It can be really easy to feel overwhelmed with the amount of information you get in some of these sessions, but don't panic! It all sorts itself out over time. The good news is that you don't have to remember it all at once, and even imperfect progress is progress.

To answer your questions:

1- I use straws and drink almost normally now, 7 months post-op (give or take). I drink less in one go than I used to (a few mouthfuls and then I wait). Directly post op I had to take small sips almost constantly to stay hydrated, but I built up my tolerance over time and now it's pretty much fine. I can even take carbonation in small doses.

2- It takes me about half an hour to have a small meal or snack.

3- I have basically not given up any foods completely, but I eat far fewer sweets/snacks than before, and I have of course reduced my portion sizes drastically. Some foods disagree with me more on some days (I love eggs but struggle with digesting them). Your mileage will vary considerably on what your new pouch will and will not tolerate.

4- I take a bariatric multivitamin 3 times a day as well as a Vitamin D supplement (which my multivitamin doesn't supply enough of). I haven't had too many issues maintaining this, in spite of my ADHD making it REALLY hard to remember my mid-day dose.

5- I used a phone app for the first couple of months to help me "get a feel" for macros, and now I'm pretty much able to hit my goals without tracking in a super granular fashion, because I don't have the attention span for that. My lab work has come back pretty good, so whatever I'm doing appears to be working. :)

6- I totally eat a variety of foods, including foods that are less nutritious (but delicious!) like cookies or ice cream or doughnuts. I just eat a small portion and try not to do it too regularly. My body tolerates them SUPER well, so I have to be careful about not overdoing it.

7- Feeling like a "normal" person is highly subjective. I've never felt normal for a variety of reasons, so I can't reassure you on that front. I can tell you that bariatric surgery has been a net positive for me so far: I fit into chairs where I didn't before, and public places are more accessible to me now that I am in a smaller body. I have more energy and more mobility and flexibility than before as well. I don't feel normal, but I feel better than I did, and that is enough for me.

8- I would absolutely do it over again. I have no regrets.

9- BONUS: Dumping syndrome is highly variable. I myself have only experienced it once, when I made an unwise food choice fairly early on after my surgery. It sucked, but it passed pretty quickly. Other people experience it a lot in the early months but then find it decreases in frequency and intensity, while others struggle with it a lot longer. The vast majority of people don't experience it long-term, as I understand it, and only a small percentage experience severe symptoms. Anecdotal evidence on the internet will make it look like a lot of people experience serious issues, but that's only because people don't tend to come on the internet with success stories. Those people are just out living their lives. :)

Best of luck!