Recent evidence suggests that metformin may have numerous favorable effects independent of glycemic control, including anti-inflammatory and lifespan enhancing properties. Preclinical data suggests that metformin by mitigate DNA damage, increase antioxidant effects, enhance mitochondrial function, and scavenge free radicals. Multiple murine models demonstrate that metformin exposure is associated with increased longevity. Retrospective clinical data demonstrates a reduction of cardiovascular disease by 20%, cancer by 34%, and cognitive/dementia risk by 51% in patients taking metformin. An analysis of over 78,000 diabetic individuals taking metformin matched to non-diabetic controls demonstrated a 36% reduction in all-cause mortality in the metformin treated cohort. In a multivariate regression analysis conducted using UPMC patient data from over 20,000 patients, metformin use was associated with a statistically significant reduction in the risk of mortality and hospital readmission. Taken together, these data suggest that metformin may have a pronounced positive effect on lifespan and healthspan. Because a prospective study of Metformin on longevity would require an untenable study design, we propose to use a model of inflammation and accelerated aging in which to test its effectiveness: the stress of elective surgery.