Jun 3, 2009 7:41 pm US/Eastern
HealthWatch: New Procedure Stops Excess Sweating
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
Uncontrollable sweating affects 176 million people, and in many cases, it can be physically, emotionally, and even financially debilitating. A New York City plastic surgeon has now developed a new procedure to stop excess sweating permantly.
Carolyn Dizon had a problem with excessive sweating.
"I always had a thin t-shirt on underneath everything that I was wearing because it would literally destroy clothes because it would soak through. And it wasn't just the moisture, it was the odor," she told CBS 2. "What I would do is carry deodorant in a bag with me, along sometimes also with a change of top, just in case."
Excess sweating is worse in warm temperatures and during stressful conditions, but for many it's an all-day everyday problem.
"It's socially embarrassing to these people," said plastic surgeon Dr. Elliot Jacobs. "It requires frequent changes of clothing and it's difficult for them in personal and intimate situations."
After prescription anti-perspirants and even Botox injections failed to keep her dry, she turned to Jacobs for a permanent solution called "No Sweat Lipo." In the operating room, Dr. Jacobs uses a tiny 3-millimeter cannula to remove underarm sweat glands called "apocrine glands."
"We actually scrape the under surface of the skin, with the instrument, and by doing so, we are removing the glands, the apocrine glands, that project just beneath the surface of the skin," said Jacobs.
The procedure is done in just 40 minutes. Since it doesn't remove all sweat glands, it won't stop sweating completely though.
"There will still be some sweating, but not the profuse sweating these people suffer from," said Jacobs.
Dizon said recovery was fast and she experienced only a little soreness. And it's made a big difference for her, too.
"Life is significantly better. Basically now what I can do is just use a normal, over the counter anti-perspirant, a light coating, and not have to worry about it for the rest of the day," she said.
Excess sweating can be a symptom of an underlying medical problem, such as an infection in the lungs, liver, or an overactive thyroid. If you experience a sudden onset of sweating, especially if accompanied by fever, shortness of breath, or a rapid heartbeat, make sure to talk to your doctor.
The procedure, which is used for the medical condition hyperhydrosis and not just normal sweating, costs about $3,500 and in certain cases is covered by insurance.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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