyChix! I appreciate both of your responses, I will stay strong! Honestly, since going to the doctor yesterday I want it out anyway because they said it's 5.1cm. Although I didn't have any issues with it, and I don't have any symptoms I do think it's freaky to have something there that shouldn't be there...and at that size. This is my 2nd go-round with cysts! My first was a brain surgery back in 2017. I really am looking forward to the surgery to help me regain my health and continue on a great path! Nooooooooooo more cysts after this lol

[danielleleigh90 124]

Seriously, I love you guys....this forum has done sooo much for me during this process!

[GradyCat 3,695]

Much better to know and take care of this now. Hang in there.

[Orchids&Dragons 9,047]

Maybe they can remove the pancreas (if that's the desired treatment) at the same time that they do the sleeve? The pancreas is very close to the stomach.

[FluffyChix 17,415]

You die without a pancreas (unless the artificial one has been perfected).

[Orchids&Dragons 9,047]

1 hour ago, FluffyChix said:

You die without a pancreas (unless the artificial one has been perfected).

Explains why I'm an accountant!🤪

[Uomograsso 364]

I had a similar thing crop up during my testing. When I had my EGD they found a mass in my duodenum. They took a biopsy and it turned out to be non-cancerous, when. I went to a specialist and he recommended leaving it as the mass was near my pancreatic and bile ducts. He said the surgery to remove it was very involved and since it was non-cancerous it would be best to leave it and just check it in six months. He said me having WLS surgery would be a plus as if I had to have surgery, losing weight would make that surgery easier. Trust your doctor and definitely get a second opinion from someone who specializes in pancreatic surgery. It will work out for you.

[iagree2shine 52]

I actually had the same issue. I had a distal pancreatectomy. My cyst was on the body of my pancreas. It was found during routine scans. And you can live without a pancreas. I have the head but it doesn't work. So I am a diabetic now. But i'm grateful to be alive. I did as well lost my spleen due to the location. I'm post sleeve going to bypass.

[iagree2shine 52]

8 hours ago, FluffyChix said:

You die without a pancreas (unless the artificial one has been perfected).

I have a non-functioning head of my pancreas, which means it is working as though I don't have one.

[danielleleigh90 124]

7 hours ago, iagree2shine said:

I actually had the same issue. I had a distal pancreatectomy. My cyst was on the body of my pancreas. It was found during routine scans. And you can live without a pancreas. I have the head but it doesn't work. So I am a diabetic now. But i'm grateful to be alive. I did as well lost my spleen due to the location. I'm post sleeve going to bypass.

Wow! Was yours cancerous or something??

[danielleleigh90 124]

14 hours ago, Uomograsso said:

I had a similar thing crop up during my testing. When I had my EGD they found a mass in my duodenum. They took a biopsy and it turned out to be non-cancerous, when. I went to a specialist and he recommended leaving it as the mass was near my pancreatic and bile ducts. He said the surgery to remove it was very involved and since it was non-cancerous it would be best to leave it and just check it in six months. He said me having WLS surgery would be a plus as if I had to have surgery, losing weight would make that surgery easier. Trust your doctor and definitely get a second opinion from someone who specializes in pancreatic surgery. It will work out for you.

Thank you! It’s funny because this is my 3rd GI! He specializes in pancreatic cysts. He said they will present my case to the tumor board Friday to see what the plan will be. I hate that they said it’ll take 2-3 weeks to let me know though 😩

[FluffyChix 17,415]

8 hours ago, iagree2shine said:

I actually had the same issue. I had a distal pancreatectomy. My cyst was on the body of my pancreas. It was found during routine scans. And you can live without a pancreas. I have the head but it doesn't work. So I am a diabetic now. But i'm grateful to be alive. I did as well lost my spleen due to the location. I'm post sleeve going to bypass.

Totally gobsmacked. Thanks for the education!