Starting Orlistat today

[MrsMonzo]

Finally had a GP appointment to discuss my weight loss (or lack of!) and I've been prescribed Orlistat.

Has anyone taken Orlistat before and can share some do's and don'ts? I've been trying to lose weight for 18 months now, counting every calorie, going to the gym and I'm a stone heavier than when I started, so I'm really hoping this helps 🤞

Hope you don’t me jumping on this but my GP has suggested trying these as I’m really struggling to lose weight. How did you all get on, are you still on them?

thanks!

I’ve also been discussing orlistat with my GO, likely to start in a weeks time when kids go back after half term. I would love to know how you all got on and maybe get this thread back up and running for support

Hi. This is the first time I'm going to take a weight loss drug and I'd also be keen for advice.

Could anyone share meals / recipes they find work?

I normally have toast and butter for breakfast with a full fat coffee. I'm sure this will be a no no on orlistat. Is museli and light milk and banana ok ? Or Porridge with light milk and honey?

hi - picked my tablets up today but in the office tomorrow so starting on Saturday. Not looking forward to side effects ☹️

I started today. How are you finding it @Owlsgoblue ? I'm putting all meals into myfittnesspal so I can track the 15g fat. Any side effects?

@CatFitsSheSits nothing so far but meals have been well under 15g. What about yourself?

Absolutely fine @owlsgoblue! Meals have been under 15g too. The bad smells once ... if you understand(!) but everything ok

Hello, just jumping in if that is ok? My doctor prescribed Orlistat for me and I'm collecting it tomorrow. I won't start taking it until after my hairdresser appointment on Tuesday...just incase. I need to lose 4 stone to be in the ballpark of where I want to be. I'll be on the 120 doze. x

Hi I just wondered how anyone in the above thread has got on, almost a year after it was started? I was wondering how effective Orlistat has been for you after this amount of time. I've just started on it this weekend.

@LivelyBlueFawn hi I’ve just found this thread and I’m on day 3, how are you getting on?

I saved the thread when I was thinking about it. It had arrived in the post when I got home from work day. A bit apprehensive about starting it!

I’m using ChatGPT to log my food, count calories and fat intake, I’m only on day 3 but no effects - I’ve been keeping my fat intake really low but I still managed to eat out yesterday on a cafe and had a couple of glasses of wine today!

I kept my fat intake low for my first week on Orlistat, I didn’t calorie count but ate healthy, lots of fruit and no processed sugars. I had the orange ‘thing’, a few stomach gurgles but no misshaps. After a few days it regulated me to going to the bathroom at least once a day when I usually only went every other day or so. After all that I only lost a pound in the first week and was a bit disappointed. I asked ChatGPT for help and discovered that I need to eat an amount of fat for Orlistat to work but I’m still a bit confused about what exactly is needed. I stopped taking it for about ten days and started again today. I think it’s 15gm of fat per meal that’s recommended but I’m going to check.
I found ChatGPT really helpful for meal planning. I told it all the food I had bought and asked it to create a menu for me and to calculate the fat content. While a couple of meals were a little strange it did what I asked. After I do my weekly food shop tomorrow I’ll use it again. Hopefully I’ll make better progress now.

I’m finding ChatGPT a godsend, just been out for breakfast kept my fat below 15g. I’ve been asking ChatGPT for suitable recipes for all my favourite meals and the meals my family eat so that I can fit it into my life. I just hope it bloody works! My first weigh in is on Tuesday

I'm finding it great so far. I'm about 3 weeks in, 11 pounds down. I have been extremely organised with keeping things ready to eat which has helped as I haven't had an excuse to fail. For anyone starting, definitely agree that chatgpt is fantastic for meal plans, and make sure to have fat every meal (just not too much 😁)

I've had one "incident" when I ate something I knew I shouldn't have so it was entirely self inflicted 🤣 my advice would be if you work in an office to have a few days at home first if possible getting used to what you can and can't have.

Wow @LivelyBlueFawn that’s amazing, well done!
How much do you have to lose if you don’t mind me asking? I have 4 stone to lose, I went to get weighed this morning and my scales were dead and I can’t get batteries until tomorrow! I wore a blouse today that I was busting out of two weeks ago and it was comfortable today and my work trousers are no longer cutting me in two so I’m taking that win!
I find if I don’t have enough fat I get cramps but with the right balance I don’t even feel like I’ve taken anything, I’m being very careful - no incidents - yet!

Thank you I am pleased! I've got (according to bmi which I know isn't always perfect but gives an idea) between 2.5-3.5 stone to lose. It's definitely not going to be as fast as my first few weeks but at the moment feels very doable and is genuinely making me make better choices. My mayonnaise consumption has gone down by 99% 🤣 good luck with your weigh in, you'll have to keep us posted!

Hi, I hope you don’t mind me jumping on this chat - I’ve just been prescribed Orlistat by my GP today, but haven’t collected it yet! I’m a bit unsure about it to be honest, the possible side effects are really putting me off - I go away on holiday in two weeks and don’t want to have to rush to find a loo while travelling/being away so may delay it. I also work out and about in the community and don’t always have easy access to a loo. Just wondered if anyone has had side effects, how long they have taken to settle down? My BMI is 31.5 and I need to lose about 3-3.5 stone, but would actually be happy with 2.5. Thank you ☺️

Hi, welcome! I jumped on the thread too! I haven’t had any side effects, I’ve got coeliac disease and ibs, my bowel is really sensitive and I was terrified, I’m using ChatGPT and I’ve told it I’m taking oralistat and it creates meals or provides choices if I’m eating out. I haven’t had any side effects, I’m going to the loo once every other day, which is great for me! Good luck on your journey x

Thank you so much, I’m also trying to figure out logistics if I do take it, if taking my levothyroxine - not sure how I can manage this 4 hours before or the 4 hours after my last meal due to working hours!!! Good luck everyone, I’ll make a decision today about whether to give it a go!

@DesperateDieter52 how are you getting on?

@Witchywoo41 i haven’t even got my prescription yet! I have decided not to start until after my holiday in just over a week, but each time I’ve been to the pharmacy the queue has been out of the door and I haven’t had time to wait!! Thank you for asking!

Jumping on this as I have ordered orlistat. I am wanting to lose a stone in 8 weeks…
am I being unreasonable or do you think this is doable? I had a baby and cannot shift this last stone. Thankyou! Xx

Hi orlies, 👋well, after constantly reading orlistat reviews only felt right to give my experience so far 😁I'm now on day 6, like many, I really hesitated, scared to death, but took the plunge. Absolutely no side effects since day one till today 😳, let me tell you tho, I have cut out so many luxuries and really behaved myself, I am shocked of how much better I feel not eating fatty foods, honestly, don't feel heavy, bloated, indigestion etc.. I even feel thinner 🤣but today, I experienced the dreaded orange 😳!! I thought I'd escaped it! Pretty sure it was a delayed reaction of my jacket spud wi no butter and half a tin of stagg chilli yesterday 🙄, it's gotta happen I suppose so you know how far you can go with crappy foods 😅, to be honest, I'm not that bothered about the orange, much better colour than the usual 😅, but look, I'm one of those women who apparently doesn't pass wind or go to the loo, after 21years off marriage my husband and kids have never witnessed it, I wait till I've got an empty house 😂, but holy smoke, today, I went and hoping it would have been a discreet elegant noise went off like a bloody deflating party balloon 🤦🏼‍♀️omg the noise, and it wouldn't stop 😂I hope it doesn't happen again, but it's taught me a lesson to stay away from fat, I'll keep you updated on my progress, I want to stick to it cos I do feel so much better, xx

Hi all... would love to know everyones thoughts on orlistat nearly one year later, as im in week 1 of 120mg. How did it go for all of you?