adjective
post-op
pohst-OP
Post-op (adjective) means happening in the period after a surgical operation. Example: “Her post-op recovery was slower than expected.”
adjective
1
Happening in the period after a surgical operation.
"Her post-op recovery was slower than expected."
"Post-op instructions say no lifting for six weeks."
2
Of a transgender person: having undergone gender-affirming surgery.
"The clinic's forms ask whether patients are pre-op or post-op."
noun
1
The stage or ward immediately following surgery, where a patient is monitored as the anaesthetic wears off.
"He spent two hours in post-op before being moved to a ward."
How to use post-op
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAfter an operation.
When to use it
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.
Memory tip
Usually hyphenated as post-op; the full form postoperative is written as one word.
Trace the full origin ↓
Easily confused with
Common pairings
post-op care
post-op pain
post-op recovery
post-op check-up
post-op complications
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Her _____ recovery was slower than expected.
Etymology
A shortening of postoperative, from Latin post meaning 'after' plus operative.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
pre-op
preoperative
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.
