After surgery, most patients are eager to get up and move as soon as possible. Walking is one of the best exercises you can do to speed up your recovery time. In this blog post, I discuss the seven benefits of walking after surgery.

Walking is a low-impact exercise that is great for your overall health. It helps improve circulation, strengthens your muscles, and reduces your risk of developing blood clots.

Years ago when I had my full hysterectomy, the nurses weren’t ready for me to get up just yet and walk, but I was. I kept asking every so often because I knew I needed to get up and walk. Finally, they let me walk up around the floor. I never felt so much relief in my life. I was able to sleep, eat, use the restroom, and my gas was so much less than it was told to be. The benefits of walking after surgery outweighed the pain I was feeling 100:1.

When I had my Gastric Sleeve surgery, I did the same thing. As soon as I could, I got up and started walking after surgery. I got up and walked around the floor of the hospital every hour for at least 5-10 minutes. Getting up and walking helped me feel so much better and left me without needing many pain meds. By the time I got home, I only took pain meds at night and in the morning.

I think if I didn’t get up and start walking after surgery like I was supposed to, things would have been bad for me. I couldn’t take the Lovenox shots for blood clots due to a severe needle phobia, so I had to take pills instead. It was stressed by my surgeon that I had to get up and walk constantly since I was not able to take the Lovenox shots, that the chances for blood clots will increase.

Get Your Butt Up & Walking After Surgery For KickAss Recovery

Walking may be the last thing you feel like doing after the surgery, but trust me – it’s worth it. Two of my favorite benefits of walking after surgery are reduced stress and anxiety levels. My third favorite benefit of walking after surgery is that it gets me out of the hospital that much quicker. If you are recovering from surgery, be sure to start walking as soon as you are able!

Reduce pain and swelling

Walking helps to pump the lymphatic fluid that carries away waste and excess fluid from your cells. This helps to reduce pain and swelling in the area of your surgery. One of the biggest benefits of walking after surgery is to improve your circulation and prevent swelling and further pain. So get up and get moving – your body will thank you for it!

Promote healing of the incision site

Walking helps to promote healing of the incision site and is often recommended as part of the post-operative recovery process. Walking helps to increase blood flow and circulation to the area, which helps to deliver oxygen and nutrients that are necessary for healing. While Walking may not be the most pleasant activity after surgery, it is certainly beneficial for promoting the healing of your incisions both inside your body and on the surface.

Improve your mood and energy levels

Walking is often recommended as a way to increase energy and mood levels, but it turns out that it can also be beneficial after surgery. Walking helps to increase blood flow, which can reduce the risk of complications and speed up the healing process. It also helps to reduce pain and improve the range of motion. In addition, walking is a low-impact activity that doesn’t put too much stress on the body, making it ideal for those who are recovering from surgery.

Help you sleep better

Walking is a great way to get your body moving and improve your sleep. Walking can help you sleep better by increasing the amount of time you spend in deep sleep. Walking also helps to reduce the risk of sleep disorders such as insomnia and sleep apnea.

Increase your strength and endurance

Walking is often recommended as a way to help people recover from surgery. Walking helps to increase your strength and endurance, which can be beneficial for people who have had surgery. Walking also helps to improve your flexibility and range of motion, which can be helpful in recovering from surgery.

Prevent constipation

Look, no one wants to talk about going #2, but the thing is, after surgery, especially gastric surgeries. I had a horrible experience with my first BM when I got home from the hospital, despite walking a lot. I started doing simple things, like light dusting, picking up my office from papers that were left out before my surgery, and that helped to get things moving.

Walking is often recommended as a way to help prevent constipation. Walking may help to increase muscle contractions in your intestines, which can help to move stool through your digestive system.

Walking can also help to stimulate the production of saliva, which can help to keep your digestive system lubricated. If you are constipated, you may find that walking helps to relieve some of the discomforts. Walking may also help to ease gas and bloating. If you are post-surgery, your doctor may recommend that you walk for a certain period of time each day.

Lower your risk of blood clots.

Walking is often recommended as a way to lower your risk of blood clots after surgery. But why? Walking helps to promote circulation by using the muscles in your legs to pump blood back to your heart. This is especially important after surgery, when you may be at risk for deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a blood clot that forms in the veins of your leg.

Walking also helps to prevent blood clots by keeping your blood flowing smoothly. When you walk, your calf muscles contract and squeeze the veins in your leg, which helps to push blood up toward your heart. Walking is an easy and effective way to help lower your risk of developing blood clots.

Walking is a great way to get some fresh air and sunlight, and it can be a relaxing and enjoyable experience. So next time you’re recovering from surgery, be sure to take a walk!

If you have any questions or concerns, please speak with your doctor or physical therapist before starting any new exercise program. And remember, always listen to your body – if something doesn’t feel right, stop and rest. happy walking!