This is pretty much what happened to me. i've done both my yellow lab's back leg...TPLO surgery. he had one surgery when he was 9, and the other leg was this past year. each surger was around $4200.
post op was ok. i think i'm lucky because the dog is older and not nearly as hyper as he was. if i wasn't home i kept him crated so he didn't move around too much. i helped him up and down steps with a sling around his waist. i covered any slipper floors so he wouldn't slip. i didn't make him wear a cone, but he was pretty good about not licking the incision scar. both procedures required follow up where they sedate and scan again.
my man did great with both. no longer has a limp, is still playful, and really helped his lifestyle. my wife wasn't to sure about getting an expensive on a surgery on a dog that old but ***** that. i love that animal. i think i'd pay for the surgery for him before i did for my wife.