Did your doc explain how he avoids injuring the vagus nerve during surgery

Just curious...If our docs are going in and cutting our stomach, how do they protect the vagus nerve? Just curious if anyone's doc explained this to them?

The postop stomach looks like a banana.  The inside curve of the stomach isn't surgically changed and that's where the vagus nerve is.  Many people have a small branch of the nerve that runs across the stomach and I would imagine that branch does get cut.  

Why do you ask?  Just curious because I've never heard anyone ask this before.  Honestly they probably don't lose any sleep over it.

I'm wondering about the question, too.  Many, many abdominal surgeries are done without injury to the vagus nerve.

They aren't too concerned but the main vagus nerve, it runs along the inside curvature of the stomach, making it easy to miss.

For decades people with elevated heartbeats due to excessive stimulation of the vagus nerve have had surgeries to intentionally cut the nerve.  Folks who have had big heart surgeries usually end up with the vagus nerve cut.  And the verdict is, not a big deal.

It's not even close to the same as losing the feeling in your hand due to nerve damage.  Totally different.  The folks who lost their vagus nerve can't tell the difference, usually.

Please forgive my ignorance but what is the vagus nerve?

check out the link below and it will explain

http://www.wisegeek.org/what-is-the-vagus-nerve.htm

Thanks for your post.  No, my doctor did not mention the vagus nerve.  I did google and read articles after seeing your post and found the information very interesting.  There is current research going on in bariatrics where the doctor only cuts certain parts of the vagus nerve that regulate hunger and fullness.  Participants in the study note NO hunger again and they have to go by the clock to eat.  Most lost 20% of their weight in six months and kept if off for a long time.  Interesting!

Do you by chance have a link to that research?