Migraine Surgery

Living with migraines can be debilitating, often affecting work, social activities, and overall quality of life. For many individuals, medications, lifestyle adjustments, and non-surgical therapies provide only partial or temporary relief. If you suffer from frequent or severe migraines that do not respond well to other treatments, migraine surgery may be a solution. At Copeland Cosmetic Surgery, Dr. Jeffrey Copeland and Dr. Brian Mailey perform advanced surgical techniques designed to reduce the frequency, intensity, and duration of migraines by addressing the anatomical triggers that contribute to the condition.

Migraine surgery is not a first-line treatment, but for patients who qualify, it can offer significant and lasting relief from chronic headaches. Understanding whether you are a candidate, how the procedure is performed, and what recovery looks like can help you make an informed decision about your care.

• Migraine Surgery Candidates
• Migraine Surgery Procedure
• Migraine Surgery Recovery
• Migraine Surgery Results

Who Is a Candidate for Migraine Surgery?

Migraine surgery is often considered for patients who have chronic, severe migraines that have not responded to conventional therapies. Ideal candidates may:

• Experience migraines that significantly interfere with daily activities.
• Have tried medications, nerve blocks, or medical BOTOX^® injections with limited or temporary results.
• Suffer from headaches that seem to originate from identifiable “trigger sites,” such as around the forehead, temples, back of the head, or behind the eyes.
• Be in good overall health and not have medical conditions that would complicate surgery.

During your consultation, Dr. Copeland or Dr. Mailey will review your medical history, discuss your migraine patterns, and may recommend diagnostic tests to help determine if surgery could be beneficial. Sometimes, patients who have responded positively to BOTOX^® injections or nerve block injections at specific trigger points might be good candidates for surgical decompression at those same sites.

How Is the Migraine Surgery Procedure Performed?

Migraine surgery focuses on relieving pressure on specific nerves that can become irritated and trigger headache pain. The exact surgical technique will generally depend on your unique pattern of migraines and the identified trigger sites. Common areas treated include:

• Forehead (supraorbital and supratrochlear nerves): Involves releasing nerves that are compressed by muscles or surrounding tissue.
• Temple (zygomaticotemporal nerve): May involve removing small segments of tissue to ease nerve pressure.
• Back of the head (occipital nerves): Techniques may include decompressing or shielding the nerves.
• Nasal region (septonasal nerves): May involve correcting structural issues within the nose that trigger migraines.

This procedure is typically performed on an outpatient basis under general anesthesia or sedation, depending on the extent of surgery required. Incisions are placed carefully, often hidden within natural creases or the hairline, to minimize visible scarring.

Dr. Copeland and Dr. Mailey take a personalized approach, customizing this surgery to each patient’s specific trigger sites. The goal is to reduce nerve irritation and, in turn, decrease the frequency and severity of migraines.

What Should I Expect from Migraine Surgery Recovery?

Most patients can return home the same day as their procedure, though the initial recovery period can last one to two weeks depending on the extent of surgery. Swelling, bruising, and mild discomfort are generally normal in the days following the operation. One of our surgeons will provide detailed aftercare instructions and may prescribe medication to help manage any discomfort.

Many patients are able to resume light daily activities within a week, although strenuous exercise and heavy lifting should be avoided for several weeks. Follow-up visits with Dr. Copeland or Dr. Mailey allow them to monitor your healing progress and ensure optimal results.

It is important to remember that recovery can vary from patient to patient. Some individuals may notice improvement in their migraine symptoms relatively quickly, while for others, full results may take time to develop as the body heals.

How Soon After Migraine Surgery Will I See Results?

Relief from migraines after surgery can be immediate for some patients, while others experience gradual improvement over the course of several weeks to months. Clinical studies have shown that a significant percentage of patients report a dramatic reduction in both the frequency and severity of their migraines following surgery. In some cases, patients experience complete elimination of their headaches.

However, outcomes can vary, and not every patient achieves total relief. The best outcomes are typically seen in patients whose migraines are linked to clearly defined trigger points. During your consultation, Dr. Copeland and Dr. Mailey can provide a realistic expectation of what migraine surgery can achieve based on your unique case.

Take the Next Step Toward Migraine Relief

If chronic migraines are interfering with your quality of life, and conservative treatments have not provided lasting relief, migraine surgery may be an option worth exploring. At Copeland Cosmetic Surgery, Dr. Copeland and Dr. Mailey are dedicated to helping patients find effective solutions through advanced surgical procedures and care.

To learn more about migraine surgery or to schedule a consultation, we invite you to contact our office today.