About twenty years ago, there was a product called Olestra, a fat substitute. It was used in low fat products, like ice cream. The side effects were very similar to what I'm reading about for allii, and that's what bothers me.

I ate a little too much of some ice cream, and got to experience the worst of it. Fortunately, I was alone at home when I suffered from major 'anal leakage'.

So I'm a bit worried about trying alii, yet I really think it would be a good thing for me, if I can get over my fears.

What I'm going to do is start cutting back on my fat intake now. If I can adjust to a low fat diet first, without worrying about calories and all that stuff, then when I start on alli, my body will at least be adjusted to the change in fat levels and I'll be sure that my fat level is low when I start.

That's a good idea. I'm considering waiting until Labor Day, so I'll have a three day weekend ahead of me. If I can adjust to a much lower fat diet by then, and maybe start to lose a little weight, Alli could then be a push at about the time I usually stall.

I'm going to start Xenical, I think. The 'loose stool' problem will be worse, but I'll get more benefit for my suffering, or at least that's what I've decided.

I've decided I want to try it, and if it isn't too bad an adjustment, try the higher doses of Xenical. My previous experience with Olestra in food has made me really cautious.

I have not heard about anything that bad with Alli, but I don't know. Perhaps if you start slowly, rather than start a high dosage right away. Your body may need to get used to the medication.

alli come in only one dosage, and you have to take one with each major meal, so I don't see how you can start slowly. I've read a couple of things that say it can be as bad as summer described if you eat too much fat.

If you take Ice Cream with the substitute in it, then you may have just taken too much of a dosage. Hopefully, with Alli you won't experience anything as bad. However, it may be good to try and stay home alone as much as possible when you first start out.

Yeah, I'm thinking Labor Day weekend with a good book.

Waiting until Labor Day weekend is a good idea. I would do that, but I have already started taking Alli. Is anyone else going to wait until then?