Being a responsible pet owner did I change my cat by spaying her?

Did I change my cat while trying to be a responsible pet owner? When my cat’s cousin (belonging my next door neighbor) got pregnant again (early, before official “kitten season”) I did not want my cat to be adding to the kitten population so I had her spayed, but now she seems like a whole new cat, which in a way is not bad but strange. Before, she would do just abut anything to get out the front door. She would stalk along the wall, especially at night in the shadows, and time the opening of the door like a linebacker would the snap count to bum rush the QB. And once out there she would not let me get near her at all. Even to open the door to let her in she would hardly do it unless I stepped from the door. Once she hid in the neighbor’s garage for 4 days, darting back in there every time she’d seen me coming. Now she half cares to go out and when she does she hardly stays long. She follows me everywhere. Behaves more affectionate, and even comes up to me outdoors like she never did before. Does spaying change the whole nature of a cat and why would that be?