No advice

the tablets do help partially as an aversion therapy because no one wants the side effects but they automatically eliminate 1/3 of the fat you consume so for every 3lbs you would loose by diet alone you'd loose an extra lb with the tablets.

i personally have never exceeded 30g fat on these tablets and have had no side effects and have known of others having a few grams more than 30 and having a close friendship with their loo. i guess people are different.

as for the GP its not surprising you got no advice, they seem to know very little about them

Like many others, I've got most of my information from this website - and support from it. Look back through the posts and there is invaluable advice and help and details of experiences.

For me, the aversion therapy is a huge factor. Personally I try to stick to around 30g fat per day and about 1400 calories. Rosemary Conley recipes are good to use, because the diet is based on low fat, rather than low calories like weight watchers. I've rarely had any side effects - only at times when I've weakened and had more fat than I should. Fortunately the side effects haven't been too dramatic, but the fall from grace hasn't been dramatic either.

Good luck with your weight loss.

I agree the tablets have a double affect. They reduce the amount of fat you take in from the food but also are aversion therapy. They will help you re educate your eating habits as if you are prone to weight gain that is the only weigh to keep the weight off. I can prove this as I have only been on htem for a few months. I was doing really well but for the last couple of weeks, for varous reasons, I haven't taken them and rather than sticking to good healthy eating and planning I have gone straight back to my old ways.

Back on them from today (although I will have a break over Christmas).

Good luck and, like you I had no advice from my doctor, I have used the advice on here and have had no side effects. Coming on here also gives you a boost to carry on as everyon is very encouraging and understands completely what you are going through

I really appreciate the advice folks. I'm sure this forum is great source of information and support. One more question though - I get that I need to follow a low fat diet. But what about low calorie? I can see a scenario in which I ate a high carb, high sugar diet which was low fat - would that work? Goodness, you know I'm really getting a bit angry about how little advice I've had from the health professionals! But really, I need to take responsibility for my own diet. Again, I really appreciate your help.

you need to be mindful of your calorie intake, there isn't a limit but most people on here who do watch cals seem to be around 1250-1500 a day but a non dieting woman consumes 2000 a day so as long as you're not exceeding that you should be ok.

you should be drinking lots of water and exercising also so aid the changes