Postoperative care of the patient encompasses the time from the completion of the surgical procedure to the complete return of the patient to the normal physiological state. Postoperative care requires a thorough understanding of the patient, the procedure they have undergone, and the expected outcome. It is postoperative care that completes the process, ultimately benefitting the patient. In general, this includes the overall maintenance of well-being and early recovery of function before the patient can be discharged to be on his own.