Adrenal Surgery: What It Is, When It’s Needed, and What to Expect

When your adrenal glands, small organs on top of each kidney that produce hormones like cortisol and adrenaline. Also known as suprarenal glands, they help control stress, blood pressure, and metabolism. start making too much or too little of these hormones, it can throw your whole body off. That’s where adrenal surgery, a procedure to remove part or all of one or both adrenal glands comes in. It’s not common, but when it’s needed, it can be life-changing. Many people only find out they have a problem after tests show high cortisol, excess aldosterone, or a tumor that’s not cancerous but still causing symptoms like weight gain, high blood pressure, or panic attacks.

Adrenal surgery usually happens when you have an adrenal tumor, a growth on the gland that either makes extra hormones or is large enough to press on nearby organs. These tumors aren’t always cancerous, but even benign ones can be dangerous if they pump out too much hormone. For example, a tumor making too much cortisol leads to Cushing’s syndrome — think moon face, muscle weakness, and diabetes. A tumor overproducing aldosterone causes Conn’s syndrome, which spikes blood pressure and lowers potassium. And if your adrenal gland is making too much adrenaline, you might get sudden heart palpitations, sweating, and severe headaches — a sign of pheochromocytoma. Surgery is often the only way to fix these issues for good.

Most adrenal surgeries today are done laparoscopically — small cuts, camera, and tools. Recovery is faster than old-school open surgery. You’ll likely go home in a day or two. But your body needs time to adjust. If both glands were removed, you’ll need lifelong hormone replacement. Even if only one was taken out, your remaining gland might need a few weeks to ramp up production. Your doctor will monitor your cortisol levels closely after surgery. Some people feel better right away; others notice changes over weeks as their hormones stabilize.

The posts below cover real-world stories and science behind adrenal surgery and related conditions. You’ll find guides on hormone imbalances that lead to surgery, how to prepare for recovery, what to expect after removal, and how medications like corticosteroids fit into post-op care. Whether you’re researching for yourself or a loved one, this collection gives you clear, practical info — no fluff, just what matters.