Question:
Xenical
Hi Everyone..I have been doing resurch for a while now and was just wondering what if I have the "banded" surgery and took the new obesity drug for xenical this drug couses fat not to be stored in your body so in effect its causing malabsorbsion just like the by-pass.....just a thought what do you think.. — deborah H. (posted on August 1, 1999)
August 1, 1999
I don't have a high opinion of the banded surgery. Not from what I've read
on the internet about it, and not from personal experience. I know two
people who had to have it redone with an open RNY. One person was more than
enough. Both people were in life-threatening situations and HAD to have
surgery to save them. Their bands had eroded.
No doctor would advise you to take an anti-obesity drug that blocked
absorption after ANY gastric surgery. If your doctor knew you'd had WLS,
he/she would not prescribe Xenical for you because any gastric surgery
already causes enough malabsorption. Don't take shortcuts with your life.
Have open RNY. That way, the surgeon can check out your gallbladder
firsthand (mine wasn't sure he'd remove it until he saw it himself, and he
did. Also, you should have an upper GI X-ray to see if you have a hiatial
hernia - very common in obese persons. That MUST be corrected, it is life
threatening.
— Victoria S.
August 2, 1999
The VBG is a very successful tool on its own. If your follow your Dr.'s
protocol you will be quite successful with out the use of drugs. I have
lost 150 pounds in 1 year with the VBG. I am very happy and know that I can
maintain this for ever. Good Luck!!
— Donna D.
November 28, 1999
Given that Xenical just came out, I do not think it is fair to say it won't
work as good as the operation. I think you should find a bariatric doctor
(not a surgeon since they have nothing to gain if you decide not to do the
operation) that can explain how it works. I am looking into surgery myself
and if I did it, after what I've read here, I'd probably go with lap RNY. I
am highly interested in the Xenical drug since it seems to perform nearly
the same function. Even if Xenical worked for losing most of my weight
that would be great. I have no desire to really get down to a size 6.
Read Read Read! Best Wishes and dont' let people discourage you either
way...(surgery vs. drugs)
— [Anonymous]
November 29, 1999
I thought about taking Xenical. I also thought about not taking it on the
days/times when I wanted to cheat and have bratwurst, pizza or Haagen Das.
. . .kinda defeats the purpose.
— Toni B.
January 11, 2000
I have used Xenical, I am sorry but it really wasn't pleasant. I don't feel
that it was worth the cost (insurance did not pay). The side effects were
awful. I experienced discharge with gas, unexpected urgent need to use the
restroom. It ruined some of my clothes. /a co-worker of mine experienced
the same problems. I would not recommend it for anyone.
— Tami G.
January 11, 2000
i took xenical and did not like not only the side effects
but the cost (insurence did not cover). i was on a low
fat diet and still had effcts.... and it only blocks a
certain percentage of fat..it doesnt stop the hunger so usually they give
you merida with it (another expense)
and that just adds to the side effects
— Dawn D.
January 11, 2000
I tried Meridia pre-op too, and didn't like the side effects it had on my
wallet. It cost around $50 for a two week supply, compared to generic
phentermine at $9. It didn't work as well either. If you go to diet
drug/weight loss sites and listen to people who are Meridia, they only lose
3-4 pounds a month, if they're lucky. Not only do they have calories to
burn, but they must also have money.
— blank first name B.
January 20, 2000
My doctor prescribed xenical but it cost $135/month. So I didn't try it.
Now he has me on phentermine which is cheaper. What I find with this is
that I'm not as likely to want to snack between meals at work, and
sometimes I just can't eat dinner. But I still haven't lost any weight in
spite of some calorie reduction. My diabetic doctor thinks it may be a good
adjunct to surgery to take the edge off if needed. I have my first surgical
consult 2/29/00.
— Aurele K.
February 26, 2001
Yep, I was browsing old posts again and had to chime in. Xenical is a very
iffy drug. Read their own literature. I had to read it to my MD who
apparently didn't take the time. Average weight loss over a YEAR is only
five pounds more than with diet/exercise alone. Their literature clearly
states that the intent is to lose 10% of your weight and then maintain.
Well, 10% just isn't enough for me. I can't understand why anyone would
think Xenical is a substitute for WLS. The fat blocking the medication
causes is nothing like the severe calorie reduction that comes with WLS and
it is essentially a behaviour modification tool. Some of us don't think
our behaviour can be modified with the eat wrong and I'll hurt you
approach. Besides, even if you eat right, the stuff will hurt you. I
would say, don't waste your money, I have a big bottle I spent over $100 on
and only took a few. I'd rather save up for surgery. Ok, end of rant.
— kcanges
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