The Dangers of ETS Surgery for Excessive Sweating
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- My FREE Guide - Stop Sweating Today
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If you have an excessive sweating problem, you may have heard of endoscopic sympathectomy (ETS) surgery. If you are considering this option - Don't!
This surgery can have severe complications and, in spite of the promises, could leave you in a worse situation than you currently face. Some people have experienced more sweating after the operation than before.
That's right - more sweating. Doesn't sound like a good solution to the problem of excessive sweating, does it? Okay, you have problems with excessive sweating, which can be embarrassing and uncomfortable. You want a solution. That's fair enough. However, ETS Surgery is NOT the solution.
Read on to find out more about ETS. And be sure to visit my website for more information on the major hyperhidrosis treatments.
ETS Surgery Leads to Compensatory Sweating
More than half of the patients who have undergone the surgery have experienced "compensatory sweating." Over 50 per cent of people sweat more after the surgery than before!
That's because the surgeons basically prevent you from sweating in a certain area, but sweat is the body's way of releasing some toxins from the skin and providing self cooling.
While excessive sweating is uncomfortable, sweating is actually part of how our bodies work and we need to sweat in some way. If you have ETS Surgery, you may stop sweating from under the arms, for example, but many people sweat more on the trunk of the body or their thighs.
Even Worse
Some patients experience such severe compensatory sweating that it continually soaks through their clothing. Imagine sitting on a bus for 10 minutes, getting up and leaving a pool of sweat on the seat as you leave? Do you want people to think you are incontinent too?
I've seen videos where people look like they have their own shower as they walk around - the sweat just drips off them in sheets. The compensatory sweating can be more severe than the excessive sweating problem you started with. It's just not worth it!
Doctors Don’t Know Who Will React Like This
This is something the doctor's can't determine pre-operatively - that is before the operation. Techniques, instruments and doctor experience vary so greatly, there is no guarantee in this type of surgery anyway.
It is even more difficult for doctor's to pre-determine who will experience severe ‘compensatory sweating', following ETS surgery, because no-one's body is exactly the same as another one. This means every surgery is slightly different, and individual variations in nerve routes can be very different from patient to patient. This could mean the surgeon misses some branches of nerves and you could end up with persistent symptoms of excessive sweating.
The surgery is painful. Some doctor's claim to be able to do ‘micro' surgery with only a few cuts, but this technique means there is more likelihood of them missing some of the nerves. Others will remove one of your ribs to complete the surgery.
All operations and surgeries present some risks, but before you consider ETS surgery, think carefully about how the list before would impact on your life. These are all possible dangers of the ETS Surgery.
Complications of ETS Surgery
Other known possible complications of the surgery include:
- Phantom sweating, where the patient feels the sensations of sweating but is not actually sweating.
- Numbness of the skin
- Sensitive Pleurae (chest lining sensitivity) limiting exercise
- Heat Intolerance
- Failure to improve symptoms
- Regeneration of the nerve Infection
- Gustatory sweating (increased sweating while smelling or eating)
- Dry face, dry mouth, dry eyes
- Pneumothorax (collapsed lung)
- Bleeding
- Postop Neuralgia
- Hair loss
- Bradycardia (slow heart rate) possibly requiring a pacemaker
My Helpful Resources
- Stop Sweating and Start Living
A really good resource for anyone looking to stop sweating naturally. - How I Beat My Excessive Sweating
Read my personal story of how I beat my excessive sweating.
Don’t Risk the Dangers of ETS Surgery
If you suffer from excessive sweating, look for other, more natural solutions to the problem. Don't risk making it worse by ETS Surgery. None of the above complications are worth the risk. Not being able to exercise, go out to dinner with friends, having a collapsed lung or a pacemaker are not things you want in your life.
I'd be interested to hear from anyone who has had good or bad experiences with ETS. Please leave a comment below.
This article is general in nature and does not represent medical advice. Always consult with a qualified medical practitioner before choosing a course of hyperhidrosis treatment.
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Comments
I had ETS surgery on the right side of my arms in 2001, it was very painful. The doctor made it seem as though I would recover in no time and I would be able to have the left side done within the week. I was not informed ahead of surgery that my lung would be taken down during the surgery. When I came out of recovery I had oxygen and when it was removed I had a very difficult time breathing; this is when the nurse informed me that I had my lung taken down. I never had my left side done. I would not recomment it to anyone. I have experienced compensatory sweating and it is very irritating however it still is not as bad as having funky under arm odor. The ETS slowed down the sweating on my right side and on my forehead but as the years went by it gradually increased. Last year I had my apocrine glands totally removed and it has been wonderful. If someone is dealing with uncontrollable sweating and is not able to wear deordorant as I was not. I do recommend the excision of the glands. I have my quality of life back and I still experience trunk sweating but I am managing that by trying products such as sweatstop that help with body sweating and I am experimenting with organic pills for body odor. I have informed my doctors of what I am doing. I also continue to use bedtime deodorants because although I don't have to worry about underarm odor when I get overheated, I have the sweaty gym smell. I shower twice a day in the summer and if necessary freshen up around lunch or shortly after in order not to offend others. However, I count on them closet to me and to let me know if I need to freshen up because they are my inner circle although it is difficult sometimes, I try not to let people in my outer circle influence me when it comes to body odor. I have been to many different doctors and they had assured me that I did not have an odor while sitting in their office. So I trust that I am a little paranoid at times because good hygiene is very important to me.
I had ETS surgery for excessive hand and underarm sweating five years ago. I have no regrets what so ever for having the surgery. Yes, I do have compensatory sweating in the trunk area, but only when I overly exert myself or am in extreme heat. I don't know anyone who does not sweat in those conditions. I have never had a case of compesatory sweating where I sweat through my clothes. If anything I think it has improved with time. I did experience a collapsed lung after surgery. My doctor did discuss this as a possible side effect, so it was not complete surprise. My doctor monitored me very closely to ensure that I made a full recover, but the conditions corrects itself. I did experience some back pain due to the lung complication, but still feel it was worth it. If you do not have this condition, you have no idea what it's like to have hands that are constantly and uncontrollably wet. Just make sure you have a good doctor who has experience with the surgery and knows what they are doing. My doctor also told me that it is usully the people who do not have severe hyperhidrosis and do not need the ETS surgery in the first place that have the severe compensatory sweating.
Top the last guy, " Your docotr told you that ususally people who do not have severe hyperhidrosis and do not need ETS in the first place that have the severe compensatory sweating". Your docotr is and idiot if he or she told you that. It is obvious none of you have ever looked at what ETS truly does to the body. You all may not have Compensatory sweating but your bodies are now messed up. Do not have ETS it will mess up your life. People who say they are happy with the results better hold on tight and hope they do not start to have more and more problems as a result of this surgery. All ETS surgeons should be hung.
To the person who had their glands removed, were they from the armpits? Can you post some more info about that at:
www.no-ets.com/forums
I am experiencing excess feet sweating post ETS, but don't think I can remove sweat glands from there.
Hey, I'm a 16yr old athlete being looked at by Div. I schools for basketball but I'm concerned for my sweating. If I get nervous at all I sweat on my palms like crazy so I try as much as I can to zone every1 out so I wont slip and miss the ball. I'm considering the ETS surgery and needed some serious feedback ASAP as it'll probably be within the next 2 weeks. Thanks.
gedamg@sbcglobal.net ----------- put something is the subject box that wont get spam filtered
This is for the above athlete.
I had ets surgery 2 months ago. I do experience compensatory sweating in the back, chest, and trunks, when I go to the gym or work in hot conditions. Which is okay. I am more sensitive to the cold and the heat. I did suffer from excessive sweating on the face and facial blushing. So far the surgey has cured the excessive sweating. I will have to wait for the summer months to see how it turn out.
I often play basketball, at the gym and in basketball leegues. After the suffer I notice my game has decrease tremedously. I get fatigue a lot faster. My shot has been off, losing confidence in the game. I noticed when I play, I only sweat below my shoulders. my arms, hands, face, head remains dry. My legs, feet, chest, trunk, and back gets dripping wet, which is very weird. I do not know if the surgey has effect my heart, but will get that checked out with a doctor. When I play basketball, my mouth and eyes gets very dry. My energy level is just not there any more. Maybe with practice, it might come back. but it might never be the same.
Overall,
Personally it has been great I have been able to stay dry in social situation. For work it has been good, I can talk to client and not sweat, but I do sweat when working in the heat. For play sports, it has not been very good. My game has suffered greatly. I'm in my late 20's and playing basketball competitively is no longer important to me. I'm much more focussed on work and staying dry in social situations.
For the above athlete I do not recommend this surgey. If you are already been looked at by div 1 schools, you are doing something right. Keep practicing. Ets surgey is not for you. Maybe later on in life when your basketball career is over. For now, just keep playing.
I will have to go through this summer is see how well the surgey turns out in hot weather.
If you have further question contact me at jjkkk8888@yahoo.com
had ets 8 days ago still in alot of discomfort under arms and wounds very sore. keep sweating at night,and get cold very quickly. i was told this would be a very simple opperation and would be able to resume normal activities within a few days . this is not the case for me ,feel tired uncomfortable and cannot lift my arms without pain is this normal. night chills are shocking and sweat is on back,chest ,behind knees,stomach and feet
My sister had this surgery 8 years ago and has regretted it ever since. I'm searching ETS on the internet cause I'm trying to see if there is any info out there that may help her. She used to have severe sweating in the hands, now she has severe sweating in the trunk and on her head. She constantly sweats through clothes and she really doesn't even want to work or interact with people cause it is so severe. This surgery sounds like it has worked well for some people but has all but ruined the lives of others and it's just the luck of the draw, sounds too risky to me.
I had this surgery about 12 years ago, and it changed my life for the better. I wouldn't hesitate to do it again. Before the surgery, my hands dripped with sweat, making social situations awkward at best. In the twelve years since, I've been able to shake hands, caress my sweetheart, handle masking tape, apply postage stamps, write letters without resting my hand on a blotter, and eat M&Ms without them melting in my hands. Sure I still sweat a lot in other places and I have body temperature issues, but those I can live with. The surgery liberated me from a barrier that obstructed my personal contact with the rest of humanity, and for that, I'm very very thankful. I shudder to think what a restricted life I would have had if I hadn't had the surgery.
You guys need to check out the long term effects of ETS, they can be horrific. This surgery should be banned worldwide as it is now in Sweden where it originated. The percentage of people that have an improved livestyle is small compared to the people who's lives are ruined and that small percentage of improvement is usually just in the so called "honeymoon period" and they will later develop exteme symptons. This surgery is barbaric.
I had ETS 11 years ago and my life has been hell ever since! From my chest down i sweat everywhere in any situation, got no energy and the feeling that im gonna be like this for the rest of my life is just killing me! If any of you who had ETS done and found some way to cure the compensatory sweating, please let me know 'cos im just gettin further and further behind on life.. harinapi@hotmail.com
I had the surgery 7 years ago, and its totally not worth it. I called myself doing research prior to the surgery. Never ran across any real negative side effects. My rib actuall pops out of socket if you will every time that I try to bend over, side ways or literally bend in different direction. Yes I no longer have those sweaty hands that made my life so difficult. ( I thought) In return I now have a sweaty abdomen, sweaty legs, sweaty back, and sweaty feet. I can't get over the tempertue of 75 degrees. That is my comfy zone. above that I am a soaking mess. I can't where any of the sexy clingy or items to show my abdomen or back. It looks just sweaty and really unattractive, people just see sweat they have no idea that there is a name for complusive sweating. Because I can't always control the temperature. So I can't just pick out clothes I have to be prepared to not be embarrased if I have to go outside or walk to my car. The taste of anything zesty sends weird sensation throughout my body. I have told my husband I am not real sure what is the severity of my damage that I have brought on myself. My daughter has inherited my sweaty palm gene but she also has the sweaty under arm to go with it. She will not be getting the ETS surgery. I really feel her pain she is a teenager and loves all the clothes that other teens wear but she knows she has a compulsive sweating disorder. Please if you are contemplating the surgery please don't do it, the side effects are not worth it.
Hello everyone,
I got ETS in 1999 about 10 years ago, and I know EXACTLY what everyone is talking about and going through. The sweating on the back, chest, abs, trunk area, legs and feet. Absolutely a tough situation for all of us to be in, especially during the summer months. I just want to let everyone know that we all need to be strong and resilient and try, just try to enjoy the natural things in life. Most people will not understand and tolerate the excessive sweating, and smell that comes with all this, but try to not get angry and upset, and remind yourselves that we need to practice positive thoughts and actions. I'll tell you this, my feet are now DRY. I tried using the iontophoresis tap water machine for about 6 weeks, and it WORKS!!! If anyone of you wants more information, feel free to email me at eugenepark76@gmail.com.
Take care everyone and I hope you guys email me and just say hello, vent, or talk about whatever's on your mind.
Hello everyone,
I got ETS in 1999 about 10 years ago, and I know EXACTLY what everyone is talking about and going through. The sweating on the back, chest, abs, trunk area, legs and feet. Absolutely a tough situation for all of us to be in, especially during the summer months. I just want to let everyone know that we all need to be strong and resilient and try, just try to enjoy the natural things in life. Most people will not understand and tolerate the excessive sweating, and smell that comes with all this, but try to not get angry and upset, and remind yourselves that we need to practice positive thoughts and actions. I'll tell you this, my feet are now DRY. I tried using the iontophoresis tap water machine for about 6 weeks, and it WORKS!!! If anyone of you wants more information, feel free to email me at eugenepark76@gmail.com.
Take care everyone and I hope you guys email me and just say hello, vent, or talk about whatever's on your mind.
I had the surgery done about 2 years ago, and I must say, it was the best decision I've ever made. The only problem I've had post surgery is CS in my trunk, but only when I over exert myself at the gym or during my daily routine. To those who have hyperhidrosis, I would like to say that you should think about it really hard. Although I've had 110% success and am extremely happy with my results, it's a give and take issue. For me it was easy. I am a very social guy, but there was always the pesky problem of my soaked hands that flat out just held me back so much. Now though, I'm fearless in social settings and I finally don't have to worry about grabbing my girlfriend's hands or buying e-books because I hate ruining paperbacks. I no longer have to rub my pants as I'm meeting someone new, or have to spend 10 minutes trying to flip my gloves inside out after I take them off. To all of you who have had negative experiences, I feel your pain and I hope you all well, but unless you have super crazy CS, try and remember how it was before it. I know I'd rather have my ass sweat and invest in more boxers than having to live through another day of explaining why I'd rather bump fists than shake hands and the awkwardness that follows.
I had ets surgery 2 days ago..i would say it was one of the best decisions i made. i used to smeat so bad in my hands i didnt want to do anything..i didnt want to talk to people interact with anyone...did want a gf..couldnt do good in school discomfort holding pencil..i could go on forever..theres nothing better than having dry hands..i used to wipe my hands on my pants so much i used to go through pairs and pairs of pants cuz i runined them..i feel for any of you that have that problem of hand sweating it is no fun at all..u would be surprised how much it can change your life. i now sweat alittle more on my back thighs and behind the knees..this is only when im in heat..before my hands would sweat even if its cold..therefore i think ets was way worth it it turned my whole life around.
why is this surgery soooo controversial?? It can be a miracle for one person and a disaster for the next. It was banned in Sweden, and i've done alot of research. There are very few people i've come across who are satisfied passed 10 years. Some people discribe being emotionless. I have sweaty hands and feet and yes it sucks, but they never drip and never sweat in colder weather plus i treat it with iontophoresis and hydrosal gel. I'm not getting this surgery until they surgeons can figure out what level nerve to cut or clamp and what the sympathetic nervous system actually does besides control sweating. I've talke to several surgeons who do this surgery and they all have different methods, they just seem like they're experimenting. I' think i'd rather try to control the sweating than tamper with my nervous system and make a permanent change unless the sweating were to get worse but i think my case is moderate.
hey Ibsurfsider,
You're comment is spot on! Congratulations for doing your research and not blindly jumping into this surgery like many people do. I had ets surgery performed on me 10 years ago when i was 17. Soon after the surgery, i was stoked to have dry hands for the first time. I could tell that my body felt a bit different, but i wasn't really paying attention to it. I was young, on my way to college, dating girls and just so busy with everything. I immediately had CS sweating in hot weather (everybody does that has this surgery because you can't sweat above the line of your nipples), i sometimes felt slightly disconnected from reality, disconnected emotionally. But i was still excited to give people high fives with dry hands. Hold my girlfriend's hand, not be anxious about my sweaty palms. it was great. i could tell my body was messed up, physically and emotionally, but i was ignoring these symptoms. Especially because i already knew that the surgery was irreversible and that there was nothing i could do about it.
Each year that passed after the surgery i began to feel slightly worse and worse. I had constant dry itchy uncomfortable scalp and face. Horrible dandruff, dry eyes and nose. constant difficulty breathing through my nose. I noticed that excercise no longer gave me the "runners high" feeling. In fact, exercise would make me feel worse, more tired, and mentally disconnected. i would get easily overheated in warm weather. I feel tired all the time. Almost like chronic fatigue syndrome. Mentally i'm not as quick. I no longer feel adrenaline rushes. Like you said above, i feel emotionless every day. I'm 27 and and always tired, uncomfortable, too hot, too cold, really dry skin...it's making my hair fall out slowly, my mental capacity and intelligence is getting worse and worse
i know it sounds like i'm ranting.....but i'm only being completely honest. I thought the surgery was a good thing at first... but slowly over time, i've realized that it was the worst decision i've ever made. It take TIME to realize the effects that this surgery has on the body. i feel like shit every day now. i'm tired every day, all day. i'm uncomfortable, and emotionally disconnected. Like NO EMOTIONS. Dont' ever get this surgery. Do not destroy your nerves. Do not tamper with your nervous system. it's not worthit!! I had the surgery performed by the leading thoracic surgeon at Duke University. He knew what he was doing. he did not mess up the surgery. My side effects are just the normal side effects that this surgery creates. DONT DO IT!!! best of luck everyone.
Well too say ive had my eyes opened reading these comments and others similar is the understatement of the decade. I had my Ets 12 years ago for servere hand sweating, and for the first few years it was simply the best thing that ever happend to me, I can not begin to explain the handicap this condition brought to my life and not to have this condition anymore was truly life altering, however these good feeling were not to last. I started to develop cs all over my body including my hands, it wasnt just when the tempreture was hot as my body could be covered in cold sweet even when it was freezing, this led to a paronoia about smelling a far worse infliction than having sweaty palms. CS is only a small part in the overall effect having the EST has had on my life, I am currently not working after having a breakdown my nerves are jangeled and im not the girl I just to be and yes im aware age does that to you but its more than that a feeling that im not some how conected the way I use to be. To cut a long story short, my advice is dont do it, there isant enough information on the long term effects of having this treatment done, and whilst reading these sites has reassured me that i am not going mad and theres others out there having their life ruined by what is in all accout a cometic proceedure, it brings little comfort to know that I have caused this damage to myself.
Good luck,
I had the ETS Dec 07, and yeah hands are dry, but CS is way worse than hands. You don't realize how bad CS is until you actually experience it. As the Dr. went through the side effects, he downplayed it and made it seem like the chances were at best minimal to who would suffer from "severe" CS. Anyone have success with Rubinol? gwelge@hotmail.com
i 2 underwent surgery for ets,my surgeon played down to CS part and said that it was managable den my original problem sweaty palsm,i really regret it bein done,how can the still let it be done when they are aware of the serios problems that rise from it.does any1 know of a way to cope with CS...
I had ETS just over a year ago, and i really wish i did'nt. My back legs groin and chest sweats like a tap is on. Now the doctors have no interest in helping me as there are apparently nothing else they can do. My life is ruined. I have even stopped going to my parents and stopped seeing my god kids as i cant even play with them with out my clothes getting soaked with sweat and have to go to the bath room to wipe down. I have really thought of ending my life it is that bad....... Please do not get this operation...... I am going to see the doctor one last time to see if i can get it revesred. Trust me sweaty arm pits are better than this.....
Trust in God, alternative measures aside from surgery. Bless
I had the ets surgery 3 years ago cause my facial sweating was uncontrollable and being facial it wasn't something I can just hide. My life is exactly the same cause my cs is also uncontrollable I wear nothing but stain repellent dress shirts so It doesn't soak thru. All this surgery did for me was take it from my head and move it to my back and stomach. I feel like im screwed either way and my life is sorely suffering from this cause I can't be the person I really want to be it's really putting a tole on my personal life or so called personal life. If someone has any clue how I can control this stupid cs please email me kv316@hotmail.com. Good luck to us and I hope we find a resolution to this monster we call sweat!
I agree that ETS surgery has made me have far worse sweating than before. I had nervous sweating on my hands, underarms and feet....now I still sweat under my arms and feet but also my trunk, legs etc... if it is above 70 degrees!!! You can't hide that kind of sweating like you could under your arms,feet and hands!!!I can't enjoy outside activities with my family...I look like a freak!! I had the clamping method done. Does anyone know if there has been any successful reversals of this horrible surgery!! The doctors performing these surgeries are just taking advanage of desperate people and making their lives even worse!!
I had the ETS procedure done over 4 times in the last 2 years but I am very happy to say that although it was a very stressful 2 years I now have completely stopped sweating through my clothing from the trunk, shoulders, arms and hands.
I have spent most of my life being uncomfortable in social situations and now can confidently go in public and even take up dancing!
I do not regret the 4 procedures. The doctor was very patient and took the time to only do small amounts each procedure.
I'm very happy and twice as confident!
Do the procedure. Don't suffer with the embarasement!
Questions for Urban: Did you have the surgery redone 4 times because of the compensatory sweating? Did your insurance cover all of these surgeries? What doctor performed these surgeries. I had the clamping method done abt 7 years ago by Dr. Reisfeld in CA. Each year my compensatory sweating has gotten worse. I am talking with him about the reversal surgery but would like to talk to someone who has had it done. My fear is that after the reversal my nervous sweating will come back and there will be no change in the compensatory sweating!!
Hi Im 22 and had the surgery in 2 halves when i was 16. No regrets at all! my palms were the worst affected area and since the surgery they have never sweat at all! i do have CS mainly at night, i have bad night sweats, wake up soaked all over but id rather that than how it was before. i still sweat more than normal under the arms and feet but it is much better than before. i would recomend the surgery but do your research first and make sure you are willing to risk having the side effects mentioned above. my experince is positive and the side effects i have experienced are well worth having a more normal life with dry hands! i have considered seeing if i can have more surgery to reduce the sweating futher. does anyone have info on wheather the proceedure can be repeated to reduce the sweating futher??
thanks
from these comments and from my own research is seems that girls have the best results with this surgery and also that everyone's experience is different. this surgery is definately not a cure but a trade off and i'm not sure it's worth all the risks unless your hands drip all day long which mine do NOT. in fact my feet are worse than my hands especially now that i treat them with iontophoresis which is something i recommend.
yeah lbsurfsider is right. i only opted for surgery because i had such a severe case. but its totally a trade off not a cure. i had iontophoresis for about 2 years before the surgery and it did work for most of that time but got less and less effective then finally stopped working alltogether.
Be sensible guys, think it thru and unless it is completely controlling your life try all the other treatments first, we are all different - be well :)
i had ets in 1999... all of my friends had told me immediately i changed psychiatrically, and the list of side effects reads like a book for me..after leaving the house it looks like I just left the pool in my clothes..i see alot of warnings for people who are considering the surgery but what about for people who had the surgery.. i saw the surgeon who did my operation when i was 18 and he said there was nothing that he could do.. interesting
Hi All,
My name is Will and I had ETS surgery in October 2008. I went in for hyperhidrosis of the hands and now I am fixed for that. Recently I have had issues with excessive sweating of the back and stomach badly. I have often had to leave work and school due to me sweating so bad (mind you i might sit there and just sweat until I'm drenched). I have been talking to an enderconologist about these issues. I may go back in for more surgery soon depending on the situation of the approach. I told the doc I don't want to do any meds or botox injections so surgery would be my only resort. I hope he listens to me and I hope this gets taken care of very soon. I am also doing a 24 hour U/A to see if there are any hormonal issues that could be causing this although I highly doubt it.
its friday and i was suppose to get the surgery on monday but now reading all these comments and issues i was stupid to just think about jumping into it im not gonna do it anymore i do have the discomfert of sweating in my palms it does sometimes hold me back to fist and not shake hands but after reading all these things i see it as something i rather live with and find more natural things then get this surgery thank god for this website it really opened my eyes from making this mistake.
To ANYONE considering ETS -- You better call a time out and you better do it quickly!! Do yourself or your loved one a huge favor and hold off until you read and research 10 times more than you already have. I am 3 1/2 years removed from ETS clamping performed by Egozi in Miami, FL and it is absolutely the biggest mistake I have ever made. Physically and psychologically I couldn't feel any worse. No energy, shortness of breath, living each day on another planet, ED, new allergies, trouble breathing through nose, and SERIOUS compensatory sweating. Before the surgery I was energized, witty, funny, interested in others, focused, and driven. And now? I am a complete train wreck and struggling in every aspect of my life. Think you've got a social problem with your hyperhidrosis? Get the ETS and then tell me about it. The bottom line is this ....... ETS surgery is the biggest risk you will ever take and if you do so after reading these posts, you are a FUCKING IDIOT! Please, please, please don't do it. It may not fuck you up immediately but IT WILL DO SO EVENTUALLY. That is a promise.
Hey what did you have ETS for originally? I've been thinking about this surgery for the past 2 years now and all I read is mixed opinions about it. Are you going to get a clamp removal
I have what I consider to be excessive underarm sweating. I do not experience excessive sweating in any other areas of my body. I am considering alternative to moderate the perspiration. I have tried clinical anti-perspirants, homeopathic methods (that are garbage and don't work), and a product called "Drysol" (in Canada) which is an aluminum salt solution applied at bedtime. Drysol works for a few days, but the itching within 3 hours of application is maddening.
I have read the discussions over ETS, and truthfully, I'm very apprehensive about the procedure. I was also considering selective sweat gland removal. I have an appointment with my general practitioner next week, but in the meantime, if I could get my fellow sweaters' thoughts on safe and effective treatments, I'd be really thankful.
Ryan
I have what I consider to be excessive underarm sweating. I do not experience excessive sweating in any other areas of my body. I am considering alternative to moderate the perspiration. I have tried clinical anti-perspirants, homeopathic methods (that are garbage and don't work), and a product called "Drysol" (in Canada) which is an aluminum salt solution applied at bedtime. Drysol works for a few days, but the itching within 3 hours of application is maddening.
I have read the discussions over ETS, and truthfully, I'm very apprehensive about the procedure. I was also considering selective sweat gland removal. I have an appointment with my general practitioner next week, but in the meantime, if I could get my fellow sweaters' thoughts on safe and effective treatments, I'd be really thankful.
Ryan
I had ETS clamping done in DEC 07 - had Severe CS, and my body felt abnormal, lack of energy, emotion ect. A month ago, I had the clamps removed. I have to say CS is not as bad. I feel better. My thing is the weather has gotten cooler, so the real test comes when Summer comes back around. However inside my work enviorment I have noticed a strong difference in tolerating the temp and signifacant decrease in CS. Any question email me gwelge@hotmail.com
hello
People shouldnt be saying you SHOULD or you Shouldn't have ETS surgery! You have got to think about how much this problem effects you, theres no point in people on here saying that you are an idiot if you go ahead with ETS surgery. Only you know how bad it makes you feel and if its worth the risk, ive got side effects 6 years later but it was the best thing i ever did, im greatful that it worked for me more so than it did for others but they took the risk an they cant be bitter about it an tell you what to do, it might work out great for you. there is so much negative feedback around but consider the success stories aswell, make an informed decision. you dont have to suffer with this
I had this surgery in February this year, and for about the first 2-3 weeks, I had difficulty lowering my arms, right next to my body, due to the pain under my arms. At first I thought the surgery was great and my sweating problems had disappeared but I was wrong. Now in summer, I don't even have to be in the sun and I sweat much worse than I did prior to the operation. I sweat on my back, chest and legs, whereas prior to the surgery I ONLY sweated in my armpits and my palms. I must say, had I been aware of the extent of the sweating Im undergoing now, I would rather live with sweaty palms and sweaty underarms. I now only found out about a newer better surgical procedure, laser therapy under the armpit skin, less invasive and apparently more successful, with less side effects. I don't encourage anyone to go for ETS as you DON'T know what lies ahead for you after having the surgery. I personally wish I could rewind time, and not have the operation done.
i was diagnosed of having sympathetic nerve overactivity causing hyperhydrosis of my palms and feet, rare heart condition called postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome, gastrointestinal dysfunction,and occasional muscle weakness. I had been presented with this option called ETS and was told that as a side effect, i shall have moderate compensatory sweating and will resolve all the other problems i am experiencing. Being a veteran of operations (twice in breast and a cholecystectomy), i immediately researched about this ETS in the internet and found the many harsh side effects. i'm worried that if i do consider this, my life would be altered forever, thus im taking my time to study my options as there are rarely cases published here in the philippines. the sweaty palms and feet are something i could live with. however, the other organs affected by the sympathetic overactivity is something that i fear will progress if there would be no immediate cure...i hope somebody could shed a light on my case.
thks for this wonder site. my ets surgery was schedule nxt week, and i am glad i came to this site. I think i've made up my mind and forgo the surgery.
Great article Mr Boon, thank you.
Cheers to the bravery of all those who posted about their ETS side effects. I live in New Zealand and I had ETS 8 years ago for severe palmar hyperhidrosis. I got very lucky - I do not have any major side effects.
I only recently learned about how ETS has devastated some patients' lives. I am disgusted that surgeons do not fully warn patients of the risks of this surgery - my own surgeon certainly did not tell me all the risks and he downplayed the ones he did mention. I also disgusted that most surgeons virtually slam their doors in the faces of unhappy patients who return to them, seeking helping with their ETS side effects.
I am a freelance writer and I am trying to talk to as many people as possible who have had ETS. If anyone would like to contact me, my email address is:
cescachoo_at_gmail.com
I would espeically like to hear from New Zealanders and Australians who have had ETS but I'll still be happy to hear from you if you come from another country.
Cheers.
G J says:
18 months ago
Hi,
I had the Operation when i was 9 years old (Im 25 now). I had it because my hands were sweating excessively and at school it was hard to hold a pen to write with without having it slip out of my hand. Since then, i dont sweat at all now on my hands but was told that i could sweat more around my trunk and back, which i do but only when i spend 2 hrs at the gym... Probably the place to sweat! One side effect is that because they are separating nerves endings in the op there is a small chance that you can have a reaction in your face. Basically one eye lid can droop because of the nerve endings that have been severed. Obviously this sounds alarming, but it is not noticeable until you point it out to people. Dont worry if your thinking of having this op, it won't make you look like you've had a stroke down one side of the face. After the op if you sweat more in other places there is a deoderant for it called Drychlor, which is a roll on and you apply it before you got to bed without washing prior to applying it, and it blocks the pores. You wash it off as normal in the morning but it really does work. If you use it all the time though you can get a rash from it so its advisable to use it for a couple of days then have a gap without it! I wasnt every able to wear grey tops because of sweat patches, and always carried a can of deoderant with me, until i used drychlor, not im soooooo more better!