I just wanted to share my weight loss success, esp for those contemplating trying this drug. The actual name is Orlistat and it works strictly in the digestive tract, it blocks about 30% fat (maybe more) from being absorbed/digested. I believe it blocks the enzyme responsible for breaking down fats. There are no dangerous side effects. I have been fighting my weight for the past several years now and i always seem to go up & down, went through stressful events earlier this year (but it's on the mend) The straw-that-broke-the-camels-back for me was around the end of April when, on an extremely warm day, i decided to try on my summer clothes and was shocked when i couldn't get into my jean capri's (that i got into last year, still over weight but at least i could wear them) That was when my mind was made up and i purchased my first bottle. It is not the pill that makes you lose weight, it's adhering to low-fat healthier eating and making better food choices. So far it works well for me!!
Anyone else with me?

No, thanks, I think I smell something fishy here....

I've heard some pretty gross stories about what happens if you stray off that very strict low-fat diet!!

I think I would be afraid to use it myself. I have enough digestive/IBS problems already.

Thanks anyway.............

Fat solublevitamin defficiency is one that comes to mind on a very low fat diet, depression, dry skin, dry hair, and host of other problems.
Side effects are too scary http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19587389/.
I am sorry, aprilv68, I did not mean to offend you, I thought it was just a spam.
Use whatever works for you.

If you can stick to the low fat diet regime, why do you need a drug?


Make sure you wear dark colored pants and always carry a change of clothing just in the event you encounter an Alli-OOPs...

I'm not inclined to believe that any drug doesn't carry some sort of long term consequences.

Our bodies need fats to function. Not all fat is our enemy. How does Alli differentiate between good Omega 3's and trans fats anyhow?

Sorry, not buying it

It is not a very low fat diet. Depending on how much weight you have to lose you are allowed so many fat grams per meal.
The plan also recommends you take fat soluble (didnt spell that right) vitamins at bedtime because the action of Zenical can deplete some vitamins.
Iradan it is not recommended of you have digestive or stomach issues. There are warning labels on the packaging. And i just HAVE to ask you, i've been registered on this site for 4 years, do you think that my message is Spam, because if you do then yes i am offended!

I have been on Atkins and South Beach, which did work forme but i had a hard time sticking to them due to them being low in carbs. I know about good fats versus bad fats & happy to say i'm on the good ones.

There is no reason for a debate. And i'm being nice.

I heard if you take 1200 mg. of calcium and 800 mg of Magnesium per day it pushes fat out of your body without the side effects of this drug. I am on the Nutrisystem diet which is working well for me so far and have just started taking the supplements. I've heard so many bad things about Alli, I'd be afraid to try it.

April,
I'm happy for you that you've been losing the weight that you have been struggling with!! Great job.
I've tried Alli in the past and didn't lose anything on it. Probably because I didn't stick to the diet very well.
I've been doing a balanced low carb diet for the last year and have lost too.
Good luck on your weight loss journey.

DIFFERENT THINGS WORK FOR DIFFERENT PEOPLE. LOOKS LIKE THIS IS WORKING GREAT FOR YOU!!!!! CONGRATS!!! I NEED TO LOSE ABOUT 30 POUNDS AND I JUST CANT GET IT OFF. MAYBE I'LL TRY ALLI.

I take 1200 mg of calcium a day (for 4 years) I've heard good things about Nutrisystem, but can you live on or afford the food for life? Is there a maintenance program? I'd love to try that one
too.

I was tempted to try it but I didn't want to crap my pants

I too have heard too many horror stories about Alli and the digestive tract...and with my history of IBS and chronic diarrhea, I knew better than to try that!

Of course, the positive for me has been losing 35 pounds since early Feb. by just eating healthier (and less), and good ole exercise...and by losing all that weight and eating better, by IBS symptoms have almost disappeared!!!

Anyway, good for you April, on losing some weight!! Keep up the good work!


Hugs to all,
Di

Thank you for your kind words and not attacking me here! Geez, i just started this topic to share my good news and i'm shot down, i never thought i'd get that kind of treatment here. I appreciate your comment! I don't look at the Alli plan as a 'diet' because to me that is a 'taboo' word, but rather a different way of eating. My nephew who is a dr (and just passed his boards with flying colors ansd is now board certified, yipee!!) says, after careful research, it is a safe drug under normal conditions. I'm not eating extremely low fat as i have tried Atkins and South Beach before and with very good results, but i never could stick with it because i love my bread, cereal, and fruit way too much, but i can try it again in the near future. And i still have an occasional order of wings or slice of pizza and am still doing fine.
Again i appreciate you kindness! God bless you!

Luckily that hasn't happened to me yet, he he!

Thank you honey, another kind post! It is not a drug of choice if you have had organ transplants because it interfers with any medication used to prevent rejection or organ.
also if you've had kidney problems. And if you are taking certain GI drugs that could cause a drug interraction with Zenical/Orlistat, and of course any IBS and/or chronic diarrhea.

I am taking 1 to 2 per day with each meal (breakfast is not high fat so i skip the morning dose unless i'm out and about) If my meal doesn't contain a lot of fat (and i'm not talking about a normal amount that you should have) then i simply skip the pill.

I've noticed NO side effects.

And hugs to you too!

And i forgot to say that's wonderful for you on losing weight on your own, healthy eating and exercise always win over any pills/weight loss programs, thats good for you!

Thanks, April...I DO feel so much better after dropping the weight. Most of my peri symptoms have diminished or disappeared. I have so much more energy and I am sleeping better at night. And, like I said before, my IBS symptoms are also nearly gone! The hard part, I am sure, will be keeping it off...but now I have the tools and I know how to use them!

How much more do you have to lose?

That is good!! I am glad it is working for you

Hi April, (((((Hugs))))))) I'm very happy to hear your doing well with the weight loss. Thats a great feeling so cheers to you.

Love, Finola

theres always one in every crowd

I did not see you are a regular member, and I have already appologized. If it works for you, great, I just did not realize until I looked in your profile and saw you are registered member, sorry about it, if you still offended, nothing i can really do.
As for Allies, it is 15 gram per meal max and even so, if you have any gas (well who does not at this point of life, LOL), passing gas may cause an "accident". The total fat daily is 40 g, I think on a 2000 calories it is 20% calories from fat, seems too low for me, unless you are on 1200 calories a day, then it is ok, but how much gets absorbed? Use what works for you, I think very low fat diet alone should do the trick, I have read it helps to lose extra 5 pounds on addition to the diet.
But good luck and congrats to you, enjoy your weight loss.

Oh Geez, that's a tough one! Since i have 3 scales, and each one reads me different, i'm not sure, i want to say 15-20 more, but luckily i;m tall (5'9") and excess weight doesn't show much on me at a quick glance, but i want to be down more, i don't have a long way to go, and my jeans and work pants (i'm a nurse) are fitting me looser, which is a great feeling!
I believe as long as you have a positive attitude about yourself, and you make permanent lifestyle changes (which is what successful weight loss and maintenance is all about) you can keep the weight off for good!

Who's attacking you? Just because people have different opinions doesn't mean it's a personal attack.

Whoa, time out.
Listen, i never started this topic with the intention of starting a debate or offending anyone but If i knew certain peole were taking this to heart i never would have.
On that note, i am going to bed.

Hi April: Congrats on your weight loss. I think the misunderstanding at the start of the thread happened because, as you know, websites like this often attract "bots" trying to promote various products in a stealth mode sorta way. When you used the name of a specific product in the name of the thread, it might have sent up some red flags. It was just a misunderstanding, and nothing was directed toward you, just the possible "bot."

Of course that being said, we'll argue the pros and cons of ANY medication -- look at the bhrt threads, ay yi yi. Different things will work for different people, and you have to go with what works for you. I'm sure a lot of people were curious about how Alli works, and you answered some of the questions, which is great. Have a lovely day -- sheesh I'll bet you're another few ounces lighter since your last post.

Oh poor April- You come on here to share your good news and all you get is hostile comments for your trouble! Congratulations on your weight loss and keep up the good work my sweet friend!!

(((hugs)))



True Wits, but I think the debate about BHRT is well tolerated. It's another story if you debate about the dangers of benzos and ADs -

Did you get my mesage this mornin'?

April,I am very happy for you on your weight loss-it can be so hard to lose weight and then if you put it back on it is easy to get depressed.That is where I am now-I had lost around 12 pounds,but after my house was broken into I started eating
for comfort-I have gained almost all of it back.I am starting back on my plan today-I am counting calories and walking daily.Please do not let people get you down,just rejoice that this is working for you-if people are not happy for you then that is their problem,not yours.Have a great day and GOD-bless

Thank you Lady E and you are so right, but i have to say that if people on this website are miserable ( and now i know who they are!) and cannot say anything nice then they should not be posting to ANYONE'S topics, that is just my opinion, but nonetheless you are right and i should not let these people upset me, i am still sensitive i guess. I am not trying to upset anyone, nor am i a spammer (as someone thought i was, how absolutely ridiculous, i wouldn't even know where to start with that one!) I simply just wanted to share good news, and when i said "Anyone else with me?" all i meant was if there was anyone else taking Alli because i wanted us to share our experiences, i wasn't trying to promote the product in any way.
I don't intend to stay on Alli for life, but for now it is working for me and that's all that counts!
Thank you again, dear, and god bless you too!

Thank you for the 'heads-up' and i will know better next time, but people should think first before they click 'send'.

I hope you are not accusing me of being hostile?? Geez. I'm not angry at April for posting. I am, however, angry at pharma companies that are allowed to put these things on the market that cause all these side effects & Lord knows what long term effects they may have all for the sake of a quick fix solution and to make money off people. I simply wondered if this drug causes you to have to alter the way you eat--why not just alter the way you eat without the drug? You mean that doesn't make sense??? That's all I was saying. Weight loss is wonderful, but there are good ways to achieve the result and not-so-good ways. If April or anyone told me they were going to have their jaw wired shut to keep from eating or said they were going to abuse laxatives, should I applaud that too??? Those would also achieve weight loss--but at what cost?
Never mind. I'm off my soapbox now. I didn't intend to offend anyone.
No matter what I say now, I'm still going to be in the dog house because April has decided I am the enemy.

April,I agree that if you do not have anything nice or at least productive to say to someone why say anything at all?This board ,to me anyway,is about love and support.Not nitpicking.I think it is sad that a post clearly meant to share good news and find support has garnered a controversy about "diet drugs".Good grief,no one is pushing drugs on anyone.I am so happy that you are having success.A bit jealous...lol,but happy.Have a great day and keep your head up.GOD-bless

I haven't singled anyone out and infact was very careful not to do so. However, I really do feel that some of the comments towards April were harsh, and I understand why she became so upset. I will leave it there.

So glad to know someone else thinks so too!! I wish people would be a little more supportive-and I am not pointing my finger at anyone in particular either-its just sometimes we can all be a little harsh especially if we are having a bad day-I think we should"think before we type"

No one has been singled out...Yet, I wasn't eliminated either.

They say everyone's opinion is respected here? Really?


I'm done with this thread and the site.

You just never know who is going to turn on you.

I don't need this at this time in my life, I'm dealing with enough as it is.

if you all go back and re-read the entire thread you can see where there was just a series of misunderstandings. Ira didn't mean to insult April. The post DID look like a spam at first. I happened to glance over and see that April had been a member for a few years so then I knew it wasn't, but I could certainly see how Ira came to that conclusion. There wasn't anything mean spirited in Ira's post.

Booky was just making a point about the possibility of adverse reactions when taking diet supplements. She’s entitled to her opinion. The ALLI-OOPS comment was suppose to be FUNNY!

TexasGirl was saying thanks, but no thanks, she didn’t want to risk adding to her already existing problems.

Seriously… There have been threads where we can CLEARLY see someone trying to be negative, or unsupportive. I didn’t see that at all on this thread. I don’t think any of us feel anything but support for April.

Sheesh!!

Thanks leanne, you took the words right out of my mouth. I've been reading this thread since day one and to me it just looks like different opinions and different reasons why some women wouldn't want to use this product. Like me, because I have too many stomach issues. If it's working for April....I'm as happy as a bug in a rug for her! It's not easy to loose weight....Hey, I'm the one who started the thread intitled "I Feel So Fat!"

Good for you, April! Keep up the good work!

I've gone back and read the thread several times, Leanne - I came here to give April support as she was obviously very upset by some of the comments. I dont see it from your perspective and I'm very sorry if that offends you. I dont want to be drawn into an argument - I never singled anyone out -

Your use of the word sheesh is confusing me, since it is often used to express mild annoyance, surprise, or disgust. I have done nothing wrong except to come to someones defence who was obviously hurt by some of the replies to her thread.

I must be brain dead, because I don't even know what you're talking about it! Not seeing it from my perspective doesn't offend me at all. I guess I just missed something, because I didn't notice anything mean spirited. I didn't think you singled anyone out, nor did I think you did anything wrong. I don't think anyone did anything wrong. Obviously, I'm not only brain dead, but blind as well!

I'm scratching my head over here!! Sheesh... as in confusion. Total confusion!

Poor Leanne, you took one for the team, LOL.
Don't get upset dear, we did not mean to offend April, I have appologized for thinking it was spam, sorry about it again. Otherwise, I don't see anything insulting, or don't see why those who don't like the idea of taking drug for weight loss would be labeled miserable?
If there were no "Anyone else with me? " in the post, most won't reply in this manner, and again, I think everyone is entitled to post replies to a post that sort of asking who else wants to join and sort of promoting the drug, in a way, not just sharing success.
I am missing something here? When I see "Anyone else with me?" and I don't like the idea, I just say NO, thanks, and explain myself.
I am only guilty of thinking it was spam, but again, I have appologized more than once, and this is enough!
I have seen it not once, some posters just like to pour gasoline on fire and make mount out of mole, so take it easy Leanne and ignore it.
I can only repeat myself, I think drugs like Allie are not only dangerous, they also a band aid solution combined with possible serious side effects down the road. No weight loss pills are without side effect, we all know it, at some point they will pull Allie same way they did with Xenocal and Hydroxicut, and ephedrine based supplements.

There is also another aspect of the OP that rubbed me wrong way, since Allie is being promoted in pretty much every commercial break on TV, in magazines, in pharmacies; it is not some kind of mysterious supplement that OP discovered and wanted to share, it is well know drug sold OTC with very well documented nasty side effects.

So, if it worked for OP, great, but it seems to be that Allie simply keeps dieters from deviating from the low fat diet, the same way anti-booze pellet sewn into the lining of the stomach will make one violently sick if one drinks alcohol.

I would imagine, that low fat diet alone should do the trick to those who can tolerate and likes it, then the drug is not needed, unless I am missing something.

As with ANY DIET PILL, the lost weight will be regained, as soon as drug is discontinued, same with any drastic diet.

Seriously, perhaps, we should stop jumping each other throats for expressing our opinions, this is not a sand box, we all grown ppl here, a little hormonal, but grown enough to understand science and not get offended.
We all have enough stress in out lives, to begin with, no need to add more of it.
I thought comments about Allies and dark pants were funny, if I can't laugh, should I cry?
I don't think so.
Best,
I.

Alli is the brand name for Xenical (like Tylenol is for Acetominephine, Motrin is for Ibuprofen, Valium is for Diazepam, etc).
Here is the prescribing info about Xenical (another name is Orlistat) from Nursing 2008 Drug handbook:

A reversable lipase (fat) inhibitor that forms a bond with active site of gastric and pancreatic (from the pancreas) lipases( again, fats), inactivating them. As a result, enzymes can't hydrolyze dietary triglycerides (bad fats) into absorbable free fatty acids and monoglycerides. The undigested triglycerides aren't absorbed, resulting in calorie deficit.

And, as with all drugs, there are side effects (fecal incontinence, diarrhea, gas with oily discharge, and at times can be involuntary) however i have had none of them. The drug does not work in the central nervous, respiratory, or cardiac system, only drugs containing Ephedra (like in Hydroxicut) do that, which i would never consider taking, ever.

(sorry i can't get rid of the bold letters here, don't mean to be rude)

Since i started this topic i am going to clear the air by admitting guilt on my part for starting a feud here, which i never meant to do at all and if it means keeping peace on these message boards, sincerely. I just can't understand why some folks would get upset over a product just because someone comes here to give their praises, please, there are far worse things to get upset about. PS is the last place i would expect to find controversy of this nature. It's childish to say the least. I never came here looking for a fight, i can go to the nearest bar to find that.
Yes everyone's opinion counts, and yes i am sensitive i'm not afraid to admit one bit, that has been a problem of mine since i was a child, i am also easily hurt, that is not saying noone else is. I am not looking for pity.

I am truly sorry gals, God bless you all, my meno buddies. Peace

QUOTE

http://weightlossinternational.com/newsletter/xenical.html

I also apologize. I, too, can be sensitive and peri doesn't help matters.

I hope we can be PS friends and sisters. Peace to you, too.

Much obliged, bookworm, and thanks, i'm going to forget i started this topic and just concentrate on getting along with everyone here!