The Purple Dilator

[Violet]

Dr. Dugi at OHSU and I am very pleased with the results!

Is it indiscreet if I ask who is your surgeon?

[Violet]

My Doctor is a Urologist and he gave me excellent results. He is also a Professor and Co-founder of their Transgender Health Program. I highly recommend him!

In France too. But IMO those are not major surgeons in the field of MtF SRS. I would not want that my SRS be done by an urologist, under no circumstances.

[Violet]

Interesting! I have some Hydrocortisone cream and will check with my Doctor. Thank you for the good advice! At 7 weeks I am now on the Purple with only one dot showing. Hurts though as I feel like I have been fisted down there! Today I am thinking of chilling the dilator before use. Maybe that will help. Also, I did have some granulation tissue, but Doctor wasn't concerned with it. It has gone away now, but I am not sure if there was any shrinkage. Once I get that PC muscle conditioned I think I will be well on my way, but it hurts badly right now. ♥

Hi, your dilators look the same as soul source for trans woman with the exception of the colors and the size is 1/8 of an 1nch smaller in diameter.  So #1 is the small and #4 is the largest. You are on #2. You can order the #4 from soul source and it will be 1.5 inches in diameter.

I use prescription hydroquarterzone cream as a first layer for dilation then water based lube. This is at the advise of my doctor. The hydroquarterzone cream will help the scar tissue (if you have any) stretch. I have been using it since before my revision surgery. I also had granular tissue and was injected 3 times after my revision surgery. The last Doctor inspection I did not require any injections for granular tissue.

We need to dilate with conviction and purpose in order to achieve the optimum results. Some trans woman are lucky and have little effort in achieving their goals. I an not lucky in that department. I am on #4 dilator (1.5 inched diameter) and at 4 inches inside the canal with 1.5 inches of vagina in addition.

I  was going to use Super Numb topical lidocaine if the vaginal pain returned after my revision. You might want to check with your doctor to see it that is allowed. I never did use the numbing cream but it would have helped heaps after my initial GCS when part of my graft died and a large amount of scar tissue formed and then shrank.

[AnonyMs]

Steroid creams can cause skin thinning so if stay away from them without a really good reason, and doctors advice.

[Violet]

I did not know this! Thank You for catching me in time as I begin today's first session! ♥

Steroid creams can cause skin thinning so if stay away from them without a really good reason, and doctors advice.

[Rachel]

Absolutely consult your doctor before taking hydroquarterzone cream. I have a prescription for what I use and it is with my doctors orders.

The hydroquarterzone cream causes scar tissue to stretch and thin. It is excellent at doing this but it takes time and continuous usage. I have had awesome results. I am viewed by my doctor periodically.

[Violet]

Ladies, does this painful feeling ever go away? I feel like I have been "fisted" down there. Best way to describe it. I believe it's my PC muscle that is hurting. Feels RAW!

[Lucie]

Ladies, does this painful feeling ever go away? I feel like I have been "fisted" down there. Best way to describe it. I believe it's my PC muscle that is hurting. Feels RAW!

Do you feel that after dilation only ?

[Kendra]

Granulation can cause pain, and that amount of pain can interfere with dilation.  Are you certain all the granulation tissue is gone/healed? 

[Violet]

Yes, right after dilating. I feel pretty good in the mornings, but after each dilation session throughout the day it hurts a little more.

Do you feel that after dilation only ?

[Violet]

I do still have some granulation tissue, but after 7 weeks shouldn't it be all gone? I have also asked about this pain on MyChart, but it will be next week before I can expect a reply. I have another follow up appointment October 3.

Granulation can cause pain, and that amount of pain can interfere with dilation.  Are you certain all the granulation tissue is gone/healed?

[Lucie]

Yes, right after dilating. I feel pretty good in the mornings, but after each dilation session throughout the day it hurts a little more.

It's strange that it hurts after the dilation only, and not during the session.

[Kendra]

I do still have some granulation tissue, but after 7 weeks shouldn't it be all gone? I have also asked about this pain on MyChart, but it will be next week before I can expect a reply. I have another follow up appointment October 3.

Granulation is fairly common - my understanding is it's part of the way people heal and may quickly disappear on its own or require direct treatment.  I am dealing with granulation 8 months post-op and I know of at least one person here who has had this for more than a year post-op.  I had two areas, one was solved permanently with silver nitrate and a cortisone cream prescription, one area is more difficult to access and has been more stubborn.  I am pretty sure the only way to confirm internal granulation is an exam with a speculum. 

Knowing what I do now, and also based on advice I've heard from Dena, I recommend having a routine check 3 months after GCS (or sooner if pain is excessive) and then follow-up if significant granulation is found at that point.

[HappyMoni]

Violet,
   I find myself wondering about your relationship with the surgeon. Would it be possible to send an email describing what you are experiencing, that you are still in pain? Maybe you could describe your theory about the muscle being a  problem. It seems a shame to wait over a whole month to try to figure it out. Just some info alone might help your peace of mind. My problem was more scar tissue than granulation so I can offer no advice on that. Hope you are mentally hanging with this. I know it is hard.
Moni

[Violet]

I got a reply from my Doctor on MyChart yesterday. Granulation tissue seems to be the problem, but also yesterday dilation was much easier. I can now take Mr. Purple much easier and with less pain. I have been forgetting to mention that I have all of my post-op pictures on my website. So looks like this is all just kind of like growing pains. Now I am at 8 weeks post-op. WoW! I never thought I would make it this far, but here I am, finally a Transsexual Woman! Life is very very good! F'ing Awesome!! ♥

Violet,
   I find myself wondering about your relationship with the surgeon. Would it be possible to send an email describing what you are experiencing, that you are still in pain? Maybe you could describe your theory about the muscle being a  problem. It seems a shame to wait over a whole month to try to figure it out. Just some info alone might help your peace of mind. My problem was more scar tissue than granulation so I can offer no advice on that. Hope you are mentally hanging with this. I know it is hard.
Moni

[Violet]

I am so sorry that you ladies still have granulation. That seems to be the most painful part of SRS. My own granulation was so white that it shined! It's slowly fading away now and dilation is much less painful. I hope we all feel much better soon! ♥

Granulation is fairly common - my understanding is it's part of the way people heal and may quickly disappear on its own or require direct treatment.  I am dealing with granulation 8 months post-op and I know of at least one person here who has had this for more than a year post-op.  I had two areas, one was solved permanently with silver nitrate and a cortisone cream prescription, one area is more difficult to access and has been more stubborn.  I am pretty sure the only way to confirm internal granulation is an exam with a speculum. 

Knowing what I do now, and also based on advice I've heard from Dena, I recommend having a routine check 3 months after GCS (or sooner if pain is excessive) and then follow-up if significant granulation is found at that point.

[Violet]

Looks like it was a combination of granulation tissue and a very sore PC muscle, both of which are feeling better now. I hope to step up to the next size dilator in another week or two and I will expect more pain then. It's alright with me though. I have no regrets and I would do this all over again. In retrospect, however, I hope that in my next life I am born as a 100% cis-woman. ♥

It's strange that it hurts after the dilation only, and not during the session.

[Violet]

Well, I am very happy and proud to announce that I can now take that Purple Dilator all the way! Makes me sore as hell afterwards, but it goes all the way in with only one dot showing!

Now however, I have a bump on one of the incisions which I think might be from the panty liners rubbing around. I pray that it is not an ingrown hair. I went through both Laser and Electrolysis Hair Removal before surgery.

I have come to quit worrying about my new vagina because even if something goes terribly wrong I can rest assured knowing that I will always be smooth down there and I will never have a Penis again! That fact alone makes me very very happy! ♥

[KatieP]

Woooo Hoooo!!!

Congratulations!!!

Both for the dilation success and the "smooth down there" accomplishment!!!

Kate

[Kendra]

Violet, so awesome to hear you are progressing great.

I switched to smaller pads (Carefree Ultra-Thin) as healing stabilized and dilating once per day instead of every few hours.