Signs of my new times

I just had lunch with a good friend who I haven't seen in a while. It is always so nice to (a) catch up with friends in a semi-adult setting, and (b) go to lunch somewhere that I don't have to focus on the kid's meal options first, and whether or not Lucia has her crayons!!! We went to Baker's Crust, and since I got there first, it gave me a chance to really take my time with figuring out what to order. Here is a taste of the conversation that was raging inside my head:

"I can't do soup and 1/2 a sandwich, because I'm not supposed to do the soup (liquid). But I know I'm only going to be able to eat 1/2 a sandwich max. And I need to make sure there is enough protein in whatever I'm going to order. Do I need a whole sandwich? I won't be able to eat it. I wonder how Flat Bread would do vs. normal bread? Maybe a wrap is better. How the hell am I supposed to fit in these damn vegetables? I wonder what kind of bread it is on? Am I being too fussy to ask them to toast the bread? Man, those chocolate crepes sound REALLY good. I wonder if that counts as protein?"

I ended up ordering a chicken salad sandwich with a side of fruit, and had them toast the bread. I was able to eat half the sandwhich and a few pieces of pineapple (which was exciting, since I was told I might have issues with pineapple getting stuck). I had them bring a small box early on, so I wouldn't be tempted to keep putting food in my mouth, even though I was full. All in all, I still think I ate more than I should be able to eat, so I am REALLY glad I'm getting another fill on Monday. Do any of you bandsters out there find that your mind hasn't caught up with your surgery yet? I am struggling with the concept that I can enjoy a small amount and not feel like I'm being cheated. My head keeps thinking it is hungry, even though I am physically full. It is like I miss the sensation of the actual food in my mouth. Does that make sense? I find myself having to be really forceful and remind myself that I can NOT physically finish what is on my plate. I guess I just need to be patient with myself! Of course, then I start worrying that somehow I've stretched my stomach already and have completely screwed up somehow. But, I know that in reality, I am probably eating a third of what I used to. In the past, I would have finished the whole sandwich, entire bowl of fruit and two sodas. Not anymore! Yippee!