When Hot Rod has is lp surgery we were told complete rest for 6 weeks. The largest area he was allowed in was a 3 x 3 area. We reconfigured his xpen but he started to stand on his hinds so that didn't work.
I put his crate on the table next to me on the sofa and he was so pathetic, he would stick his nose thru the crate.
I finally put his harness on him and used a neck lanyard and wrapped it around my wrist just in case he would try to get up-he didn't. He was just so glad to be out of the crate.
We were told to carry him to potty and only allow him to walk around til he pottied and then pick him back up to bring him in. It was a very, very long 6 weeks. He was crated whenever I left. Poor Maggie May was so lost not being able to be with her brother, she just layed with him.
Due to Hot Rod's surgery, I designed a soft cone collar. You can click on the link in my signature to see about the Kiss-e Cone Collar. I can get one out to you asap.
Best of luck to you and your baby for a quick recovery.