Going in for surgery isn’t a thought that many people relish; an experience that is usually the treatment for a medical problem, bad enough by itself. Going ‘under the knife’, whether it’s for medical or cosmetic reasons, is always going to be quite the daunting experience. There are risks to take into consideration, alongside recovery times. A patient going in for surgery is a patient who could really use a friend right now.

If you are that friend (or relative), holding hands through your BFF or sister’s surgery, putting their mind to ease when they are worried is part of the job. That’s what friends are for, right? To hold your hand through the bad times, and make you laugh occasionally too?

Here are a few things that you could say or text to your friend or relative going in for surgery, to put their mind at ease and make them feel more comfortable:

20 Get Well Wishes Before Surgery

1 – Hello, dear friend, I hope you are doing okay. I know that today is a big day for you, but I’m here for you on the other side. I’ll feed you grapes and read you magazines, and I’ll assist you to the bathroom if necessary. Friends are meant to be there for you to lean on when times get a little tough, so, in the words of Bill Withers, you can “lean on me”.

2 – I know you’re scared today. It’s a scary thing that’s happening. But you’ll be just fine, I know it. And I’ll be right here to make you laugh when you wake up. Just think of it like this: the operation you have today will stop all of those troubles that you had before. Life will be so much better once you’re fully recovered. Take it slow, take it steady, and always remember that I’m here.

3 – Today will be over before you know it. We’ll be laughing and joking, causing mischief, in the blink of an eye. What you’re going through today? It’s just a brief moment in time compared to all the amazing times we’re going to have when you’re all better. Love you, friend. See you on the other, BETTER side.

4 – You might not see me there. You might not even know that I’m there at all today, but I will be, every step of the way. Surgery is scary, but I’ll hold your hand. It’s frightening, but I’ll be there when you wake up, with a smile on my face and kind eyes to see you through. I hope your surgery goes well today. See you when you wake up!

5 – When today gets too much to bear, just imagine yourself at home. Imagine yourself relaxing on the couch, cup of tea in hand, favourite Disney movie on the TV. I’ll run around after you, bringing you cups of tea aplenty, and making sure you have all the chocolate you need to see you through. Dear friend, it’ll be a big day, but I promise I’ll be right here waiting for you.

6 – I know you didn’t want people to know but I could see that you were scared. I could sense that you were worried about today. I could feel that you really needed me. I hope your surgery goes as well as can be expected today, and that your recovery time is short and sweet, but whatever you need, just give me a call. I’ll be right there in a flash!

7 – With all the breakups we’ve been through together, you’d think that a little bit of surgery would be a walk in the park. What’s a bit of minor surgery when you’ve had your heart broken a hundred times over? We made it through all of those bad days and breakups, and we’ll make it through today. I’ve got your back, Bestie, get better soon!

8 – I’ve always believed that a little bit of positivity will see you through the bad days and today, I’m sending all of my positive vibes to you. I hate the thought of you going through surgery, being scared, or having to worry about a thing, but you’re in safe hands, with good doctors, and you should be reassured that you’re getting the best care that you can. I’ll be here when you need me, no matter how long or short the recovery period might be. Get yourself back, fightin’ fit. We’ve got some mischief to make!

9 – How about you relax today, your surgery day, and I’ll take care of all the worrying? You heard the doctors – they’ve done this procedure a hundred time or more. You just need to put your faith in them, close your eyes, and wake up with everything better than it was when you first went to sleep. Good luck in there! I’ll be here to make you smile after it all!

10 – It’s normal to feel worried about surgery, and I want you to know that you can relay all of your fears and worries to me. If I can soothe your worries, I will. If I can find answers to your questions, I’ll do just that. If you need a cup of tea, a glass of water, coffee, something to eat, or just another new magazine to read, I’ll go grab it. This is the one time you are allowed to ‘milk it’, dear friend, so go ahead. Let me take the slack for a while.

11 – They should come up with a vow for friends, something that goes along the marriage-lines of, “in sickness and in health.” We might have made such vows to each other, but as a friend, I’m certainly here every step of the way today. If you need me, I’ll hold your hand. If you need to cry, I’ll wipe your tears away. I know it’s probably pointless telling you not to worry, but you really shouldn’t. You’ll be just fine. I know you will. I hope it all goes well for you!

12 – There’s a good chance that you’ll recover from this surgery feeling just a fraction of the pain and suffering that you felt before, so you should think of today as a GOOD thing, and not a BAD or SCARY one. The recovery time will be short and sweet, over in the blink of an eye, and then you’ll be right back on your feet again, doing what it is you do so well – putting a smile on the faces of others. For just today, though – surgery day – how about you let me put the smile on your face? I’ll miss you, buddy, get well soon!

13 – I know you don’t need me to tell you how brave, strong, or determined you are, but I just want you to know that I know all of those things about you. I also know that today will be just fine. You’re strong enough to recover from your surgery, and to make life bigger and better on the other side. Whatever happens, whether you need me to lend a hand or not, I’ll be right there. Love you, dude, I hope the docs fix you!

14 – Surgery is just around the corner, we’re counting down the hours, minutes, seconds. I know it’s big and scary, but I’m not worried. The medical professionals know what they’re doing, and I truly believe that God is looking over you. I’m waiting right here, desperately checking my phone every five minutes for the text to say you’re back out again. Just think of it as a long nap. (Some of wish for a nap like that!) Keep safe, stay well, everything will soon be better again.

15 – Thank goodness for modern medicine. Without it, you wouldn’t be waiting to have surgery today, although, I’m sure you’d rather be doing anything but that. Just imagine how much better your life could be when you wake up, and how happily you’ll live once you’re done with your recovery. A scary today means a brighter tomorrow. I can’t wait to see what adventures come our way.

16 – I just thought I would send you a little message to let you know that I’m really going to enjoy annoying you, making you laugh at inappropriate times, and probably saying entirely the wrong thing, over the next few days and weeks. However long it takes to recover; that’s how long I’ll be right by your side. Surgery is a big deal, no matter how ‘minor’ they say it is. It’s time for me to be the annoying one for a change … ��

17 – Sometimes, life will test us. It will send us sadness and pain, some of which we can fix and put right, some of which we can’t. It will send us obstacles and battles, things that bring us down as much as things that lift our spirits. I imagine that today is both something that brings you up and also brings you down. Surgery isn’t fun. It’s definitely not the top of our ‘fun’ list. What happens after, however; that’s fun. You’ll get better, the sickness and pain of your previous problems shed. It’s gonna be quite the ride. Get ready to buckle in!

18 – I wanted to write something super hilarious to you today, but I didn’t want to run the risk of you reading it AFTER your surgery and then poppin’ out a stitch! Just know that I’m here for you, whatever you need, and I wish you the easiest and speediest of recoveries. Get well soon!

19 – Hey, dear friend! I hope you get well very soon. I’ve got lots of,life to live and I’m hoping you’ll be down for the ride. Just remember; if ever need surgery, you’ve got to be there to help me recover too. I’m just playing, but I do wish all the very best for today. I’ll see you on the other side — life is about to get a whole load better!

20 – Thankfully, friend, the person doing your surgery today is much better than I ever was at playing the game, Operation. Do you remember that game? Well, when you’re awake and I’m the other side, on your road to recovery, let’s say we grab that game and play it? In fact, let’s say that we do a lot of things together. Let’s make a list. I’ll see you soon, friend, and I’m sending all of my positive thoughts and wishes to you.