[Questions] Kitty getting spayed tomorrow...

...and of course I am a nervous wreck. She already has health problems. She has lumps all over her belly. She was tested for cancer but doesn't have it. I was told they were hormonal and would go away on their own and spaying would help, so that's where she's going tomorrow!

Ailee is only 5.5 months. She's a very playful kitten and her favourite thing to do is climb up her 72" cat tree and sleep and play. From what I've read, I need to limit her activity. So these are my questions:

1. Do I really need to crate her? I don't really have a crate, just a small cat playpen. Should I really put her in it for a few days or should I let her be? Can she hurt herself climbing up the cat tree to sleep? Should I keep her in there and let her out a few times a day to stretch and eat?

2. Should I get her a collar? When I got my boy neutered, he couldn't function in the collar. He couldn't walk with it on and definitely couldn't eat, but luckily he didn't lick at his incision so I was able to take it off.

3. Should I get her pain meds? With my boy I got asked if I wanted to get the meds (extra $25) and keep him on them for a few days. I've read posts where people say it's not painful enough to be needed and some saying it's necessary.

The only thing giving me trouble is locking her up. I'd feel so bad for doing that to her!

I had my two girls spayed at the same time and brought them both home the same day.  For confinement I just put them in my bedroom and closed the door.  It was a quiet place for them and I kept the light off.  They basically let me knew when they were ready to come out and join the others.  I did put a litterbox and water in there.  And when they did come out they were ready to eat.  I never did have to try to contain their activities.  Did not use a collar.  They left their incisions alone.  You would probably hurt them more trying to give them pet meds if they're not used to having meds given to them.  Twisting, turning and squirming is part of the deal when giving a cat meds.  Even when doing the taco kitty.

I would just put her in a quiet room but I have a silly setup. My room doesn't have a door! And the upstairs where my parents live has a dog, so she'd get no rest up there at all. I guess I'll just put a blanket in the play pen and keep her in there for a few hours after she gets home.

Even if you opened up your closet door where she could have "privacy".  Mine hid underneath the bed and stayed there until they were ready to come out.  Dark Quiet

I'm more cautious because I know cats that have had post surgery complications.

We ALWAYS give pain meds post-op. Our preferred med is Buprenex (Buprenorphine.) I have not had any problems in doing this (we average 15 or so spays per year.) I rarely give the full dose...typically 1/2 dose is enough to give enough pain coverage. (We don't want them knock out with pain meds if they don't need to be.). We also choose to crate. This way we eliminate the potential for problems from the kittens/cats being too active. We do not use e-collars unless the cat begins to both the incision.

I would encourage you to keep her quiet (no climbing/jumping) for at least 3-5 days. You want to give the area time to heal.