Welcome! Actually 40-45lbs is very respectable for your first bow. My first one was more like 30lbs. If I were you I'd shoot this one until your next one is done, then retire this one. I wish I still had my first bow, Rich is right, piking (shortening) the limbs will raise the draw weight. However it will also put more stress on the limbs. If it weren't laminated, heat treating the belly would be an option, though I don't know how well hickory heat treats. Sadly, once a bow is glued up it isn't really a candidate for heat treating as heat makes most glues release.
To answer your bend question, string follow means your bow limbs were overstressed and the belly has sustained some minor damage. Hickory is tough and it'll probably shoot for a good long while. The amount of set your bow took is not a big deal, I wouldn't worry about it on this bow. But, for your next bow, concentrate on getting more of the limb working for you. With this one, the riser is quite long and the inboard sections of the limbs are too stiff making the outer third of the limb do more than it should. Having said that, the limbs are nicely balanced and the tips are beautifully flipped so I'm sure it shoots well.
Good work,
George