Your bile duct carries bile from the liver and gallbladder to the small intestine to help digest fats. Sometimes hard particles, similar to gallstones, lodge in that duct and cause pain, jaundice or infection.
Keyhole surgery may be recommended to clear these stones without a large incision. Bile duct stone keyhole surgery cost in Singapore can range from SGD 20,000 to SGD 30,000.
During the procedure, your surgeon will make a few small cuts in your abdomen, usually around your belly button and under your ribs. With the help of a tiny camera known as a laparoscope and special instruments, they will then locate and remove stones.
At times, they combine this with an endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), using a tube through your throat to reach the ducts. Because the cuts measure only a few millimetres, your body faces less trauma than with traditional open surgery. You also experience less pain, lower risk of wound infection and can start moving around sooner.
How Long is Recovery after Keyhole Surgery for Gallstones?
As part of your preparation for this procedure, an important question you may want to ask your doctor is; how long is recovery after keyhole surgery for gallstones?
Now, the good news is that recovery from bile duct stone keyhole surgery is typically quick. Most people who have this procedure are able to go home within a few days. Full recovery, including returning to normal activities, generally takes around two weeks. Here’s a summary of what you can typically expect;
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Immediate Post-Op Period
After surgery, you wake up in the recovery room or high-dependency unit. Nurses check your blood pressure, pulse and oxygen levels every 15–30 minutes at first.
You’ll have a drip in your arm to keep you hydrated and may get pain relief through an epidural or intravenous line. Expect some discomfort around the small cuts and mild bloating as gas used to inflate your abdomen escapes.
You may feel sleepy from anaesthesia but that’s normal. You will be encouraged to take deep breaths and cough gently to clear your lungs and reduce the risk of infection.
Later on the same day or the next morning, you can start sitting up in bed. You will be supported you as you dangle your feet over the side. This early movement helps your bowel to restart and prevents blood clots. By day two, most people can walk short distances in the ward with help and begin sipping water or clear fluids if there’s no nausea.
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First Week at Home
Once discharged often on day two or three, you need a calm environment to keep healing. Your hospital will give you a detailed discharge plan which covers wound care, medicines and signs to watch for.
In the first week, you may feel tired and need naps throughout the day. You’ll still take painkillers, usually paracetamol or mild opioids.
Follow the schedule exactly and don’t wait until pain spikes. Keep your wounds clean and dry too.
A shower is fine once your team clears you, but pat the sites gently with a towel. Your appetite may return slowly but you will want to start with light meals like soups, porridge or steamed fish but eat small portions.
Bloating and mild nausea can linger but you can use low-fibre, bland foods to help your digestion wake up. Take short walks around your home or garden daily to improve blood flow and reduce the chance of blood clots.
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Weeks 2–4 Recovery
Between weeks two and four, you should notice steady improvement. Pain at your keyhole sites will gradually fade, leaving only dull aches.
At this stage, you can switch from strong painkillers to standard over-the-counter tablets if you need them. Your energy will return in phases and in week two you may manage light chores, like making tea or watering plants.
By week three, you can walk further around the neighbourhood or local park without undue breathlessness. Keep stretching your arms and shoulders gently to ease any stiffness.
Diet-wise, reintroduce more fibre gradually like whole grains, vegetables and fruits to prevent constipation, a common side effect of surgery and pain medicines. Stay hydrated with water and clear juices.
Importantly, listen to your body: if an activity leaves you exhausted, pause and rest. Don’t forget sleep. Sufficient sleep each night plus a daytime nap helps tissue repair and mood balance.
How to Speed Recovery after Bile Duct Stone Keyhole Surgery
Not everyone heals at the same pace and there are several factors that can affect how fast you recover after bile duct stone keyhole surgery. To speed your recovery, here are a few recommendations you may find helpful;
- Stay Active but within Limits: Gentle walking boosts circulation, clears gas pain and prevents clots. Aim for several five- to ten-minute strolls daily. Increase distance slowly, but don’t push through sharp pain.
- Eat Balanced, High-Protein Meals: Protein-rich foods like fish, eggs and beans fuel tissue repair. Combine with fruits, veg and whole grains to ease digestion. Small, frequent meals help if your appetite is low.
- Manage Pain as Directed: Take pain relief before discomfort peaks. Good control lets you move more comfortably. Discuss any side effects or ongoing severe pain with your doctor.
- Keep Wounds Clean and Dry: Follow wound care instructions precisely. Check for redness, swelling or discharge. You will also want to aim for early detection of infection to prevent major setbacks.
Contact your surgeon or nurse helpline if you notice any of these:
- Persistent fever over 38 °C
- Worsening pain despite medicines
- Increasing redness or pus at wound sites
- Sudden swelling in your legs or chest pain.
Also ring if you experience severe nausea that stops you from eating or drinking, yellowing of your skin or eyes, or dark urine which are all signs of bile duct issues. In such scenarios, don’t wait for your next appointment.
Wrapping Up
Keyhole surgery for bile duct stones offers a smoother, faster recovery than open operations. Most people leave hospital within days and regain everyday activities over four to six weeks.
It is important to note that recovery processes are unique. Follow your providers’ guidelines and be quick to report any strange developments.
We help with bile duct tone keyhole surgery in Singapore and would be pleased to address any queries or concerns you might have about the procedure. To schedule an appointment, call or visit us at;
Tan Siong San Surgery
38 Irrawaddy Rd, #09-58 Mount Elizabeth Novena Specialist Centre,
Singapore 329563
Phone: +65 6970 8852
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