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So, now that SRS is in my near(ish) future,  I am curious about dilation.

Now, I understand that you need to dilate like crazy for the first year, but what I have been unsuccessful at finding is how much do you need to dilate after that first year.

Are we talking about once daily, once weekly, once monthly, never?  Am I way off?

Can someone clue me in on this mystery?

Thanks.

After one year, most SRS surgeons recommend dilating once a week with only the largest dilator.
There is some debate whether "organic dilation" (sex with a man) obviates this weekly chore.

The general consensus is approximately once per week, that is what was told to me by my surgeon, Dr. McGinn.  I'm about 1.5 years past my surgery now, and I've dropped down to once every few days, but not as long as a week.  If it is much longer than than every couple of days, for me, there is quite a bit of discomfort getting the dilator inserted and it takes quite a bit of lube and patience to completely insert it.

Bottom line is what ever is a comfortable interval for you.

The doctor did share with me that organic dilation is acceptable if that is what your normal activity is.  GG women go through much the same. 

-Sandy

Since we're on the subject, I am visiting Dr. McGinn in mid-January.  What is the "lead time" for organic dilation??

Quote from: ArleneTgirl on August 06, 2009, 10:33:35 AM
What is the "lead time" for organic dilation?

The answer probably depends on your healing, your comfort level, your dilation regimen and your partner.
Until three months are past, you might not even have used your largest dilator.
Two months would be pretty ambitious. I have heard of six weeks. Yikes!
Just be sure that you've got somebody who can be trusted to stop immediately if you say, "Stop!"

Quote from: ArleneTgirl on August 06, 2009, 10:33:35 AM
Since we're on the subject, I am visiting Dr. McGinn in mid-January.  What is the "lead time" for organic dilation??

Renate pretty much hit it on the head.  Discuss it with the good doctor when the time comes, of course, but pretty much let your comfort be your guide.

But be aware, that there will be some time before it becomes "Fun Time!" for you too.  It may be a while before you have a satisfying experience (read orgasmic) with your partner.  Have patience it does take time for your body to get used to the new arrangement.

-Sandy

Thanks girls. It sounds like very good advice.   My partner has been with me for a while, and I can trust him to go slowly.

Marci's dilation schedule's very simple to follow:  3 times a day for the first 3 months, 2 times a day for the next 3 months & then 1 time a day for the next 6 months and as needed after that. 

Dr. McGinn's recommended dilation schedule is much more rigorous.

6 times a day for the first two months, 4 times a day for  months 3-6, once per day for months 6-12, then weekly. Get your Netflix subscription ready. You will need it.

Mine was 3-4 times per day for the first 18 months. The taper off to whenever as needed. I was very, very rigorous in the routine for the first year and have tapered off to once or twice per day. Even with the graft I have not lost any depth at all.

Sports and sex were supposed to be something like 12 weeks postop but I engaged early without any issues but then I was up to the largest dilator after a few weeks.

Quote from: MMarieN on August 06, 2009, 01:18:45 PM
Dr. McGinn's recommended dilation schedule is much more rigorous.

6 times a day for the first two months, 4 times a day for  months 3-6, once per day for months 6-12, then weekly. Get your Netflix subscription ready. You will need it.

why?  as easy as it is, i was fed up with dr. bowers dilation schedule!

I'm a Bowers girl too & I abhor dilating.  Is there anybody that really likes it?  I doubt it.

Quote from: Matilda on August 06, 2009, 07:21:13 PM
Nowadays, I don't dilate.  I haven't dilated in a while actually *wonders where her dilators could be ;D*... but that's because I have a boyfriend, and now he does the dilation for me! ;)
(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi572.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fss161%2Fmatilda23%2F061.gif&hash=8f2301193b0dc73bb2e3c64f938f2048ea1a0591)

I was warned by both Linda Takata and Lindsay (Dr. Meltzer's pre- and aftercare nurse) that vaginal intercourse doesn't take the place of dilation. 

In order to maintain depth, you have to hold the danged thing in and maintain pressure.  This keeps the scar tissue at the inner end of the vaginal vault stretched out and flexible.  (Perhaps if your boyfriend could maintain an erection for sufficient time while maintaining inward pressure and holding still... >:-))

Donna Rose mentioned on her blog that Dr. Meltzer is trying out soft dilators that you wear while sleeping.  Donna wrote to call Linda Takata for further info.  She also wrote that they were promising at recovering lost depth/girth.

My dilation regimen is now Tuesday night, with the big dilator, for 30 minutes (unlike Colonel Mustard in the library with the candlestick...) ::)

I just wanted to set that straight...or throw in my two cents.

=K

One of my toys is bigger than the biggest dilator. o_0 I remember when I started and I looked at the biggest dilator and said to my friend, "I don't see how I'm ever gonna get that one in me! It's huge!" Now it doesn't seem as big. But yeah, dilating gets pretty boring pretty fast, but you still should try your best to keep up. I'll admit, I've missed a couple of times before (almost everyone I've talked to has). Just don't miss too many for too long.

I would usually find different things to do while dilating to take up my time, which was mostly watching TV or music videos on my computer. I liked the music videos, too, 'cause I would use them to time.

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Post Merge: August 14, 2009, 01:34:25 AM

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Oh, and I'd usually call friends, too. That helps with the time.

Quote from: Matilda on August 14, 2009, 09:26:33 AM
Oh trust me, he can do that and much more without any problems whatsoever.  I suppose that I'm "privileged" in that regard as well.  *chuckle*

(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi572.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fss161%2Fmatilda23%2F061.gif&hash=8f2301193b0dc73bb2e3c64f938f2048ea1a0591)

*envy*

Does he have a brother??

-Sandy(*blush*)

Quote from: Matilda on August 14, 2009, 11:07:45 AM
Yes he does, but they're all married.   ;D
(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi572.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fss161%2Fmatilda23%2F061.gif&hash=8f2301193b0dc73bb2e3c64f938f2048ea1a0591)

*sigh*

I'm almost four years post and I still dilate at least once a week and sometimes more.  I find mixing a little pleasure with the dilation makes it less of a chore.  Sometimes my dilators require batteries  ;)

 

Nowadays, I don't dilate.  I haven't dilated in a while actually *wonders where her dilators could be ;D*... but that's because I have a boyfriend, and now he does the dilation for me! ;)


(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi572.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fss161%2Fmatilda23%2F061.gif&hash=8f2301193b0dc73bb2e3c64f938f2048ea1a0591)
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I agree Matilda, thats always been my experience, when my boyfriend was or is regularly having intercourse with me, he in effect was doing the dilation for me, Im lucky to have a boyfriend that is well endowed blush!
p

i have a partner & i don't dilate as frequently as i used to either.

thing is when you don't have anybody in your life, you just gotta rely on yourself & your dilators. you have no choice.  something to think about.

This can apply here too. :laugh:

Quote from: Yvonne on August 16, 2009, 03:43:20 PM
I too am a Bowers girl.  Class of 2005.  Can't complain about the results I've got.  I'm very sensitive too. I find that a combination of sex with a real person plus battery operated toys & my dilators does the trick.

This is an interesting subject. Something that I've been curious about for awhile also  :icon_chick:

Quote from: DawnL on August 15, 2009, 01:33:23 AM
I find mixing a little pleasure with the dilation makes it less of a chore.  Sometimes my dilators require batteries  ;)

That sounds like a grand idea!

Thanks for all the great responses!

I think you should just stick to your chosen surgeon's advice on how much dilation you require. At the end of the day, everyone is different, surgeons study for years to be able to practice surgery and they may perform different techniques so it really does depend on what he/she has to say.