Migraine Surgery Before Clinic Visit

Migraine Surgery: Pre-Surgical Screening Guide-Please read before your visit

Surgical treatment for chronic migraine can be life-changing—but it’s not appropriate for every patient. Because surgery targets nerves that may be inflamed or compressed, it’s important to first rule out other causes of headache and ensure your medical history supports a safe recovery.

Why These Requirements Matter

Unlike cosmetic procedures, migraine surgery involves careful dissection near delicate nerve pathways. Bleeding, delayed healing, or incorrect diagnosis can worsen symptoms. Our criteria help us identify the right candidates for long-term relief.

Health Requirements

• BMI must be 40 or below. A healthier BMI helps ensure lower anesthetic risk and more accurate dissection.
• You must be nicotine-free for 6–8 weeks before surgery. Nicotine dramatically increases the risk of wound breakdown. Testing is required.
• Patients with low-pressure headaches (spontaneous intracranial hypotension) are not candidates. These must be treated by neurology before referral.
• Patients with high-pressure headaches must be stable and treated prior to surgery.
• If you use narcotics regularly for pain, surgery may not be effective and is not recommended.
• If you are on blood thinners, migraine surgery is generally not safe—even with bridging—due to nerve-adjacent bleeding risks.
• If you have significant psychiatric conditions, we ask that you be under active treatment and stable before scheduling.

These guidelines allow us to serve patients who are most likely to benefit from surgery and recover safely. We encourage you to speak to your neurologist and primary care provider before scheduling your consultation.