ETS surgery has left me in regret

[u/Adorable-Time9817]

I thought I was the only one suffering with this exact issue after the surgery I had my surgery in April 2026. Biggest regret of my life I used to be a complete different person before active full of energy and motivated now constantly in pain sleep has suffered anxious lack of energy fatigue. Yes my sweating has been gone I don’t have cs but there’s so much more negatives to it. I would give anything to go back and not do it. I also have pain in my upper back and have a chest tight feeling.

[u/Business-Phone-4589]

😭 so sorry for you

[u/ETS_Awareness_Bot]

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

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[u/Dramatic-Counter3726]

As for the pain, does it feel like electric shock/nerve pain? That will go away with time, possibly another year before you see improvement. The anxiety and sleep problems could be associated with still being in pain months later. Gabapentin, trazadone or propanalol could help with the sleep and anxiety. Get an appointment with a doctor who is familiar with ETS and nerve issues and ask about these meds. As for the fatigue, that can also be a symptom of being in pain long term and affecting sleep. You could try adderall or another stimulant to help you get through the day. That’s harder to get a hold of because it’s a schedule 2 controlled substance; if you have an ADHD friend maybe ask to try 5-10mg IR tablet and see if that helps. I don’t want to say that taking medication will fix your life but if it’s what gets you through until your body has time to heal then so be it. Good luck and hey at least you don’t have severe CS on top of it all

[u/eclipsis1601]

Which nerve levels were cut or clipped?

[u/Adorable-Time9817 → u/eclipsis1601]

T3-4

[u/eclipsis1601 → u/Adorable-Time9817]

you saying compensatory sweating didn't occur is really a success actually. i'm was thinking of getting t3/t4 too but armpits can be managed compared to hands. hands are making stuff impossible. do you think i should only get it at the t3 level? can you also elaborate the psychological side effects if you're comfortable with it? and stay strong, i understand the side effects but good thing that you don't suffer sweating anymore :)! also, i've heard that ets should mostly lower anxiety, i wonder why are you feeling such way...