Hey everyone! I was wondering if anyone found it difficult to take their daily medication (pills) with the band? :second:

If anyone takes glucophage for diabetes -- do you find it difficult to get the pills to pass through?

Has anyone tried xenical/orlistat? (fat blockers) My doctor just prescribed it to me by request (I am not banded yet). Would xenical react poorly with the band? Thanks everyone for your imput!:nervous

Chabutter,

I was told nothing bigger than a pencil eraser! I have found w/ capsules I can put them in Water and let them get mushy and then drink it w/ the water in the glass....but this isn't regular just an antibiotic.

Xenical is rough ....have not taken but have prescribed it and if you let a stinker....get ready because it will probably be in your pants!! :second: Not sure how it would react to the band....it is another tool to make you decrease the fats in your diet or you will have the stinky in your undies!!

Hope this helps!

God Bless,

Melody

Banded 3/20/06 -43lbs

Careful with xenical. The more fat you eat the worse the effects! Lets just say it is THE NASTIEST thing if you take xenical after McDonalds. Plan to change clothes 5 times a day because you will have no control!

Hey Chabutter, I've taken Xenical before the band and have considered it with my band to decrease my fat grams. I never had the negitive effects but that could be because I was afraid of them so I didn't go over 10 grams of fat per meal and I ran for the potty everytime I needed to toot!

Some of the worst experiences of life were while I was taking Xenical. Boy could I tell you some stories. Oh, and when it happens (the orange stuff), it doesn't come out of your clothes. I lost so many things during that time period and I didn't eat very much fat either.

NEVER AGAIN FOR ME!!!

I hated orlistat! I had to wear a huge tampon to protect my pants and my office chair from orange leakage! TMI!

Yep, what everyone else said! It takes you by suprise, no matter how much fat you eat. I've never seen anything like it and I will never take xenical again! Well, hopefully my banding will ensure I never have to resort to pills ever again.

I take it with the band. Yes you do have to be very careful. I have had a few accidents with it and it is not fun. It does help me to alter my eating because I know what could happen if I don't. It does give you gass & if you 'gamble' and don't it out on a toilet bad things. Just be careful. Use it with caution & you'll be fine.

is this an OTC medication?

is this an OTC medication?

Yes it is over the counter. The over the counter brand is called Alli 60mg. To get the 120mg you have to have a perscription. WOAH, it is not fun. WARNING: Orange oil leakage from your rear! Don't even try to pass gas while taking it cuz it will be a mess. Took it both pre and post band. Didn't really have an effect on weight loss either way. To much trouble for what it is worth in my opinion. And I second what Miper said. It does ruin your clothes and if it goes thru your clothes onto the chair you are sitting in, it ruins that too! If you are going to try it, I would suggest getting depends. Not just the panty liners, the whole underware. It ruined so many pairs of my underware. I had a grilled chicken salad with fat free ranch dressing and 15mins later orange gooo was running down my leg. I know that is TMI, but I just want you to know what you are getting into ahead of time! Too bad they don't make those cloth diaper covers for adults. You know, the plastic panty covers for babies....or do they?

In Australia it is an OTC medication too, but the pharmacist has to weigh you and check your height as only people with a BMI over about 35 (I think) can get it.

One more Orlistat story - don't take it if you have a septic tank/cesspit at your home, only if you have mains sewerage.

My tank became totally blocked with the fat rising to the surface and sealing the outlet and it was the most embarrassing experience ever to have it emptied by the local farmer!

I have been using it for 1 week and have had no problems at all. However I don't eat to many fatty foods. have lost 2 pounds this week!!!! No side effects. Material says it blocks 25% of the fat. I only use it at supper time, never seen anything in the toilet bowl either ????