Many of us suffer from unwanted and uncontrollable blushing. Considering surgery as an option to stop this problem should be done only after major research into all of the available options. Only once you have attempted other solutions for your problem, should you truly consider surgery. While it is safe and can be effective, it should be considered a last resort.
Before looking at surgery, make sure that you and your doctor have tried other things first, such as cognitive psychological therapy, a medication regimen, hypnosis and even adjustments to your diet. Since instances of spontaneous facial blushing may easily be eliminated through one or a combination of these methods, they should not be ruled out until they have been explored. However, surgery can be the only source of permanent relief for some, and there are some questions that often come up about the procedure.
ETS, or endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy, is an easy surgical procedure that is not generally accompanied by a lot of pain. The side effects are minimal to nonexistent. The rate of success for this procedure is very high. It can truly reduce episodes of excessive blushing. You should, however, give the surgery very serious consideration before you choose to undergo it. Any surgery, no matter how safe, comes with its share of risks.
Any time you undergo surgery, you may need a general anesthetic. This is usually the riskiest part of any surgery as it puts the patient “to sleep.” Once the patient is under, your surgeon will make two small incisions in your armpit area. These incisions will permit the surgeon to insert the necessary equipment to perform your procedure. In order to gain access to the necessary nerve area, along the outer side of the spine, your surgeon will collapse one of your lungs. This will provide the surgeon with an easier reach to the necessary area.
Next, the surgeon locates the problematic nerves and severs them, effectively cutting off the impulses which signal the body to blush spontaneously. The lung is then re-inflated and the same procedure is done on the other side of the patient’s body. The procedure is a simple one and after this is completed, the patient will be discharged and ready to go home.
When you have your surgical consult, your doctor should cover any of the possible side effects. He or she should address any questions or concerns you have at that time. One possible problem you may encounter is a change in your heart beat. This procedure also effects the flow of sweat from your underarm area. You may experience excess sweat from other places after the procedure. The number of people who experience this problem is relatively small. Advances in the surgery have cut down on these instances.
There can also be a slight chance of a pneumo-thorax, or air bubble caught in the chest cavity as a result of a procedure. Also, complications can emerge from being under general anesthesia, however they are no more likely than with any other kind of surgery.
As we stated previously, this type of surgical procedure should be a last resort option. Surgery is a major undertaking and you should not consider it lightly. If you have tried all of the other available methods fro treating your excessive blushing, though, surgery may be the right option for you. There are multiple options to treat your problem. You may have to combine two or more methods to achieve the desired effect. There is hope for stopping your excessive blushing.
Be sure to discuss surgical options with your physician as a part of the overall approach to controlling facial blushing in your unique situation. Trust the process and exhaust all other options before considering surgery, unless your doctor feels it would be a good choice for you despite the other alternatives.
Author Terry Brennan has published articles about how to stop blushing, including information about blushing surgery and other cures.