Walking away from post-surgical complications
Post-surgical complications, ranging from infection to chronic pain and blood clots, are very common. And for folks on Medicare, nearly one in seven surgeries leads to a potentially preventable adverse event that makes it necessary to go back into the hospital within a month of discharge.
But a new study published in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons reveals a wonderfully simple way to slash post-surgical complications: walking.
When researchers looked at outcomes for almost 2,000 patients, they found that every addition of 1,000 steps a day to a person's post-surgery routine resulted in 18% lower odds of complications and 16% lower odds of readmission.
I've long advocated walking in my 4YOUngevity.com coaching program and my books. That's because, as chair of two anesthesia, critical care and pain management programs for a combined total of more than 20 years, I saw this simple "treatment" cut our patients' post-op risks by more than 30%.
So, ask your doctor (and physical therapist) to make a plan to get you walking -- and then walking more -- ASAP. You can do it with the help of a cane or walker, with someone alongside you or on your own, depending on what you are recovering from. You may also benefit from the use of a treadmill and exercise to improve balance.
One more tip: prehab -- a few weeks of supervised exercise before surgery -- improves outcomes and reduces complications too. For more info on how to prepare for and recover from surgery, check out my book, "YOU: The Owner's Manual, revised edition."
Health pioneer Michael Roizen, M.D., is chief wellness officer emeritus at the Cleveland Clinic and author of four No. 1 New York Times bestsellers. Check out his latest, "The Great Age Reboot: Cracking the Longevity Code for a Younger Tomorrow," and find out more at www.4YOUngevity.com. Email your health and wellness questions to Dr. Mike at questions@4YOUngevity.com.
(c)2026 Michael Roizen, M.D.
Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.
(c) 2026 Michael Roizen, M.D. Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.
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