Gift for friend having eye surgery?

[bubbaray]

My best friend is having laser eye surgery next week. She will be flying into town, staying in a hotel across from the surgery center for 1 night, then going for her post-op check and flying home the next day. I can't stay with her due to other family obligations that I can't change (and she knows that and is fine with it). She is VERY VERY fiercely independent.

I'd like to get something and have it waiting for her at her hotel -- but WHAT?

She's having PRK not Lasik, so she won't be able to read or watch anything after the surgery from what I understand (its more painful post-op than Lasik). I was thinking Body Shop stuff as I know she really likes the Samsuta (sp?) stuff from there. Flowers would be a waste, plus she has allergies. I was thinking chocolate, but not sure if she'll want it post-op -- I'm thinking she'll spend most of her time sleeping.

Thoughts?

[ellies mom]

Once she is done sleeping, she might enjoy a good audio book.

[rlu]

After I had lasik I had to wear protective shields over my eyes for a day (IIRC). I slept alot at first, so perhaps a cd of soothing, zone-out type music?

eta: I had to wear the shield whenever I slept for several days, only all day the first day or so. Over a year ago and I've dropped the details from immediate recall.

[bubbaray]

Thanks, ladies. I don't know if she has a portable CD player (I do, I could just give/loan it to her) for the audio book. Now that I think about it, I don't even know if she has an iPod (her DH is the techno geek, she's totally not into gadgets).

I know you have to wear shields with Lasik (so as to not disturb the flap), but I don't know if you do with PRK. From what others have told me, they give you painkillers & sleeping pills with PRK b/c its more painful (which begs the question as to why she chose that, but whatever). So I dunno. I am quite suprised the clinic is OK with her being alone post-op, but she called and they are fine with it. I definitely get the distinct impression that she does NOT want anyone there to see/help her. I offered (even though I really can't change my prior booked plans) and she declined.

[niccig]

DS's preschool teacher was having eye surgery and we gave her a gift certificate to the bookstore to buy audio books before she had her surgery...she loves to read. She was very touched that we had thought of her.

[boilermakermom]

What about a new pair of PJ's? Something soft and comfy!

[rlu]

What about a new pair of PJ's? Something soft and comfy!

ooh, I like this one! Whenever I'm not feeling well, the flannelish stuff comes out.

[rlu]

From what others have told me, they give you painkillers & sleeping pills with PRK b/c its more painful (which begs the question as to why she chose that, but whatever).

I believe the type of surgery being done is determined by the type of correction needed. I was very fortunate to have extremely good results, better than my doctors expected.

[crayonblue]

First of all, you are a kind friend!

I had PRK a couple of years ago. I was scheduled for Lasik but was not a candidate due to extreme nearsightendess and sloping corneas. From what I understand, PRK is a superior surgery to Lasik BUT it is so incredibly painful that few would choose PRK over Lasik unless there was no other option.

When my surgeon presented the idea of PRK, he made sure I knew that I would need someone to care for my then 2 year old for a week. He told me that the recovery would be painful. I could NOT have imagined how painful.

The first day was OK. I had a valium before the surgery and I don't remember much else. The next few days were horrible. I was on pain killers and all kinds of eye drops to control pain and inflammation but nothing helped. It was way worse than labor!

In PRK surgery, the top layer of the eye is shaved off. DH says that was quite something to watch on the video. The incredible pain comes when the eye starts healing a couple of days later and then lasts for a few days. I ended up at the eye doctor on a Sunday because I couldn't handle the pain (the doctor on call met me at the office).

PRK is not like Lasik in that you can instantly see. It took me weeks to see well. Granted, I had incredibly bad vision. And, I was so sensitive to light for quite a while that I could hardly stand to go outside, even with dark sunglasses.

I am REALLY surprised that your friend's doctor is ok with her flying back by herself so soon.

From what I understand, my experience with PRK is pretty much typical.

I would do it all over again because it changed my life to be able to see.

Back to your original question, I would recommend an amazing pair of sunglasses! In the months following PRK, my eyes were so light sensitive that I wore sunglasses most of the time. I know that sunglasses style is a personal preference but maybe you could ask her what she would like? If she already has a good pair, then I would think that something fun like comfy pjs or chocolate would be good!

ETA: And, yes, I had to wear eye shields for a while. I don't think I drove for several weeks. And, no way could I have been by myself.

[bubbaray]

Lana, your experience is very similar to others I know who have had PRK instead of Lasik. I'm am very VERY leary of the place my friend is having the surgery done at. Frankly, I think she chose them over the top place in town due only to price. PRK/Lasik have been done in Canada for a lot longer than in the US (something about FDA regulations), so there are many eye surgeons here who do laser eye surgery. I recommended the top 2 eye dr's in town (who all the doctors go to, and the place where a lot of the law firms in town send their lawyers). She called and got a price -- then told me she didn't think they offered anything more than the cheaper place! I was quite shocked.

I'm as stunned as you that they are allowing her to be alone post-op and to fly the next day. Vancouver Int'l airport is a bitch even when you have good vision.

I know that she won't have great vision immediately after the surgery, but I honestly don't think she realizes it. She really thinks she will be able to see well enough to drive and I'm pretty sure she thinks she'll be driving herself home from the airport when she gets home. Um, I don't think so.

I have been told that I'm not a candidate for PRK b/c my nearsightedness is too much (-9). Many dr's have told me to do Lasik. My friend has nearly the same Rx as I do, so I couldn't understand why she chose PRK. But, your experience is the opposite (PRK vs Lasik), so I'm not sure what the deal is.

I really wish she had booked a different surgery day. We had discussed it prior (she could have had it done any time) and I told her that we would help her, she could stay here, I could stay with her, etc., but that certain days were out for me b/c of prior obligations that could not change. I almost think she wants to be alone for it. This does not surprise me (as I indicated above, she's fiercy independent), but it sure does worry me. I really think her being alone after the procedure is a huge mistake.

I really was leaning towards Body Shop stuff (I know she likes it), but them I'm thinking she'll only be bringing a carryon, so she won't be able to take it back on the plane if its over the 3oz size. She's not a jammie person and I just feel a little weird buying her lingerie, LOL. Maybe fuzzy slippers, if I can find some.

[wellyes]

I had Lasik and I was a -13/-11. Recovery was surprisingly fast but I could not have travelled by myself and driven a day or two later. Can't even imagine trying that with the PRK - yikes!!!

I think the best thing you can do as a friend is to be there, let her know that if she ends up having to change her plans to recover longer that you will help her out as much as you can given that she can't stay with you. Prepare some stuff in advance like the concierge at her hotel's number, fast food delivery menus, etc.

[crayonblue]

My vision was -10.75 and -11 before I had PRK. No, PRK isn't approved by the FDA for such a high prescription but my doctor was able to do it and I now see 20/20 and have no side effects. He did warn me that I would most likely have repeated surgeries and side effects because of my prescription. Thankfully, I have had no problems at all. I wouldn't have trusted just anyone to do this surgery. I first went to Tiger Woods doctor, Dr. Whitten, and he sent me to Dr. Rubenfield, a cornea specialist. I don't care how much cheaper the "cheap" place is, your friend should NOT be trusting anyone but the best. Especially considering her prescription strength. And, yes, I did pay a lot for my surgery but it was well worth it. JMHO.

ETA: And there is no way your friend is going to be able to drive herself around.

[elephantmeg]

have dinner delivered? My bro had lasix and did that.

[MMEand1]

I just had PRK done in June. I was not allowed to drive for at leasta week. I was given all kinds of drugs, but only took a few Ty w/codine (maybe 3 total). The contact bandages that they put on my eyes drove me nuts! I wanted to rip them out of my eyes. I had to sleep with these ubber sexy goggles on for the first few nights, but after that, I ditched them. There is NO way I could have driven the day after I had my eyes done. I was in a hotel suite and had the curtains closed completly and the little line of light coming under the shades was still TOOO bright for me. Due to my Rx, I could not have had the Lasik, so my Dr was the one to actually decided what was best for me. At 2 months out, I am still having some mild issues like halo's and glare, but my eyes are still healing and my Dr was super pleased with my progress at my 1 month apt.

I have no idea how your friend will be able to drive...I had 4 different types of drops to put in my eyes for the first week and one of the drops was to be put in every 10-15 minutes, so I could not go very far without stopping and squirting stuff in my eyes.

Back to your original question, however...I think some new PJ's would be nice, as well as some sort of dinner so she would not have to go out to fetch it herself. THe audio book idea is good too as I was totally bored (we were told NOT to sleep all day and only take a few cat naps - no longer than 30 minutes at a time).

I think your friend is really lucky to have you!