I think that if you did not feel comfortable with your previous vet you did the right thing when you changed. It's so important to trust them, I have a wonderful vet who truly loves animals.

I did not notice much of a difference in behaviour with my cats after the operation, but I've had mainly females, the male is still quite young, he won't have his operation for a little while yet. The only other male cat I had had his operation 18 years ago and I can't honestly remember

After the operation they usually feel a bit and queezy and might refuse to eat. Mine used to drink a lot. But it doesn't take long before they go back to be their usual self. For Prema I prepared a nice place in a corner of my room where she could sleep because I thought that with the stitches and with her handicap (a good part of one of her front leg is missing) she would not be able to jump on my bed, well I was wrong and she spent the whole night right next to me.
I will be thinking of Sirocco and you on Thursday.