Orlistat

[AcerPacer79]

Hi, I have just started taking Orlistat today and I can see lots of old threads about it but none recently posted so just wondering if anyone else on here is on this same journey? I have around 5-6 stone that I could do with losing so my doctor suggested Xenical as a starting point. I have Fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome too and I am sure my weight at 18.5 stone won't be helping those. Any friendly advice or chat would be greatly appreciated

Hiya. I started this yesterday. No unpleasant side effects so far.

I've lost 2.5 stones through diet and exercise but need a boost to lose around 3 to 4 stones more.

How's it going for you so far?

Hi, thanks for commenting. I'm on day 7 now and still no unpleasant side effects, however I can definitely see the difference when I've eaten something slightly higher in fat compared to the low fat diet I'm following (sorry to be graphic🤣) I've not had any horrendous accidents like some of the research suggested that I did ! I have lost nearly 3lbs in my first week and I've been unable to lose anything myself in the last 6 months so I am chuffed with that start. Hope it continues. Best of luck with yours, keep me posted on how it works for you too.

And well done for your loss so far ! That's awesome x

Sounds like you're doing well. Hopefully if you aren't eating too much fat, there's a lower risk of side effects. I guess we'll find out!

Do you have orlistat prescribed? I have a GP appointment in 2 weeks, going to see if they'll prescribe it. I've bought 2 weeks worth to see how it goes first.

I'm struggling for tea ideas as I'm really nervous about going over calories and fat. So far I'm sticking to chicken and veg but need to mix it up. Any suggestions?

Yes 120mg prescribed by GP. I am a regular user off and on of slimming world and so I have all the cook books for that. There are also ideas on the over the counter Alli website and I think NHS too. Toast with low fat spread and jam for breakfast or porridge. Jacket potato with salad and egg or ham or tuna for lunch, or a sandwich and then something like spag bol or chicken and vegetables for dinner. The diet needs to be rich is fruit and vegetables too and I am also taking a multivitamin because it advises you too so you keep up the fat absorption vitamins in your body. I'm not denying myself everything I love, I'm just adapting it or having slightly smaller portions. I even had steak and eggs for breakfast at the weekend! I am just staying away from take aways, burgers and pizzas although I am going to try home made pizza with the 2 ingredients dough. (Low fat Greek yogurt and self raising flour) in to week 2 now and 3.5lbs down. Just been told my bloods came back as pre/borderline diabetic too so I definitely need to keep going with this. So far no issues.
How's yours going so far?

Thanks for the meal suggestions. I've been having toast with jam for breakfast which I'm really enjoying.

I've done slimming world off and on for years too.

Got a sweet chilli chicken salad for lunch today and some lentil crisps.

Chicken chow mein for dinner with tons of veg. I'm calorie counting and on 1400 cals. So have almost 300 left for a treat later.

What does your day look like?

That all sounds lovely !
I work full time from home so I usually have things I can prepare for lunches and stuff. I might have a jacket for lunch most days with various toppings. Today I had toast for breakfast, a pork and branston pickle roll for lunch and some ravioli in tomato sauce on a jacket potato for dinner. Cooking is a little tricky this week as our kitchen is being done so I'm finding cooking full healthy meals a challenge at the moment. But I'm not letting myself stray.

@AcerPacer79 how are you doing now?! On day 6 myself.. weigh day tomorrow!!

Have used around 11 years ago and worked very well lost around 4 stone..

Hey @KLM19 I am on week 3 and 8lbs down ! I can't believe it ! I haven't been able to lose weight for around 3 years now - not even for my wedding. I wish I'd tried these sooner. I had the weekend off too as I was at my parents wedding anniversary party and I knew I would be tempted by the hotel breakfasts. I don't even really feel like I'm dieting. I am not depriving myself but I am being really careful of the fat, sugar and calories. I have had bad side effects once and I know where I went wrong so have avoided making the same mistake. How have you found your first week ?

Hello. I'm seriously thinking about this.

Have filled in the Boots online GP form three times tonight, I'm in bed now and haven't got and ID to upload!

Sounds really positive so far for you, inspired I'll get onto it in the morning...

@BettySweaty hey how did you get on? Have you asked for the prescription? I am really glad I started it. I am seeing really positive results. I wish I had done it sooner. 9.5 lbs down now in under 4 weeks which is a massive achievement for me as I've been struggling to lose even a pound for the last 2 years and I've just been gaining weekly. I am sleeping much better too.

Just had an email, they should be arriving this morning.

Really good result for you there. Excellent!!

I'll let you know how I get on..

@BettySweaty yes keep me posted and hope they work for you too ! X

Hello! Please can I join your thread 😀

Finally started taking these today after being too scared of the much mentioned side effects for weeks but my GP told me to give it a try when I could stay near the loo for a few days!

As per my username I feel HUUUGE, I've got high blood pressure, an underactive thyroid and need to lose 5 stone.

I've had some yogurt with raspberries and homemade granola for breakfast and two wholemeal pittas with some mushrooms cooked with garlic and a bit of cheese (like 20g) for lunch. First tablet made me feel a bit sick but I was hungry (as usual!) by 2.30 so thought I should eat and try another tablet...

Not sure what to have for dinner... I need to go shopping so I must make a plan before I go.

@FatAF of course !! The more the merrier x I have health anxiety so I was terrified of taking them but I am so glad once I did. You shouldn't get any bad toilet side effects unless you eat really high in fat foods, saying that, I braved a chicken shish last night with salad, no Mayo and made my own slimming world chips and it was fine. I have had one unfortunate accident when I put too much trust in a fart after a Mother's Day fry up - I learnt my lesson that day !!!! Some fat is needed otherwise they won't work but I try to stick to no more than 14-15gms fat per meal. I'm not being strict though. I LOVE my food so stopping everything I love would be awful. Good luck in your first few days x x keep us posted x x

Mine arrived. I dare not taken then though, as been out all afternoon!

Think having a day or too not far from home is a good idea at first, just to get used to what you can and can't have. Probably start mine on Friday I think.

@BettySweaty have you got the 120mg ones ? That's what I have. If you are planning chocolate eggs this weekend that might be better to wait too. I can't believe the fat content in a tiny Easter egg
I am sure you'll be fine on them. I read so many horror stories from people who had uncontrollable squits down the bread isle at Sainsburys but honestly I've pretty much had nothing like that. You can definitely tell when you've eaten something slightly higher in fat though.
Anyway, best of luck when you start them, keep us posted x x

Im talking myself into starting tomorrow... And yes, 120mg I have.

Like you say, many a horror story to read, which is why I'm feeling hesitan. Not fussed about Easter eggs. I've been doing intermittent fasting, 16:8 so was going to do it along with that.

Just don't want to sh1t myself whilst out on a dog walk!!

@BettySweaty go for it !! You've got this ! X x

Thanks for the welcome @AcerPacer79

So I've now taken 5 tablets since yesterday morning and so far nothing horrific... I've been mindful of fat content so hopefully I'm doing ok with my choices. I guess it might not be working yet and I'm in for a nasty surprise at some point?!

I ended up having chicken breast with tenderstem brocolli and olive tapenade for dinner last night.

2 poached eggs on granary toast for breakfast and some OJ

2 wholemeal pittas with tuna and cucumber plus an apple for lunch.

I'm also having 10g of inulin in my morning coffee and drinking lots of water...

I feel a bit crampy and like my period is on its way but I'm not sure if it is or if its the orlistat! I've got a coil so I'm always a bit surprised when my period appears!😫

Have you got any experience of eating "good" fats whilst on this? I'm mindful that salmon, mackerel, avocados, nuts and yogurt is all high in fat but also that its so very good for my body... and I love them all and don't want to cut them out!

@FatAF I got a few mild cramps first couple of days too and I also have a coil so same for me with periods. I've eaten lots of Avocados since taking these and not had a problem. I have not really tried Nuts as that was something it said to avoid- I think fatty fish should be fine it's when you deep fry fish in batter that would be the problem. You will know if it's working as you will go to the toilet more often (both types) and the higher fat content, the more orange your stools will get. If you cross over the safety zone, it will become looser and you might notice oil globules in the toilet water and if you go so far over the safety line........ hold on tight and don't leave the house :-) x x I think it took about 3-4 days for me to actually notice things changing with my toilet treats so bear with it x

I've done day one also with no problems. Poached egg with ham on toast, pile of prawns and some fruit as busy, then home made chicken gyros for tea.

@FatAF what's the inulin thing? I'm going to look at some decent multi votes and maybe an omega supplement

@BettySweaty @FatAF oh yes I'm taking Multivitamins too !

Hello all. I've just placed a boots order for these. Would love to join the thread if ok. Am I correct in thinking that the medication is really to encourage low fat eating but if you do eat something with a higher fat content it will go straight through you ?

@waffleyversatile1 hi ! Welcome, I would say they do encourage lower fat eating, but they also have something in them that blocks your body from absorbing around 33% of the fat you eat. So yes, if you risk it for a biscuit and eat something really high in fat or fried for example, you may find yourself with bright orange loose stools that you can't control but that is an extreme horror story, in reality you can control it quite well and you don't have to really restrict yourself too much. I've been eating like I'm on slimming world along with them x best of luck, keep us posted ! X