Plastic surgery to cure migraine headaches? A breakthrough study reveals that cosmetic surgery can take away the pain of migraines – and remove a few wrinkles at the same time.
Three surgeons in Cleveland have spent a decade examining the effect that a facelift can have on the nerves that cause migraines. The results, published in this month’s edition of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, are based on a theory that migraines are caused by trigger points in the facial nerves.
The original study, led by Dr. Bahman Guyuron, included 75 people who suffered migraines. They were first given Botox injections in various parts of the face and neck to show the surgeons how the trigger points responded to a facelift.
Many of the patients reported relief from their headaches, but the effects of Botox, by nature, are temporary. So the doctors then performed face lift surgery to disable the various trigger points.
Patients who had experienced forehead migraines, for example, had their frowning muscles removed. Those who had been suffering pain in the temple area were given nerve surgery that lifted their eyebrows.
A year after the surgeries, more than half the patients reported complete relief from migraines and many others reported a heavy reduction of migraine symptoms.
Currently, more than 400 people have successfully undergone this treatment, though medical advisors are saying it should be reserved for migraine patients who have exhausted all other options.
August 17th, 2009 at 6:33 am
I have been suffering from migraine headache since I was im my teens,I caused me a
lot of days off so if there is a cure I am a canidate, I am now in my 40’s.
August 18th, 2009 at 1:28 pm
Hello, I have just come across your article in the news paper and am thrilled to read it. My mother has one of the most intense cases of headaches I have ever seen. I dont remember a time I saw her without a dibilitating headache. We have tried all sorts of medication and Doctors but to no Avail. I was wondering when this surgery would become available to general public and is there a chance that this surgery would be available in India too. I am in dire need of help for my mother and would give anything to see her live a normal life for once. My Mother is 50 now. Please help us with any advice or Information regarding this breakthrough. Thank You from my heart, RH.
August 20th, 2009 at 5:37 pm
What about cluster headaches? They seem to be related to migraines. Is there any reserch on this?
October 31st, 2009 at 9:57 am
How do we find surgeons in Seattle who have been trained in these procedures?
Thanks
December 2nd, 2009 at 5:33 pm
I have suffered from headaches for over 10yrs,Now im unable to work due to the headaches are so severe. My question is there a Doctor in Tyler Texas or nearby that knows about Dr Bahman Guyoron procedure?Or someone who can do the procedure or a Plastic Surgery Dr. who can do it?
December 14th, 2009 at 11:16 am
Are there any doctors in the Atlanta area trained in this procedure? My wife has suffered from chronic miagraines for over 17 years. She is totally disabled at this time.
December 15th, 2009 at 12:18 am
Where in B.C.or Kelowna B.C. can you have this done.I can have 10 or many more of these headaches each and every month.I now have a hernia from the vomiting with the headaches along with other symptoms.We that have these headaches need help in Canada. What would the cost be in Canada or if you have to go to the States would our health care pay for it.If not do you have a cost of how much it would be in Dr. Gahman”s as an out patient. Thanks I am so glad I saw this on the Doctors Channel.
December 20th, 2009 at 5:12 am
I am permantly disabled from daily migraines. My insurance denied the botox treatments and I am not hopeful they would cover this as well. But I dont go a day with out being in pain. I cry. I vomit and do not live a life worthy of living. I am very disheartened to be this way at 41. I have had these migraines since I was 20 or even younger. Its been so long I cant remember. I have done everything within my power to not have these migraines to have a life with my family. Its not fair to them or me. I have gone to every doctor my insurance allows and they could not heal me. I even went to the mayo clinic in florida from kentucky and they told me to find a pain control specialist. That was not the answer because then all that happened is getting dependent on narcotics. But what choice is there? I dont have the funds for this treatment and I have stopped the narcotics and just suffer daily. and when i cant take it any more i go to the ER. How much does it cost? There must be some compassion someway to be healed. Is there any trial clinics for this procedure to be included in cost free for the patient? I know I cant afford it when we are paycheck to paycheck because of medical bills as it is meeting our catastrophic caps every year and are still paying from years behind. I am truely grateful to have seen this on The Doctors show but also saddened because i know I cant get the help I do badly need.Please help me if you can. Thank you honestly.
January 7th, 2010 at 3:26 am
I am a patient who has gone through the surgery that Dr. Guyuron offers, and it has changed my life. It was a hard surgery to recover from, but my life now is so much different from the life I was living. I am 25 years old and suffered from debilitating migraines for the last 12 years; they were constant daily migraines that I rarely had a break from. A local doctor in Salt Lake recommended Dr. Guyuron to me and I went to Cleveland and met with the doctor, two weeks later I went back and had the surgery. My health insurance would not pay for this surgery. It was done as an out-patient procedure, and I had to stay in Cleveland for about 5 days after surgery to make sure there was no complications.