Did they give her any pain meds? Mikki was spayed recently and she didn't act like she was in pain at all. Of course, she had meds and was so sleepy. She slept most of the first day. By day 2, you couldn't tell anything was wrong with her.
As far as the cone, I am going to be honest. I didn't buy one because I hate the plastic ones. By the time I realized I needed one it was too late to order the fabric ones. So, I didn't use it. Instead I held Mikki most of the day. I know I know she is spoiled.
That way she didn't bother her incision and I didn't have to deal with the cone.