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It’s normal to feel worried or even a little scared if you are scheduled for surgery. Know that your surgeon and other healthcare providers will do all they can to take good care of you. And there’s much you can do as a patient to help your healthcare team keep you safe. Being involved means speaking up, asking questions, and understanding your role.

When medicines are taken as directed, they can greatly improve your health. But if they are not taken as instructed, they may not work. In some cases, not taking them correctly can be harmful. To help make sure that your treatment remains effective and safe, understand your medicines and how to take them.

Do you find that you make an appointment with your healthcare provider, only to forget half your questions once you’re in the exam room? Does your healthcare provider ask you questions during a visit that you can’t answer? Preparing for a healthcare provider visit can help you get the most out of your health care. Below are tips for helping you prepare for a visit to your health care provider.

You have been told you need a colostomy. Or you have recently been given one. Learning as much as you can about your colostomy can help you adjust.

You have been told you need a colostomy. Or you have recently been given one. Once you heal from surgery, you can still live an active life. In fact, if you had a chronic disease, such as Crohn's disease, your quality of life may be better now than before surgery. In most cases, it's your choice how much having a colostomy limits your life.

Getting used to a colostomy may take time. Learning to care for it and the changes in your body can be tough. But you're still the same person. And you can do many of the same things you've always enjoyed. Read on for tips to help you adjust to having a colostomy.

The tonsils are 2 small masses of tissue at the back of the throat. They are part of the body's immune system, which helps the body fight disease. In some people, the tonsils become infected or enlarged. This can cause severe sore throats, snoring, or other problems. Tonsillectomy is surgery to remove the tonsils.

A facelift (rhytidectomy) is a type of cosmetic surgery. It tightens and lifts loose, sagging skin in the face. It also helps reduce lines and wrinkles in the face.

Radiation therapy is often used as a treatment against cancer. IMRT is a form of radiation therapy. Depending on your treatment goals, IMRT may be used to help treat your cancer. This sheet tells you more about IMRT and what to expect.