I used Alli and Xenical off and on for a few years. Alli does work, it just didn't work for me because of the mindset I had when using it. I took Alli when I ate too much fat and it helped me not pack on more pounds. Unfortunately I wasn't eating any better and I wasn't losing any weight. If you are the type of person who will change your eating habits to avoid the side effects, then Alli may be for you. Unfortunately, I realized that I used Alli to support my bad eating habits -- eat a pizza, take some Alli; have a cheesesteak, take some Alli.

Since then, I've found that a moderate/higher fat diet with more protein and less carbs is best for me. I focus on good fats from olive oil, flax, fish and don't want to "eliminate" these with Alli.

I use Alli with Stillman's Protein PLus which IS a low carb low fat plan. I don't eat much fat on Stillmans, but when I have something higher in fat like ground beef then I take an Alli. It seems to work for me and I have no treatment effects. if you stay lowfat then the Alli flushes a percentage of your dietary fat and it is not digested...that equals CALORIES. I got mine on Ebay pretty cheap and I don't take them at EVERY meal, just ones with fat, so it hasn't been very expensive.

what I'm hearing here is that it mainly works because it keeps you compliant...but think about this: even if Alli only blocks 25% of your dietary fat think how much better your food tastes WITH that 25 %. for ME, by blocking that 25% (AND keeping me honest) it makes my lowfat diet that much more palatable.

I was using it, but I didn't have any luck with it. Actually I had the opposit affect, I ended up constipated. So it may work for other, but not for me. I felt miserable while taking it. Alwasy gassy and felt bloated. I had more luck losing weight. But just watching what I ate. I wasn't reaching my 1800 calorie intake, or the 60 grams of fat per day. But maybe I wasnt' doing it right. But its just not for me.

I have been taking Alli for over a year. I take it off and on. I don't take the pill when my meal is very low in fat or high in fat. I've never had a problem with Alli, and tend to think that people who do are ignoring the diet restrictions for taking the pill. I calorie count, and I figure the impact of Alli into my count. I like it.

I have been taking Alli for two weeks and have had no side affects. I normally stick to the 15 grams of fat or less per meal. I have friends that has tried the Alli pills before but because they ate too much fat, they had bad experiences. I call this pill my honest pill and it does keep me in line with choosing the right food choices. I have lost 5lbs in 2 weeks so far and I am very excited about the continuing my low fat diet and the pill.

I had taken Alli and it did help and I lost some weight. I just didn't take when I knew I would have too much fat.

The only bad affect it had on me was that my thyroid level went way down. I am on synthroid and have had a throidectomy. So if you have any thyroid problems, check with your Dr. It took about 5 months until my level came back up.

Sue

I don't think it was answered....what happens when you stop taking it?

Glitterducky, that's a good question.

Glitterducky and Janga,

Depending on the user the weight can creep back on. That is true no matter which method you use for weight loss. I use Alli under the care of a physician and see it like this. If I had a thyroid condition, I would take medication for it. If I was a diabetic, I would take insulin. How is it that weight should be any different? If something is working for someone, more power to them.

Well, I would say that once you stop taking Alli, it is hopefully because you have learned the healthy eating habits you need to maintain a healthy weight. So like with any diet, when you are done losing and are in maintenance, you just have to watch yourself and make sure you don't start gaining again. I don't understand where the confusion is about that.

I used Alli for 5 months and lost 4 pounds. I kept going up and down on it losing and gaining the same 5 pounds. But the stomach problems-it's not just anal leakage, if you don't eat the right combinations, it's also bloating, cramping and digestive problems.
Now it's been over a year since I used Alli, and I am still having stomach problems and anal leakage.

Hmmm, a year after stopping a drug and still having problems? Sounds like you should go to a doctor! I know I would!

Amen sister!

Losing and regaining the same four pounds? The plan is proven to work if it's followed. Taking the pill alone--nope it won't work. How many calories were you ingesting daily? How many fat grams daily? What was your exercise regimen? Side effects occur at least 90% + of the time because of going off plan.

With Alli, you can eat processed low fat products or high sugar/carb items and it'd have no effect. So you'd need to eat a low fat diet along with reasonable amount of calories.

I have taken both Xenical and Alli. Let me tell you NOT to eat anything high in fat and if you do be VERY NEAR a bathroom. Wow, not pretty. I only take it on the weekends occasionally, as I am a teacher and cannot use a restroom at a moments notice. Give it a try, but be very careful with what you eat. I did not have significant weight loss, but I only took it for awhile. I was too nervous to shat myself!! Ugh, sad but true!