7 years with my band today...and counting!!!!
CONGRATULATIONS!!! And thanks for posting! I know there are MILLIONS more like you out there who are having perfect and wonderful success with their bands.
I can relate to everything you say - the eating a large meal before attending a family party so it would look like I was eating a "normal" portion - wow - yup, I've done that.
It really IS amazing how, after being banded, food just doesn't have the same appeal. Part of that is that you start actually LIVING your life instead of just EXISTING from one meal to the next. I am lovin my band and look forward to being a "perfect size 12" too!!