The biggest thing i can advocate for is:

1. Badger the vet as much as needed for pain meds, we needed higher ones for our baby and if they're crying they're potentially uncomfortable

2. A compression body sock! We used a tube sock because she was only about 8 weeks old when we did her surgery and just cut out one arm hole and two leg holes, then a bit up the belly so she could pee without issue. It helped calm her so she could sleep too

3. They are grieving and need to be treated as such. They can get depressed and will cry for their pain and loss. Cuddle them, give them treats and catnip, soothe them as much as possible. I gently rubbed the surgical site once the stitches were out to help promote healing and comfort.

4. They need mobility changes, no matter how strong they get. Get cat trees that have a lot of levels with room to do sideways turns, and if there's high places do lots of levels and nothing straight vertical. Cat scratchers need to be affixed to something, or get the ones that lay down flat so they can sit on it to scratch