If you can stick CD you'll have no problems with SF. I lost over 3 stones on CD and put the lot back on rapidly. I seemed to gain weight more quickly after CD than ever before in my life.
If my WI goes OK on Sunday, I'll have lost around a stone in 3 weeks. It won't be as dramatic as that every month, but I'm delighted...
... No side effects no hunger and a lovely meal to look forward to every night. There are gorgeous recipes on the SF site. If you don't want to put all your eggs in 1 basket, you can eek out the 600C in little meals through the day.
SF have just brought in 'hunger pots' which, if you are feeling a bit empty between meals you can drink ( up to 2 a day) and they fill you up, but you'll find you don't need them.
The very best of luck to you Irish, but you won't need it.