Early Mobilization After Colorectal Surgery

Participants randomized to this group, in addition the preoperative education (usual care), will have early mobilization facilitated by a trained health professional. This health professional will: (1) visit the participant on the day of surgery to reinforce mobilization goals and assist with transfer to a chair and (2) visit the participant three times per day starting from POD 1 to reinforce mobilization goals and walk with the participant (at least the length of the hallway). Targeted walking distances will increase according to the participant's tolerance. This intervention will be undertaken until POD 3 or hospital discharge, whichever comes first.

Participants randomized to this group will receive instructions about postoperative mobilization in a preoperative education session and will receive a booklet describing mobilization goals for each POD (sit in a chair for 2 hours on the day of surgery, stay out of bed for at least 6 hours/day from POD 1 until hospital discharge)