Well, the first year isn't as bad as it sounds... it all depends on the surgeon's recommendations, but by three months I only had to dilate twice a day (morning before work, night before bed) and then down to once a day at six months (I usually did it at bedtime). So the only really difficult time was the one week of four times a day after I went back to work (I drove home at lunch!) and the fairly inconvenient month #2 at three times a day (morning, after work, before bed).
It was a hassle, to be sure. But at least it was only for ~5 weeks? 🙂
