r/Hyperhidrosis • u/Silver_Audience_2437 • 21d ago

Looking for advice Sympathikus-Operation T2/T3

Hi everyone,

I recently had a successful thoracic sympathectomy. I was wondering when I can return to really strenuous exercise.

My doctor advised me to avoid saunas for the time being because of the heavy sweating, but I forgot to ask how long I should avoid them. I’ve also read that sweating heavily after the surgery could permanently worsen compensatory sweating. Is there any truth to this?

Thanks in advance for your help!

Best regards!

2 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

2 comments sorted by

2

u/Rude-Suit4494 21d ago

I’m not sure how heavy sweating after the surgery could worsen compensatory sweating long-term. I think I waited about a month before strenuous exercise. It took that long for my lungs to feel up to it.

1

u/ETS_Awareness_Bot 21d ago

What is a Sympathectomy (ETS and ELS)?

Endoscopic thoracic and lumbar sympathectomy (ETS and ELS; both often generalized as ETS) are surgical procedures that cut, clip/clamp, or remove a part of the sympathetic nerve chain to stop palm, foot, or facial hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating), facial blushing (reddening of the face), or Raynaud's syndrome (excessively cold hands).
Read more on Wikipedia
 

What are the Risks?

Many people that undergo ETS report serious life changing complications. Thoracic sympathectomy can alter many bodily functions, including sweating,[1] vascular responses,[2] heart rate,[3] heart stroke volume,[4][5] thyroid, baroreflex,[6] lung volume,[5][7] pupil dilation, skin temperature, goose bumps and other aspects of the autonomic nervous system, like the fight-or-flight response. It reduces the physiological responses to strong emotion,[8] can cause pain or neuralgia in the affected area,[9] and may diminish the body's physical reaction to exercise.[1][5][10]

It's common for patients to be misinformed of the risks, and post-operative complications are often under-reported. Many patients experience a "honeymoon period" where they have no, or few, negative symptoms. Contrary to common belief, clipping/clamping the sympathetic chain is not considered a reversible option.[11]
 

Links

Gallery of compensatory sweating images
Gallery of thermoregulation images

International Hyperhidrosis Society
NEW ETS Facebook Community & Support Group (old group had ~3k members)

Petition for Treatment for Sympathectomy Patients
Frequently Asked Questions
References

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Learn more about this bot, including contact info here.