Migraine Surgery in West Palm Beach
A migraine is a headache characterized by throbbing pain in one portion of the head. A compression or irritation of the nerves at one or more trigger points on the head is often the culprit for migraines. Unfortunately, those who suffer from migraines can find the symptoms debilitating. While pain medication can sometimes help provide relief, many people are eager to find a more permanent solution.
Board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Ravinder Jarial has found immense success in treating migraines surgically. This procedure involves releasing the compression at these trigger points so that patients notice a significant decrease in migraine severity or frequency, if not putting a stop to migraines altogether.
Symptoms of Migraines
Patients who experience chronic migraines notice many of the following symptoms:
- Pulsing pain
- Sensitivity to light, noise or scents
- Fatigue
- Nausea (sometimes accompanied by vomiting)
- Dizziness
- Blurry vision
- Reduction in appetite
Candidates for Migraine Surgery
Dr. Jarial recommends migraine surgery for patients who suffer from frequent, intense migraines and have not found adequate relief from medication and other forms of therapy. Keeping in mind that not all forms of headaches are migraines, prior to scheduling a consultation, patients should have a neurologist confirm that they suffer from migraines. Following an examination and review of the patient’s medical history, Dr. Jarial can determine whether migraine surgery is safe and appropriate on a patient-by-patient basis.
Migraine Surgery Procedure Details
Migraine surgery is a minimally invasive outpatient procedure. Dr. Jarial provides anesthesia to keep the patient comfortable during the surgery. He then makes a tiny incision near the trigger point — when possible, he places it along the hairline where he can most easily conceal scarring. Trigger points are the areas where the patient first feels sharp pain at the onset of a migraine. Common trigger points include the temples, the forehead (between the eyes or over the eyebrows), the back of the neck and behind the eyes and nose. Dr. Jarial can treat multiple trigger points if the patient experiences migraines in different areas.
Through the incisions, Dr. Jarial then relieves the pressure at these trigger points by accessing the affected nerves. He decompresses the nerves by carefully removing blood vessels and tissue that may be constricting, irritating or otherwise touching these nerves. He can also add a small amount of fat to the area to serve as extra cushioning. Finally, he sutures the incision and dresses the wound.
Migraine Surgery Recovery and Results
Because migraine surgery is a low intensity procedure, the downtime is minimal, with patients needing no more than a day or two before returning to work. Some inflammation may linger post-surgery, but patients typically notice an improvement to their migraines within a few weeks. Most patients treated with this procedure report noticing a dramatic improvement, with some finding that their migraines have disappeared permanently.
Make an Appointment
If you suffer from chronic migraines and cannot find sufficient, lasting relief for this pulsing pain, you may be ready to give migraine surgery a try. When other headache treatments have failed, migraine surgery is an effective way to regain control over your life. To speak to Dr. Jarial about this procedure in greater detail, please call (561) 249-0390 to schedule a consultation.
