Swallowing yarn, timeline

So, I brought my cat back from the vet after neuter. He was given an e-collar from before that I used on him to prevent him from licking his wound. The collar was held by a piece of string (It was actually a piece of cotton gauze that over time became string-like) around his neck. Well, I woke up in the morning and the string was GONE. Searched the house, no string. I can only assume he ate it because he tried to before and I stopped him and kept it hidden from him when it was not around his neck.

Called the vet, they told me to monitor it. It has been about 40 hours since he would have eaten it. He has been completely normal, pooped about 4 times, all normal poop, except the last which was soft because I gave him hairball medication.

My question is: what is the timeline on this problem? I read some things online that people's cats have had trouble MONTHS after. My vet said they can't exactly do an Xray to find the string right now. The cat is under no distress. I have been feeding him a bit more to get things..um...moving in there and he has been very, VERY happy about that (he has a really hearty appetite). 

The string is soft and made from cotton, surgical gauze. Could it digest? When should I worry? I would love to know some sort of a timeline of when we would be in the clear because it's really driving me crazy, this not knowing what to do.

I know what you're talking about with the gauze. I would monitor for at least a week. It can get caught in the intestines and still let waste through. If he starts vomiting, refuses to eat, or strains to poop then hightail it to the vet. Be prepared for an expensive surgery. Monitor poop for the gauze. Hope that it wadded up and he passes it easily. It is reassuring that he's gone this long without any negative symptoms. Be positive.
I'm sorry you're going through this....

So today the gauze started coming out, but he couldn't push it out...managed to get it half out and then started crying in pain. Rushed to the vet, she removed the rest of it (it was almost all out, just the last bit was lodged in there). He seems ok now, although he has been sleeping a bit more and didn't eat for about 2 hours. Will continue to monitor it, but the good thing is that it is out of the system and we hope there is no more left in there.

It's really crazy what they can do to themselves....I feel a bit relieved, and not crazy...everyone was telling me "Oh you'll probably find the thing somewhere around the house" but mama knows best.

What a relief!!

Indeed. Silly little creatures, but we love them.