Where to start?

I am 8 months post op & need to start moving. I should of done this long ago, but my schedule has been all over the place. I'm wanting to get into a routine & don't really know where to start. I live in ND & snow is just around the corner so walking outside will be almost impossible as I already have very week ankles & don't want to risk slipping & hurting myself. I think for walking I'm either going to walk the mall that is just across the street from where I live or join a gym. I need to start toning muscle too but really am at a loss as to where to start. It would definitely have to be something beginner to start with. Any suggestions?

 I think you are already on the right thought path, walking is great exercise. As for toning, if you are thinking about joining a gym then by all means make use of the free classes they offer if available. Like Spin class, Yoga, Dance, and Fitness. They give you a nice overall body workout. You could also stay at home and purchase something like P90X, I know several people on the exercise board here that do P90X and they love it.

The key is finding something that interests you, so you will stick with it. Good luck, and enjoy your new body.

 I echo the PP and say "find something you like". For some, it helps to have a goal to work towards. Others are motivated by social contact (like walking with friends) or rewards (like "I'm gonna buy a new outfit when I work out for 14 days"). Freeweights are good to have at home to build muscle, and if you have a Play It Again sports store, you can find them for cheap! 
For me, I always had a secret wish to run. I got in in my mind to train for Team Challenge, which is a half-marathon training program for Crohn's & Colitis Foundation. I started walking a few months postop, then slowly added little jogs in (30sec at a time), then set little goals of "run for 60 sec", and "run for 1 mile", and after training with Team Challenge - at 18 months postop - I'm up to running 9 miles! I have 1 more month of training to go before my first half-marathon, 13.1 miles. What worked for me was small goals over time and having group training to keep me moving & motivated.