Question:
Is anyone using or planning to use the OTC Alli medication?

It seems that Alli is designed to help folks lose weight by causing a negative reaction to high fat foods? I can't help but wonder if any post-ops are planning on using it to boost our dumping to help with behavior modification. Would love to hear from others. Ann    — AnninTX (posted on June 17, 2007)

June 17, 2007
I can't believe anyone would want Alli. I've read some of the side effects. One is to make sure you keep an extra pair of underwear and slacks with you at all times. If horrible diarrhea is a side effect, who would want it. For me, I've had this surgery and I'd like to use my tool to the max! I never want to try another diet pill again.
   — lv2beasahm

June 18, 2007
Hi Anne- We were just talking about this at work... Alli is actually a low dose of Xenical. Xenical is 120mgs and Alli is 60mgs. I personally wouldn't take it, but hey, if you want to try it and it won't hurt you, then go for it....
   — amysocko

June 18, 2007
Hi Ann. I understand why some people would want to use another product. We all expect dumping, and if we don't, then it is just hard to stop eating. We are obese, and the head is just begging us to keep eating, even though the stomach is so small. But I encourage you to not do anything else, but enjoy your surgery. Find ways to exercise and watch what you eat. These things will bring you the success you want, and in the end it is the way we need to live. The more junk you put in your life the more health issues you ask for. Enjoy your surgery and use the tool for what it was meant. Take care. Patricia P.
   — Patricia P

June 18, 2007
Ann your about to have a revision. Please don't go screwing around with these fad schemes. Follow the plan your surgeon has given you. And attend at least one if not any many as possible Support Groups in your area. And any OH Conferences as they'll keep you motivated and give you as personal touch of someone to talk with to keep you on track. Keep blogging and posting to let know if you need more motivation. Mike
   — Michael Eak

June 18, 2007
Craping myself in public is not really the route I would like to go! LOL! So, NO! It is flying off the shelves though, so keep your eye out for people RUNNING to the bathrooms!
   — MAG

June 18, 2007
I read the packaging on ALLi and it says if you have absorbion issues already do not take it, it says you have to take a multivitamin nightly becuase of the effects, bypass patients especially it seems would run a risk of more serious side effects for not getting enough vitamins and becomeing anemic etc. This med is for fat eaters bariaitric patioents are not supposed to be eating high fat anyway it already will cause you to dump. Why would you want to take something that says it will cause gas, and diarrhia when you already have those issues?
   — DonnaB.

June 20, 2007
I have a couple things to try to offer in regards to your question. I did use Xenical prior to RNY without any weightloss, however most defintly got the feedback that I was taking in to much fat by its side effect produced. (Xenical is the prescription dose, same medication). After pregnancy and weight gain that wasn't easily comming off I again tried the Xenical just to see if it would make a difference and I didn't this time get the "side effects" like before surgery. The Dr said that the area that is targeted by the medication is part of the portion bypassed, the beginning portion of the small intestines. This to me explained why I wasn't even getting much excretion of fat. I tried a couple of days of it then went back to basics. I can relate to why it sounds appealing, For me it sounded like a good idea but proved to not bieng effective. Make decisions like this by getting informed by all aspects, its easy for some to give you the why would you do that after having surgery thoughts but it doesn't answer the question. Good Luck
   — rgreathouse