Excessive sweating, or hyperhidrosis, can take a heavy toll on your daily life. If you’re like many people, this condition cannot only make you avoid handshakes but also dread social events and pick clothing to hide sweat stains.
This is where hyperhidrosis surgery in Singapore comes in. More on that later but you can find more specific information here: https://www.icts.com.sg/hyperhidrosis-surgery-singapore/.
Now, hyperhidrosis means you sweat far more than your body needs to cool down. It can be local usually the palms, soles, underarms or face or generalised across the whole body.
Primary hyperhidrosis often starts in childhood or early adulthood without an obvious cause. Secondary hyperhidrosis may come as a result of other conditions, medicines or metabolic issues.
Surgery may be considered if your sweating is severe, persistent and does not respond to standard treatments like antiperspirants, oral drugs, Botox injections or iontophoresis. Surgery is usually for focal hyperhidrosis that affects daily tasks or causes strong social anxiety.
So, is Hyperhidrosis Surgery Worth it?
Many people who come to our clinic to inquire about hyperhidrosis surgery in Singapore frequently ask; is hyperhidrosis surgery worth it? The answer is both yes and no.
If you are living with severe, treatment-resistant hyperhidrosis, surgery can be worth it. Procedures like endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy (ETS) often stop sweating in the treated area and can actually restore confidence and function.
That benefit must be weighed against notable side effects most importantly compensatory sweating, which affects other body areas after surgery. If non-surgical options fail and you accept the risks, please speak with an experienced surgeon to help you make a clear decision. Here are some of the surgical treatment options that can help permanently fix hyperhidrosis;
- Endoscopic Thoracic Sympathectomy (ETS): ETS targets the sympathetic nerves in the chest that trigger sweating in the palms, underarms or face. If you’re approved for this treatment, your surgeon will use small cameras and instruments placed through tiny chest incisions to cut, clamp or remove segments of the sympathetic chain. This procedure often stops sweating in the treated area and is considered permanent for those sites. Recovery is usually quick, but you will need to acknowledge the possibility of compensatory sweating elsewhere.
- Lumbar Sympathectomy: This operation interrupts sympathetic nerves in the lower back to treat plantar (foot) hyperhidrosis. It uses a similar keyhole approach but in the lumbar area and is less common than ETS because foot sweating can be hard to cure completely. When successful, it offers long-term reduction of sweating in the feet. The risks and recovery resemble thoracic procedures, and recurrence can occur if nerve pathways reconnect.
- Axillary sweat gland excision / liposuction-curettage: For heavy underarm sweating, surgeons may remove or destroy sweat glands under the skin or combine liposuction with curettage. This local approach limits systemic nerve effects and often gives durable improvement for axillary hyperhidrosis. It leaves a small scar and requires short recovery, with most people returning to work in days. Because it targets the glands directly, compensatory sweating risk is lower than with nerve surgery.
- Local excision of eccrine glands (limited procedures): In select cases, surgeons remove small patches of sweat glands through local excision. This option suits focal, well-defined areas and aims for a permanent result in that spot. It’s a minor operation compared with sympathectomy but not suitable for widespread sweating. Scarring and wound care are the main considerations after this procedure.
That far, you’re probably now wondering; how long does hyperhidrosis surgery last? The answer is; durability of hyperhidrosis surgery depends on the procedure.
ETS for example, delivers long-term control of sweating at the targeted sites in most people as studies suggest that many patients are able to remain dry for years.
Axillary gland excision also offers durable relief for underarm sweating, often lasting many years if the glands are removed thoroughly. Lumbar sympathectomy can reduce foot sweating for the long term, but outcomes vary more than for ETS.
Recurrence can happen if nerve fibres regenerate or if the initial interruption was incomplete. For gland-targeting procedures, recurrence tends to be lower but depends on surgical technique.
Full effect usually appears soon after surgery, though compensatory sweating (increased sweating elsewhere) may develop over weeks and become a permanent trade-off.
When to Consider Hyperhidrosis Surgery
When it comes to hyperhidrosis treatment, many people actually try non-surgical options first. You may want to start with strong antiperspirants containing aluminium chloride, then consider prescription anticholinergic creams or oral medicines.
Botox injections into the underarm or palm block sweat nerves for months and have a strong evidence base. Iontophoresis uses mild electrical currents to reduce palm and sole sweating and needs repeat sessions.
You may want to consider surgery when these methods fail, produce only short-term relief or cause unacceptable side effects. If sweating still disrupts your work, relationships or mental health despite months of treatment, discuss surgical treatment with a specialist.
Since not every person is a candidate for surgery, before any procedure, you’ll have tests to confirm suitability, blood work and a focussed counselling session on risks especially compensatory sweating. After surgery, expect soreness for a few days, scarring for local procedures and chest discomfort after ETS.
Most people return to desk work within a week and resume vigorous exercise in two to four weeks. A good surgeon will schedule follow-up visits to check wounds, manage pain and discuss any new sweating patterns.
Closing Thoughts
To decide if hyperhidrosis surgery is worth it for you, weigh the daily impact, past treatment attempts and willingness to accept side effects. If sweating stops you working, causes repeated social avoidance or you’ve tried and failed several non-surgical therapies, surgery may offer life-changing benefit.
If you can cope with residual symptoms or risk compensatory sweating, you might accept the trade-off; if not, continue with non-invasive care. Choose a surgeon experienced in hyperhidrosis and ask for outcome data from their practice in Singapore. A frank discussion about your goals and risk tolerance helps you and your clinician reach the right choice.
Are you considering hyperhidrosis surgery in Singapore? If so, why not book a consultation with our specialist team to review your treatment history, discuss non-surgical options and assess surgical suitability.
We provide transparent outcome data, clear risk counselling and personalised plans to help you decide. Call or visit us below to arrange a private assessment and get the facts you need.
International Center for Thoracic Surgery in Singapore | Dr. Aneez
Mt Elizabeth Novena
38 Irrawaddy Road #10-38
Mount Elizabeth Novena Specialist Centre
Singapore 329563
+65 6591 8801
+65 8875 0389
Mt Alvernia
Mount Alvernia Hospital
820 Thomson Road
Medical Centre D
#06-70 S574623
+65 6255 5633
+65 8875 0389
Farrer Park Hospital
1 Farrer Park Station Road #15-06/07
Connexion Singapore 217562
+65 8082 1366