I got told by my local Lloyds pharmacy that sell alli the following information:
1. Your bmi has to be above a certain level before you can be sold it - I think they said BMI 28 or something like that. 2. You have to be on a virtually fat free diet. 3. Put it this way if you take Alli and you then eat a burger - you will not get to the toilet in time as the fat is flushed out of your system very fast. 4. If you are eligible to take Alli - stay away from fatty foods!!! 5. Take medical advice before you take it.
Like you, all I have heard is bad things about Alli - it has been sold in America for years and it does apparently work - as long as you follow the very very strict guidelines.