Recover gift after stomach staple?

[Flowerymess]

What recovery gifts can I give my friend who's going overseas to get her tummy stapled?(I'm not sure of the exact procedure but they basically cut the stomach in half, she's doing it for health reasons). I can't get her food or alcohol obviously. She doesn't like flowers or plants. I can't think of anything...
She won't have much support for after the op so I just want her to know I'm thinking if her and want to give her something to cheer her up through the recovery.

You're very kind op! You could give her posh squash or a voucher for a massage/pedicure to use when she's up to it. Posh shower gel. Ooh I know a voucher for a wash and blow-dry. You can't get your wounds wet for a while and I found washing my hair difficult.

I've has it done and recovery wasn't that hard and wouldn't have expected gifts though.

Or ready made protein shakes, lower sugar chocolate milk. Not the fancy stuff - it'll give her the shits! But important to get some protein in.

Er, nothing? If she can afford to go abroad for elective surgery, I'm pretty sure she can buy anything she might need to help her recover. Donate to a charity instead.

My family can buy the things we need. Doesn’t mean it’s not lovely to know someone is thinking of you. Do you match any gifts to whether the recipient could buy it themselves?

op - like the idea of nice soap or hand cream.

Aren't you a joy!

I don't suppose you want to hear this, but honestly, the best present you can give you friend is to advise her not to go.

Nothing is worth the risk major surgery on the cheap for. What is she going to do if she develops complications?

I have had a gastric sleeve. My friend got me nice flavoured sugar free water, a new pair of pjs in a smaller size, face mask, nice body wash and shampoo.

This is so patronising

Lochjeda I used to work on a critical care unit close to a major airport. We were the default ITU for people returning with sepsis and other complications.

By all means call me patronising, but if it avoids having to break bad news to a family member, I'd shout it from the roof tops.

Well I got sepsis from child birth so I'm not sure what your point is

@Sofasogood1 @Lochjeda thank you!!

I'm sorry to hear that, but I'm guessing you didn't have a four hour plane journey home.

Nor were you charged for the complications you suffered. It really is a very different scenario abroad.

I thoroughly researched for years. There is far more horror stories from the ops here in the UK and more deaths. Ops here in the UK only have very basic pre op tests which is bloods. Abroad they do a full mot, bloods, scans of your heart and abdomen, xrays. In the UK you leave the day after surgery. Abroad they care for you for up to four nights. Its patronising because you are assuming you know more than someone who has been through it and acting as if they haven't thoroughly researched it.

Sepsis can happen after any surgery, it doesn't matter what country you go to. Chances of someone leaving hospital with sepsis over there is minimal as the discharge check up is thorough. I'm not denying some places or ops will have issues but to just put a blanket comment like that about them all is ridiculous.

I have had 4 operations in Turkey, including a sleeve. I was unfortunate to get ill when staying in the UK and flew home after 25 minutes in the most disgusting third world hell hole in Gloucester, it was filthy and there was one morbidly obese assistant doing the drugs. I too also have worked as a senior nurse (not in the NHS because I don't like killing people) and I am telling you Irmet hospital in Turkey is vastly superior and it doesn't even have blood stained curtains and shit stained toilets. I don't believe these people on mn who say this stuff, normal mn jealousy.