vsg gift baket/care package for a pal.... I need some ideas!

Hello! My friend and I are both getting our surgeries done this month! Mine being the 9th and hers being the 23rd. Id like to get together a Gift basket or Care package to give to her for after surgery! Anybody whos had it already know of any ideas of things that would be nice or helpful that i could fill it with?

Thanks

I live by myself and one thing I wish I had was one of those reaching pole grabber things.  I kept dropping couldn't bend over to pick them up at first.  I ended up using my BBQ tongs to pick things up.  Also a strap to tie to something solid to pull myself off the couch or out of bed.  It made my life so much easier.

A 24oz Tervis cup.  Has a leak proof lid, cool funky designs and colors, and it doesn't get condensation all over.  It will also be your constant companion after surgery because you will both be sipping non stop all day long.  Pick yourself up one while you're at it. (Bed bath and beyond has them, Ebay has them.)

 

GC to GNC or Vitamin Shoppe for protein drinks, protein bars.  I like Jay Robb drinks and Quest Protein bars (all natural). 

 

Cozy jammy pants for your recovery. 

 

Inexpensive food scale.  Walmart, ebay, for under 10 bucks.

 

Tiny storage containers, like 1/2 C ones.  These will be your new plates and lunch containers when you return to work.  They also work great for knowing exactly how much to eat. Rubbermade has them.

 

Baby spoons. 

How much do you feel comfortable spending?

Ok, what was/is useful:
Measuring cups - especially the 1/4c one and (you'll think I'm nuts) a coffee scoop. They hold 2 tablespoons, are small and convenient for so many things (did you know that a egg is roughly 1/4 cup and MANY of us find 1/2 an egg all we can manage for quite awhile?) I have a longish handled coffee scoop that I still use several times per day. One of the ways I use it is to measure from the bottle of blended eggs I keep in the fridge now. I can easily scramble just 1/2 an egg with minimal fuss or make a 1/2 size flax muffin in a cup for an easy breakfast.

A couple of small bowls that 1/2 cup of food doesn't look lost in. At 6 months out I still use my Corelle 1/2 cup bowls EVERY day. (Wallyworld carries them) add some ****tail forks and spoons.

A digital kitchen scale. I either weigh or measure pretty much everything that goes into my mouth. One of the easiest ways is to put the dish or cup onto the scale, tap the tare button (makes it read "0" with the dish on board) and add the food. Weighing and measuring avoids food waste, pain and vomiting. The 1/4 cup of food that is a generous portion of many things for us so easily grows to a much larger portion if it isn't actually measured. Overfilling your sleeve with make you hurt or puke - or both.

A tape measure and small notebook for recording her measurements monthly. There are times when the scale is not an accurate measure of progress and checking measurements can make all the difference.

Individual protein shake samples - either commercial ones or ones you've measured into small bags from your own sta**** can take many trials before you find a brand and/or flavour you like and it can be both frustrating and expensive.

Mio or sf Hawaiian Punch packets. For some odd reason there are lots of us that don't handle Crystal Light well after surgery, while those 2 go down just fine.

A 2 litre (US quart) jug for water. A Brita that she can fill and keep in the fridge is lovely. I also have something called a Bobble that has a filter fitted into the lid. I mostly use mine the way I would a Brita, filling it with safe tap water, then squeezing the water into my cup or teacup.

I havent had my sugery yet, but some items Im taking with me to the hospital and for when Im at home...a baby sippy cups, baby wipes for wiping after myself...(you know with all the poo that I was told I would be in the restroom alot) baby spoons, so you will know to take small bites, Breathe Strips for fresh breathe after surgery, anti bacterial wipes.

People on here swear by a product created by camelbak ... it is the Eddy insolated bottle that comes with a bite guard.  Apparently you can drink from it without sucking in the air.  The fact that it is insolated will come in handy as it takes time to drink any quantity of liquid as you are only sipping.  Amazon.com link is ... http://www.amazon.com/CamelBak-eddy-Insulated-6L-Magenta/dp/ B006ZT9CNG/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1357375473&sr=8-1-fk mr0&keywords=EDDY%C2%99+INSULATED+.6L

You can buy it in two different sizes and several different colors.  Very handy.

I can't live without my Ninja Blender.  I use it daily for my protein shakes.  It has worked well for over a year.  As I mentioned I have used it at least once a day without fail.  It also did wonders for me in the pureed food stage when I used it with canned chicken and BBQ sauce or Bacon Ranch Dressing from Walden Farms ... they are 0 calorie, 0 carb, and 0 fat.  Walmart has them and they look like this ... http://www.walmart.com/ip/Ninja-Frozen-Treat-and-Drink-Maker /19855960

A lot of people on here also buy SF syrups.  You can get a variety of flavors and give her those.  If she gets a vanilla protein powder mix, then you can use these syrups to create a variety.  You can get those on Amazon or local grocery stores or Super Target / Walmarts.  Actually last time I was in Target they had a Gingerbread and a Peppermint.  Take the vanilla protein, add a tbsp of Hershey's Special Dark Cocoa (unsweetened), then some peppermint for a chocolate peppermint drink or the gingerbread with half of that cocoa will give you a nice gingerbread / cocoa flavor.  You would need to throw in some Stevia or Splenda to counter the unsweetened cocoa.  You could create a 6 pack of SF syrups.  These will help the protein mixes taste extremely acceptable.  I believe I have become a protein shake chef of sorts.  I have created a recipe that ends up like a Wendy's Frosty in consistency and with a chocolate strawberry flavoring to die for.  

You could even do something like get to a GNC and buy her a Gold Card.  This card is $15 and is good for 1 year.  This will allow her to purchase vitamins, minerals, protein shake mixes, quest bars, or other necessities at 20% off if she uses it the first week of any given month.  When you consider that a month supply of protein mix is at least $25 that would save her $5 per month for 12 months for a grand total of $60 in savings.  I personally love the About Time 100% Whey Protein Isolate as it is all natural with only 4 ingredients as well as lactose free.  It has the Whey Protein Isolate (best form of Whwy Protein), Stevia, Xanthan Gum (thickener), and Natural Flavors.  It sells only online at $35 per month supply ... with the card that saves $7 per month times 12 months is $84 in savings.  It's kind of like the gift that keeps on giving.  

Socks with those grippy things on the bottoms for walking around the hospital and home.  You don't want to be falling or sliding around those hospital floors.  Something to occupy her during the hospital stay.  Although to be honest she will most likely want to sleep a lot since those darn nurses will keep waking her to check her vitals and such.

I could write at least 20 other suggestions as I know what I would have liked to have.  Hopefully this will give you some good ideas.

 

Sugar free torani flavored syrups, any type of lidded/insulated sippy cup.  I would suggest NOT buying her protein powder or flavored powder additives, just because everyone is sooo different in what they can tolerate after surgery.   Socks with rubber grippys on the bottom.  I love the ziplock snack size bags because they are the perfect size to hold 1 scoop of protein powder and I can throw it in my lunch bag/purse and not have to lug the giant tub around with me.  Also maybe you could print out some of the recipes for the soft/mushy stages and compile a small cookbook for her. :)  Good luck with your surgery and that is such a sweet gesture on your behalf for your friend. 

Kari

What a great idea and friend you are!

I have to agree on the protein powders..unless you get her a variety of brands..maybe one or two from a few brands.  I had so many left over b/c I couldn't tolerate the taste after my banding surgery.  I think you're being such a good friend..I hope you both have a fast recovery from your surgeries.  Good luck and God Bless :)

I got a gift basket & loved it!  It had stuff like cream soups, SF ready jello & puddings, crystal light, oatmeal, small bowls & spoons, SF jam, etc... It was a nice surprise!  Good luck!