Pre + post operative care

Feel more comfortable, supported and confident as you recover

Surgery can change much more than the area that was treated. You may be managing swelling, bruising, tenderness, tightness, altered sensation or a scar that does not yet feel like part of you. You may also simply be unsure what your body needs next.

Whether your surgery is still ahead, happened recently or was some time ago, Sano offers one-to-one support that meets you where you are. Zoe works alongside the advice of your surgeon and healthcare team to help you feel more comfortable in your body and more confident navigating recovery.

Is this support right for you?

You may benefit from an appointment if you are:

Preparing for surgery and want a practical plan for the weeks ahead
Recovering from surgery with swelling, bruising or discomfort
Noticing tightness, tenderness, numbness, sensitivity or reduced movement around a scar
Living with the longer-term effects of surgery or scar tissue
Unsure what is appropriate for your stage of healing, or what you can do to support yourself between appointments

Care can be adapted for people recovering from a wide range of procedures, including abdominal, breast, orthopaedic, reconstructive, cancer-related and Caesarean birth. Your health history, procedure and stage of healing will always guide the plan.

Before surgery: feel prepared for recovery

If you are planning surgery, a pre-operative appointment can give you space to ask questions, understand what support may be helpful afterwards, and make a plan that feels manageable for you.

Together, you may discuss:

Your recovery priorities and day-to-day concerns
The support, products or practical preparation that may be useful after surgery
Self-care strategies appropriate to your procedure and health needs
When it may be appropriate to begin treatment after your operation

This does not replace the advice of your surgeon or medical team. It gives you a clear point of support before - and after - your procedure.

We do not believe recovery should begin after surgery. Think of pre-surgical Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) as preparing the ground before you build: surgery is a significant intervention, and preparing your internal environment beforehand matters. This proactive treatment supports fluid movement, helps prepare your tissues and gives your recovery the strongest possible foundation from day one.

After surgery: care that changes with you

Recovery rarely follows a neat timetable. What you need in the first few weeks may be quite different from what helps several months later. Once treatment is medically appropriate, Zoe will tailor your care to your symptoms, healing and goals.

Your plan may support you to:

Manage postoperative swelling and feel more comfortable
Gently address tightness, tenderness or sensitivity as tissues heal
Support more comfortable movement in daily life
Understand your scar and the changes you are feeling
Build a simple, realistic self-care routine between appointments

You do not need to know which treatment or technique you need before you book. Zoe will explain what may be helpful, why it is being considered, and when it is better to wait or choose another approach.

Scar support that looks beyond appearance

Scars can feel tight, stuck, numb, sensitive or uncomfortable—and can sometimes affect how freely you move. Once your wound has healed, scar therapy may form part of your plan.

Whether your scar is recent or longstanding, Zoe will assess how it is affecting you, not just how it looks. Gentle, individualised care may help with comfort, sensitivity, tissue mobility and confidence in using the affected area again.

One connected plan for your recovery

Your care may draw on lymphatic support, scar therapy, gentle soft-tissue techniques, taping, compression guidance and practical scar- and skin-care education. Where appropriate, Zoe may also recommend adjunctive therapies such as low-level laser, red and near-infrared light therapy, controlled negative-pressure therapy or gentle therapeutic cupping.

These are never selected as a one-size-fits-all menu. Every recommendation is based on your presentation, stage of healing and what matters most to you.

Working alongside your healthcare team

Sano care is designed to complement—not replace—your medical care. With your consent, Zoe can work alongside your surgeon, GP, physiotherapist, occupational therapist, lymphoedema service, wound-care team or other provider, helping your support feel coordinated.

Medical clearance may be requested before treatment where appropriate. If you have urgent or unexpected concerns following surgery, please contact your surgical or medical team first.

Meet Zoe Porter

Zoe is a specialist lymphatic and scar therapist and the founder of Sano. She is qualified in Dr Vodder Manual Lymphatic Drainage and Combined Decongestive Therapy, Restore Scar Therapy and Oncology Massage.

Her work combines gentle, personalised manual therapy with practical education and collaborative care for people recovering from surgery, traumatic injury, cancer treatment and complex scarring. Zoe is also a Restore Scar Therapy Global Trainer for New Zealand and Australia. Find out more here.

Take the next step in your recovery

You do not need to have all the answers before you book. Bring your questions, concerns and recovery goals, and together you and Zoe can work out what support is right for you now.

Not sure whether this is the right time to start? Get in touch and we can help you decide.

Online Booking closed until 1st October

New client initial appointment

$220

60 minute appointment

$155

90 minute appointment