Next concern? What's needed following surgery (9)

I believe the answer is:

aftercare

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'surgery' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both acts as well as being singular nouns.
Maybe you can see an association between them that I don't see?

'next concern? what's needed' is the wordplay.
'next' becomes 'after' (I've seen this in another clue).
'concern?' becomes 'care' (synonyms).
'what's needed' means one lot of letters go next to another.
'after'+'care'='AFTERCARE'

'following' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for aftercare that I've seen before include "Treatment following release" , "Support to customer following a purchase" , "Follow-up support" .)

I've seen this clue in The Irish Times.

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