E-collar/separating the cats after hernia repair

Hello! I've been lurking here for a while, and I finally decided to register today. My boys Tony and Bruce were both neutered on Friday. Tony also had his umbilical hernia repaired. Everything was fine, they were both acting normal and playing, and yesterday I noticed Tony's belly sutures were bleeding a little. I took him back to the vet and she put staples in his belly and put an e-collar on him. I feel so bad for him, but he seems to be doing okay with it. He can eat and drink with it on, but using the litterbox is a little awkward. He managed to get out of it yesterday. I put it back on but it doesn't look the same. I decided to give him a break from the collar last night and I put a baby onesie on him instead. That seemed to keep him from licking his belly, but he managed to get out of that twice this morning, so I put the collar back on. I'm thinking about trying a soft collar instead of the hard plastic one. Has anybody tried one of those? How did it work out?

The vet also told me I should separate Tony from Bruce, so they don't run around and play too rough. Last night I had Tony in my bedroom and I barely slept because Bruce was outside the door all night yelling to be let in. It was not fun. I plan on leaving Tony in my bedroom during the day while I'm at work, but I feel so bad separating them. What are everyone else's experiences having to separate cats after surgeries? Is it really necessary? If I must keep Tony confined to one room, is there anything I can do to make it not so boring for him? I know cats don't need tons of entertainment, but I feel so bad! 

Sorry about the long post, and thanks for any advice! 

Here is Tony in his cone of shame Poor thing, lol.

I don't have any experience with collars so can't help there. However, when separating the two cats during recovery, I would ensure a window perch if you can to keep them entertained. Some place easily reached (maybe stagger some steps somehow) so that Tony doesn't tear out his staples.

Poor baby in his cone. He is a cutie.

Thanks so much for replying! I do have a window ledge in my bedroom that he can sit on. I didn't even think about that. They really can sit there for hours and watch the outside world, can't they? I haven't been keeping them separate all the time, only when they start acting up. I just had to put Tony in my room because they were getting wild. I happened to walk past the door and I heard him crying. He has such a high-pitched meow, like a little baby. It broke my heart! I just keep telling myself this is only temporary and it'll be over before I know it!