Testimonials
Testimonials From Our
Global Network of Surgeons
The
following are true unedited testimonials written
by previous patients of the surgeons listed
below.
Dr. Fritz Baumgartner & Dr. Jiri Konecny
Dear
Dr. Baumgartner,
After
the surgery, my hands and feet are dry.
I've suffered from excessive sweat on my hands
and feet all my life. Thank you for fixing
my condition permanently. I have renewed
confidence and can confidently shake hands.
This procedure is a dream come true. Your
staff had been so kind and caring. I'll be
going shoe shopping with my husband this weekend
to buy sandals for the summer. It's so nice
to know my shoes won't be ruined after wearing
them once. In the past, this letter would
have been crinkled from my sweaty hands, but even
with lots of lotion, my hands are dry.
Full
of gratitude,
Helen Lee
4/08/04
My name is Mary Tran. I had severe sweaty hands and feet problem since I was a child. I have tried different kinds of medications but they did not cure the problem. I met Dr. Fritz Baumgartner and he did my surgery. Now, my hands and feet are 100% dry. I felt great and was very pleased with the results. I would like to say thank you so much to Dr. Fritz Baumgartner.
Sincerely,
Mary Tran
It's hard to believe that a problem I have had my whole life could disappear so quickly and completely. After years of learning to tolerate and cope with sweaty hands and feet, now my biggest problem is unlearning my coping habits.
Thank-you Dr. Baumgartner for your expertise and professionalism, and thanks to your friendly staff. This was my first surgery, and I felt relaxed and well cared for during the whole experience.
David J.
Dear Dr. Fritz, Dr. Konecny, Tina Chris and all the doctors and staff,
Blessed be the Name of Jesus!
Thank you very much for being so kind to perform the surgery for sweaty palms on me. I have not sweated from my palms since my operation on August 4, 2004. It's GREAT to have dry palms and have them for good.
For over 28 years I had suffered from sweating palms and it affected my daily work and studies as well as interaction with people. Dripping palms often made me anxious. There were times when continuous sweating from my palms would last for as long as 15 hours a day. Writing, holding books or other objects, shaking hands, typing, working in the kitchen or the office, playing, and other activities were possible only at a reduced efficiency. Now it's full speed ahead!
Thank you once again for curing my sweaty palms. I will be able to do my daily duties and carry out my future ministry with ease and pleasure.
God bless you and your loved ones.
Yours sincerely,
Kishore
Kottana
Seminarian
Rome, Italy
Thank you!
I am so pleased with the results of the surgery I had to stop my hands from sweating. I mostly did it for my career. I was a dental assistant but I had difficulty putting gloves on because my hands were sweating so much. I quit that job and was limited to what jobs I could take. My hands would slip off the keyboard so I could not type fast and just shaking hands on an interview was something I dreaded. Now I can pursue my dental assisting career. Personally it has been wonderful, too. I went out dancing a week after surgery and was not self-conscious about touching people's hands. It is great just to touch people, which I am now doing all the time because the embarrassment is gone. An added benefit is that my armpits no longer sweat either! The surgery went great and the pain was completely gone in a week. The staff was nice and professional and I felt secure. My step-mom accompanied we and she thought the staff was very friendly and when Dr. Konecny came to talk to her about my surgery she felt very comforted. I recaptured my enthusiasm for new things. Overall, I am so happy to have this done.
Hello,
This message is for Dr. Jiri Konecny and staff.
I had surgery about two weeks ago and I feel great, I no longer sweat from my face and palms and I feel as if surgery has changed my life. I'm more confident in work and I feel like I could do things I'd never dream of doing before. I was always in the background not wanting to step forward and do presentations for fear of sweat dripping from my face. I do have some compensatory sweating on my lower back, chest and legs but its well worth it and I would do it again in a heartbeat.
I can't thank you all enough for how nice and caring you were and to you Dr. Konecny for making me (and my wife) feel so good with all of your checking up on me after surgery.
Thanks!
David Ramirez
Dear Dr. Konecny,
Thank you to you and your staff for your compassion and understanding. I would do the surgery again in a heartbeat. Thank you for helping me out of the prison I had put myslef in.
Sincerely,
Jackie Thompson
Dr. Alan Cameron
Hi Louis,
Thank you for getting back to me, I would like to write a
testimonial for ETS sugery I had in 2003 performed by Dr Alan
Cameron. The testimonials I read on the website were very
helpful to me, and I hope mine is helpful to other hyperhidrosis
sufferers considering surgery.
I have had hyperhidrosis for as long as I can remember,
noticeably from age 11. I decided to have surgery when I was 20
(or 21, can't honestly remember!) and it was the best
decision I have ever made. I had excessive sweating of the
hands, underarms and feet. This disorder paralyzed my self
confidence and made any social situations unbearable, I avoided
shaking hands with people, I only wore black (as it conceals the
sweat patches) and could not wear some sandals as my feet would
slip out.
I took medication for the disorder prescribed by my GP called Probantheline bromide, it did not work, it did however dry
my throat and mouth to the point I often could not speak for a
few minutes.
I researched surgery and doctors for MONTHS. I found Dr Alan
Cameron online and had an online chat with him, where he
answered my many questions. I set an appointment to meet with
him in Ipswich, where his hospital is located.
My mother and her brother also both have hyperhidrosis, and my
mother was somewhat wary of me having surgery as it can have
complications. My mother visited our GP and inquired about Dr
Alan Cameron, our GP told her that he was considered one of if
not the best doctor in the country for this type of surgery.
The date was set, I was extremely excited to have the surgery.
Dr Cameron did first advise me of the possible alternatives,
such as botox, (i don't like the idea of injecting poison
into myself.....I also hate injections) I wanted a permanent
solution. He also mentioned the risks, the surgery may
not work, and they may have to operate again, paralysis,
drooping of the face. I was not deterred.
Everyone at the hospital was wonderful, warm, welcoming and
friendly. Dr Cameron was informative and made me feel completely
at ease.
I awoke after surgery with dry hands!!!! I almost cried,
I didn't think it possible. I had done my homework and asked Dr
Cameron to cut my T5 nerve, so I would have a better chance of
the sweating stopping in the feet. (I opted for cutting not
clamping....I don't see this as reversible although its stated
that it is.)
Recovery: The hardest part was breathing. They have to depress your lungs to operate and it takes about 10 days to
get your lungs back. You also look like you have had a boob job
(if you're a woman) as the bandages are under the arm and you
can't lift your arms up. That was the worst part......2 weeks
after surgery I got back to my workout regime.....only to find
thst now I was sweating from my stomach, back and back of my
legs. However my hands were dry!!!! My underarms perspired a
normal amount, and the feet had a 50% improvement.
Today: I think it took a few months for my body to adapt
fully. Today my hands are still dry, so are my underarms,
and the feet perspire still, but I can wear sandals! And colours!!!
When I work out or am in extreme heat or humidity I sweat from
the places I mentioned before, but only then, and not as much as
before.
I highly recommend this surgery to anyone with hyperhidrosis,
if you don't have the disorder you cannot possibly understand. I
also highly recommend Dr Cameron. It may be a cliche, but it's
true......this surgery changed my life.
Sophia Kazolides
Dear Mr. Cameron,
I am writing to you, in order to give an update on my ETS (clamping) operation carried out on Wed 6-Jul-05 (2 months ago) for facial blushing. Following the operation, my recovery was very speedy. The slight pain in my back and underarms subsided after about 3 days. Positive effects; 1) I have not blushed since the operation. This has been tested in the numerous situations (on a daily basis) where I would normally have blushed. I may blush ever so slightly on rare occasions, but it is difficult to check, this I would expect from a normal person. My avoidance behaviour has ceased and I have not had one comment from anybody re: blushing, whereas before people would comment on occasions. 2) The palpitations of the heart which would occur during a blushing episode have ceased. I am a lot more calmer in situations and this has helped cease my avoidance behaviour. In presentations, etc. where the attention is on me, this operation has enabled me to jump the first hurdle, so I no longer appear a nervous wreck, and over time I will build up the confidence to get better, which is excellent for my career. 3) When I would blush severely in the past, I would also sweat on my face. This was not the reason for getting the operation, although this has also stopped, again helping me to present myself as an individual in control. 4) I no longer flush, and by this I mean I would often appear flushed when walking some distance then going into a shop for example. Before my face would often be bright red, although now I appear normal. Negative effects; 1) Compensatory sweating (CS), although I did expect this, and I would rate it as mostly non-existent to mild and sometimes moderate. This occurs in the middle to lower back, on my chest and on my legs. Factors which affect this are heat, exercise and stress. In stressful situations the effect so far has been mild with slight stickiness/sweating in the areas already mentioned, although nothing noticeable on my clothes. During exercise or heat, the CS can be mild to moderate, which can be noticed slightly on t-shirts. I no longer sweat heavily on my face, except when very hot ( c.25 - 30 'C) and during exercise I can still sweat from my face mildly, this I think is useful as I have heard of cases where individuals can't. 2) Very dry palms of my hands. Before the op I would occasionally get dry hands on the outside. Now my palms are bone dry and never sweat, not even slightly. This has slight annoyances, like turning the pages in a book or picking up items. However, I am slowly getting into the routine of putting moisturizer on each night, which is remedying the problem. Overall, this operation has been a great success to me with the negative effects being mild and acceptable, which has beat my expectation. There are certainly some very disturbing reports on the web, which made me skeptical and nervous prior to the op. It is difficult to determine the factors for such cases and it is very off-putting, which is a shame. One thing I have realized in taking the time to write this email is, it can be very easy to forget one's previous situation, and can take for granted the positive effects quickly. I would like to thank you personally and your team for carrying out this operation in a very efficient and professional manner. You have really helped changed my life in such a positive way. Many thanks and kind regards.
From (name withheld by request)
For
many years I put up with facial, underarm and
hand sweating, thinking that there was nothing
that can be done to help me. This was so
frustrating and upsetting for me especially at my
place of work, that I had to find out for myself
about my condition. (My GP didn't seem to have
any idea of any procedure or treatment that will
help me!) I had heard somewhere about the ETS
procedure and found out all about it on the
Internet some time later. Since having the
Surgery about 8 months ago now I have had to
adjust to a 'new way of life' with the success of
the surgery and with compensatory sweating which
was made very clear to me prior to the procedure.
The CS occurs on a regular basis but I am finding
ways of dealing with it and it is certainly not
nearly as distressing as what I was experiencing
prior to surgery. I'm a lot more happy and
above all confident ,especially when I meet
people to shake their hand, which was something I
would always dread! This is quite a strange
experience and it takes some time to get used to.
I'm glad that I decided to have the procedure
because it has changed my life in so many
positive ways which for me, out weigh the
negatives which are inevitable for this kind of
surgery
Christopher L.
Hi
I was very pleased with the initial consultation
through to after the operation.
I have compensatory sweating on my back which is
bearable. Dry hands, sweaty feet which are
the worst as it is now summer. I think I
will have to start buying shoes with leather
inside and not synthetic.
I still have the sensation that I am blushing
sometimes and can feel the rush of blood to my
face. It's quite hard to see if I am
blushing as you are normally in a situation that
you can't see yourself. But on the odd
occasion I have tried to check I think that I am
very slightly blushing and no where near like it
was before.
Overall, extremely pleased I had it
done.
Victoria A.
Before
my ETS procedure, my facial blushing seemed to
dominate my life. Having had the condition
since I was a child, I became very good at hiding
it from people, even my own partner. I would
always avoid certain social situations,
especially if there was no alcohol! Even
with my closest friends, I would always be
waiting for that moment, when I would
blush. Would it be a question I felt
uncomfortable with, or just something I couldn't
answer? The slightest insecure moment would make
me blush. I would sit there as if nothing was
happening, even though my face felt as if someone
had put a match to it. You could always
tell by their facial expressions that they were
curious as to why you were blushing, but they
were always too polite to ask.
Within my work place I found it extremely
difficult. I would find that on a daily basis I
would blush at least five times, and this could
be at the most inconvenient moment, like in
meetings with your managing directors. It would
only take that split second of feeling insecure,
then bang, my condition would flare
up.
It got to a point when I felt physically sick,
and I just thought I can't take this
anymore. I decided to research the problem
myself, that's when I came across the ETS
procedure. I knew then that I didn't care
what the side effects were, I was going to have
this done. The hard part was explaining to
my partner. He couldn't understand why, as
I had never made an issue of it before. He
obviously knew that I was bashful, but he had
always put this down to nerves. It took a
long time for me to explain how I felt, and why I
wanted to have this operation. Looking back
on it now, I never explained totally why I needed
this so much. Having tried for so long to cover
up my condition, it wasn't that easy to let it
all out.
I eventually plucked up the courage to make an
appointment to see a consultant. I was absolutely
petrified. I thought, this stranger is
going to know all about my condition, I wasn't
sure just how comfortable I would be with
that. It came to the day of the
appointment, and to be honest I nearly
cancelled. I must admit after seeing the
consultant, I felt that a whole weight had been
lifted off of my shoulders. The consultant
I saw made me feel at ease straight away, he knew
exactly how I was feeling, and he was very good
at reassuring me that I was not a leper, and that
my condition was very common.
Having been briefed on the operation and it's
side effects, I was given time to go away and
think about the procedure. I knew there and then
that I wanted it done.
The operation to me was a great success. I
was in no pain after the operation, and I have
never had any pain. I have a small scar under my
arm pit, but it is not very noticeable. The
operation was done over three months ago, I can
honestly say that I don't think I have blushed
since. It takes some time getting used to it, as
you still feel exposed in certain
situations. I am finding it a big learning
curve. I keep pushing myself into social
situations that normally I would run away
from. I have found that in the last three
months my confidence level has gone through the
roof. There are only a few side effects
that I am trying to come to terms with, and they
are dry hands, and excess sweating. I think i
have the dry hands situation under control, I
always carry moisturizer around with me, and to
be honest I hardly notice it. The only
thing I am finding a bit difficult is the excess
sweating. My feet and my torso are the
worst, but I am sure over time this will not be
an issue. Anyway I think it is a small
price to pay for what I have gained. I
would recommend anyone to have this operation.
*I would like to take this opportunity to
thank Dr Cameron for his support, with out his
kindness and dedication I would not be in the
position I am today. I am willing to have
my testimonial posted on the site, however I
would appreciate it if my name could be left off
please. Thank You.*
From
(name withheld by request)
Hi,
I suffered from regular blushing with my face
being quite red if I was nervous or anxious. The
operation was a great success, I do blush now and
again but nothing like I did before. I feel
so much more confident and able to deal with
situations better. I have gained the compensatory
sweating, on my chest (between my breasts) seems
to sweat quite a bit if I'm very warm. My
top lip also gets a bit sweaty sometimes but
nothing too drastic. At first my hands were
very dry but they don't seem so bad now, a few
months down the line. All in all I'm very
glad I went through with the op, it has
definitely changed me for the better Once
again Thank you to you and your team.
Lisa G.
I am
a physician and recent patient of the ETS
procedure. This surgery is not for
everyone, but I am very pleased with my personal
results. It has essentially eliminated all
facial blushing and facial sweating, allowing me
to speak comfortably in public, meetings, and
with patients. I do have mild to moderate
compensatory sweating, seems a bit worse in hot
weather, but manageable and a better alternative
than being unable to stand in front of a room and
speak, at least for me. I recommend trying
alternatives first, such as I did, and discussing
this with a surgeon who is well-versed in the
procedure. I am very pleased with Dr
Cameron and what he was able to do for me.
Dr. William B.
Testimonials previously posted on this site
Dear Dr Cameron,
I had the ETS procedure on 13 January, 2003. The
operation would appear to be a complete success
for me. I no longer suffer from facial blushing
or sweating. I find it hard to explain the change
this has made in my life and I cannot thank you
enough for the quick response you gave following
my initial appointment and the highly
professional treatment and advice I was given. I
have started a NEW life and it has taken me three
weeks to start to come to terms with the fact
that I no longer blush involuntarily. I'm just a
little frustrated and annoyed with myself that I did not take this course of action many years
ago.
THANK YOU SO MUCH!
Now let me summarize my pre-operative condition
and my post-operative recovery and the side
effects. I know you are keen to collect any data
you can and here are my comments:
I suffered terribly from involuntary flushing of
the face. neck and ears. I have suffered from
this since my early teens.
Over recent years (age 30-38) I have found it
harder to deal with condition and before my
contact with you I had just about given up any
hope of ever leading a normal life.
I used various avoidance techniques to limit my
chances of blushing in front of friends, family
and more importantly work colleagues. I had
contemplated suicide on a number of occasions and
it was only the love for my family that
stopped me from taking such drastic measures.
Since the operation I have gradually come to
accept that facial blushing is NO LONGER
controlling my life. I still feel some of the
effects of the panic attacks that accompanied my
condition, but these are reducing as my
confidence grows.
It took me a full three weeks to feel fully
confident that my blushing was now a thing of the
past. My wife and children have commented on my
social behavioral change. I'm now much more calm
and relaxed and fully able to deal
with the normal stresses and strains of life.
Indeed I'm convinced that my ability to cope with
the stress of anxiety attacks and facial blushing
has somehow given me an enhanced ability to cope
with what now appear to me to
be very tolerable stress scenarios that for other
people may be very stressful.
My recovery from the operation took a lot longer
than I anticipated. I returned to work two days
after the op. and this was too soon. I was short
of breath climbing stairs and felt tired and
weak.
Two weeks after the op. I caught a chest
infection and cold and this knocked me for six.
I'm still getting over it now.
I suffer slightly from CS but this is no real
problem compared to the original symptoms.
I have noticed a general cold feeling in my upper
arms, shoulders and genitals. This is not causing
any real problems, however I do have to wear a
sweater at work, something I would never do
before. Overall I feel cooler and calmer at the
start and end of every working day.
Before the op. I would be fine at work up until
10 or 11 am and then after lunch the sweating and
potential for blushing would be worse. This is
all now a thing of the past.
Once again, THANK YOU for you help in resolving
my condition.
Regards,
Steve R.
Hi Alan
I just wanted to say thank you for the ETS
treatment I received three weeks ago in Ipswich.
I had been contemplating surgery for a long time,
and I have to say that it was the best decision I
made and worth every penny! My hands are 100%
better, just warm, no more embarrassing sweaty
handshakes and the anxiety I suffered from in
most social situations. It has also made my
armpits better, and also my feet, although this
was not the main complaint and I was not so
bothered about these compared to my hands. I
suffered from some facial blushing also before,
which has also been lessened somewhat, and I find
myself much less nervous in social situations and
doing presentations. I almost feel a new person!
I felt very tired after the operation, and did
have quite bad back pain for about two weeks
after the operation, I spent the weekend
following the operation in bed resting. I also
had a tickly cough and was short of breath a bit
for a week or so, and have not resumed exercise
yet (going to the gym) as I want to be fully
recovered. However, I feel almost completely back
to normal now.
Thank you and all the staff at the hospital
again, they made my stay much better than I
thought it was going to be, I was very nervous
about it all, and they put me at ease.
Thanks again
Jo
The
sympathectomy has made a big difference to
myself. My palms and armpits no longer sweat and
this has boosted my confidence enormously. My
feet and groin sweat less and this has also been
greatly beneficial. The only disadvantage I have
experienced is that my back and my chest around
my bust sweat more -- most noticeably when I am
anxious. Overall though it has been invaluable.
Esther
Crump
The
benefits of the operation performed on me are
that my schoolwork is a lot neater, it's not
embarrassing to shake someone's hand and it's a
lot more comfortable.
Liam Burgess who
had ETS February 2001 (aged 14) for
hyperhidrosis
Dr. Chien-Chi Lin
Hi,
My name is Thuan B. Nguyen. So far I am happy with the result. My hands have been dry for 3 weeks now since the surgery date. Although I experienced compensatory sweating of my trunk, leg and feet on warm days, it is still a great trade-off.
I would recommend anyone who really suffers from excessive hand sweat to get the ETS surgery. Thanks to Surgical Team and the surgery staff in Taiwan. Now I have much more confidence in my social life and work than ever before.
Thuan B.
Nguyen
I used the clamping technique. My hands and upper body do not sweat at all. In fact, when my compensatory sweating is underway there is an actual line across my chest where one side is dry and the other is wet. I am definitely feeling the compensatory sweating. The sweating now is from heat or any strenuous activity. It is not just on my back and stomach. It is also on my legs and feet. However, this problem is not as bad as the original hand sweat problem. So, all in all, I am glad I did the procedure.
I don’t avoid social environments where I have to meet lots of people anymore. I immediately started looking for a second job because interviewing is no longer a problem. I still hold myself the same way, sometimes, like hiding my hands, or being anxious at the thought of certain events and I have to remind myself that I don’t need to feel that way anymore. It is a truly good feeling. I’m glad I found out about this and you’ve made it affordable.
Douglas Vogan
Before my surgery, sweating was such a problem. I was embarrassed when in public, and discouraged to participate in any extra-curricular activities. Now, I am completely changed! The surgery was quick and didn’t hurt as long as I expected. I really suggest this operation, it has changed my views of the future as well as the present. I am very satisfied!
Katy Kohler, Age 16
Dr. João B. V. Duarte
My
dear Dr. João Bosco,
This month I have completed a year of the hyperhidrosis surgery that we did. Maybe you don't remember; I live in Rio de Janeiro, I am a mechanical engineer and I worked in a dealership of Honda automobiles.
The date, I never will forget was 01/08/1999 on a Friday. Well, if my gratitude were translated in e-mails, I would send you one everyday.
For your information, the hyperhidrosis of the hands (my main complaint), of the armpits and of the face has been solved. Even in the feet, it has diminished a little bit. My life has changed for the better. Today I am working at a Volkswagen factory, my dream since I was small. Tests, interviews and group dynamics became easy. Even my girlfriend changed, I found a more beautiful one. Everyday I experience new situations that some time ago were a torment, for example how to give the thumb impression for an identity card.
Dr. João Bosco, I am totally available for any information or testimonial if you want.
When you come to Rio de Janeiro, you may count on me for what you need.
A big hug,
Rogério Curty Dias.
Dr. Roger Bell
Dear Mr.Bell,
I was researching hyperhidrosis on the internet for the first time ever, even though I have had it since birth. I honestly did not know there was that much information about it as I always seemed to be the only sufferer I knew.
Well anyway it dawned on me that I might find out where you are so I can thank you, although it will be hard to find the words that fit an amazing person like you and the miracle you performed on my life.
My life was always so difficult and cold, that is the best way I can explain it. I was always wet, I was informed that I wet through socks on the first day I was born and I never grew out of it and it never improved.
This condition affected my femininity, confidence, academic life, relationships, sports, job choices and I could go on more but the list would be endless.
After my operations all these areas greatly improved in my life, I was so happy with the way I felt, looked and the new things I could do without frustration and embarrassment.
I went as far as going to university to become a primary school teacher, I enjoyed learning for the first time in my life and finished my degree. I could not write at school due to constant sweat but did not stop writing at university! This was the first academic experience I have ever completed.
I am now happily married with a beautiful two year old daughter which I have been able to enjoy so much more as I feel comfortable having her close not like before the operation.
I teach a class of beautiful year ones and twos in the Swan Valley. I love my job and would never have been able to do it with hyperhidrosis .
I hope that gives you an idea of just how appreciative I am.
Regards
Sheena Dell nee Ferguson