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postoperative + noun
postoperative 常作定语，直接放在名词前，表示“手术后的”。
Postoperative complications can be serious.
术后并发症可能很严重。
手术后的
先理解核心含义，再看它在真实句子里的用法。
手术后的
postoperative
Postoperative complications can be serious.
术后并发症可能很严重。
术后的:属于、关于或发生在外科手术之后的。
Of, relating to, or occurring in the period after a surgical operation.
The patient had a postoperative check-up the next morning.
病人第二天早上接受了术后检查。
She followed the postoperative instructions carefully to recover quickly.
她认真遵守术后指导，以便尽快康复。
Postoperative pain is usually managed with medication.
术后疼痛通常用药物控制。
postoperative 常作定语，直接放在名词前，表示“手术后的”。
Postoperative complications can be serious.
术后并发症可能很严重。
作表语时，说明主语（常为症状、并发症等）发生在手术之后。
The swelling was postoperative and soon resolved.
肿胀是手术后的，很快就消退了。
表示“术后第几天”的固定表达，day 后面直接加数字，不加冠词。
She developed a fever on postoperative day 2.
她在术后第二天开始发烧。
Not this
The nurse monitored the patient postoperative.
Use this
The nurse monitored the patient postoperatively.
postoperative 是形容词，只能修饰名词，不能作状语修饰动词 monitored；此处需要副词 postoperatively（手术后地）。中文形容词和副词没有形态区别，学习者容易直接套用形容词。
Not this
The postoperative was smooth.
Use this
The postoperative period was smooth.
postoperative 是形容词，不能单独作主语（名词成分）；需要加上中心名词 period 构成名词短语。中文里“手术后”可整体用作名词短语，直译会导致这种错误。
Focus on the distinctions below. Other candidates are kept compact until a reliable usage note is available.
术后护理
She received excellent postoperative care after her surgery.
手术后她得到了精心的术后护理。
术后疼痛
The medication helped reduce her postoperative pain.
药物帮助减轻了她的术后疼痛。
术后并发症
The patient developed no postoperative complications.
患者没有出现术后并发症。
术后时期
During the postoperative period, patients need plenty of rest.
在术后时期，患者需要充分休息。
术后恢复
A healthy diet speeds up postoperative recovery.
健康的饮食能加快术后恢复。
术后感染
Surgeons take steps to prevent postoperative infection.
外科医生采取措施预防术后感染。
Use postoperative naturally, then get feedback on meaning, tone, grammar, and phrasing.
Revisit a common error or keep this word in your review list.
联想：postoperative = post(后) + operative(手术)，记住'手术后'即可，如术后护理。
语域：formal 常见场景：medical records、post-surgery care instructions、clinical research “postoperative”是医学术语，多用于正式场合，如病历、医学论文或临床指导；日常口语中很少用，通常可简单说 after surgery。
多用于医学术语，如 postoperative care（术后护理）。
Dictionary facts from ECDICT, WIKTIONARY.