Question:
What is the vagus nerve and what relationship does it have

towards limiting the amount of food we eat (if it applies)?I checked the library and didn't find much on this *nerve*~ I've heard this medical term so many times and I'm trying to figure out what part it plays in WLS and how it affects us. Does this have something to do with signalling the brain that it is either time or not time to eat? Can anyone provide some insight? Thanks!    — yourdivaness (posted on March 25, 2003)

March 24, 2003
VNS stimulates the limbic system, a group of related brain structures that affect mood, motivation, sleep, appetite, alertness and other factors commonly altered by depression
   — deniece M.

March 24, 2003
Original poster-Okay, thank you for responding and now that we know what the meaning of vagus nerve and it's system, how does it affect US?-(that's the answer I'm looking for) I'm speaking of the process as far as weight loss surgery is concerned.
   — yourdivaness

March 25, 2003
From the way I understand it, from the seminar my surgeon did, this is the nerve that runs along side the stomach. As the pouch expands, this nerve system senses the expansion, and in a new pouch it won't take much food or liquid intake to make the nerve trigger the "full sensation". Its what makes us feel full when we eat. Other posters - if I'm wrong please correct me, but this is what I understood. I finally have my surgical consult today so I'll check with him again just to make sure. Good luck!
   — Tina S.

March 25, 2003
This is a good question with a complex answer. Rather than my screwing up the answer, here is a link to a site that gives good info on it. <P> http://www.psych.purdue.edu/~punweb/faculty/fox.htm Good luck :).
   — SuzAnne S.

March 25, 2003
I was just trying to be helpful, glad to see it was soo appreciated.
   — deniece M.

March 26, 2003
Hi, I saw my surgeon yesterday and asked him about this question to make sure I was relaying the correct message. He said that the vagas nerve has multiple sensors and in-so also has multiple jobs - just like the other posters relayed. What concerns the gastric bypass patient is that the nerve also senses fullness in your stomach. As you eat slowly - and the pouch expands - your pouch will actually touch the vagas nerve running along side the stomach and you will have the "full sensation".
   — Tina S.