Taking Control of Your Recovery — Why Healing Shouldn’t Feel Like a Guessing Game

(Edina, MN) - When Maria scheduled her long-awaited tummy tuck, she was ready for the hard part, or so she thought. She researched her surgeon, followed every pre-op instruction, and even prepared her home for a smooth recovery.

Yet, just days after the procedure, Maria found herself overwhelmed. The swelling felt endless. Her body ached in ways no one warned her about. She started asking questions like, “Is this normal?” and “Why didn’t my doctor tell me this part?”

Maria’s experience is far more common than most people realize. Every year, millions of patients undergo cosmetic surgeries, orthopedic repairs, cancer-related procedures, and even gender-affirming surgeries. They plan for the operation but find themselves completely unprepared for the reality of recovery.

Because it is of course better to be prepared than surprised, those considering surgery are encouraged to do some research before going under the knife. Everything you need to know can be found in the pages of a great new resource by Minnesota author Kevin Rebman.

Recover Smarter: The Ultimate Guide to Healing After Surgery is available now through Return to Play Institute (RTPI), a clinical manual soft tissue therapy clinic in Edina and St. Paul, Minnesota.

Rebman is RTPI’s founder and chief myotherapist, which is a healthcare professional specializing in the assessment, treatment and management of musculoskeletal pain and dysfunction. His book begins by explaining the various surgery recovery stages, how to prepare for surgery and how to manage the recovery process afterwards.

“Healing is not something which happens to you. It’s something you need to actively participate in,” he says. “The better prepared you are, the better your recovery will be.”

That is why included in the book is advice on the best nutrition for optimal healing, the role of compression during recovery, and the best practices for restoring movement and physical activity. While physical recovery is often very visual, readers are taken through a discussion of the possible emotional aspects they may experience as they conquer their healing journey as well.

As a clinical myotherapist and founder of Return to Play Institute, Rebman meets patients like Maria every week. He says they come in after their procedures feeling uncertain, sometimes even frightened, by how overwhelming their healing journey becomes and they are expected to navigate it alone!

“Most surgeons provide detailed instructions for the first few days after surgery. After that, the guidance often stops. Patients are left wondering how to manage swelling, when to move, and whether their scar tissue is healing as it should,” he points out, adding that this huge gap in care is what inspired him to write Recover Smarter: The Ultimate Guide to Healing After Surgery.

“I wanted patients to have more than a stack of generic discharge papers. I wanted them to feel informed, empowered, and prepared to take an active role in their recovery from the moment they schedule surgery through the first critical months of healing,” he says, adding that one of the biggest misconceptions people have is that certain procedures can heal faster than others.

Realistically, great long-term outcomes are a result of an active recovery process starting at week one and paying attention to the details all the way until week 12 and beyond. “During this period, knowing how to manage your body can make the difference between a smooth recovery and lingering complications,” says Rebman.

About Return to Play Institute (RTPI)

RTPI specializes in clinical manual soft tissue therapies like post-op manual lymphatic drainage (PS-MLD) and scar tissue therapy. These techniques are not spa treatments. They are evidence-based interventions that support the body’s natural healing process, helping to reduce swelling, improve circulation, and minimize scar poor formation.

Whether patients are recovering from a facelift, a mommy makeover, a mastectomy, or a sports injury, the goals remain the same — reduce complications, support mobility, and get them feeling more like themselves again.

“Of course, healing is not just about the physical changes. The emotional impact of surgery often surprises people. It is normal to experience mood shifts, anxiety, or frustration during recovery, especially when the body does not bounce back as quickly as expected,” says Rebman.

“By addressing both the physical and emotional sides of healing, we help patients feel more in control of their experience. Recovery should not be a mystery. It should not be an afterthought or something you leave entirely in the hands of your surgeon. It is a partnership between you, your healthcare team, and your recovery support resources,” says Rebman, who hopes one of those resources people turn to will be his book.

Not only does Recover Smarter: The Ultimate Guide to Healing After Surgery address the physical and emotional sides of healing, it offers clear, research-backed guidance on everything from choosing the right compression garments to knowing when it is safe to resume everyday activities. It also sheds light on the less talked-about aspects of recovery, like the importance of nutrition and hydration.

If you, or someone you love, is planning a cosmetic procedure or recovering from surgery of any kind, invest in your healing. Pick up a copy of Recover Smarter: The Ultimate Guide to Healing After Surgery, available at RTPI’s Edina and St. Paul clinics, or order online from your favorite bookseller. The book is also available directly through the publisher’s site at books.by/methodandmythmedia, on Amazon, and through Barnes & Noble.

For those seeking hands-on, post-op recovery help, RTPI is ready to support you with personalized care. From swelling reduction to scar management, team members can help make your recovery process smoother, safer, and less stressful. Call or text: 763-270-9330 or visit www.ReturnToPlayInstitute.com for more information.

“Patients deserve more than a successful surgery. They deserve a successful recovery!” exclaims Rebman.

About the Author

Kevin Rebman is the Chief Myotherapist at Return to Play Institute LLC, a leading recovery-focused soft tissue therapy practice with offices in Edina and St. Paul. Rebman specializes in post-operative healing, lymphatic health, neuromuscular therapy, athlete performance improvement and scar tissue management.

Since opening its doors in 2016, the practice has treated thousands of patients with the mission of empowering patients with the knowledge, techniques and confidence they need to take charge of their healing journeys, and get back to doing the things they want to do.

Rebman is Board Certified in Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (BCTMB) and a member of the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT). He earned his Associates of Applied Science (AAS) degree in Clinical Massage Therapy from Northwestern Health Sciences University in Bloomington, Minnesota, in 2017.

Rebman is also the author of Recover Smarter: The Ultimate Guide to Healing After Surgery released in Summer 2025.