postoperative
adjective
post·op·er·a·tive
ˌpōst-ˈä-p(ə-)rə-tiv 
-pə-ˌrā-
1
: following a surgical operation
postoperative care
2
: having recently undergone a surgical operation
a postoperative patient
postoperatively
adverb
Examples of postoperative in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
CT scans can measure muscle loss – a condition called sarcopenia – and patients with low muscle mass consistently face higher rates of postoperative complications and death compared with those with normal muscle mass.
—
Peter Gunderman, The Conversation, 18 Mar. 2026
Research suggests that bromelain reduces postoperative swelling and, thus, pain.4 However, more research is needed.
—Brittany Lubeck, Verywell Health, 23 Feb. 2026
Those surgeries would lead to a postoperative leak that wouldn’t resolve, strictures, a blockage, more than 60 days in the hospital, over $1 million in medical bills and complete stomach removal, Parker alleged in a March 2020 malpractice suit against Heider.
—Amber Gaudet
updated February 20, Charlotte Observer, 20 Feb. 2026
While complications, such as infections, can occur after any surgical procedure, problems related to postoperative care are blamed for contributing to injuries in over two-thirds of the cosmetic surgery cases KFF Health News reviewed.
—Fred Schulte, Miami Herald, 30 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for postoperative
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Peter Gunderman, The Conversation, 18 Mar. 2026
Research suggests that bromelain reduces postoperative swelling and, thus, pain.4 However, more research is needed.
—Brittany Lubeck, Verywell Health, 23 Feb. 2026
Those surgeries would lead to a postoperative leak that wouldn’t resolve, strictures, a blockage, more than 60 days in the hospital, over $1 million in medical bills and complete stomach removal, Parker alleged in a March 2020 malpractice suit against Heider.
—Amber Gaudet
updated February 20, Charlotte Observer, 20 Feb. 2026
While complications, such as infections, can occur after any surgical procedure, problems related to postoperative care are blamed for contributing to injuries in over two-thirds of the cosmetic surgery cases KFF Health News reviewed.
—Fred Schulte, Miami Herald, 30 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for postoperative
Cite this Entry
“Postoperative.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/postoperative. Accessed 22 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
postoperative
adjective
post·op·er·a·tive
ˈpōst-ˈäp-(ə-)rət-iv
1
: relating to, occurring in, or being the period following a surgical operation
postoperative care
2
: having recently undergone a surgical operation
a postoperative patient
postoperatively
adverb
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
