Cat is distant after being spayed

I got my 1yr female cat spayed on Monday (during a heat cycle) and ever since then she's been very distant. I called the vet Tuesday to ask if this was normal and they said yes. Im just worried that something might be wrong. She stays in my closet all day and hisses if you go anywhere near her. She will come out at night to sleep with me but the minute you look at her she's right back in the closet. She has no problems eating or drinking. Im not sure the last time she used the litter box she doesn't leave the closet long enough. Also when she walks she stays very low to the ground and loses her balance quickly if she stands up all the way. Ive caught her licking in the incision a few times and what I can see it looks normal...anyone else go through this? Does she just need more healing time or am I expecting a full recovery too soon? 

She is most likely still in some pain. Did the vet give you any pain meds like buprenex to administer at home? Generally, I think recovery is 10-14 days for a spay.

 I think best thing is to listen to your vet and not worry too much.  I guess we're just the same after an op, feeling rough and sometimes the anesthetic can knock us for six for quite a few days after.  My mother is sick for a month after any anesthetic, it affects her so bad! I should imagine that some cats cope better than others the same way we do. My own cat acted out of sorts for a week after his recent op (infected cut) but was more lethargic and clingy - he crept up on my lap a few times - he never does that!

I think that because she's eating and drinking and sleeping with you at night, she's on the mend. Don't rush her, let her come to you.  She may be sore, she smells different and she's gone through something quite stressful.  (Have you tried feliway? Some cats do well on that with stress and maybe it will help your cat too?).  I would consider talking to the vet again on monday and ask if she may still be in a lot of pain as perhaps the hissing may be pain related and not aimed at you, she may be afraid that touching hurts.  Some pain meds might help. Do you have to go back for a check up with kitty soon?

I think a vet trip is a good idea.

Some pain is normal but to be hissing and hiding in closet is clearly a pain and not standing all the way up/falling is not normal.

I have had cats spayed days after giving birth, older females and a male got spayed(yes it happens....)  None were acting like you state.  I would for time being move a box right next to the closet door so to monitor her elimination habits better and measure out all food and water offered to see just what she is taking in.

She on pain meds-sometimes cats have a reaction to the medicine itself.  Trust your feelings.  the vets are used to dealing with worried owners and sometimes do not realize just what is going on.

I am wondering if something was misstiched and is pulling on her when she stands up.

I have worked in rescue for years and have only seen this once, and that cat had ruptured her internal suturs while still at the animal hospital (the chart showed she vomited extensively after the surgery and they suspected it was a bad reaction to the anesthesia).  I strongly suspect your cat is in serious  pain and should be seen by a vet immediately.  In general I have found that most cats are overly needy and cuddly after the anesthesia has worn off, and they do not hiss and hide. They certainly do not fall over or have difficulty standing more than 12 hours after the surgery.  PLEASE take her to a vet immediately!  She should not be having trouble this long after surgery.  She may have an abcess or ruptured internal suture seven if the external incision appears fine.

How did you get on? How's kitty doing?

Thank you all for your replies. Sooki is doing very well. She is back to her old self. I might be crazy but she's always hated the crate which I left on my bedroom floor after she came home but the minute I put it away she acted as if she never had surgery.

My cat got spayed about a week ago. She belonged to someone else who literally abandoned her and allowed her to get pregnant 4 times having 24 kittens total. I took her in and thought I was doing her a favor by getting her spayed. She was in heat when the spay happened. She was so loving and now she barely moves. She is so sad and I am sad for her. She got done last Thursday. I got her spayed at the SPCA, should I bring her to a vet or wait a little longer. Her name is Kaylee (KIKI).