Susan's Place Transgender Resources

Whilst reading through some posts here, I noticed in the Wiki the curved stints/dilators that it appears that Dr Meltzer issues his patients.   Has anyone used these, and found them of benefit, particularly in the troublesome 2nd/3rd month post op vs just the regular straight dilators ?

I'm fighting an uphill battle with all my stirring, pushing, fighting, going to maintaining depths starting week 7 post op, and I'll take any 'edge' I can get at this 'point',  :o

Dynamic dilation would be very difficult with a curved dilator, maybe it's a good idea to ask Sophie first? I'm not sure if they are compatible for the kind of dilating we do.

Don't give up though, it does get easier! And it's worth the hard work now to get the benefits later! :)

I don't know anything about a "troublesome 2nd/3rd month post op".
My opinion on this is that the lower edge of the vaginal opening is a "high traffic area" with a lot of things coming together and a lot of sutures.
A straight dilator inserted fully will put pressure on this area, a curved dilator, less so.

Given that Dr. Suporn uses "dynamic dilation" with rotation, I can't really say whether curved is a good idea.
With other surgeons that don't have you rotate the dilator, curved makes sense.

Never used them before - but I've used a curved sex toy before. I don't know if there are any benefits to that. Gelly type ones are good too, um, but probably not in the first few months (you should try and stick to what the doc says). Oh, and the organic kind are good, too..  >:-) LOL

When dilating, just remember to relax - it will help a lot. If you're being too forceful, especially at an earlier stage, it can hurt and swelling can happen (it will go down).

Good luck. :)

My dilators are curved and they are from SoulSource
http://www.soulsourceenterprises.com/html/products_grs.html (http://www.soulsourceenterprises.com/html/products_grs.html)

They were the ones given me by Dr. Christine.  I find them very comfortable to use.  When doing dynamic dilation it can help with expanding the vaginal walls.  (They also help me find my g-spot... :o)

-Sandy

Quote from: Sandy on March 17, 2010, 08:27:17 AM
My dilators are curved and they are from SoulSource
http://www.soulsourceenterprises.com/html/products_grs.html (http://www.soulsourceenterprises.com/html/products_grs.html)

They were the ones given me by Dr. Christine.  I find them very comfortable to use.  When doing dynamic dilation it can help with expanding the vaginal walls.  (They also help me find my g-spot... :o)

-Sandy

Thank you Sandy.

I'm going to order one to try out.  By the time they (Soulsource) figure out how to ship it to Canada, and I get it with their *slow* order process, I'll be through month 3, but maybe it will be a good tool ongoing.

I'll post back on how well it works for me ;)

Melan

Talk to Lindsey.  She told me Dr. Meltzer used them because they cause less pressure and less prone to damaging the vaginal vault.   You have a pm.

Make sure you talk to Sophie before altering your dilation routine. We have very different skin grafts and dilation requirements, and the clinic will be best to advise on whether using a curved dilator will be okay.

^Sophie is Supporns admin, Lindsey is Dr. Meltzer's post op nurse.  The curved dilators supposedly put less pressure on the vaginal vault and near the end, making for less pressure and risk of damage. That is what i was told.  So in your case it may be helpful to use them.  Of course Dr Meltzer is 2 stage and Dr Supporn is single and methods are different.  I do not know it it makes a difference tho.  I wouldnt think so.  I use Dr Meltzers ones and they are made of clear Lucite and using with Surgilube or a silicone based lubricant are very slick going in.   I totally have had the same issue exactly as you.

Quote from: Michelle Hayden on March 19, 2010, 12:02:56 AMOf course Dr Meltzer is 2 stage and Dr Supporn is single and methods are different.  I do not know it it makes a difference tho.  I wouldnt think so.

not really, just different ways of making things (internally it's the same in spite of differing source tissues)

I didnt think it would make a dif..but just sayin that they both use different techniques and why Dr. Meltzer goes with the curved dilators.

Quote from: Birdie on March 18, 2010, 11:31:52 PM
Make sure you talk to Sophie before altering your dilation routine. We have very different skin grafts and dilation requirements, and the clinic will be best to advise on whether using a curved dilator will be okay.

Hi Birdie!  Oh yes, I totally agree... I'm not looking to replace the dilation routine by Suporn's office, just try the curved dilator out,  and see if there is any advantage to using it.... and it will be past the "formative" period of the first post op 3 months.

I've found that I'm doing much better with the straight dilators... I just had a rough go of it for awhile, but I have a much better 'feel' for how to dig in and keep my depth now.   It still hurts like holy cow.. but oh well, only one more month to go of the hard part... me hopes ;)

*huggs*,
Melan

Quote from: Melan on March 19, 2010, 01:00:44 AM
I've found that I'm doing much better with the straight dilators... I just had a rough go of it for awhile, but I have a much better 'feel' for how to dig in and keep my depth now.   It still hurts like holy cow.. but oh well, only one more month to go of the hard part... me hopes ;)

It can be pretty rough when you're still in that difficult period. I thought there must have been something wrong with me for all the troubles I was having with dilating. But everyone told me it would be okay after that difficult period was over and they were right. You'll win the pain game soon, and afterwards it will be easy peasy. Kind of.  :D

Quote from: FlanHusky on March 19, 2010, 12:05:37 AM
not really, just different ways of making things (internally it's the same in spite of differing source tissues)

It's best to check with your doctor just to make sure. One patient of Dr Suporn started taking baths after surgery because every other surgeon reccomends them, but they are advised against by Dr Suporn in the first few weeks and may have complicated her recovery.

Never assume that what's good for one patient is reccomended for all. It may be perfectly safe, but it's not worth the risk to do it unsupervised.

I was wondering how long that "hard period" lasted, because i am months post op and i started to loose the  depth around the 3d month getting really irritated and cant reach the   6-1/2 " depth i had within the firrst 2 months.  It is still irritated and take me abot 30 minutes just to get to the back..Is there no end to thisa??  I still havent had an orasim yet.  My surgeon  was Dr. Meltzer.  Any like situation, as i would be cursious how you delt with itl

For me, the difficult period lasted for the first six months. Everyone heals differently though, it's important not to judge your own recovery based on how long it takes others. Your body is unique and will recover at it's own speed.

As for the length of time it takes to get to depth, that used to be a big problem for me. There were times when it took over an hour, and that can be very upsetting and frustrating. Just remember that if dilation gets difficult or takes longer, it's a sign that you need to make your dilations last a little longer or even do an extra one every now and then. If things get tough, don't let that keep you from doing your full dilations for the full amount of time (and always start keeping time AFTER you are at full depth).

It can be so stressful in those first few months, but I promise that it gets easier. Just keep up with your routine!

*hugs!*