Gifts for someone going to have the surgery

Heli friends. My wife is having the sleeve  surgery beginning of next year and I was thinking about doing something clever for Christmas to give her as a gift and preparation for the surgery. I'd like to hear from those who have had the surgery and who could give me ideas about a gift I could either make or give to my wife before she has the surgery and preparation of it.

Any and all ideas are welcomed. Happy holidays. 

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Any and all ideas welcome, right?  I would not, repeat, would not have wanted anything remotely related to my surgery because weight loss surgery was my business and job to prepare and supply myself with all the things I needed to be successful.  What clever gift would I have liked?  A hand-written letter filled with kinds words like how much I was appreciated, loved, and how my husband was willing and ready to be a strong, patient support system.  I was discharged from the hospital on my birthday.  My daughter showed up with all the products to give me a styled hair-do before leaving the hospital.  It made me feel like a million bucks and the nurses thought it was one of the most special things they had witnessed.  Happy Holidays to you, too.

How thoughtful and supportive of you to post the question. Your wife is lucky to have you in her corner... this is a major change and a bit of a roller coaster ride physically and emotionally so it's awesome that she has great family support.

Here's a few I think most WLS post ops would appreciate... http://theworldaccordingtoeggface.blogspot.com/2013/05/gift- ideas-for-weight-loss-surgery-post.html Hope it gives you a few ideas.

Best to your wife! ~Shelly

What a sweet husband! My mom and sister brought me a bag in the hospital the day of surgery. It was filled with whey protein (protein is a must after surgery) comfortable pants, loose fitting waist because of staples, travel size shampoo, conditioner, body wash, toothpaste, toothbrush, lotion. ChapStick (my lips were very dry after surgery) Also maybe get her a special blanket to take to the hospital. I hope everything goes great for her!

a gift card for new shoes.. or clothes... 

or a certificate for a massage... good one... 

Gift certificate to a clothing store that doesn't sell plus sizes so she can buy new clothes after she loses all of that weight! Bonus is that she will have a goal to keep her motivated. Or you could just buy her a cute black dress or a sexy piece of lingerie that is too small so she will be motivated to eventually fit into it. There is nothing better than that feeling of finally being able to fit into something that has been hanging in your closet forever, and it will show her that you believe in her. She won't want to let you down.

I'm having an admittedly-visceral negative reaction to this. Along the same lines as what selhard said, I think it really depends on your wife's personality and how she treats this journey.  If I'd received clothes I couldn't wear or a gift certificate to a place I couldn't shop, I would feel like my husband had certain expectations about how much he wanted/needed me to lose, and I would be a failure in his eyes (and possibly lose him) if I didn't meet that goal. I'd also feel like it was an indication that I wasn't good enough for him as I am. Some people set aspirational size goals for themselves and that works for them, but I think trying to set a goal for someone else is dangerous.  

As for a gift, I don't know if I'd do it as a christmas present, but you could put together a collection of protein samples so she has lots to try.  There are a million flavors and forms (powder, ready to drink, bars), and it takes some trial and error to find ones you like.  You could get her a bunch of samples, wrap them up, then help her taste test them.  If you call them, some of the companies offer free samples, or will just charge you shipping.

I come from a long line of MO women, one of them an aunt named Betty married to a man named Melvin.  There was a long-standing rule between the two them Melvin was to never buy clothes as a gift for her.  One Christmas, Betty opened a package only to find a bathrobe inside.  She said, "Melvin, you know better,"  to which he replied "but Betty, I bought the biggest they had." Nerdy_girl, I'm hoping this story compliments your written words conveying how many of us might feel.