How is the surgery done?

Depending on the location/focus of your headaches, different approaches are used.  For headaches focused in the brow/forehead region, the muscles known as the corrugator supercilli are gently removed.  These are the muscles that assist in creating a “frowned” appearance, so one side effect of the surgery is fewer frown lines.  Dr. Rosenberg also looks for other sites of compression or damage of the supraorbital or supratrochlear nerves, which may be related to the triggering migraine headaches. 

For temporal headaches, Dr. Rosenberg locates the zygomaticotemporal nerves, which are resected an buried in the temporalis muscle.

For occipital headaches, a small incision is made over the back of the head, hidden within the hair.  The greater occipital nerves, and in some cases the lesser and/or 3rd occipital nerve are located and decompressed.

All of these surgeries are similar to other peripheral nerves surgeries performed at the Institute of Peripheral Nerve Surgery.  Dr. Rosenberg identifies injured or compressed nerves, using meticulous microsurgical technique, with the aim of restoring the patient back to normal function.

How long is the recovery from migraine surgery?

Recovery from headache surgery with Dr. Rosenberg varies depending on the area which is being operated on.  In the brow/forehead, swelling may persist from as little as 2 weeks to as long as 6 weeks, depending on the individual. Swelling from surgery in the temporal or occipital regions (side and back of the head) is much less noticeable since it is hidden by hair, typically.  You may shower and wash hair two days after surgery and thereafter.. Pain medication is usually necessary for the first 3-5 days, due to incisional pain.

Are these procedures typically covered by Insurance?