SEARCH

For the surgery to work, you must change your diet and lifestyle. In most cases, the surgery is not reversible. So if you’re considering surgery, learn all you can about it before you decide.

Before surgery, tests will be done to check your health. You will be watched and kept as comfortable as possible throughout surgery and recovery. After surgery, you may stay in the hospital for one or several days.

Deciding on bariatric surgery can be difficult. This is major surgery. If you qualify for bariatric surgery, you need to think about the possible risks and complications of having this surgery. Compare these with the risks and complications of not having the surgery.

If you're having sex, or thinking about having sex, you need to know about sexually transmitted diseases or STDs. STDs can cause serious health problems. And not all can be cured. But there are ways to protect yourself and others.

Chlamydia is an STD (sexually transmitted disease) that spreads when body fluids are passed during sex. Signs of chlamydia are often absent or hard to notice. So get checked if you think you might have it. Chlamydia can be cured.

Remember: Any kind of sex puts you at risk of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Look for signs of STDs on you and your partner. Get checked if you're not sure. And if you do have an STD, get treated! Tell your partner so he or she can get checked, too.

Here are answers to common questions about STIs.

Hepatitis is a disease that harms the liver through inflammation. Read on to learn more.

HIV weakens the parts of the body that fight off disease (the immune system). It spreads through body fluids passed during sex or through infected needles. When HIV starts to cause severe health problems, it's called AIDS. There's no cure for HIV or AIDS. But treatment called antiretroviral therapy can help you stay healthier longer.