ETS is a minimally invasive surgery with smaller incisions and a faster recovery time. Before the procedure, you receive general anesthesia (medicine to put you to sleep) to avoid feeling any discomfort or pain. The surgery lasts about one to two hours.

During the procedure, your surgeon interrupts the transmission of nerve signals from the spinal column to the sweat glands. This prevents the nerve signals from "turning on" the overactive sweat glands. To do this, your surgeon cuts the sympathetic nerve or removes the ganglion (structure containing many nerve cell bodies) that is causing the sweating to occur. This blocks the signals from the brain that tell your body to sweat.

To access the sympathetic nerve or ganglion, a miniature camera is inserted into your chest through a small incision made in the armpit. The lung is temporarily collapsed, so your surgeon can cut or destroy the nerve paths associated with the overactive sweat glands. This procedure is permanent.

After your surgeon completes the procedure on one side of the body, they do the same procedure on the other side.

ETS is most often used to treat severely sweaty palms or underarms and is sometimes used to treat sweaty feet. We do not use ETS to treat facial flushing and sweating because of the high risk of side effects.

If you have tried multiple nonsurgical treatments, and your quality of life continues to be negatively affected by hyperhidrosis, you may be a candidate for ETS. Our compassionate team will work with you to determine if you qualify for ETS surgery.

The advantages of ETS surgery include:

• Covered by insurance
• Minimally invasive procedure
• Faster recovery time
• Moderate to serious reduction of sweating in the treated areas of your body
• Most patients see a relief of symptoms immediately
• Only one procedure is needed instead of multiple rounds of treatment

Following ETS surgery, you will not have any drains (tubes to remove blood or other fluids). Your incisions (cuts) will be sutured (stitched) closed and sealed with waterproof glue. You can expect to spend the night in the hospital for observation. You may see results immediately and sweat much less.

You may be able to return to work within three to five days. You can usually return to doing all of your normal activities after two weeks. Our team will help you determine when it is safe for you to resume your different activities.