Disability Travel - Airports with the least amount of req'd walking?

I am going to be traveling on Delta from DTW to PDX in the near future. While in Portland I will be having a procedure where, on the way home, I shouldn't be lifting over 15 lbs and I shouldn't be walking long distances. I am unable to find a direct flight so I am going to have a layover on the way home. I understand that I could probably ask for a wheelchair but I was wondering which airports required the least amount of walking between gates of the same airline?
The last two times I flew I had layovers at MSP and ended up walking from, what felt like, one end of the airport to the other...twice (they changed gates at the last minute)
It seems like my choice for layover spots are (I've only been to two of these before):
MSP :mad:
SMF
JFK
SEA
LAX (hate this airport) :mad:
SLC
ATL

Any suggestions? or rankings in order of best to worst?
Thanks a bunch.

To be honest I would just use the wheelchair option as it is pretty easy and would require very little walking between gates. I've used it before and it took the stress out of walking the long distances. I have a disability so that's an issue especially if there's a tight connection.

I think you request it at your departing airport (in your case DTW) and they bring out a wheelchair to wheel you to the gate. You also get wheelchair access for any connecting flights until you reach your destination (PDX). On the day before(or whenever you reconfirm your flights) your return flight request a wheelchair and after check in you will be wheeled to the gate and when you arrive in DTW you will be wheeled to the luggage pickup.

Haven't been to all the airports you listed:

MSP--large and lots of walking--you should definitely use the wheelchair option if you pick this one
LAX--just confusing and large
SEA--this one's not too bad

Thanks
I agree with LAX being too confusing and large.
I flew in via Alaska Airlines and had to get to a connecting Delta flight. I couldn't find one map to tell me where to go. I was wandering around, I was pretty upset until a nice gentleman told me about the buses you have to take between the terminals. Even then I got on the wrong one and the bus driver wasn't very nice.
I will look into the wheelchair. It is just hard to request something like that when I don't "look" like I need it and there are other people that could use it more than me.

Avoid DFW (Dallas-Fort Worth), way too big and too confusing.

I don't understand your reluctance to request a wheelchair. You definitely should avail yourself of this service. Make sure the request is on your reservation before you arrive at the airport.

diamondcat, I would second the others who suggested that you use wheelchair assistance. It doesn't matter that you don't "look" like you need it - what matters is the medical advice that you shouldn't walk too far. In the year before I had a hip replacement, I had a lot of pain walking long distances or standing on hard surfaces, and people here encouraged me to use wheelchair access, which was really helpful.

Maybe, like me, you're used to being self-sufficient and a little worried about what other people might think. But it's not worth suffering or injuring yourself over this. Wheelchair assistance is exactly for people like you (and me) who need(ed) that help.

I don't have direct advice about most of the airports you listed except LAX (and I hate it too) but even with the best plan, there is always the chance that gates might change, flights might be delayed, whatever, and you'd have to walk further than you planned.

Requesting a wheelchair is easy - just call the airline after you've booked your ticket, and they'll put a note in your reservation record. When you get to check-in, remind them and they'll bring a chair to take you to your gate. On the first flight, remind the flight attendant before you land, and they'll make sure the chair is there to meet you and take you to your connecting gate. On the second flight, do the same, and the wheelchair person will take you to baggage claim and to your transport (or as far as you need them to).

PM me if you want more advice - I was hesitant about it, but am glad I used it (for two international trips).

Wishing you safe travels.

To be honest I would just use the wheelchair option as it is pretty easy and would require very little walking between gates. I've used it before and it took the stress out of walking the long distances. I have a disability so that's an issue especially if there's a tight connection.

I think you request it at your departing airport (in your case DTW) and they bring out a wheelchair to wheel you to the gate. You also get wheelchair access for any connecting flights until you reach your destination (PDX). On the day before(or whenever you reconfirm your flights) your return flight request a wheelchair and after check in you will be wheeled to the gate and when you arrive in DTW you will be wheeled to the luggage pickup.

Haven't been to all the airports you listed:

MSP--large and lots of walking--you should definitely use the wheelchair option if you pick this one
LAX--just confusing and large
SEA--this one's not too bad
You can request wheel chair only for your inbound, i.e. PDX-DTW,