[alisultaneh]

http://www.body-philosophy.net/browlift_migraine?page=0,1
Browlifts for Migraine Relief (Page 2/2)
By Kathleen Bowers
Published: Monday, August 27, 2007 - 18:16


Other physicians have doubts. Dr. Seymour Solomon, a professor at the Saul R. Korey Department of Neurology at Montefiore Medical Center, commented on CNN that the surgery is "completely contrary to what we know about the mechanism of migraines "

Other doctors theorize that the surgery may somehow affect the trigeminal nerve, which is known to play a role in the migraine response. The official Mayo Clinic description includes the statement that "during a migraine headache, serotonin levels drop. Researchers believe this causes the trigeminal nerve to release substances called neuropeptides." Thsee neuropeptides cause inflammation of blood vessels in the brain, and your migraine has begun.

Some researchers feel the chemical imbalance (serotonin drop) leads to the nerve response. Others think that perhaps pressure on the nerve causes the chemical changes.

Dr. Guyuron thinks that his observation of his browlift patients provides a key. His published patient survey report shows that 79.5% of his patients who experienced regular migraines and then undergone a browlift saw dramatic improvement. He continues to move forward optimistically, yet cautiously, noting four main areas in which this surgery might be effective-the septum, forehead, temple, and base of skull.

Today, patients come to Dr. Guyuron not just for cosmetic benefits but for migraine relief. And he is willing to perform browlifts for the purpose of headache relief. He tests first, and only proceeds with surgery only if injecting Botox into the surgery site gives temporary relief.

While Dr. Guyuron has garnered most of the publicity, there are other studies that show similar results, as well. Dr. Ali Sultaneh claims not only that he has had great success with similar surgeries, but that Dr. Guyuron stole his idea. There has been no official accusation (medical advances are often developed in different places in the world simultaneously). No matter who first came up with this discover, such a confirmation of Dr. Guyuron's claims is good news for migraine sufferers.

At the 2001 Congress of Neurological Surgeons, Dr. Sultaneh presented findings on "a simple surgical means of local anesthetization, with no negative side effects, that will cure the ailment [migraines]." And better yet, his study was based on 1,224 patients, far more than the 39 who initially sparked Dr. Guyuron's interest in the phenomenon. Dr. Sultaneh says that he developed his theory around the knowledge that there are certain pressure points that have long been known to provide relief for migraine sufferers.

Possible side effects include temporary hollowing of the temple, numbness, infection or bleeding, phlebitis (that could cause a blood clot to the lungs), localized hair loss in the temples, a whistling sound in the nose and dryness in the nose, but these are all rare.

The surgery costs about $4,000 per site, which means you could be looking at a $12,000 bill. In the long run, however, this might save you money. Migraine medications can easily cost thousands of dollars per year, not to mention the cost of missed work days, and the personal cost to one's emotional and physical well-being.

For now, there are only a few surgeons who perform the technique, but this could change in the future. Now, if only full luscious lips could be a side effect of the surgery that cures insomnia, I would be perfectly happy.

Kathleen Bowers and Allison Pedrazzi

[moderator note: website address has been removed]