Dilation

[JasmineG]

Ok...girls...I'm 3 months away from my surgery date and I'm trying to set a time for me to return to work. I'm going to be offered a full-time job once the tax season is over and I've explained to my boss that I'll be having surgery on July 10th. I told her that I could not possibly start until sometime in August if I feel that I can sit and move around without being in too much pain. Yet, here's my question, my doctor says that I'll be required to dilate at least 3 times a day for 6 months. If I return to work in Aug, how can I manage to do the second dilation of the day without drawing attention or pain to myself? I can dilate before I go to work and once I come home from work. But what about once I'm at work?

[JennMW]

It doesn't have to be every 8 hours on the 8 hour mark. It's ok to be a little flexible regarding the timing.

I did it when I got up, when I got home from work and before I went to bed. Now I do it when I get up and sometime in the evening, usually closer to going to bed.

So the period between morning and afternoon is usually about 10 hours and afternoon and night is usually about 5 hours.

My doctor indicated 3x day for 3 months, 2x day for 3 months then 1x day for 6 months followed by two to three times a week or as needed. After you have done it a while you get a feel for when it is easier or harder to start.

It's my feeling that the activity during the day helps and bracketing the sleep period takes care of the inactivity.

My surgery was just over 4 months ago and my post op exams have been fine.

Jennifer

[JasmineG]

It doesn't have to be every 8 hours on the 8 hour mark. It's ok to be a little flexible regarding the timing.

I did it when I got up, when I got home from work and before I went to bed. Now I do it when I get up and sometime in the evening, usually closer to going to bed.

So the period between morning and afternoon is usually about 10 hours and afternoon and night is usually about 5 hours.

My doctor indicated 3x day for 3 months, 2x day for 3 months then 1x day for 6 months followed by two to three times a week or as needed. After you have done it a while you get a feel for when it is easier or harder to start.

It's my feeling that the activity during the day helps and bracketing the sleep period takes care of the inactivity.

My surgery was just over 4 months ago and my post op exams have been fine.

Jennifer

Thank you so much for responding. I'm meeting with my district manager on Thursday and I wanted to give her an answer on when I'll be back to work. Now I can tell her I'll be back to work in August.

Thanks,

Jasmine

[Butterfly]

My doctor indicated 3x day for 3 months, 2x day for 3 months then 1x day for 6 months followed by two to three times a week or as needed.

Even with Marci's dilation schedule ~wink~ I still fret but I know it's matter of getting used to.  My surgery's scheduled for May 19 & I want to get it over with. When the time comes & as much as I despise the idea of dilating during my lunch hour, I was thinking about doing it before work, during my meal period & after work. But your advice makes a lot of sense Jennifer. 

[Jeannette]

I too am a Bowers' girl. I had GRS last October.  Another thing to think about is that a day's got 24 hours & not 12 or 8 so that ought to give you plenty of time to incorporate your dilation regimen into your day.  I've had no problems & my post-op doctor visits have been quite good also.