Recovery Guide

Your parent's surgery is done. Now comes recovery. Let's get it right.

Surgery is the easy part. Recovery is where problems happen. Infections. Pain management gone wrong. Physiotherapy skipped. Your parent at home thousands of miles away, struggling. We manage every aspect of post-operative recovery so you can focus on work.

Why post-surgery recovery is critical

Most surgical failures happen post-op, not during surgery. Your parent comes home. Infection develops silently. They skip physiotherapy because it hurts. Pain isn't managed properly. They develop blood clots. Without proper recovery management, expensive surgery becomes a wasted investment.

Common Post-Surgery Complications

  • • Wound infection: Delay healing, can turn serious
  • • Pain mismanagement: Too much medication vs. not enough
  • • Physiotherapy non-compliance: Stiffness, loss of mobility
  • • Blood clots: Can be life-threatening if missed
  • • Seroma/Hematoma: Fluid collection at surgical site
  • • Delayed healing: Nutrition or wound care issues
  • • Emotional decline: Depression during recovery isolation

The Cost of Complications

A small wound infection caught early: ₹5,000 in antibiotics. The same infection undetected for a week: ₹1,00,000 in re-hospitalization and IV treatment. Proper recovery management prevents these expensive complications.

Complete post-surgery recovery timeline

Week 0-1: Hospital to Home

What's happening

Discharge, wound care training, pain medication setup, caregiver briefing

Presence role

Coordinate discharge, arrange home visit, provide written care guide, emergency protocol setup

Week 1-2: Immediate Post-Op

What's happening

Daily wound checks, pain management, basic mobility, watch for complications

Presence role

Home visits 2x/week, wound documentation, medication tracking, WhatsApp check-ins

Week 2-6: Early Recovery

What's happening

Wound healing progression, pain gradually reducing, increased mobility, remove stitches

Presence role

Weekly visits, suture removal coordination, physiotherapy initiation, complication monitoring

Week 6-12: Active Recovery

What's happening

Physical therapy 3-4x/week, return to daily activities, rebuilding strength

Presence role

Attend PT sessions, monitor progress, coordinate follow-up surgery visit, encourage adherence

Month 3-6: Return to Normal

What's happening

Resume normal activities, strength training, independence restoration

Presence role

Monthly check-ins, surgeon follow-ups, PT completion, functional assessment

Wound care management

Daily Wound Cleaning

Frequency: Once or twice daily (as per surgeon's orders)
How to do it: Gentle cleaning with sterile water, application of prescribed ointment, sterile dressing change
⚠️ Warning signs: Redness increasing, discharge (pus), fever, foul smell = infection signs → call surgeon immediately

Suture Removal

Frequency: Typically 7-14 days post-op (depends on surgery type)
How to do it: Scheduled appointment at clinic or hospital, quick 5-minute procedure
⚠️ Warning signs: Pulling sensation normal, but excessive bleeding or reopening = contact surgeon

Scar Management

Frequency: Starting week 4-6
How to do it: Moisturizing, massage (if cleared), scar creams or silicone gel, sun protection
⚠️ Warning signs: Keloid formation, excessive redness after 8 weeks = may need dermatologist visit

Drain (if present)

Frequency: Daily, until removed (usually 3-7 days)
How to do it: Record drain output, keep clean, secure tubing, empty when full
⚠️ Warning signs: Excessive drainage (>50ml/day), change in color = report to surgeon

Pain management & physiotherapy

Pain Management Strategy

  • • Follow surgeon's pain medication schedule
  • • Don't skip doses: Better to stay ahead of pain
  • • Track pain levels daily (1-10 scale)
  • • Report to surgeon if pain not improving by week 2-3
  • • Reduce medications gradually as pain improves
  • • Use non-medication comfort measures (ice, elevation, rest)

Physiotherapy Protocol

  • • Start within 48 hours post-op (even light movement)
  • • 3-4 sessions per week for 8-12 weeks
  • • Progressive exercises: Week 1-2, 3-6, 6-12
  • • Home exercises: Daily between PT sessions
  • • Attendance is critical: Most skip PT, lose mobility
  • • Document progress: Photos, range of motion measurements

Presence PT Coordination

We attend physiotherapy sessions with your parent and provide weekly progress reports:

  • ✓ PT session attendance (3-4x/week)
  • ✓ Range of motion tracking and documentation
  • ✓ Encouragement and motivation (critical for elderly)
  • ✓ Home exercise supervision
  • ✓ Weekly WhatsApp progress updates with videos
  • ✓ Pain level and mobility improvements tracking

Red flags: When to call the surgeon immediately

Fever

Temperature >101°F (38.3°C) = infection risk

Wound Issues

Redness increasing, swelling, pus discharge, foul smell

Excessive Bleeding

Soaking through bandages, active bleeding from wound

Chest Pain

Sudden chest pain, shortness of breath = potential blood clot

Leg Swelling

Sudden calf swelling, warmth, pain = DVT risk

Severe Pain

Pain suddenly worse despite pain medication

Fainting

Loss of consciousness or near-fainting episodes

Inability to Move

Sudden loss of movement or strength post-op

Post-surgery recovery costs & Presence support

Post-Op Care Costs (6-12 weeks)

Wound care supplies₹2,000-5,000
Pain medications₹5,000-10,000
Physiotherapy (12 weeks)₹25,000-50,000
Follow-up surgeon visits (2-3)₹3,000-6,000
Caregiver support₹12,000-20,000
Total Post-Op Costs₹47,000-91,000

Presence Post-Surgery Recovery Package

Weeks 1-2 (home visits 2x/week)₹6,000
Weeks 3-12 (PT attendance + monitoring)₹20,000
Weekly WhatsApp health reportsIncluded
Caregiver coordinationIncluded
PT session coordinationIncluded
Total Presence Cost (12 weeks)₹26,000-30,000

Insurance option: Add ₹10,000/month for emergency hospitalization coverage

Secure your parent's post-surgery recovery