Cozy Earth socks. Amazingly soft and my fave socks ever.

Anonymous wrote:An electric heating pad (https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-heating-pad/).

If she can drink anything, some simple flavored, non-carbonated drinks.

If she likes music, portable speakers or (to go old-school) even a CD player with a few CDs.

Maybe a reading pillow for sitting up in bed.

PJs could be a pretty personal choice that depend a lot on how her surgery and scars are.

Agreed, I’ve had loads of GI surgery and I wouldn’t do PJs for abdominal surgery. Depending on placement of stitches/staples/drains, and possibilities for both weight loss and abdominal swelling, it’s going to be very hit or miss. Maybe a nice robe instead?

Post-surgery, I usually can’t concentrate, so books/magazines/puzzle books wouldn’t work for me right away either.

Lots of people send stuff right away, but then they kind of forget about you. So I’d love a few check-in texts/calls right away, and then a thoughtful gift a couple of weeks out when I’m still recovering but everyone else has moved on. And if you’ve been in touch in the meantime, you’ll have some ideas of things that would be welcome.

Depending on your budget, of course, but I would have loved a 2 piece set from Le Set https://leset.com/pages/fabric-set-guide
Soft, flowy, elastic waistband. So she can look decent and be comfortable during the day. There's lots of other similar set at lower price points. Athleta, for one.

An electric heating pad (https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-heating-pad/).

If she can drink anything, some simple flavored, non-carbonated drinks.

If she likes music, portable speakers or (to go old-school) even a CD player with a few CDs.

Maybe a reading pillow for sitting up in bed.

PJs could be a pretty personal choice that depend a lot on how her surgery and scars are.

Anonymous wrote:What about a standing weekly zoom date?

I love this.

Also I would do some new pjs, a new blanket, some uno cards and a new book.

Anonymous wrote:As a nurse, the most useful item for a patient is a long charging cord for their cell phone.

I would say chapstick.

Gifts really aren't necessary. Especially int today's society. I predict most of these items will end up donated or in the trash, unfortunately. Why not just call your friend 3 days or so after the surgery for a brief well-wishing conversation.

I think all of your suggestions sound nice, OP.

Maybe a gift basket of sorts with a variety of thoughtful items that you pack yourself
- lotion, small pillow, soft pajamas.

I don’t know if I stand alone in this opinion, but when I know someone has packed a gift personally and includes a handwritten note it means the world to me — much more so than something that comes from a third party.

What about a standing weekly zoom date?

Anonymous wrote:As a nurse, the most useful item for a patient is a long charging cord for their cell phone.

Haha. You are so smart!

As a nurse, the most useful item for a patient is a long charging cord for their cell phone.

If you want something practical, maybe bed sheets? They tend to get stained during recovery.

You’re a kind and generous friend, and what you’ve planned sounds lovely. Just checking in now and then will probably mean the most to her.

A few additional ideas:

A small washable pillow or two from Amazon for propping elbows, or placing under a book, etc (infant pillows are great for this)

A soft, washable snuggly throw blanket

A robe

Puzzle books

Soft grippy socks

Someone gave my DD a super soft blanket with a fun design. She used it every day after surgery. She still loves it.

A good friend is undergoing a serious digestive-related surgery and will be hospitalized for a week and in recovery for several months. I am not local to her. She is well supported with help regarding childcare and meals for her family and they have household services (lawn care, housekeeping).

I will send flowers once she is home and have a care package of fun things for her kids but would like to send something else in a few weeks that is just for her. Any food items are out as she will not be consuming food normally for several months. All I can think of are things like self care sheet masks, hand lotion, maybe soft pajamas that are nice and loose? Would love other ideas. I can either purchase and send myself or it could be a direct ship from a third party site. Thanks for ideas.