saqueen

You're definitely not too optimistic! You can get to whatever weight you want. Those people you see are not giants.... some would say they're selling themselves short. :thumbup:
Good luck!
(I'm 5'6" and my goal weight made me right in the middle of the healthy BMI range, and exactly half my original weight)

Maybe I'm too new and idealistic, but I am finding it thoroughly depressing to read about everyone overeating and eating the wrong foods. If you've been told certain foods aren't that good for your weight loss program, why are you eating them? If you know that the band is only a tool, why do you keep pushing it by forcing as much food as possible? It sounds like there might be a problem with other issues besides just "being hungry". I can understand an occasional cheat of a bite of something, but not gorging on it. I made the decision for banding to lose weight, so I make every effort possible to follow as I've been instructed. I don't think you should rely completely on the band to help with weight loss; you need to consciously make an effort every single day to watch what you are putting in your stomach. Over eating put us where we are at today, and I for one desire to change my life as it has become.