When I topped mine I guess I noticed normal proper growth about a week afterwards, maybe less.
Also, being a noob I expected it to grow from where I'd cut the stalk, but it actually grows from the two new growths just below where you cut.
From what I've heard it's pretty hard to do it wrong, just make sure you clean the scissors/blade or whatever you're using, to avoid infection, and cut it fairly close to where the node is and you should be fine.
I can post pics of where I topped mine if you want