[UConnJulie]

Patellar tendon will give you the strongest graft because of the bone plugs on each end, and thus the quicker rehab ... I believe that Skwigg had an allograft (from a cadaver) which has a longer rehab because the blood supply takes longer to reestablish. Plus I think they were very conservative with her given her personality and tendancy to push through things which wouldn't be good for the healing of an allograft.

Sure, the shape you are in before will help with outcome after surgery ... if your doc says February barring any complications, then I'd believe him ... and snowboarding doesn't carry the risk to the ACL that skiing does.

My advice for pre-surgery focus? Get those hammies and glutes as strong as possible ... RDLs, GMs, pull throughs, GHRs, etc ... and make sure you get full range of motion back (ie can stretch heel to butt). The first month will be a little rough, but after that you'll be feeling good, and if you find the right therapist, you'll be snowboarding in February!