snice

I have got to say, I now know why Xenical works. I know that it is "supposed" to be a lipase inhibitor and block the digestion of fat, yada yada yada. But it really works by scaring people into eating a low fat diet.

Anal leakage is not a fun phenomenon. I've only been on Xenical for about a week and I've already had three bouts of it. As a man, the idea of a "pad" is so foreign to me (I've really gained a new appreciation for feminine hygeine products).

My first bout of it happened about 48 hours after I started taking it. I was just sitting on the bed reading and started to wonder to myself "what is that smell"....imagine my horror....it soaked through my PJs, through the sheets and into the bed....yuck.

Since then, I have taken to using a makeshift pad out of rolled-up paper towels. That has really come in handy (and saved me from total public embarrassment at least twice).

For anybody thinking about getting on this product, here are a few tips that I have learned from experience.....

1) Don't assume that you won't get hit with that side effect, perpare for it, because it could lead to the most embarassing moment of your life. That means a pad if you are a lady, and something like a pad if you are a guy).

2) The anal leakage is actually the undigested oil that is passing through your system, so, it doesn't really give you any sensation that it is waiting to "come out". You can't feel it come out either, so, it's better to check yourself regularly than to assume nothing is happening

3) Don't Fart. Seriously, this is harder than it sounds, especially for us guys. But, more than likely, if you let one go, it won't just be gas.

4) If you even think like you might have the feeling that you have to go to the bathroom...GO! Don't put it off and wait until you can't wait any longer, because by then it will be too late. Let me explain this physiologically. You have two sphincter muscles which hold solid waste matter in your rectum. The internal one is not under your control, it stays closed until you have to go, the external one is under your control, which is why you can hold it, even when you really, really have to go. When both of these are closed, chances are you won't have the anal leakage, but, as soon as the internal sphincter lets go, you've got undigested oil being pushed down by solid matter and the only thing holding it back is you. Because it is oil, it will sneak out even if you relax a little bit - which normally you could and not soil yourself, but not in this case.

5) Eat lower fat foods. The less fat you eat on the front end, the less undigested oil you'll have on the back end...forgive the pun.

6) Know your bowel cycle. For example, I know that whatever I eat now will pass about 16 hours later - like clockwork. This comes in handy because if I ate a particular fatty meal, I know that about 12-16 hours from then, I'll need to be especially careful. If you don't know your bowel timing, try eating a bunch of jalapeno peppers and note the time. Then note the time that they come out (believe me, you'll know when they come out)

7) Eat lots of veggies - I think the fiber helps to absorb some of the undigested oil on the way out.

As I said, I've been on this product for a week. If nothing else, it has really, really made me think about my food choices, because I know that my odds of a total distater go up with high-fat meals. I'm not sure how much weight I've lost yet because I haven't weighed myself, but I'm sure I've lost 3 or 4 pounds so far. I'm starting to play with my dose a little....decreasing it to just one per day (with my highest fat meal). I have a feeling that I will only be able to stand using this product for a few weeks. Walking around with a wad of paper towels in my crack isn't exactly fun - but if produces results and, in the process makes me stop eating so much fat (out of fear), then it might be worth it for a few weeks.

Good luck.