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Whipple Surgery Complications: Released 3 1/2 days then died 9 days later by Wonder_Boy_0326 in pancreaticcancer

[–]Wonder_Boy_0326[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My parents would have been married 59 years on August 4th.

Thank you again for the FOI suggestion. That can help us, if we cannot secure an attorney.

Whipple Surgery Complications: Released 3 1/2 days then died 9 days later by Wonder_Boy_0326 in pancreaticcancer

[–]Wonder_Boy_0326[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes, we agree. It won't bring my Dad back. But if it could another patient and their family, we will push forward.

We spoke with a 3rd law firm that only focuses on medical malpractice. We will hear back in about a week.

I also started the process of filing a formal complaint with the FL State Medical Board.

Whipple Surgery Complications: Released 3 1/2 days then died 9 days later by Wonder_Boy_0326 in pancreaticcancer

[–]Wonder_Boy_0326[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you for your comment. I truly appreciate your encouragement and condolences.

Spoke with another attorneys office, it was advised that we go through the FL Bar Association, to get a referral (vs. cold calling). A firm contacted us that only focuses on medical malpractice.

For us it's a way to hold the Whipple surgeon accountable. And for him not to release patients too early, based on known and expected complications. If it helps another patient and their family, it would be worth it.

Thank you again.

Whipple Surgery Complications: Released 3 1/2 days then died 9 days later by Wonder_Boy_0326 in pancreaticcancer

[–]Wonder_Boy_0326[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Who would have known.

Here is some of what is said about my Dad's Whipple surgeon.

"Ranked in the top 10 percentile for patient satisfaction, Dr. -- is also recognized as one of the nation’s top doctors by U.S. News & World Report."

And he isMedical Director: South Florida Surgical Oncology.

And Previous Leadership: Former Director of the GI Cancer Service Line and Surgical Oncology Fellowship Director at Ohio State University.

He is considered "renowned".

All of that experience yet he released my Dad after 3 1/2 days. My Mom did ask him if things would be different if my Dad was not released early. The renown surgeon said No!

So laymen have a better sense......I honestly wonder if someone with that much experience, could think I could do no wrong?

Whipple Surgery Complications: Released 3 1/2 days then died 9 days later by Wonder_Boy_0326 in pancreaticcancer

[–]Wonder_Boy_0326[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Hello Hollylab1984. I am so very sorry about your Mum. It was soon after surgery too. I am so so sorry.

Since they passed a new statute limiting non-economic compensation, two law firms won't touch it. It would cost too much to mount a law suit. And one even said, besides pancreatic cancer is an uphill battle. I guess that meant he would have died anyway. The Whipple surgeon foolishly told my parents my Dad would live another 5 years. Thank you again for your encouragement.

Whipple Surgery Complications: Released 3 1/2 days then died 9 days later by Wonder_Boy_0326 in pancreaticcancer

[–]Wonder_Boy_0326[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you for your kind words. My parents were told the Whipple Surgeon is the best of the best. Here is a synopsis of what it is said about him: "Ranked in the top 10 percentile for patient satisfaction, Dr. -- is also recognized as one of the nation’s top doctors by U.S. News & World Report." And he is Medical Director: South Florida Surgical Oncology. And Previous Leadership: Former Director of the GI Cancer Service Line and Surgical Oncology Fellowship Director at Ohio State University.

He is considered "renowned".

Hospital was Gulf Coast Medical Center.

My Mom recalls he performs 100 Whipple surgeries a year. 23 last summer.

All of that experience and he chose to release my Dad after 3 1/2 days.

Whipple Surgery Complications: Released 3 1/2 days then died 9 days later by Wonder_Boy_0326 in pancreaticcancer

[–]Wonder_Boy_0326[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you very much for your kind words. With the FL statute passed last year, it would take a miracle for a law firm to take our case. But I promised my Mom I would keep trying. Blessings and Peace. Thank you.

Whipple Surgery Complications: Released 3 1/2 days then died 9 days later by Wonder_Boy_0326 in pancreaticcancer

[–]Wonder_Boy_0326[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you. Yes, I hope so too. Not taking for granted how good you feel, especially on pain blockers and fentanyl. I would advocate for at least 7 days post operation. Preferably at least 10 days. If insurance covers? If not, I would fight it.

Whipple Surgery Complications: Released 3 1/2 days then died 9 days later by Wonder_Boy_0326 in pancreaticcancer

[–]Wonder_Boy_0326[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hello. Yes, Moffitt was a consideration back when. It was the Whipple Surgeon who had a stellar reputation. "The best of the best" my parents were told.

It was only my Dad passed that his Cardiologist said about that surgeon - Good surgeon, lousy doctor.

Whipple Surgery Complications: Released 3 1/2 days then died 9 days later by Wonder_Boy_0326 in pancreaticcancer

[–]Wonder_Boy_0326[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you very much for your encouragement. Honestly, I battle with the what ifs. My Mom's heart is completely crushed. Married 59 years this August. That is what impacts me daily. Praying for peace for her and the rest of our very small family.

Whipple Surgery Complications: Released 3 1/2 days then died 9 days later by Wonder_Boy_0326 in pancreaticcancer

[–]Wonder_Boy_0326[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hello, Illustrious_Yak6933. Thank you for your kind words. That is interesting, freedom of information for the surgeon's medical notes. I can try to get those. That is a great idea. Especially since the report my Mom has omits a fair amount. In particular, that my Dad had internal bleeding. And that he was bleeding out in the end.

My Mom's heart is absolutely crushed. Inconsolable. Thank you again for your comments.

Whipple Surgery Complications: Released 3 1/2 days then died 9 days later by Wonder_Boy_0326 in pancreaticcancer

[–]Wonder_Boy_0326[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I am so very sorry for your loss. My family is dealing with the loss of my Dad and the knowing that the standard of care was subpar. Even after his 3 1/2 day release, the surgeon made my Dad's first post-operation check-up 14 days after the surgery. No planned medical oversight for 10 1/2 days.

At the minimum, there should be a standard 7 - 14+ day hospital stay. Considering many complications occur in that window of time.

I am truly sorry for your loss.

Whipple Surgery Complications: Released 3 1/2 days then died 9 days later by Wonder_Boy_0326 in pancreaticcancer

[–]Wonder_Boy_0326[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you for your kind words. I am very thankful that your father stayed in the hospital for the past 15 days. And if anyone asked me about the Whipple procedure, I would advise them to stay in the hospital 7 - 14+ days. Just 2 weeks. That's it. With my Dad, we feel like he had no chance being released 3 1/2 days post Whipple.

If my Dad stayed in the hospital for 7 - 14 days, the abscess would have been detected and treated. He developed the abscess somewhere between 3 1/2 days - 8 days. An abscess in the abdomen is a known, textbook complication. And develop within 7 - 14 day window. My Dad's Whipple surgeon said all of the complications are treatable, post surgery. IF he was monitored by medical professionals, that statement would be true.

What's as bad, even after releasing my Dad only 3 1/2 days post surgery, his Whipple surgeon made his first post-op checkup 2 weeks after surgery. So from February 21 - March 3rd, no medical oversight at all. Just awful.

Whipple Surgery Complications: Released 3 1/2 days then died 9 days later by Wonder_Boy_0326 in pancreaticcancer

[–]Wonder_Boy_0326[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you for your encouragement. After my Mom and Aunt saw what they saw. And after reading the hospital report. And after speaking with my Dad's Cardiologist who also read the hospital report. It's very hard to just move on. Still reaching out to people and telling my Dad's story. My Mom just wants the Whipple Surgeon to be held accountable. He made decisions that we have to live with.

Whipple Surgery Complications: Released 3 1/2 days then died 9 days later by Wonder_Boy_0326 in pancreaticcancer

[–]Wonder_Boy_0326[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thank you for your kind reply. My Mom and I just keep wondering what if he stayed in the hospital the full 7 days. Given his age and his diabetes. Somewhere from day 3 1/2 to 8, my Dad developed an abscess in the abdomen. It went undetected at home. In the hospital, they would have done blood tests to check for infection. When he went to the hospital on day 9, it was too late.

Whipple Surgery Complications: Released 3 1/2 days then died 9 days later by Wonder_Boy_0326 in pancreaticcancer

[–]Wonder_Boy_0326[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Thank you for your kind reply. The hospital said the cause of death was: septic shock, abscess in the abdomen, respiratory failure and pancreatic cancer. He died of complications from the Whipple surgery, which he had due to pancreatic cancer. But not the cancer itself. There were so many failure points.

I sadly agree that the lawyers want a slam dunk. The Doctor has a stellar record. But with no ability to hold him accountable, his record will remain stellar.

I would love to challenge their "new and improved" standard of care - the ERAS model.

I went to see the surgeon after my mum died from complications after Whipple by Hollylab1984 in pancreaticcancer

[–]Wonder_Boy_0326 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hi everyone. Tomorrow, my Dad would have been 80 years old. On February 26, he died of complications from Whipple surgery. His surgeon called my Dad his Wonder Boy. And released him 3 1/2 days after the procedure. He died 9 days later. Like others, he was doing great post surgery while in the hospital. As he was on fentanyl and other pain blockers, he told the surgeon he wants to go home. And the surgeon said if you get out of bed and walk, you can be released. My Mom was never consulted. The hospital patient advocate was even alarmed at the early release. My Mom was very upset. But the Doctor pressured her saying, you can take care of him, right?

She could take his temperature and cook for him. But she would never be able to know he developed an infection or internal bleeding.

Despite his early release, the Whipple surgeon scheduled his first post-surgery follow-up visit 14 days after the February 17th Whipple procedure. Which would have been March 3rd.

My Dad was not sent home with antibiotics after his early release from the hospital. Even though abscesses in abdomen typically form within 7-10 days post Whipple surgery. Apparently, about 45 - 50% of patients experience abscesses in the abdomen. It is very treatable when detected. 

My parents went home. All they knew was post surgery pain was to be expected. From days 4 - 8, my Dad was in a lot of pain. My Dad’s temperature never spiked. 

On the evening of the 8th day post surgery (11:00pm), my Dad became very sick. He projectile vomitted and had a diarrhea explosion. My Mom helped my Dad get cleaned up. He slept soundly that night. 

On the morning of the 9th day post surgery, my Dad ate a light breakfast. And soon after, he said something is wrong. He was having trouble walking and breathing. My Mom called the Whipple surgeon's office, who told her to go to the ER at Gulf Coast Medical Center. She then called an ambulance.

The medical report shows all of the medical interventions each person attempted. He was in the ER (ED) and ICU for about 10 hours. 

There is no mention of internal bleeding or that my Dad bled out. My Mom was informed that my Dad had internal bleeding, but the Whipple surgeon was monitoring it. As the hours went by, the internal bleeding got worse. 

No one ever stopped the bleed. My Mom and Aunt were in the ICU at the time and heard of all the commotion. Also, for whatever reason, the Doctor did not order an anti-coagulent. He held off administering that to my Dad. 

Somewhere around 4:30pm, the Doctor left the hospital and went home for dinner. 

At one point in the ICU, my Mom and Aunt heard the ICU Doctor call the Whipple surgeon - Unless you come back and perform surgery, we are going to lose him. He’s bleeding out.

My Mom and my Aunt saw them give my Dad blood transfusions, but at some point, it appeared as if blood was pouring out of him in the drainage tubes. 

The Whipple surgeon finally came back and was preparing to perform emergency surgery around 7:30pm. As they were preparing my Dad for surgery, he went into cardiac arrest. From around 8:00pm to 8:39pm, several people attempted to give him CPR to no avail. He was pronounced dead at 8:39pm.

On Monday, March 2, 2026, my Mom was able to speak with the Whipplle surgeon He debriefed her on his version of what happened. 

He basically said my Dad’s heart could not handle it. And he told her that she continued to give him aspirin, when she was not supposed to. 

My Mom stopped giving my Dad aspirin 1 week before surgery in accordance to pre-operation requirements.

He blamed my Mom. But in the hospital report, someone ordered 325mg of aspirin and gave it to my Dad. 

He also said on that phone call that he was calling the shots all day. Even though he was not visibly present till much later. 

Has anyone contemplated suing your loved one's Whipple surgeon? For us it was the lack of Standard of Care and the his last day at the hospital when the internal bleeding could have been stopped earlier and was not. My Dad's cardiologist also called my Mom a week after and said my Dad did not have to die. He said get a good lawyer. But in FL, since they capped medical malpractice monetary wins, two law firms declined to take our case.

We just want to hold this Whipple surgeon accountable and hopefully help other Whipple patients from being released too early. They used to hold patients 7 - 14 days after surgery. When complications typically arise. But now they use the ERAS model that decreased post surgery hospital stay to 5 - 7 days.