To all you remarkable people who have trodden this path, seen the light at the end of the tunnel, preserved and won the battle; a hearty congratulations. To those still treading this path, be it known, the journey is well worth the efforts you put into it. You'll get back what you put in. Keep up the good work.
I have had an unrelated ailment to surgery that's required going back to my earlier dilating schedule. Fortunately only 3 times a day instead of that debilitating schedule of six (6) times a day. That was for the first 3 months. So don't complain about dilating until you pass this mark, please.
Discussing the various options available to me for my ailment with my surgeon, and attempting to keep the discussion positive and upbeat I slipped into my usual light hearted solution mode. Suggesting that if she could source a medical grade cork, I have a bicycle pump outside and we could do this pneumatically; allowing more freedom throughout the day.
Never did I realise such a serious solution be born from such jest. Yep, it's already been thought of. I've already had it approved for use by my gynaecologist and dermatologist. Waiting final clarification from my surgeon.
http://www.porges.com/en-uk/female-pelvic-health/vaginal-stents/ (http://www.porges.com/en-uk/female-pelvic-health/vaginal-stents/)
and
http://www.silimed.com.br/en/urology/ (http://www.silimed.com.br/en/urology/) Scroll down to vaginal stent
Currently these are only available through medical practitioners. Check with your surgeon and gynaecologist before proceeding to ensure they are the right product for you. My current schedule is to dilate overnight.
These are essentially designed for women suffering vaginal agenesis (birth defect) and vaginal stenosis caused by chemo/radio therapy.
Hope this may be useful for some.
Speak to you as soon as I finish baking a cake.
Huggs
Catherine
THEY STILL MAKE THEM!!!!! After my surgery and they pulled the packing out, that was my first dilator. You would squeeze all the air out, insert it and then let the air back in. I used that for a while and then then following my doctors advice, I entered a dirty book store for the first and last time, selected aaaa errrrr dilator that resembled the before me and I am still using it. I guess they don't make them like they used to ;D
I would imagine that this would be quite similar to the stent that was inside following surgery. And that really wasn't what I would call comfortable. God it was nice when that was removed.
Now dilation is a chore, but considering I get to lay down and watch tele/netflix for 30 mins, it's not too bad. :) Almost preferable. It's me-time.
I had a sneeze when Dr Suporn removed the packaging and it came out by itself. It's embarrassing when Dr Suporn said it made his job easier. Hehe
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Correct me if I am mistaken but was there not a time pre-dating us all when the device had to be worn throughout the day or night - either an alternative to dilation or in addition to it.
I also recall information that the internal circumference was previously made large to account for eventual reduction and contraction.
The process and results have certainly improved these past 30-some years.
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I can't say before 1982 but I did 20 minute sessions several times a day and we were warned that if we didn't follow the schedule, we would lose depth or diameter. Much like today, regular dilation maintained what I had and I may have gained a small amount.