I have used a small washcloth multiple times now after back surgery to Grit and Bear It because I did not want to cry out. It worked. Kept my dignity, kept the nurses in stitches [no wait a minute, that was me] helped my familiy since I was sent home LONG before the 23 hour marker so I wasn't doing the Ahh, OHH, Ouch thing out loud every time I had to move, and you will be having to move. So I would just jam that washcloth in my mouth and it muffled the cries. Worked every time.

Thursday!! You are in our prayers!
Mark56