It is so personal on how much you lose. If you want to eat around the band, you can. The band is a tool, but what I love about it is that I haven't gained any weight back. Yes, it maybe a struggle to lose the weight, yet I am keeping off what I lose. That is something I haven't been able to do my whole life. Being that you are so realistic already, I think you would do great with a band and that it would be successful for you. Good luck!