Every recovery recommendation on this site (timing, driving restrictions, warning signs, wound care) is drawn from the organisations and guidelines listed here. Nothing is invented; everything is traceable.
NHS
National Health Service, United Kingdom
Patient information and clinical pathways for orthopaedic, cardiac, abdominal, and general surgery recovery.
nhs.uk/conditions ↗
NICE
National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, UK
Evidence-based clinical guidelines including VTE prevention (NG89), ERAS protocols, joint replacement (NG157), and cardiac rehabilitation (CG172).
nice.org.uk ↗
AAOS
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
Clinical practice guidelines for knee replacement, hip replacement, ACL reconstruction, shoulder surgery, rotator cuff repair, carpal tunnel and fracture repair.
aaos.org ↗
AHA / ACC
American Heart Association / American College of Cardiology
Post-operative cardiac care guidelines for bypass surgery, valve surgery, stent procedures, and cardiac rehabilitation protocols.
heart.org ↗
healthdirect
Australian Government health information service
Clinically reviewed patient information for Australian patients. Covers surgery preparation, post-operative care, medications and wound management.
healthdirect.gov.au ↗
ASMBS
American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery
Patient guidance on life after bariatric surgery, including diet progression, protein and fluid targets, lifelong supplementation, and expected weight-loss outcomes.
asmbs.org ↗
Cancer Council AU
Cancer Council Australia
Evidence-based guidance for cancer surgery recovery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and survivorship. Australia’s peak independent cancer authority.
cancer.org.au ↗
RCOG
Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, UK
Patient information for hysterectomy, C-section, and gynaecological surgery recovery. Evidence-based clinical guidelines and patient leaflets.
rcog.org.uk ↗
NHLBI
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, USA
Clinical guidelines for DVT prevention, pulmonary embolism, cardiac surgery recovery, and blood thinner management after surgery.
nhlbi.nih.gov ↗
AUA
American Urological Association
Post-operative guidelines for prostate surgery, nephrectomy, TURP, prostate biopsy, and urological oncology recovery.
auanet.org ↗
ATA
American Thyroid Association
Post-operative guidelines for thyroidectomy recovery including calcium management, levothyroxine replacement, and surveillance after thyroid cancer surgery.
thyroid.org ↗
Macmillan
Macmillan Cancer Support, UK
Cancer treatment journey guidance, chemotherapy and radiotherapy patient information, and emotional support resources for cancer patients and families.
macmillan.org.uk ↗
NCI
National Cancer Institute, USA
Authoritative cancer treatment information, clinical trials data, and post-surgical oncology guidance. Part of the US National Institutes of Health.
cancer.gov ↗
NOGG
National Osteoporosis Guideline Group, UK
The UK's clinical guideline for prevention and treatment of osteoporosis, including fracture risk assessment and secondary prevention after a fragility fracture.
nogg.org.uk ↗
ROS
Royal Osteoporosis Society, UK
Patient information on bone density scanning, fracture risk assessment, and osteoporosis diagnosis and treatment.
theros.org.uk ↗
BHOF
Bone Health & Osteoporosis Foundation, USA
Calcium and vitamin D intake recommendations and general bone health guidance for adults.
bonehealthandosteoporosis.org ↗
CDC STEADI
US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Stopping Elderly Accidents, Deaths & Injuries initiative
Home fall-prevention checklists and falls-risk guidance used for bone-health and fracture-prevention content.
cdc.gov/steadi ↗
Emergency numbers
List of emergency telephone numbers
National emergency contact numbers shown in our welcome disclaimer (Australia, New Zealand, UK, Ireland, USA, Canada, European Union, India) and the 112 GSM mobile fallback. Last checked Aug 2026: always confirm with a local source if travelling, as numbers can change.
en.wikipedia.org ↗
Key peer-reviewed studies underpinning specific claims on this site. All verified via PubMed. PMID links resolve to the abstract on pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.
Synthesis, not invention. Recovery guidance is synthesised from the primary sources listed above. Where multiple guidelines exist for the same procedure, they are cross-referenced. The most conservative recommendation is used where sources differ.
Plain language translation. Clinical guidelines are written for clinicians. This site translates those guidelines into plain language accessible to patients and carers, without altering the clinical recommendations.
Limitations. This site provides general guidance. It does not account for individual patient circumstances, specific surgical techniques, implant types, or surgeon preferences. Patients should always follow their own surgical team’s specific discharge instructions, which take precedence.
Updates. Content is reviewed when primary source guidelines are updated. Last full review: July 2026. If you identify a recommendation that appears to conflict with current guidelines, contact us via askmygp.com.au.
Every major recommendation on this site: timing of mobilisation, driving restrictions, DVT prevention, wound care, medication management. Is traceable to one or more of the organisations listed above. This site does not provide differential diagnosis, does not recommend specific medication doses, and does not replace clinical judgement or the patient’s surgical team’s instructions.
If you are considering recommending this site to patients, the for clinicians page explains the evidence base and how to add a QR code to your discharge paperwork.