Post op how often do you dilate?

[transnztal]

I'm a couple months post op and I'm supposed to be dilating around two times a day 15 minutes each but my doctor said do more if I can. I haven't kissed many dilatations but lately I'm only able to dilate once a day for around 30 minutes to an half I really feel like it's taken over my life I can't do anything or go anywhere during the day without missing the rest of my dilations. Has anyone missed dilations I haven't seem to miss any depth I haven't done a day without dilating but I do miss them sometimes it's so stressful I can't keep u? My idea is that instead of doing it 15 minutes twice a day I usuallly fit it all in one and dilate for a half an hour to an hour and go on with my day do you think it's ok to fit all the time in one dilation it should it be spread out? Doing it all in one makes it much easier for me. Sometimes I'm so tired from work and recovery I just fall asleep the rest of day and wind up only dilating once have you missed any dilations or dilate once a day for a long time instead of spread out? Sorry if the post is long every response I'll really appreciate thanks

[Dani]

At 2 months post-op, most surgeons recommend more frequent dilations, like 3 or 4 times daily. One big long dilation is not an acceptable substitute for many 15 minute dilations. As recovery progresses, you can do twice a day and eventually go to once a day many months later. Exact recommendation vary by surgeon. At 2 months post-op you should at least be dilating 3 times a day. Yes it is a nuisance, but for proper healing, it must be done.

[Beth Andrea]

Currently I'm dilating twice each day.

I use three dilators: #2 (4 minutes), 3T (6 mins), and 3 (15 mins). (Technically I'm supposed to use the 3T and 3, but I find it less painful to "pre-stretch" using the smaller #2 for a few minutes.)

Basically I wake up 40 minutes earlier than I did pre-op to allow prep, dilation, and cleanup. For the second dilation of the day, I usually do it soon after coming home from work, because I'm already naked because of changing clothes. Another 40 minutes and I'm out the door.

I have skipped a couple dilations in the past 3 1/2 months, but I just do a longer set (20 mins for the #3) the next time. I've had no loss so far.

eta: FWIW, my dr (Meltzer/Ley) prescribe 5 dilations the first day, four dilations/day for a month, then 2/day until the sixth month.

Exact recommendation vary by surgeon.

Yes, ideally one should follow post-op directions exactly, but (imho) the fact every doctor has different dilation schedules (and there is no medical study done to my knowledge about the most effective schedule for each method of vaginoplasty) tells me that there is a certain amount of normal variance regarding dilation schedules. If 3x/day becomes burdensome to one's daily life, please contact your dr about modifying the schedule.

eta #2: I don't think dilating once a day for twice as long is as good as twice a day separated by 10-14 hours...you wouldn't eat all three daily meals at once, would you?

eta #3: Oooh! Post #5555!! Quadruple nickle!

[Barb99]

Two times a day for 20 minutes each time. I'm at 5 months post op. At two months you should really be at least 3 time a day. Dilation is THE most important thing you can do during recovery. You should do everything possible to not miss any. In 5 months I think I've missed 4 times, all because of travel.

At home it only takes me about 30-35 minutes including clean up so I get up 40 minutes earlier than pre-op. In the evening I do it at what ever time is convenient between getting home and bed time.

Three times a day was a bit more hassle but it only lasted 8 weeks after returning to work so they let me take an extra half hour for lunch so I could go home and take care of it.

[Jenna Marie]

My surgeon was very clear that not going too long between dilations was at least as important as the total number of dilations in a day, so at 2 months post-op, I would think that substituting one long session per day was risky.

There is hope, though; I'm almost five years post-op and I dilate about once every 3-4 months with no loss of depth or width.

[transnztal]

Thanks for the responses I'm back to doing it multiple times a day although it takes up a ridiculous amount of time. How Long did it get you to fit your biggest dilator in?

[SadieBlake]

I haven't felt any need to try the large (green or orange) my docs instructions are to only go up one size every three months. I think that's pretty conservative - which is what the basic procedure should be.

I was able to use the second one from the first day and I'm using that one about one dilation per day (out of three). I also don't seem to have any problems if I'm late for any one session, I guess I've been at least 14 hours between once when I fell asleep and I'm usually falling asleep earlier than id ideally dilate so instead of a 9-10pm, I often catch the last one of the day at 1:00 or 2:00 AM.

I seem to be lucky in not starting out especially tight.

[Barb99]

Thanks for the responses I'm back to doing it multiple times a day although it takes up a ridiculous amount of time. How Long did it get you to fit your biggest dilator in?

Started off with the large one on day one. 15 minutes with the smaller one and 5 with the biggest one. My largest one is the green (1-3/8" diameter) I plan on starting to ease the orange one (1-1/2" diameter) in after about 6-7 months post op.

[Jenna Marie]

I started on the orange Soul Source dilator in the second month, and I guess I've been lucky - it rarely took me more than a few seconds to get to full depth with any dilator. I think the first time I moved up a size, it would be maybe 30 seconds to get the biggest one in for the first few sessions, but other than that, I never had an issue.

[Doreen]

Does once in a blue moon count?  I dilate maybe ... once or twice a year? lol.  I'm terrible.  Then again I don't have any stenosis and it was over 15 years ago.  Oh if I get serious about trying to date a guy I might, but I'm a lesbian anyways. Long as the fingers fit.... ^_^  Of course THAT isn't happening either   but still, a girl can dream.

[Dani]

I am just over 1 year post-op and I dilate daily with the green dilator. When we talk colors, I am assuming that we mean the Soul Source dilators.

Many other girls dilate less frequently after many years of being post-op.

[Lucie]

As for me the journey coming back from Thailand to home will be almost 20 hours long (flight, then train, then bus).  I assume that dilating in squat position in the toilet of the plane or train is not really conceivable. I am really worrying about having no dilation for so long one month post-op only and the negative consequences it might have on the final outcome of my vaginoplasty.
I'd appreciate a lot any comment and feedback on that point from all of you lucky post-op girls.

[AnonyMs]

I read a blog post from a women who dilated in business class on the way back from to the UK from Thailand.

[Lucie]

I read a blog post from a women who dilated in business class on the way back from to the UK from Thailand.

Interesting. I will be in economy class but nonetheless I'd be interested in more details about how she proceeded. Did you keep a link to her blog ?

[AnonyMs]

Interesting. I will be in economy class but nonetheless I'd be interested in more details about how she proceeded. Did you keep a link to her blog ?

I can't imagine this is possible in economy.

http://www.secretdiaryofatransgirl.co.uk/i-just-joined-the-three-mile-high-club-with-my-thai-boyfriend-dilating-on-a-plane/

It shouldn't be a problem though, heaps of women go though this without a problem and many are longer than 20 hours.

[Lucie]

I can't imagine this is possible in economy.

http://www.secretdiaryofatransgirl.co.uk/i-just-joined-the-three-mile-high-club-with-my-thai-boyfriend-dilating-on-a-plane/

That is what I was assuming. Anyway thank you very much for the link, the testimony of Amy is quite interesting.

It shouldn't be a problem though, heaps of women go though this without a problem and many are longer than 20 hours.

That's somewhat reassuring. I will ask my surgeon what he advises in such cases as mine.

[AnonyMs]

Any chance of upgrading to business on the way back? Quite a few do that, and it's got to be way more comfortable.

[Lucie]

I will be accompanied by my friend, so I paid two reservations. I am afraid that the price of an upgrade to business class is beyond my budget. The company is Thai Airways, I'll ask them anyway.

[Barb99]

I was 1 week post op when I returned home. Due to flight schedules it was 26 hours since my last dilation when I finally made it home. I to was worried about going that long but it wasn't to bad. It was a little tighter and I had to go slow getting the first dilator in. Things loosened up and went back to normal right away.

[Lucie]

Thanks Charley, what you say about your own experience reassures me. I am looking forward the advice of my surgeon on this subject.