Chronic migraines can significantly disrupt everyday life. When medication and other therapies fail to provide relief, migraine surgery in Mountlake Terrace may offer a promising solution. This specialized approach targets the nerves responsible for severe headaches by removing or repositioning muscle tissue, fascia, bone, or blood vessels that compress your nerves. By creating more space for your nerves, the procedure can significantly improve or alleviate your migraine symptoms and enhance your quality of life.
At PHASE Plastic Surgery, Dr. Ameya Chumble, our board-eligible plastic surgeon, has advanced expertise in migraine nerve decompression. With fully equipped in-house operating rooms, we can focus on safety, efficiency, and the highest level of patient care—all in one convenient location. Let our experienced and compassionate team help you find lasting relief from persistent migraines.
Migraines Are More Than an Occasional Headache
Migraines are a genetically influenced, complex neurological disorder characterized by episodes of moderate to severe headaches, often on one side of the head. They can be accompanied by nausea or heightened sensitivity to light or sound. While migraines are best thought of as a spectrum disease—ranging from occasional flare-ups to chronic, debilitating attacks—they often stem from common factors involving nerve cell excitation and inhibition in the brain.
Common causes or influencing factors include:
- Genetic predisposition: Migraines often run in families and can be tied to multiple gene variants
- Lifestyle habits: Stress, irregular sleep, or dietary components (e.g., certain foods or alcohol) can trigger migraines
- Hormonal influences: Shifts during menstruation, pregnancy, or menopause may affect migraine severity and frequency
- Environmental triggers: Changes in barometric pressure, strong odors, or flickering lights can initiate migraine episodes
- Neurovascular changes: Abnormal nerve and blood vessel interactions in the brain can lead to the physiological cascade of migraine symptoms
For migraines that are linked to nerve compression in the head and neck area, surgery for migraine relief in Mountlake Terrace may reduce the frequency or severity of these debilitating attacks.
Signs and Symptoms of Migraines
Although everyone’s experience varies, migraines commonly present with a range of neurological and physical symptoms. These can escalate in intensity if not managed appropriately and may include:
- Fatigue and irritability
- Neck stiffness or tenderness
- Nausea and possible vomiting
- Worsening pain with physical activity
- Aura (visual, sensory, or motor disturbances)
- Sensitivity to light (photophobia) or sound (phonophobia)
- Moderate to severe headache, often on one side of the head
Not all migraine attacks include aura, and some individuals experience aura without a subsequent headache. The pain phase can last anywhere from a few hours to several days in severe cases. If other treatments in Mountlake Terrace have failed, migraine surgery may offer relief and reduce the frequency or severity of attacks.
Why You Should Consider Migraine Surgery
At PHASE Plastic Surgery, we typically recommend nerve decompression surgery for Mountlake Terrace individuals who have seen a neurologist and tried multiple migraine treatments, such as preventive medications or lifestyle modifications, without sufficient relief. If your migraines are disrupting your work, social life, or personal relationships, you could be an excellent candidate for surgical intervention.
Our detailed evaluation process may include diagnostic injections—like Botox® or nerve blocks—to pinpoint specific trigger sites. This helps confirm whether relieving pressure on certain nerves in the head and neck could reduce the frequency and intensity of your migraines.
Your Surgical Experience
Chronic headache surgery at PHASE Plastic Surgery is performed in our in-house operating rooms in Mountlake Terrace. This setting allows us to maintain high safety standards and closely monitor your progress throughout the procedure.
During the surgery, Dr. Chumble locates and decompresses the nerve pathways responsible for triggering your migraine attacks. This is achieved by removing or repositioning tissues that compress these nerves. The procedure typically involves minimal external incisions, allowing you to return home the same day.
Recovery Process
Recovery times vary depending on the extent of migraine surgery, but many patients in Mountlake Terrace experience immediate postoperative relief from migraines. In the following weeks, you should notice fewer headaches or a decrease in severity. As with any surgery, there is an adjustment period as tissues heal. We schedule follow-up appointments to ensure everything is progressing as expected.
Give Us a Call in Mountlake Terrace To Discuss Migraine Surgery
If chronic headaches are impacting your life, reach out to PHASE Plastic Surgery to learn more about migraine surgery in Mountlake Terrace. Our compassionate and knowledgeable team is here to help you take back control of your well-being.
