Migraine Surgery
Migraines are debilitating headaches that can diminish your ability to function. At our surgery facility, experienced plastic surgeon Brian Blumenauer, MD, performs migraine surgery for patients whose headaches stem from compressed nerves, blood vessels and scar tissue. Request an appointment by filling out the online form to determine if migraine surgery is right for you.
What is migraine surgery?
Dr. Blumenauer may recommend surgery if you’ve tried nonsurgical interventions for migraines without lasting success. Migraine surgery may be the right solution if you present with any of the following:
- Pain from compressed or irritated nerves
- A diagnosis of occipital neuralgia
- More than 15 headaches per month
- Poor response to migraine medications
Candidates for migraine surgery should also have realistic expectations about their results. Surgery is not a cure for migraines, though it may reduce the number of headache days you have each month.
What can I expect from migraine surgery?
The technique Dr. Blumenauer uses to perform migraine surgery depends on the location of your compressed or irritated nerves.
Frontal migraine
If you experience frontal migraines above the eyebrows, releasing the muscle tissue around the suborbital and supratrochlear nerves can help minimize discomfort. Dr. Blumenauer can perform this procedure through a tiny incision.
Occipital headaches
Occipital headaches occur when the semispinalis capitis muscle in the back of your neck compresses the occipital nerve. Dr. Blumenauer can release tension from this muscle through small incisions to alleviate migraine pain.
What happens after migraine surgery?
Dr. Blumenauer will provide detailed instructions on caring for your incision sites after migraine surgery. Swelling, bruising and tenderness from the procedure should subside within two weeks.
Some individuals experience swelling after one month to six weeks, which can trigger a headache. However, about 70-95 percent of patients report experiencing a significant reduction in the frequency and severity of their migraines after the initial healing period.