I felt the same way when I heard Sydney needed LP surgery on both back knees. Please know I understand, and so do others, how hard this is what you're going through. I was beside myself. After getting a second opinion, I decided on surgery. That was in March. She's 11-months today and doing great. You would never know she had the surgery. For a couple of weeks, she had to wear two casts on the back legs, but she managed. Even using her litter box. When the stitches were first removed, she wouldn't walk very far on her back legs (I don't blame her) but by the next afternoon, she was wanting to run and play as normal. We wouldn't let her and we still don't let her on the bare floors for fear she'll slip and fall. For the surgery, we went with her regular vet--no ortho vet surgeons in the area. He was wonderful.
Coming to YT was the greatest resource on the web. Here is Sydney's experience if you're interested:
http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/sic...-patellas.html