Personally, I seem to be more comfortable with my legs flat, but I haven't heard of anyone else on BS feeling that way. I told my PT, and she told me to elevate even if it doesn't feel as good as flat. So, now I elevate 2x/day at a high elevation. I have the foot of my bed slightly elevated, but nothing like the position I use with my feet way up in the air in a chair. You are just home from the hospital, and you will experiment with different things you can do to try to find what's best for you. On my comforting list: ice all the way around my knee, including sides and back, moving a bit, trying to distract myself with a TV show or magazine, and sitting in my most comfortable chair. The chair I had designated as my "nest" prior to surgery is not comfortable for me at all. We rearranged our furniture to utilize a different chair w/ ottoman. I also spent one entire day in my bed because that seemed the best position that day. My suggestion is to try every variation you can think of so you'll learn what's best for you.
United States
Your doctor is right to take charge of figuring this out (finally!). I like having some flexibility in my pain med choices, so if one isn't doing the trick, I can either take another pill or take a different med. That way I know I'm not taking more than I need to be comfortable. I also want to let you know that the hospital told me not to consider it a fever unless it goes over 101. I assume from that that your "fever" doesn't qualify as concerning. 
