Post surgery gift ideas please!

[Wallawallakoala]

My mum is going in for a neck dissection, it's already a grim and anxious time so would like to take her something for when she is staying in hospital after the op.

I was originally thinking nice food but I'm not sure she can eat properly with that surgery?

Because of her worry and anxiety she won't concentrate on a book or colouring, she has no clue about tech so won't be watching TV or apps etc

I've bought her a very British problems book she can dip in and out of.

Maybe a v shaped pillow or pillow mist? Any help much appreciated

Sleeping mask
Ear plugs
Cosy socks
Herbal tea
MP3 player loaded with a relaxing playlist
Dry shampoo

A big water bottle with a long straw that clips onto the hospital bed. Some hospitals sell these or have them onsite if you ask. This means she can drink without help, even if she's incapacitated

Aromatherapy oils to relax her & hide hospital smells. Things like lavender orJasmine mixed with Roman chamomile

Audiobooks & something to play them on

Oh fleece throws & memory foam cushions or even soft toys that can help her feel more comfortable

Oh these are all brilliant ideas especially the water bottle! Thank you!

I work on a post surgical ward and not sure if it’s across the trust but we are not allowed to fill hot water bottles up.

Just be a bit careful with aroma therapy oils. I was in an 8 bed ward and the person next to me was a strict vegetarian and made a giant fuss when I had chicken for dinner.

Smells travel quite far and some people are sensitive.

Some luxurious hand cream and a little manicure set. Warm socks and a pashmina. A relaxing pillow mist. A book of crosswords and puzzles for when she's feeling bit better.

@Gobbledygoo I think it's a drinking water bottle from what I understand?

Very good point about the smells! Maybe just a light body spray for when she can freshen up, or a lovely hand cream as suggested! Thank you :)

Have you thought about naming a Star for her that way it’s something really memorable and that she can treasure rather than use and it be gone. I brought one for my Mam for this coming mothers
Day from www.starnaminggifts.co.uk there are loads of other companies selling them too. I think it is a nice gift and something that you thought about !

I was in hospital for 5 nights last year, the things that bothered me the most were

• food was nutritionally crap, no fresh fruit or veg, just carbs and dry bland stodge. Cereal or toast for breakfast, dry sandwich just bread and cheese or corned beef no butter or mayo for lunch, microwave style meal for dinner. So some fruit would have been very welcome ( all 6 women in the room were asking for laxatives and feeling quite uncomfortable with it)

• skin and hair was very dry, in part because of the heating but also because you have to use a special full body and hair antiseptic wash everyday. So nice moisturiser and leave in conditioner.

• lips were very dry so a good quality lip balm

• no tvs near the beds anymore so if you didn't have a phone or tablet you couldn't just watch/listen to TV to kill some time. So make sure she has access to some kind of device, knows how to use it and has headphones. If she likes listening to the radio then a small portable radio would be good.

• general noise and light 24/7 so earplugs/ eye masks are good.

An anti stress coloring book or even a coloring calendar that could be useful later. Puzzles are also great!

I was in hospital for a few days late last year. The wards were unbearably hot so maybe a couple of new nightdresses/pairs of PJs to change if she's feeling uncomfortable. A freshening body mist, body or face wipes. It was also very bright and very loud. Next time I'll be taking some earphones to plug into my phone and a sleeping mask. Hand and nail cream and maybe a light body mousse to put on after a shower.
The food wasn't really to my taste so maybe a few soft cereal bars and some fruit for if she's feeling peckish

I just wanted to say I hope your Mum will come through the surgery well and that she gets lots of good care from the nurses.

One thing I did find really useful in the hot hospital was a blanket/throw I had bought on Amazon for the summer. It was called a cooling blanket and works quite well. It has a shiny smooth side and a more fluffy/flannel side. I slept under just that. I was much more comfortable.

I hope it all goes well for your mum, OP. Following as my best friend is having surgery today. I found these little hampers but in need of some more ideas

montyandridge.co.uk/collections/pamper-hampers

@halfshrunkmoretogo yes!! Fruit!! All great suggestions but that's the best idea I missed that when I was in having DC. Thank you!

@sweetener12 I'd not seen a colouring calendar, that's fab and perfect as she's not tech savvy at all.

@juteweaver I'm currently on the hunt for some decent PJ's or nightdress for mum, she's only petite so don't want to drown her and want decent quality. Keep finding skimpy or stuff that's to young or too frumpy, I'm being so picky!

I've packed some graze bars, nuts and snacks, hit chocolate and latte sachets but I don't know if it will affect her eating and drinking?

Thank you @lovefall that means a lot. A cooling blanket is another amazing idea. My mum always likes to be cool and fresh and I know how stuffy wards can get.

Ah thank you @RandomUsernameHere I appreciate that, I really hope it went well for your friend

Honestly can't tell you how much you have all helped x