"just a 54 year old 5&#039;9 244 pound guy. i was considering by pass and was advised by a friend that the surgery is not the answer. well 13 months later i shed forty nine pounds and feel pretty great. i am up to walking two miles a week and please don&#039;t laugh. no big side effects except a little constipation. my doctor is now a believer that this can help. wish me luck."