I use a swing tip now and then - no threaded tip rings, which are a bit clunky tbh, but I push the rubber over the bare end of cut down quiver tips or on a home-made short section. Sliders, I'm addicted to. I positively look for deep waters. I use light sliders on the deep pegs at the back of the Forest ground. where no-one in their right mind fishes like that. I've got a bunch of Drennan and Guru method feeders here, but I haven't fished this method for at least three years. Of course it works, and at first it was exciting when your rod takes off etc, but I want to want to time the strike and hook them myself, thanks.
Good luck with your op tomorrow, if tomorrow it still is.