I am about at my last resort, which would be the lapband, but I want to make sure I'm making the right decision. I exercise regularly, but can't get my appetite down, and don't seem to have the will power to not eat something I shouldn't very often. I am 5'10" and weigh 245. My BMI is 35 according to the formulas, but my personal trainer says it's actually 40. I am frustrated because nothing seems to work. Have any of you tried Alli to stop your appetite? If so, did it work? Did it have any bad side effects?

Thanks for your input! :redface:

I had a friend that tried Alli and shes done well. I think shes lost about 25 lbs which is the most she has been able to lose in a long time. The biggest prob she has if she does eat something that is higher in fat then she has LOTS of gas she says LOTS AND LOTS and has to go the bathroom frequently I guess until the food is out of her system....so because she doesnt want embarassing gas she eats healthier...

I have used Alli, and when I eat food with fat I need to make sure I'm close to a bathroom. It does not suppress your appitite. It keeps you from absorbing all the fat you eat. Maggie:closedeyes:

Alli does NOT stop your appetite. It blocks fat absorption from the food you eat and if you eat a meal with too much fat....well, orange oil running down the leg is not uncommon. Sorry to be so frank, butg that's the truth. If you keep your fat to a certain number of grams per meal (I'm thinking 12 but not sure; it's been a while since I checked into it) then you don't have the runs. However, the fat you can have is VERY low. And the portion control...you have to do on your own. Alli doesn't help with that.

Actually, if you eat something you shouldn't have with ALLI you really should be afraid to pass gas.:redface: I know for a fact that the fat that is not absorbed will come out with gas just as it will with a bowel movement. Not trying to be gross but you should always carry extra clothing (underwear and pants) for such occassions. To me, if you can get the portion control and eat healthy enough to not have the oily stool problem, then you should be able to do the eating without spending the money on Alli IMHO.

I have heard that it does work short term. But long term it is like any other fad diet. The only thing I would question before taking it is what are the side affects (both short and long term) and how long are you going to have to take them? Like you already know, unless you are willing to make a lifelong committment, it usually isn't a long term result. I am not trying to be negative Nancy on here, but that is one that my surgeon pointed out in our WLS seminar. Places like WW, Jenny Craig, and diet pills don't want you to lose your weight long-term, they need your business. They help you to lose enough weight that you feel and look good and then when you gain all your weight back, you remember how much you lost with them and go back and spend more. It is a vicisous circle. Most people who follow diets or take diet pills have little to no success at 2 years out. Most people gain all their weight back, plus some (I have dieted my way up to 295 lbs..).

So just make sure you understand what this pill is all about. The band isn't magic either and I am not saying that you should get it, but just research all aspects before deciding. :redface:

P.S. Sorry if anything isn't spelled right on this message, the stupid spell check won't work.

I took it to loose my required weight loss. It really helped me, and I learned real fast not to eat fatty foods :biggrin:

Teri

I have used it, like I have tried everything, I bought it the first day it came out. I was already on Weight Watcher's so I thought since I'm already eating a low fat diet I would be OK.

My stomach was upset and I was worried all the time that I might have a leakage. I hated the feeling of being worried and running to the bathroom to check. I never had a problem but I hated the fear.

Like already said, it will not control your eating if that is what you are looking for.

They call the bathroom problems with this pill ALLI OOPS! does that answer it?

I gave the bottle of pills away.

I have been on prescription Alli (xenical) since 2001. It is not an appetite suppressant. It gets rid of about 1/4 of the fat you eat and can help on a low fat diet with exercise. It definitely helps. But for me it wasn't enough. I was still always hungry. So, I've gone as far as I can go with diet, exercise and xenical. That's why I am getting the band. Good luck with your decision.

Thanks to everyone for your honest opinions - it really helps me avoid that one. I just need something to help me eat less. The more research I do, the more the band sounds like my answer. When I exercise, I get hungrier, so I can't lose a pound! Thanks again!:thumbdown: