Effective weight-loss pill, disgusting side effects

Is shedding those excess pounds worth dealing with diarrhea? If you could lose weight faster for bathing suit season, would you wear a bikini if you had "gas with oily spotting"? These are the questions the new, over the counter weight-loss pill, Alli, raised for me as I read over the potential side effects (http://www.womenshealthmag.com/article/0,6176,s1-11-67-1744-1,00.html).

Alli (http://www.myalli.com) is the first OTC weight-loss pill to gain FDA approval (http://www.fda.gov/cder/drug/infopage/orlistat_otc/), mainly because it only affects the gut. The pill blocks approximately one-fourth of the fat you ingest from being absorbed, causing it to pass right through the body (leading to the aforementioned disgusting side effects). While the pill can aid weight loss, experts say it isn't a quick-fix—proper diet and exercise are required. In fact, people are advised to eat less than 15 grams of fat per meal. If you eat more, you run the risk of having to change your pants mid-day.

I think Alli would help me lose weight simply because I'd be horrified to eat any fat. Anal leakage is a frightening side effect, and I'd gladly cut high-fat foods from my diet to avoid it. Though proven effective (Alli is a lower does of the effective weight loss drug XENICAL), I think I’ll just try to cut fat without the fear of any unwanted bowl movements.