post-op
Post-op (adjective) means happening in the period after a surgical operation. Example: “Her post-op recovery was slower than expected.”
How to use post-op
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAfter an operation.
Medical shorthand that has spread into ordinary speech; the fuller postoperative is used in formal clinical writing. In transgender contexts, asking whether someone is pre-op or post-op is widely considered intrusive unless there is a clinical reason.
Usually hyphenated as post-op; the full form postoperative is written as one word.
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Her _____ recovery was slower than expected.
Etymology
A shortening of postoperative, from Latin post meaning 'after' plus operative.
Synonyms
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Related words
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between pre-op and post-op?
Pre-op covers everything before surgery — assessments, fasting, consent and anaesthetic checks. Post-op covers everything after it — waking from anaesthetic, pain control, wound care and rehabilitation.
How long does post-op last?
Clinically, the immediate post-op period is the few hours in recovery after anaesthetic, but the term is also used for the whole healing window, which can run from days for keyhole surgery to months for joint replacement. Your surgeon's discharge notes will define the period that matters for your restrictions.
What does post-op mean for transgender people?
It means the person has had gender-affirming surgery, as opposed to pre-op or non-op. Not every transgender person wants surgery, so the terms describe one possible path rather than a required sequence, and it is not appropriate to ask about someone's surgical status casually.
What is the meaning of post-op?
"post-op" (adjective) means happening in the period after a surgical operation.