Just curious - where are you having the TPLO surgery done? Did the vet discuss any other options? How old is Sophie?
Just to second Seaherons here - have you thoroughly researched all of your ACL options including getting a second and third opinion? Vets always have a preference based on their specialty (understandable) for the procedure they do - but may not always be in your dog's best interest. Surgeons here where I am will tell you "absolutely TPLO" while others will say "Never TPLO - only TTA" etc.
I always encourage people to thoroughly weigh the risks and benefits of TPLO vs. TTA vs. Traditional repair.
I know many surgeons say big/giant dogs shouldn't have traditional but I have seen it work many times - I believe it is less about size and weight and more about activity. Activity level and specific actions/behaviors should drive the decision to rule the traditional procedure out. The sedate, older giant dog who goes for long walks, but no twisty/turny play or hard stops is a good candidate for traditional repair. Otherwise, the more invasive procedures may be necessary. TTA is still an osteotomy (severe bone cutting) but of a lesser bone, and therefore less invasive. The recovery of TTA is shorter than a TPLO - outcomes are still hard to come by however since TTA hasn't been around as long as the TPLO.
Personally, a TPLO would be my last choice out of all of the options and a last resort - most invasive, most leg altering in changing the entire angulation (affecting the other side and overall balance of the dog), and longest/hardest recovery. With that said, there are dogs that required a TPLO when nothing else worked and it was successful in the end.
So just be sure you are comfortable with this procedure for YOUR dog - you know your dog best and can make the best determination and it should be about her and only her.
You may want to join Orthodogs on Yahoo - they have scores of studies on all of the procedures - outcomes to date, and lots of people with experience with all of them. They can help with rehab following the procedure, games to play during restriction and complications that can arise.
http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/orthodogs/?yguid=106528238Also, take a look at a fellow Berner owner's site that gives great guidance on getting through a TPLO and great games to play following surgery:
http://www.lauriebryce.com/tplo/And last, if I can emphasize one thing: it is the criticality of therapy following surgery. I have just been helping three people in my area following TTA surgery on their dogs; one did surgery with no therapy following and her dog has completely atrophied and lost function of the leg. The other is doing therapy at home with use of exercise balls purchased and a DVD and seeing good results, and the third is seeing optimal results with full return to function by going to therapy and using underwater treadmill and range of motion exercises specifically tailored to the dog. No matter what the degree you use - whether home use through DVDs or going to rehab, anything helps and is critical to returning to function. Please don't ignore this step and think you're done with surgery.
Good luck!