from ABC News live in Times Square Wednesday April 20th 2011 this is Good Morning America
with Robin Roberts and George Stephanopoulos turn off the waterworks if you're someone
who sweats too much it's a new procedure you need to know about that could take away your
underarms embarrass permanently yeah just a little zap but first they're very different
no we have some important health information this morning as well anyone who's had to deal
with the embarrassing problem of underarm perspiration they just can't control well
there now may be a permanent fix and we're gonna have more on that coming up in just a
little bit plus it is one of those embarrassing topics few people want to discuss but all of us
have to deal with underarm perspiration and Ashleigh Banfield joins us now to tell us
about a new surgery that just might work for people who tried everything else but still
can't get the problem under control good morning Ashley how did I get this assignment by the way
right George that's your story stick to it Stacey one of those things that just rears its ugly head
at the most inconvenient times doesn't it like job interviews or first dates or Good Morning
America appearances and it's something that actually can be treated something has come up
that might be able to help people but I gotta warn you it is for the intrepid and the brave
Chris Mara has it all she's young successful and gorgeous but Chris has an embarrassing secret I
sweat profusely out of my underarms all day long every day it's called hyperhidrosis and millions
suffer from it of course we all sweat even the rich and famous from parts ROVs to supermodels
from presidents to the Hoff even Halle Berry unset with Ellen and who could forget this famous scene
sweating is perfectly natural it helps cool the body but for people with hyperhidrosis it happens
all the time there's sweat glands going into overdrive when I'm nervous it's the worst I'm
pretty nervous socially so a lot of times when I'm with a group of people I'll be sweating when I'm
in class I sweat the only time I'm not sweating is when I'm sleeping it's been terrible for Chris
after remedies and prescriptions failed she's taking drastic action a radical new surgery called
X delayed a laser that destroys the sweat glands it's performed in an office setting takes about
an hour to an hour and a half to perform is the hair bearing area Chris is having the in-office
procedure today I just can't wait to wear like light-colored tight shirts like I always have
to wear a jacket over things or a tank top and a sweatshirt like I have on now and so I can't
wait to wear those foreign fitting houses before surgery the doctor uses an iodine test to map the
sweat glands perfect the operation itself takes about 30 minutes Kristen should be feeling just
warmth now she should be feeling no discomfort dr. Mitchell Jason says only twenty patients
so far have tried it but he says it's better than Botox with Botox they're always wondering when is
it gonna wear off we have an effective treatment that can be performed with minimal and no downtime
for Chris the risk is worth it in about two weeks this way sir and I'm so excited to be all healed
and not sweating and going out wearing something tight I don't have to worry at all about 15
good for Chris by the way I want to let you know it does cost about $3,000 for the procedure not
covered by insurance and really there aren't a lot of data involved with long term risks at
this point so nobody knows really how long this lasts supposed to be for a minute and
there are a couple of risks as well bruising swelling that kind of thing and not everybody
is a candidate back to you guys okay Ashley thanks very much and when we come back Mary