A migraine is not just a headache. Migraines can be extremely painful and disruptive to everyday life. Throbbing pain in specific areas of your head, nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light and sound are all symptoms of a migraine. When medications and other treatments are not effective, your doctor may recommend a surgical solution.

What Causes Migraines?

Currently, the exact causes of migraines are unknown. However, environmental factors and genetics are thought to play a role. It is thought that imbalances in brain chemicals or issues with the trigeminal nerve may also be involved.

What Can Trigger a Migraine?

There is a wide variety of things that can trigger a migraine. Some migraine triggers may include the following:

• Hormonal fluctuations
• Certain drinks, such as alcohol or caffeine
• Stress
• Bright lights
• Strong smells
• Medications
• Certain foods or food additives (like MSG)

Part of your treatment plan may include avoiding or eliminating triggers from your everyday life.

What Are My Surgical Options?

The surgery chosen for your treatment will depend on several factors, including the origin point of your migraines. You will be examined, and “trigger points” will be identified.

Migraine surgery is typically done to decompress nerves in certain areas of the head. These nerves may be in the forehead, the temples, in the back of the head, or within the nasal cavity.

BOTOX® for Migraines

For some patients, BOTOX® may be a good alternative to surgery. BOTOX® blocks signals from pain nerves that may be causing your migraines. Injections are typically administered every 12 weeks or so.

Dr. D’ Souza of Iconic Plastic Surgery will examine you to determine where your migraines seem to be originating from. He will then develop a tailored surgical plan for you. Migraine surgeries typically take between one and four hours to complete. Any resulting scars will likely be barely visible, and Dr. D’ Souza takes the time to ensure minimal scarring. You may also be able to combine certain cosmetic procedures with your migraine surgery if you desire.

For more information, call Iconic Plastic Surgery at 760.637.5288 or contact us online to schedule a virtual consultation.