'Free to be me' after hyperhidrosis treatment
When Alyssa Walls, 25, came to see UCI Health thoracic surgeon Dr. Ali Mahtabifard for her excessive sweating, or hyperhidrosis, her confidence was at its lowest point ever.
While hyperhidrosis can be embarrassing, it also can take a toll physically and emotionally. Over time, it can lead to complications including:
- Body odor
- Itching and inflammation
- Cracked or peeling skin on your feet
- Skin infections from constant moisture
- Social anxiety and a reduced quality of life
Walls shares what life was like before and after Mahtabifard performed an endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy, a minimally invasive, outpatient procedure with a high success rate. It involves cutting the segment of sympathetic nerves that is responsible for excessive sweating.
Confidence shaken
“Since the age of 12, I suffered from hyperhidrosis, also known as excessive sweating. It started off very mild, only affecting my hands but eventually progressed to my underarms and feet by my teenage years and through my early 20s.
It had become debilitating, embarrassing and something that I was always worrying about. Will people be repulsed by my dripping wet hands? Will people think negatively about my underarm sweat stains? Will my perfume mask the uncontrollable body odor coming from my excessive sweating?
My confidence tanked. I needed multiple towels wherever I went. I became extremely limited in outfit choices, unable to wear anything that would accentuate my sweat stains. I simply could not live a woman's normal life.
Free to be me
After the sympathectomy, my whole life changed. I was free to be me without the weight that hyperhidrosis had put on my confidence. I no longer had to worry about carrying towels everywhere.
My gratitude goes to Dr. Mahtabifard for changing my life so drastically. He is a compassionate and understanding doctor who truly understands how deeply this condition affects someone's life.
No longer does hyperhidrosis rule my life. I can now be in full control and live my life to the fullest.”
To make an appointment with UCI Health Thoracic Surgery Services, call 714-880-7812.