Thanks again everyone for sharing your advice and experiences. I was out of town all last week at a conference, so am only now getting an update posted.

Simon had the "less expensive" surgery Saturday from a vet that a friend recommended. The vet who did it has done literally thousands of these procedures (interestingly, many of them were on pitbulls) and he has a very good track record, and was very freindly and informative when we spoke.

Simon also had a suspicious tumor removed from his right foreleg - the biopsy results on that lump will be in on Friday - I'm trying not to think (i.e. worry) about it until then.

Simon came home Sunday afternoon and is recovering now - it seems to be going OK, but I don't really have anything to compare it to. He can totter around pretty well on the 2.5 good legs he's got, but I'm trying to keep him settled. He has 2 different pain meds, antibiotics, and a sedative to help keep him calm.

I keep telling him he'll feel better in a few weeks, but I'm not sure that message is making much of an impact! I'd post a picture but he looks so pathetic I can't bear it! I'm definitely getting a good workout carrying him (all 48 pounds!) in and out of the house to do his thing.

He's sleeping next to me now, all bundled up in a blanket to keep warm. Poor pup!