*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 P: Personality Disorders.

Why Its Done

Reasons for weight loss surgery

Weight loss surgery may be available on the NHS if:

you have a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or more
you have a BMI between 35 and 40 and a condition that might improve if you lost weight - these include high blood pressure, diabetes, arthritis, breathing problems and asthma
you've tried dieting, exercise and other weight loss methods, but have struggled to lose weight or keep it off
you agree to make healthy lifestyle changes and attend regular check-ups after surgery

If your BMI is 50 or over, surgery may be considered without needing to try other weight loss methods first.

Availability of weight loss surgery varies across areas of the UK. You can also pay for surgery privately, but this can be expensive.

If you have a South Asian, Chinese, other Asian, Middle Eastern, Black African or African-Caribbean family background surgery may be considered if your BMI is below 40.

OutUK's A to Z of Gay Health continues and you can read this week's feature P: Personality Disorders. 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.