Floating Ovaries ... ???!!!

Hi Everyone

I've just read (on pre-op) that when the ovaries are left they literally just float around and aren't attached to anything???

How can this be? If they're not attached to anything then how can the 'messages' get through so they still function? There has to be some sort of 'supply' to them, surely?

Can't get my head around it ... can anyone shed any light? Thank you!!

Hmmm...this is interesting in that I thought they were attached to your fallopian tubes, then the uterus. It sounds like you had the same surgery I did (SAH, kept ovaries/cervix) so I would assume that, since we still have our fallopian tubes, they are attached...

I'm talking like I know what I'm talking about and I don't!!! I would like to know the answer to this, too!

Any sisters out there know??!!!

Best wishes.

I believe the ovaries are held by ligaments as is the uterus. They are called the utero-ovarian ligaments as noted in my post-op report..

The ovaries are still attached by the tubes but the ovaries themselves do "float". Think of them as your arms. Your arms are attached to your body but your hands are free to float. Don't worry. They're not going to float away because they are still attached to the tubes.

Hi there, now you have me curious, i had TAH and tubes removed but kept both ovaries, sounds strange to think they just floating there, i have my 6 week post op check on friday 3rd june, maybe i could mention this see what he consultant says.

Take care all,

I also had this question pre-op and asked my doctor.

The ovaries are "hung" in the pelvis by a ligament that stretches up to the top of the pelvic bone. When the uterus is there, think of it like a clothesline that goes from one side to the other.

That ligament is left in place, as are the tubes. The ovaries themselves are also supplied by an artery that branches directly from the aorta that goes down the back of the abdomen (along the spine).

The artery, the ligaments and the membranes that line the abdomen help to keep everything in place. Some women experience some migration of their ovaries (with or without a uterus), but even if they move a bit, they're still able to get their signals out through the blood.

Take care.

Thank you juniper and everyone!

A diagram I saw once made it look like the ovaries were attached to the uterus and, with the posts in the Pre-op forum suggesting they were swimming around in there(!), it kinda freaked me out!

So, now we know!

My Dr told me post op that I may feel some twinges in my ovaries as she had attached them to ligaments that formerly held part of my uterus. She said that they would get used to their new position and then resume functioning.(she said that touching them temporarily sort of paralyzes them) Last week when I would have normally had my abnormal period, I thought I felt my ovaries doing their thing like before.

My DR told me pre-op that the ovaries were attached to the abdominal wall with ligaments. She took my Fallopian tubes and from what I have read on this site I am very glad this was the case! One sister had her tubes attach to the vagina and grow through. Gross!

Susan

Wow my right ovary was floating the ligamet that holds it was not there . so the tube was holding it . well they took it all on the right side. my fall tube was 8 inches long! i had my tubes tied in 96 and the doc didnt mentiion it at all. Well to say the doc that did my LAVH was in shock. my right ovary was in my back right above my kidney. They tube had also regenrated where the tubal was done . He said my chances where high of getting pregant again. Yikes i thought , well this is my second marriage and dh had a vas done in 96 so we were safe at that point . But nothing is never what it seems so i was thankful. So good luck to you all,

Poininski 03