Can the vagus nerve be damaged during breast augmentation surgery?

Question

I'm afraid it was either damaged by it, or my implants are pushing against it (if that's even possible, I'm ignorant) since I've had the hiccups every day at least once a day since my surgery a few years ago. It's not getting worse, but it's also not going away. I've seen a few doctors to find out what's causing the hiccups but they can't find the cause. If they're both a possibility, which one is more likely to happen?

Lewis Albert Andres, MD · Answer

Hello!  Thank you for the question.  It would be nearly impossible to damage this nerve during the procedure such as the one that you had.  It is likely unrelated to the actual surgical procedure.  Anesthetic risks and medications, although possible, is still unlikely.

Brian C. Reuben, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. It would be nearly impossible to damage the vagus nerve with a Breast Augmentation. The nerves isdeep underneath the rib cage, and the breast augmentation is well on top of this. Best advice would be to seek consultation with a primary care physician who may be able to help better define this for you.

Christopher J. Davidson, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question.  It is unlikely to have a vagus nerve injury following your breast augmentation procedure.  My strong advice is to consult with your primary care physician regarding your current condition.  Best of luck.

Brent Moelleken, MD · Answer

Hiccups can be a sign of certain medical conditions that require treatment, or may be just a benign condition.  You may want to follow up with your operating surgeon and get a referral from him or her on how to follow up and diagnose the problem.  It would be very unlikely to injure the vagus nerve itself, but diaphragmatic irritation can be caused by several different conditions that do warrant a workup.

David A. Sieber, MD, FACS · Answer

It's very unlikely that your hiccups are related to your breast augmentation or that your surgery caused a damage to the vagus nerve. Many people get hiccups due to irritation of their diaphragm or from other GI issues. ~Dr. Sieber

Can the vagus nerve be damaged during breast augmentation surgery?

Answers (7)

Answer: Breast augmentation complications

Answer: Breast augmentation complications

Answer: Hiccups after BA

Answer: Hiccups after BA

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Can the vagus nerve be damaged during breast augmentation surgery?

Answers (7)

Answer: Breast augmentation complications

Answer: Breast augmentation complications

Answer: Hiccups after BA

Answer: Hiccups after BA

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Breast Augmentation

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.