*Welcome to the OutUK series looking at gay men and their health brought to you in association with the NHS* website.**
	Each week we'll tackle a different topic in our A to Z of Gay Health. We'll have features and advice on everything from relationships, sexual health, mental and physical conditions and how to stay fit. You can follow any of links provided below for more information direct from the NHS website, or see this week's feature L: Laxatives.

Cosmetic Procedures On The Nhs

Cosmetic surgery is not routinely provided on the NHS.

It may occasionally be provided on the NHS for psychological or other health reasons. For example, the NHS might pay for:

breast enlargement (implants) - if you have very uneven breasts or no breasts, and it's causing significant psychological distress
nose reshaping (rhinoplasty) - if you have breathing problems
ear correction surgery, including ear pinning - if a child needs it, or sometimes, if an adult has prominent ears that are causing significant distress
female breast reduction - if you're very distressed about the size of your breasts and they're causing problems like backache
male breast reduction - if you've had a condition called gynaecomastia for a long time, other treatments have not worked, and it's causing considerable pain or distress

Generally, most people who want cosmetic surgery will need to pay for it privately.

Reconstructive or plastic surgery is often available on the NHS. It's different from cosmetic surgery because its main aim is to repair and reconstruct missing or damaged tissue and skin after an illness, accident or birth defect.

Plastic surgery includes procedures such as rebuilding a woman's breasts after a mastectomy (an operation to remove a breast), and repairing a cleft lip and palate.

More information

OutUK's A to Z of Gay Health continues and you can read this week's feature L: Laxatives. We have covered many subjects in this series and you can catch up with all of our Previous A to Z Features. If you want to find out more about this particular topic you can visit the Original article on the NHS website. If you are worried by any aspect of your health make sure you go and see your doctor or book an appointment at your local clinic.
Photos: LightFieldStudios and one of VladOrlov, Stockcube, darak77, ajr_images or rawpixel.com.