Does anyone have ANY info on the connection of the vagus nerve and lap band surgeries????

The vagus nerve is cranial nerve (actually the longest cranial nerve) and I think the only part of it that would be near the band is the part that goes into the larynx and then all the other major organs including the esophagus and stomach. I don't know what you are asking exactly. If you have the vagus nerve stimulator I suggest you ask your neurologist about it (or psychiatrist) as they would know oh so much more than I would. I have no clue what if any impact or dangers the band would have on the nerve and thus the stimulator. I imagine it would be very little-- the nerve would not be cut into as the organs are not cut into there BUT I don't know where the nerve is I just have a vaugue idea. I don't know where it is in relation to the abdominal wall. And if the band wouldn't be a problem, what about complications, etc? So if you have or plan on getting the stimulator these are all questions and things you should bring up with the doctor who is doing that or who treats you regarding that condition ( I assume epilepsy or depression). I know it wouldn't be proper to do both surgeries at the same time. One is neurosurgery-- the vagus stimulator-- the other is bariatric. Two different surgeons. If you have issues of some sort with your vagus nerve I would ask your neurologist or psychiatrist about the band-- I have a damaged nerve ending and I needed to have my port on one side and not the usual side to avoid complications. And my brother's neurologist (he has epilepsy) can usually advice how his epilepsy, the diet to help control his siezures, or his epilepsy meds will effects other medical issues. So I'm not much help am 1? And if your doc doesn't know much about lap band, bring him or her a packet of info on it. Good luck!

Hi, Google vagus nerve + lap band. Some interesting articles there. Susannah

My Mom worked on the clinical trials for the vagus nerve stimulator, which is used primarily for control of epilepsy, but also has (non FDA approved) cross-references for both depression and obesity. She belives part of the undiscovered mystery of why the band is so effective is that it dampens the communication of hunger to the brain by putting pressure on the part of the vagus nerve that runs through the stomach. Makes sense to me, but I'm totally non-medical, so take it with that disclosure!

You need to pose this question to Dr. HEKIER who really does a great job of answering questions on this board. I remember sitting in his office asking why I went from always craving food to gong half a day, and then it hitting me...Oh, I haven't eaten anything yet today, I need to get in my protein. His response was related to something about this nerve response thing in the brain/stomach. He always does such a good job of explaining things......Give it a try MIZBOO

Which message board is Dr Hekier on?...ie...what's the best way to ask him this question? Thanks!

I would love to have my vagus nerve cut. I had an uncle who fell off an oil rig and his was severed- he had to set an alarm to eat since he never got hungry. Something Ive NOT known!! My stomach growls out of hunger, some days I mentally hungry some days I forget I havent eaten.

I also buy into the theory that the band dampens the message sent to the brain.

Wow. I hadn't heard of using the stimulator for obesity before this thread. I'd been aware for years now of its usage in depression. I've know about it in relation to epilepsy since I was a girl... I feel sort of stupid.

During my first fill I got very light headed and dizzy. My doc said it was becuase of the pressure on this nerve but to not worry becuz my body would get used to it.

Haven't really thought about it since.

During my seminar the Dr. said that when you reach a good restriction level there is usually enough pressure put on the nerve that you no longer feel hunger as we knew it. Something happen---I don't. I have not felt hunger since my second fill. He said there is even a case occasionally where the band itself comes in contact, and the person will lose their weight without ever needing a fill.

Kat

I buy into the pressure on the nerve dampening hunger theory too. My doc does as well.

I had NO hunger, no appetite for a good 4 months after surgery and thereafter, despite more fills, I have had a normal appetite (although not quite like pre banding) but reduced capacity for food.

As a result, I lost 18kg in the first four months after banding and have lost 15 in the 12 months since then.

But on the days when my band is tighter (pre period etc) my appetite goes away again.

Doesn't that open up a world of possibilities---a new way of using or placing the band, not really to a point of restriction to food, but just to stimulate the nerve. That is one of the wonderful aspects of this band---if they find a way to do that in the next several years---we have not re-routed our insides, and it is a viable option for us as well.

On another topic, but all still band related, he also stated they are finding a relationship to the release of hormones in the stomach with the band, that makes a cure for diabetes a distinct possibility---in the not too distant future. He said it might involve cutting the stomach as in bypass--or a similar banding. But so what if you have to eat smaller meals the rest of your life---you would have a resst of your life!!!

Shocking the things the band is teaching them, involving all kinds of other health aspects.

Kat

I had my band placed May 10, 07, and have lost 90lbs, nearly at goal. I wrote about this a couple of years ago and at that time no one had any responses to this problem. I have passed out (lasting only seconds)several times because of the vagus nerve. I have been checked out by my surgeon and a cardiac doctor and they just explain it as a veagus nerve problem. It does seem that I am having more episodes lately, so I am not "happy" about this. It was nice to read tonight (I haven't been on the site for awhile) and see that there is more information with regard to the band and the vagus nerve. I will keep checking and would certainly appreciate any information.

I had my band placed May 10, 07, and have lost 90lbs, nearly at goal. I wrote about this a couple of years ago and at that time no one had any responses to this problem. I have passed out (lasting only seconds)several times because of the vagus nerve. I have been checked out by my surgeon and a cardiac doctor and they just explain it as a veagus nerve problem. It does seem that I am having more episodes lately, so I am not "happy" about this. It was nice to read tonight (I haven't been on the site for awhile) and see that there is more information with regard to the band and the vagus nerve. I will keep checking and would certainly appreciate any information.

Hi Devera, I have had 3 episodes since banding where my blood pressure drops unexpectedly and I go gray and feel as though I will pass out. All three times I had been standing for about 30-45 minutes. I get the sweats and nausea, the works. If I couldn't have sat down, I would have fallen down.

I believe it may have to do with the band and the vagus nerve. My band doc's nurse practitioner says no way. My primary care doctor says he sees this in some of his weight loss patients, not just his surgical weight loss patients, but those who have lost great amounts. For some reason their bodies mistake signals and cannot maintain proper pressure.

The vagus nerve runs from the brain to the abdomen. The band puts pressure on the vagus nerve and when we eat, the further pressure on the band area causes the vagus nerves to tell the stomach to quit producing ghrelin, the hunger hormone. That's why some people get enough pressure just with the band and others need varying amounts of fill.

.

I used to do medical transcription and had a vague recollection of something to do with the vagus nerves and fainting, so I went looking in my Merck manual's. This is what I found:

"Vagus Nerve Stimulation: Fainting may occur if the vagus nerve, which supplies the neck, chest, and intestine, is stimulated. When stimulated, the vagus nerve slows the heart. Such stimulation also causes nausea and cool, clammy skin. This type of fainting is called vasovagal (vasomotor) syncope."

I don't know enough to know whether the band can cause this but...here you go.

.