ETS Surgery: Recovery, Side Effects & More
Both sweating and blushing are common reactions and responses to stimuli the body might encounter. For example, sweating in hot weather or while exercising is healthy, while blushing during periods of stress and anxiety impacts us all at one point or another. For a small segment of the population, however, excessive blushing and sweating begins to impact their daily lives so much that they can no longer be productive at work or school. Individuals who have reached this point are often driven to seek out treatment to stop their body’s overactive responses. While medicinal and topical, prescription treatment methods are typically the first course of action offered by doctors, these more conservative treatments do not work for everyone. In more serious cases, ETS surgery may be recommended.
Before deciding to pursue blushing surgery, it’s important to first understand exactly what this procedure involves, the possible side effects of blushing surgery, as well as the recovery period you can expect following surgery to stop blushing.
Impact of Excessive Blushing
Blushing can be a serious nuisance, causing further embarrassment in already uncomfortable situations. However, for individuals suffering from excessive blushing the impact is much deeper. For excessive blushers, they might experience a reddening not only of their cheeks, but also across their neck, chest, and ears, in addition to a warm feeling across these areas of the body. Worse than the physical effects of blushing, are the psychological impacts. In fact, those with an excessive blushing condition have reported serious emotional and psychological effects due to their inability to control their blushing. They may find themselves canceling job interviews, missing work and class, and avoiding any and all social situations for fear that their blushing will be present. This can severely diminish quality of life, leading to anxiety and even depression.
What is ETS Surgery?
When prescription medications or topical treatments are not effective in treating excessive blushing, a doctor might recommend ETS surgery. The exact method used for a blushing surgery procedure may differ depending on the facility used. Generally, though, the following steps are taken: two, microscopic incisions are placed in the armpit of the patient, through which a small camera is placed. This camera allows the surgeon to see the entire chest – most importantly, the sympathetic nerve responsible for causing the body’s blushing response. Then, the T2 ganglion is separated from the sympathetic trunk along the superior aspect of the second rib.
ETS Surgery Side Effects
The ETS surgery to stop blushing is considered a minimally invasive procedure, and the majority of patients do not report experiencing any long-term impacts. As with any surgery, though, there is the possibility of ETS surgery side effects your doctor will discuss with you. Possible side effects of blushing surgery include:
Horner’s Syndrome. Developing Horner’s Syndrome following surgery to stop blushing is very rare, when performed at the Center for Hyperhidrosis by Dr. Gorenstein. This syndrome is characterized by drooping of the eyelids, the absence of face sweating, as well as constricted pupils. The cause of Horner’s Syndrome can be attributed to the disruption of the sympathetic nerve at the T1 level during the surgery.
Decreased heart rate. Following ETS surgery, about 10 percent of patients report a drop in their heart rate. Fortunately, this side effect does not appear to have an impact on a patient’s tolerance of exercise or their endurance. At the Center for Hyperhidrosis, the technique developed for T2 sympathectomy specifically avoids the sympathetic innervation of the heart, and reduces the probability of this happening In fact, blushing surgery might even benefit patients living with certain heart arrhythmia conditions.
Dry facial skin. After ETS surgery, some patients have reported dryer than usual facial skin – including their neck and scalp. To treat this side effect, doctors will typically suggest use of a strong moisturizing cream. In certain patients, this drying of the skin has been beneficial in improving acne.
Neuritis and Neuralgia. Neuritis and Neuralgia are a non-specific pain experienced in the back, between the shoulder blades. This pain is a result of irritation of the nerve endings during the ETS surgery. Over time, those with neuritis and neuralgia can expect to see their pain disappear, as it rarely becomes permanent. The back pain can be treated using over the counter non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications like Motrin. Neuritis and neuralgia impact only a very small number of patients that have undergone surgery to stop blushing.
ETS Surgery Recovery
Because ETS surgery is a minimally invasive procedure, patients can expect a very short recovery time. In fact, most patients can expect to be discharged within just several hours of the completion of their surgery. Within a few days, patients can expect to return to their normal daily routines and activities. The sutures used during a blushing surgery procedure are made from a totally biodegradable material, so there is no need for any wound care or suture removal appointment.
Some patients might experience temporary, mild to moderate pressure or pain in the chest as a result of their surgery. For these patients in particular, physical activity is allowed, but should be introduced gradually to avoid further discomfort.
How Long Does ETS Surgery Last?
ETS surgery is a one time procedure that is expected to have permanent, life-long results. Unlike medications or topical treatments used to minimize excessive blushing, many patients find this to be the most cost-efficient treatment option because it does not have to be repeated.
ETS Surgery Reviews
The response to ETS blushing surgery is overall very positive. In fact, after reviewing the results of our patients who have received surgery to stop blushing, the Center for Hyperhidrosis has found that an incredible 90 percent of patients report that their blushing has dramatically improved without any side effects.
ETS Surgery from the Center for Hyperhidrosis
When considering surgery of any kind, it is essential to seek out skilled doctors that are highly experienced in performing the procedure you need. The team at the Center for Hyperhidrosis has helped thousands of individuals suffering from excessive blushing, performing ETS surgeries on a wide variety of patients. We are here to help you take back control in a single, quick procedure that will transform your life. Contact us to learn more about what you can expect following your ETS surgery, and to determine if ETS surgery is right for you.
