Preparing for surgery isn't just about the procedure itself. Taking steps to improve your strength, balance, and overall fitness beforehand can help support a smoother recovery, reduce complications, and get you back to your daily life sooner.

If you're preparing for a hip replacement, knee replacement, spinal procedure, or another planned surgery, you're probably focused on what happens in the operating room. You might schedule appointments, complete pre-operative testing, and make plans for your recovery at home or in short-term rehab. But one of the most important parts of your recovery actually begins before surgery ever takes place.

Known as prehabilitation, or "prehab,” this approach focuses on improving your physical condition before surgery so you’re better prepared for the challenges of recovery. By increasing strength, improving balance, and building endurance in the weeks leading up to a procedure, older adults recover more quickly, reduce the risk of complications, and regain independence sooner after surgery.

As elective procedures such as hip replacements, knee replacements, and spinal surgeries become more common among older adults, rehabilitation specialists are encouraging patients to think of recovery as something that starts before—not after—the operation.

Research suggests that building strength, balance, and endurance ahead of time can help improve mobility, reduce the risk of complications, and support a faster, more confident recovery. Here’s what prehabilitation looks like and why it can make a difference.

What Is Prehab?

Prehab is a personalized exercise and conditioning program completed before surgery. Depending on a person's health and the type of procedure they are having, it may include:

Strength training
Balance exercises
Walking and cardiovascular conditioning
Flexibility and mobility exercises
Education about recovery
Practice using assistive devices such as walkers

The goal isn't to become an athlete. It's to give your body the best possible foundation for healing.

What Happens During a Prehab Appointment?

A prehab program typically begins with a physical therapist evaluating your strength, balance, flexibility, walking ability, and overall physical condition. From there, they develop a personalized plan based on your upcoming surgery and current level of function.

Patients often practice everyday movements they'll rely on after surgery—such as getting in and out of bed, standing from a chair, climbing stairs, or safely using a walker. Understanding what recovery will involve before surgery can reduce anxiety and make those first days afterward feel much more manageable.

Why Being Stronger Before Surgery Matters

According to Winston Loza, Director of Rehabilitation at United Hebrew Senior Living, patients who maintain or improve their physical fitness before surgery often have an advantage during recovery.

"When someone has been exercising before surgery, you expect their cardiovascular condition to be better," Loza says. "Blood pressure tends to be more stable. And when you're moving your legs and doing functional exercises, you're reducing the risk of blood clots and circulatory complications."

Better circulation and improved endurance don't just help patients feel stronger, they may also reduce the risk of complications that can delay recovery.

The Mental Advantage of Prehab

While physical strength is important, Loza believes one of prehab's biggest benefits is psychological.

"There's another piece that people don't always talk about, and that's motivation," he says.

Patients who have already been exercising before surgery are often more confident once recovery begins. They've already practiced getting in and out of chairs, improving their balance, and moving safely.

"The patients who've been doing exercises before surgery aren't going to stay in bed waiting for someone to get them up," Loza explains. "They're going to get themselves moving. And that matters more than people realize."

That confidence often translates into earlier mobility, greater independence, and a smoother rehabilitation experience.

Why Getting Out of Bed Matters

Early movement after surgery affects much more than mobility.

Walking and regular activity can help improve circulation, reduce the risk of blood clots, support healthy bladder and bowel function, and lower the likelihood of complications associated with prolonged bed rest.

"When patients move, their bladder function improves, their bowel movements stay regular," Loza says. "When they're stuck in bed, the risk of infection goes up. That connection between mobility and infection risk is real, and prehab directly addresses it."

Building Confidence Before Recovery Begins

Prehab also helps patients understand what recovery will feel like.

"The goal is muscle memory," Loza says. "You want your body to already know what recovery looks like before surgery ever happens."

Practicing everyday movements before surgery—such as standing from a chair, walking with a walker, or performing gentle strengthening exercises—makes those same activities feel more familiar after surgery, when pain and fatigue can make learning new skills much more difficult.

Patients who have already practiced these movements are often less anxious and more willing to participate in therapy.

Should You Do Prehab at Home?

Loza recommends speaking with a physical therapist whenever possible before beginning a prehab program.

"If you have access to a physical therapist, use them," he says. "Especially if you're dealing with a back issue. You need to know that what you're doing isn't making your condition worse."

Under professional guidance, many prehab programs include simple functional exercises such as:

Sit-to-stand exercises
Modified squats
Balance activities
Weight shifting
Walking
Light strengthening exercises

These aren't complicated workouts. They're practical movements designed to prepare older adults for everyday activities they'll perform during recovery.

Preparation Makes Recovery Easier

Loza sees the difference every day among patients arriving for rehabilitation after elective surgeries.

"Patients who had therapy before an elective hip or knee procedure want to go home in a week," he says. "They're already walking, they know their exercises, they know how to use their equipment. The ones who weren't prepared take longer, need more encouragement, and are more anxious about going home. The difference is significant."

While every patient's recovery is unique, preparing physically and mentally before surgery may be one of the most effective ways to improve the rehabilitation journey afterward.

Recovery Doesn’t Start After Surgery—It Starts Before

Preparing your body before surgery won't eliminate every challenge, but it can give you a stronger foundation for healing. Building strength, improving balance, and learning the movements you'll use during recovery can help you regain independence sooner and return home with greater confidence.

When it's time for rehabilitation, having an experienced therapy team can make all the difference.

United Hebrew's short-term rehabilitation program is recognized for helping patients recover safely, regain independence, and return home as quickly as possible. In 2026, United Hebrew once again earned the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services' highest 5-Star Quality Rating for skilled nursing and short-term rehabilitation. United Hebrew has also been recognized by Newsweek as one of America's Best Nursing Homes and by U.S. News & World Report as a Best Nursing Home for both Short-Term Rehabilitation and Long-Term Care.

Whether you're preparing for an elective joint replacement, recovering from spinal surgery, or rebuilding strength after a hospitalization, choosing the right rehabilitation program can play a critical role in your recovery and in helping you return to the life you enjoy.

To learn more about our skilled nursing and short-term rehabilitation program, visit https://www.uhgc.org/or contact Grace Ferri at 914-632-2804 x1190 or gferri@uhgc.org.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is prehab?

Prehab, or prehabilitation, is a structured exercise and conditioning program completed before surgery to help improve strength, balance, endurance, and mobility, making recovery easier afterward.

Who can benefit from prehab?

Older adults preparing for elective procedures such as hip replacement, knee replacement, spinal surgery, or other orthopedic surgeries may benefit from prehab. Always consult your physician or physical therapist before beginning an exercise program.

Can prehab reduce surgical complications?

Research suggests that improving physical fitness before surgery may help reduce certain postoperative complications while supporting faster recovery, earlier mobility, and greater independence.

Can I do prehab at home?

Some prehab exercises can be performed safely at home, but it's best to work with a physical therapist who can recommend exercises appropriate for your condition and surgical procedure.

How long before surgery should prehab begin?

Many prehab programs begin approximately four weeks before surgery, although the timing depends on your health, the type of procedure, and your healthcare provider's recommendations.

Does Medicare cover prehab?

Many prehabilitation services are covered by Medicare or private insurance when they are medically necessary and ordered by your physician. Coverage depends on your individual plan and medical condition, so it's best to speak with your healthcare provider and insurance company before beginning a program.

Preparing for Surgery: How Prehab Helps Older Adults Recover Faster

Preparing for Surgery: How Prehab Helps Older Adults Recover Faster