The Purple Dilator

[Violet]

Almost 5 weeks post-op and trying to step up to the Purple dilator. Seems impossible as I can only get it in to the first dot. It just will not go any further. Sometimes I just want to force it in because I get so frustrated!

I can take the smallest dilator (Orange) in to the forth dot with no problems. So my depth is average, but my diameter is just too small for Purple.

Any suggestions? I lie on my back for dilating with my feet propped up on a keyboard stool. That's the best position I have found so far. My next follow up is 9 days and I will ask Doctor, but it's you ladies that have the experience with dilating and I value your help. Thank You!

[AnonyMs]

Have you tried dynamic dilation, as used by Suporn patients. It should be good for increasing width.

[Colleen_definitely]

OK since I just got through with this myself:

Get the orange one in first and wait until you're good and relaxed with that one.  Next make sure the purple one is good and greased up.  Remember the angle that the orange one takes to go in, and follow that.  You're going to hit the muscle there and it takes a conscious effort to relax it.  Play with your hip position, leg position, and gently push.  I find that rotating the dilator a bit to wiggle it in helps.  Just push until you feel the canal stretching and if it's too much back off a bit until the discomfort subsides and try again.  If in doubt, add more lube.  You may want to try adding a bit of a liquid (but still water based) lubricant to make things glide a bit better.

That's what worked for me anyway.

[Violet]

Thank You for the good tips honey! ♥ I will try them all during round 2 today. I'm just afraid to be bold with the depth because I don't want to mess anything up down there. It's scary, isn't it?

OK since I just got through with this myself:

Get the orange one in first and wait until you're good and relaxed with that one.  Next make sure the purple one is good and greased up.  Remember the angle that the orange one takes to go in, and follow that.  You're going to hit the muscle there and it takes a conscious effort to relax it.  Play with your hip position, leg position, and gently push.  I find that rotating the dilator a bit to wiggle it in helps.  Just push until you feel the canal stretching and if it's too much back off a bit until the discomfort subsides and try again.  If in doubt, add more lube.  You may want to try adding a bit of a liquid (but still water based) lubricant to make things glide a bit better.

That's what worked for me anyway.

[Violet]

I will look up the dynamic dilation. Thanks honey! ♥

Have you tried dynamic dilation, as used by Suporn patients. It should be good for increasing width.

[Colleen_definitely]

Thank You for the good tips honey! ♥ I will try them all during round 2 today. I'm just afraid to be bold with the depth because I don't want to mess anything up down there. It's scary, isn't it?

Oh I understand that concern for sure.  But at least for me the thing that is stopping the dilator at that first dot isn't the back wall of the canal but rather the PC muscle.  You just need to work on stretching it out, and it will so long as you're persistent and gentle.

[Violet]

It must be the PC muscle, Yes! I layed the orange and purple beside each other and lined up the dots. There is a little over 1 inch extra on the orange so it must be the muscle. Thanks again ♥ Colleen_definitely ♥

Oh I understand that concern for sure.  But at least for me the thing that is stopping the dilator at that first dot isn't the back wall of the canal but rather the PC muscle.  You just need to work on stretching it out, and it will so long as you're persistent and gentle.

[Colleen_definitely]

Yep the dots on all of the standard soul source dilators are at the same depths so you can compare them to each other.

[Violet]

That last inch is killing me. Much pain today which I suspect is from the purple dilator. Is this normal? I was feeling a little better until I started on the purple. Follow up appointment next week. Maybe I should just use the orange dilator until then, but I really want to be able to take that purple! ♥

Yep the dots on all of the standard soul source dilators are at the same depths so you can compare them to each other.

[Colleen_definitely]

You'll get there, just take your time and add a bit of lubricant if you need to.  Backing off an inch or so and going back seems to help work lube in deeper and makes that last little bit easier for me.  It took me a few tries to get that thing in all the way, it definitely wasn't a quick process.

[Violet]

Thank You Honey! May I ask which brand of lube you are using? My Doctor gave me a bag full of MedChoice Jelly Lube, but I am almost out. ♥

You'll get there, just take your time and add a bit of lubricant if you need to.  Backing off an inch or so and going back seems to help work lube in deeper and makes that last little bit easier for me.  It took me a few tries to get that thing in all the way, it definitely wasn't a quick process.

[Colleen_definitely]

"ID Glide" liquid and a bit of house brand KY jelly stuff from walmart that does not have sodium hydroxide as an ingredient.  The glide stuff is really slick and helps a lot for me.

I tried the astroglide gel and it ended up causing some irritation, or at least some irritation happened when I was using it.  You might have better luck with it and it's definitely slicker than the KY knockoff stuff.  I have a feeling it is a bit too high PH wise for me down there, though I haven't actually tested its PH.

[Violet]

I will buy the biggest bottle of ID Glide then. Maybe I should buy a case since I am in this for the long haul. LOL Perhaps dilating will be much easier when all of my swelling goes down. I can't wait to see my new vagina all closed up because right now it looks like a flower in full bloom! LOL ♥

"ID Glide" liquid and a bit of house brand KY jelly stuff from walmart that does not have sodium hydroxide as an ingredient.  The glide stuff is really slick and helps a lot for me.

I tried the astroglide gel and it ended up causing some irritation, or at least some irritation happened when I was using it.  You might have better luck with it and it's definitely slicker than the KY knockoff stuff.  I have a feeling it is a bit too high PH wise for me down there, though I haven't actually tested its PH.

[AnonyMs]

I'd stay away from lube with silicone early on as it can interfere with healing.

[Violet]

Yep, that's what my Doc said too. Also, I am not allowed to Douche and I really wish I could. I hate the thought of that old lube staying inside me, but Doc said it would act as a Douche. Of course, it does nothing for the smell though! LOL No Dating for me for awhile! LOL ♥

I'd stay away from lube with silicone early on as it can interfere with healing.

[Colleen_definitely]

Interesting, my doc had me using a douche starting the second week after surgery.

[Violet]

Seems that each Doctor is different. My Doctor said it would interfere with the tissues healing. I will beg him to let me douche when I see him next week, which will be my 6th week post-op. Also I read somewhere to put some Bacitracin along with the lube on the dilator for the last dilation of the day. Gonna ask about that too. ♥

Interesting, my doc had me using a douche starting the second week after surgery.

[Dena]

To get the dilator in as far as it will go, start out with you legs up and spread out. Once you get the dilator started, lower your legs so they are flat, in line with your body and your feet just spaced enough so you have room between your legs for your hand to hold the dilator. For me, my feet are spaced about a foot or about 30 CM apart. Keep constant pressure on the dilator as it may take a minute or two before reaching maximum depth. It's possible it could take several dilation session before everything is stretched out all the way to the end.

[Violet]

I will try that for round 2 today! Thank You Dena! ♥

To get the dilator in as far as it will go, start out with you legs up and spread out. Once you get the dilator started, lower your legs so they are flat, in line with your body and your feet just spaced enough so you have room between your legs for your hand to hold the dilator. For me, my feet are spaced about a foot or about 30 CM apart. Keep constant pressure on the dilator as it may take a minute or two before reaching maximum depth. It's possible it could take several dilation session before everything is stretched out all the way to the end.

[Rachel]

Going up a dilator size can be intimidating. make sure you use the next lowest size dilator first. Lube well. Then go up to the next size dilator. Slight rotation back and forth while pushing in is what I did.

Take your time and relax. It will hurt a bit and there may be some blood spotting. Although it may feel like you are putting a large object in there but it is just 1/8 inch greater in diameter.

If it becomes a bit much then back out. It is ok to get it in a bit and rest then proceed to go in farther.