I tore my mcl and partially tore my acl playing ultimate Frisbee in October, and i had surgery last Friday. They used a femoral nerve block on me which helps you not feel anything in that knee for a couple days. Oxycodone, a bunch of really good oil, and sleep help a lot to.
I went skiing the saturday before I had surgery with a fancy acl brace, and it felt ok just skiing, even switch skiing, and on some boxes, but when i tried to do even tiny jumps straight-airs hurt.
surgery is a bitch but is worth it in the end