Recovery & Aftercare

Your Recovery Is Part of Your Care

At ASG, we believe that the quality of your recovery is as important as the quality of your surgery. The post-operative period is when your results take shape — and receiving the right clinical support during this time is essential.

For UK patients, we have established a dedicated aftercare pathway that ensures you are supported by qualified medical professionals throughout your recovery, without repeated travel to Lisbon.

Immediate Post-Operative Care (Lisbon)

Following your procedure, you will remain in Lisbon for a recovery period tailored to your specific surgery. During this time you will receive:

• Daily clinical review by the nursing team
• Wound care and dressing changes
• Pain management
• Drain management where applicable
• Surgical review before discharge

The duration of your stay in Lisbon will depend on the procedure performed. Most patients remain for 5–7 days.

Post-Operative Follow-Up in Oxford

Once you return to the UK, your aftercare continues with our NMC-registered Advanced Nurse Practitioners, based in Oxford. Your follow-up appointments will include:

• Wound inspection and dressing changes
• Monitoring for any signs of complication
• Advice on activity, exercise, and scar management
• Direct communication with your surgeon if concerns arise

General Recovery Guidelines

While recovery varies depending on the procedure, some principles apply across most surgical interventions:

• Rest is essential in the first week. Avoid strenuous activity, bending, or lifting.
• Compression garments, where prescribed, should be worn consistently.
• Hydration and nutrition support healing — prioritise protein-rich foods and adequate fluid intake.
• Avoid flying for the period advised by your surgeon, which varies by procedure.
• Scar management begins once wounds are fully closed — typically 4–6 weeks post-operatively.
• Sun protection of scars is important for the first 12 months.

When to Contact the Team

You should contact the clinic immediately if you experience any of the following during your recovery:

• Sudden increase in pain or swelling
• Signs of wound infection (redness, warmth, discharge, fever)
• Bleeding that does not resolve with gentle pressure
• Any symptom that concerns you

Our team is accessible throughout your recovery. UK patients can contact our Oxford nursing team directly during working hours, or reach the on-call team for urgent concerns.