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

I am probably over cautious in the way I take Orlistat, hence not losing weight very quickly at all. But if I woke up with stomach cramps and diarrhoea one morning, I would not be taking any tablets that day. It sounds like you have a bit too much in your system at the moment for what you can cope with, so I would take a day off today and start again on Monday, and also be extra careful what you eat for a couple of days, nothing too fatty.

I think I must have a very strange metabolism because it doesn't matter what I eat, I have not had diarrhoea or anything approaching it.

I have been taking Orlistat for a week now and I have lost almost 8 lb.
I have actually been constipated on them (!)

I have eaten chips, home-made burgers, chicken kievs, roast potatoes, cream.......................it makes no difference.

I am fully expecting the weight loss to slow down. I am doing my best to eat no more than 1600 cals a day, as I am very sedentery due to disability. I also fast for 16 hours out of 24.

I was fasting and dieting anyway before I started Orlistat, but had got to an very annoying plateau. At least I have got over that.

I have a very long way to go but so far I am feeling confident.

The practice nurse was dead against Orlistat when I asked her about it because she said it caused terrible diarrhoea and was therefore unpleasant. This has not been my experience.

I'm just at the end of my second week and lost 5lbs which is good for me. I inched along at a 1lb a week on slimming world. I am eating very low fat and around 800-1000 calories a day, no nasty side effects yet. I read somewhere that if you have a carby day every 3-4 days it keeps your metabolism working.

I think 5lb in 2 weeks is pretty good. I couldn't manage on so few calories personally though so have to accept my weight loss will be slower.

I'm finding it ok mostly. Some days I eat more. I'm spacing my meals across the day so I feel like it's never that long before I'm going to eat if that makes sense. It'll be interesting to see how sustainable this is!

Hiya everyone!

Thought I would give everyone an update, so I’m still taking the orlistat (when I remember) and so far I have lost 5.5lbs in just over two weeks, but I am also doing a low calorie diet, for my weight and height I can eat roughly 2200 calories a day and lose 2lb a week which is good at the moment as I guess it’s a slow ease into it.

I am also going swimming 2-3 times a week which seems to be doing the trick. I haven’t been able to go this week as I had the implant fitted but I’m hoping I’ll be able to go again by next weekend.

I still have quite loose bowels, but some of the food I eat contains oil/fat so it’s expected. For example, last Friday I thought I was making a better healthier choice by having baked salmon and salad for dinner instead of a Tesco’s Finest Fish Cake… the fish cake contained 12.5g of fat, however I was having to rush to the toilet most of the night and the next day wasn’t great either… and that was baked salmon! But I guess it is because it is an oily fish anyway, so I know to avoid it in future unless I just don’t take a tablet.

Whats everyone’s go to meals? I’m wanting to try out new recipes etc!

I guess your experience shows that everyone is different because I am eating salmon on Orlistat with no bad side effects.

I'm mainly eating protein based main meals like salmon, cod, haddock and chicken. Had a ready meal last night which didn't agree with me that much but it was a bit risky - chilli con carne with rice. Not at risk of any accidents I don't think, but definitely on the loo more than usual today and low key stomach cramps. Better give that one a miss next time!

I'm also doing a low calorie diet, aiming for about 1500/1600 calories a day and I go to Aquafit twice a week also. I've pretty much given up alcohol during the week but I still have a glass or two if I'm eating out. Going away for a couple of nights next week so I know I will be naughty then food & drink wise.

We ended up getting a curry last night and I had diarrhoea afterwards, but it wasn't too bad.

I must admit I still eat occasional curries etc even though I know there may be repercussions. I just hate the idea of giving up any food I love so just eat a smaller portion than normal and deal with the consequences.

Update, started 19th July at 13st 4(.2) haven't taken a tablet every day due to work pattern, weighed this morning and was 13st 0.2 so it's going well so far, feel quite positive about losing weight for the first time in a while

That's good progress @Me1987

How's everyone getting on?
I've lost another 3 lb. this week.
I'm quite surprised by how easy this is so far.
There is bound to be a snag. I'll let y'all know what it is when it happens.

BTW @AcerPacer79 how are you? You started so well! I hope you're okay because this thread inspired me to buy the Orlistat in the first place.

Meh...I'm on a plateau at the moment so can't seem to shift any more weight despite still being careful what I eat, most of the time.

Still, being positive, at least I'm not gaining weight so I've stopped that pattern at least. I'm glad it's helping you to shift some weight. It is easy compared to other dieting aids, I agree. Personally, I like that you can stop taking the tablets if you want to take a break for a while and they quite quickly leave your system. Then you can restart when it suits you.

They've got me over my last plateau.
I'd been dieting anyway and for stuck.

I am now waiting for the next plateau.

I looked in the mirror today and I think I look fatter! Which is disheartening to say the least ............

Weighed myself today and I'm at 12st 13.8 it's not a big loss but I'm finally under that 13 stone bracket (only just) I haven't taken orlistat every day as I had a bad reaction that lasted a few days after I ate a ridiculous amount of cheese, it took about 3 days for the Orlistat to come out of my system so I won't make that mistake again. I think I am OK to just take 1 tablet a day fir it to do its thing as I seem to be quite reactive to it but I'm glad I've realised that now

I normally take 2 tablets a day with lunch & dinner as don’t eat much fat at breakfast anyway and I think it helps with side effects not to have too much Orlistat in my system. Then again, maybe would be losing weight quicker if I followed the guidance to the letter 🤔

@Me1987 that's a lovely milestone! Well done.
I am hoping to get under 18 stone very soon.

@Twiglets1 I have a feeling that there isn't a "one size fits all" with regard to dosage, and timing doses, too.
I have come to the conclusion that we all have to work out our own optimum regime.

Actually, I meant to ask everyone.
Do you take your Orlistat before, with, or after meals?

I take mine with meals.
Unless I forget then suddenly go, “oh shit” & hurry to take it within the hour.

"Oh shit" being particularly apposite.

🤣

Yay!

I am finally under 18 stone. Only just, but the scales are telling me the good news.

I even decided not to eat some strawberries tonight in case I jinxed it in the morning.

I even decided not to eat some strawberries tonight in case I jinxed it in the morning

I hope that makes sense.

Well done!

Well, I've lost another 3 lb.

That's a total of 14 lb in three weeks on Orlistat.

I was pleased to be able to get into a blouse which had previously been too tight in the sleeves yesterday. It's actually spurred me on, because every time I look in the mirror I cannot see any difference, and at times I have felt that I look fatter, not thinner.

I have a long way to go, though. A very long way.

How's everyone else getting on? I had a blip yesterday and ate four ice creams OOPS!!