Patients Reap Benefits From Fast-Track Surgery

BOSTON (CBS) -- Tom Froeschle does look great considering he just had knee replacement surgery one month ago.  Tom was fast-tracked, an effort at many major medical centers to optimize care before and after surgery and get patients home as quickly as possible.

"There is no better place to rehabilitate than in their own home with their family where they want to be with good food," says orthopedic surgeon Dr. Douglas Ayres.

It's a radical change from twenty-five years ago, when patients were routinely sent directly to rehab for up to two weeks.

"We found it didn't add benefit.  They weren't doing better," says Dr. Ayres.

Fast-tracking is not just for orthopedic surgeries.  GI and cardiac surgeons are also trying to move patients along faster.

In an effort to make patients more comfortable and get them up and home sooner, surgeons are performing shorter operations with smaller incisions and trying to avoid surgical drains and bladder catheters, whenever possible.

Just two days after hip replacement, Francis Hubbard is going home today.  He's anxious to get back to his favorite activities of cross country skiing, marathon skating, and biking up to 6,000 miles a year.

"I got out of bed fast. I got out of bed the night of surgery and that really makes a big deal," says Hubbard.

"It's been a game changer," says Dr. Ayres, "To have patients who are really doing great after two days in the hospital, able to leave…They're remarkable."

"The faster that I could go back to a natural life and natural activities, the better." says Froeschle.  "That still is the goal."

What you can do before surgery to improve your recovery from surgery is to exercise regularly, lose weight if you're overweight, and avoid taking too many narcotic pain medications.