When to change dilator size?

[Melizza]

Hi all,

I had surgery no long ago and I am still dilating with the smaller dilator and three times a day.

Can somebody please share your experience with dilation? How long did it take you before you are able to increase size and how did you do it?

I tried to increase size to soon and had some bleeding so I had to go back to the smaller size.

Thanks for you replies!!

[Monkeymel]

The schedule from Dr Chettawut can be found on his site: and I'm working through that at my own pace.
http://www.chet-plasticsurgery.com/sex-reassignment-surgery/dr-chettawuts-vaginal-dilatation-instructions/

My operation was the end of July and I started on #3 this week. Each change results in bleeding which appears worse because of the lubrication gel. And to quote Madeline B - you can never have enough gel. I found that out again after 4 days without bleeding - last night and this morning it returned. Using the flash on your handy and you can get a good internal photo so I know what is going on - stretching the uretha; a stitch working loose elsewhere. So taking it easy today. But I still continue to work with the dilation schedule.

Always consult your surgeon though. Different techniques have different requirements. But occasional bleeding will always be with us.

[Lara1969]

I took the medium sized dilator from day one which was very painful but I never had bleeding. After four weks I started to use the largest dilator. Now dilation with all three and three times a day is my routine without feeling pain. I two weeks I can reduce my schedule to two times a day.

Lara

[suzifrommd]

Check with your surgeon.

My surgeon's instructions call for the largest dilator I can comfortably use.

[Melizza]

Thanks for your replies.

I got dilation instruction from my surgeon, they are basically the same than other doctors, my question is about when to change dilator size.

How do you know that you are ready for the next size ?

Thanks!!

[Jenna Marie]

Yeah, check with your own surgeon. Brassard was very specific about when to increase dilator size, although he does also say it's OK to go back down to more frequent sessions with a smaller dilator if the big one is too painful/difficult. (Then try again in a week or two.)

I've included his instructions below because they're very specific; we aren't told to leave it up to ourselves and when we're "ready" until after the one-year mark and reducing to once a week. I do not suggest following his instructions without consulting your own surgeon, mind you; this is just for an example of what a precisely laid out size increase schedule looks like.

(#1 is the smallest dilator, #2 the next size up, and so on. I do hear that these days he's dropped the #1 size altogether and starts with #2 and #3 now.)

"At home, you should dilate 4 times per day with, #1, #2 for 5, 15
minutes for one month.

Dilate 3 times per day with #1, #2, #3 for 5, 10, 15 minutes for two months.

Dilate twice a day with #2, #3, #4, for 5, 10, 15 minutes for 3 months

Dilate once a day with #3, #4, for 5, 15 minutes for 6 months.

Slowly increase the interval of time between each dilation until you
reach one dilation per week with #4, for 15 minutes for the rest of
your life.

If you have difficulties with a bigger size dilator, wait before you
are comfortable with this one before using a bigger size.  You can go
back to a smaller size and increase the frequency for a few days."

[mrs izzy]

Thanks for your replies.

I got dilation instruction from my surgeon, they are basically the same than other doctors, my question is about when to change dilator size.

How do you know that you are ready for the next size ?

Thanks!!

The easy answer is when your body is ready.

I changed things up in adding the next size when my body was ready,

I just tried when the time came and took a few days if that is what my body felt, if not happy i just went back to the last size and finished up my time

A schedule is just a guide to help you with moving up in size.

Hope that helps,

[Vicky]

My instructions had been 10 - 14 days with each size until I hit the top one in my kit.  During my "step up" for a couple of days, I used a smaller dilator for a minute or two, and then carefully worked the bigger one in. I used the Soul Source dilators with the bent up tip, and found that by twisting slightly while I was inserting it, it missed some "ouchy" spots which I suspect were sutures, and the twisting actually felt good for other reasons.  My first "step up" was a day or two late due to a yeast infection I had developed, but the other two were on time.

[Melizza]

Thanks for the replies!, I also use the ones with the bent up tip, when trying to go up the tip always make it harder to go all the way in, I am able to get only half in.

I get kind of scared when i see the bigger one!!! (like 3 sizes bigger than i am actually using), I wonder if I will ever be able to get that one in!! I am afraid it will rip me apart .

I will keep trying.

Thanks again!