Brassard's instructions say that after one year, "slowly increase the interval of time between each dilation until you reach one dilation per week." I'm interested in what sort of schedules people used for this transition period.

I didn't really have a specific plan. I was doing 4X a week at more than 18 months postop until just recently; I had tried skipping a day, it went fine, so I went to every other day.  Then I tried skipping two days, no problem, went to every third day.

Then I, um, got confused on the new rotation and forgot an extra day. Found out waiting 3 days between was no trouble, and now I'm at twice a week. Not sure how I'll wean down from here, but 15 minutes twice a week is easy anyway. At this point I rather enjoy it.

If you miss a day before you're ready, you'll feel it next time you dilate.

Hi Jenna,

Quote from: Jenna Marie on January 29, 2014, 10:54:30 AM
If you miss a day before you're ready, you'll feel it next time you dilate.

I didn't want to hear that.   

Huggs
Catherine

I am at a week shy of 10 months so have no idea what it will be like after a year.

But i have been giving it some thought and i was just going to see how it reacts. If i can go a few day with out issue then will work on that, if it gives me to much resistance then will add.

I still have a tight PC muscle so might have to keep a few extra days?

Will see what my husband helps with lol.

I think Jenna has hit the nail on the head with hers.
Isabell

Catherine Sarah : Sorry. I don't mean it'll be *bad,* just a little tight/achy.

Good news is, I hear it usually is possible to get down to once a week or less, even for non-Brassard gals.

Hi Jenna,

Quote from: Jenna Marie on January 29, 2014, 12:24:34 PM
Catherine Sarah : Sorry. I don't mean it'll be *bad,* just a little tight/.

Don't worry I know what you mean. I know how it feels when I run late even now. 
Aaaahh  the joys of womanhood. Well it was either this or 40 odd years of periods (if they could have fixed me then).

Huggs
Catherine

I am at 10 months now, and have went 4 or 5 days without an issue, however I believe this is something that will vary person to person, so as the common saying is around here ymmv. your body will tell you if its ok, its going to be like a trial and error sort of thing. skip 1 day, than 2, than 3 and so on till you start feeling some tightness, at 5 days for me I wouldn't say its super tight and I could probably go another day but I just prefer to do it at least by 5 days if not then when ever I feel during the week.

I'm approaching 9 months now. I sympathize about the tight PC muscle problem - inserting the #3 dilator takes about 5 minutes for me now for that reason.

I'm thinking it might be best for me to continue daily dilation for a month extra. A little past the 1 year mark I'm going on a 25 day cross-country motorcycle trip. Hopefully I can get to using just #4 by then so I can pack a bit less (yeah, #3 isn't huge, that's a good chunk of space when packing on a bike.)

Bunch of lucky pups!!  Bah!!  I'm supposed to keep mine up at once a day!!  I am now at 54 weeks actually dilating!!  Wah.

Quote from: Vicky on January 29, 2014, 06:08:02 PM
Bunch of lucky pups!!  Bah!!  I'm supposed to keep mine up at once a day!!  I am now at 54 weeks actually dilating!!  Wah.

Not sure how lucky, you only have up to #3. I am at the #4 and let me tell you that OMG (orange monster guage) is no fun at all.

But each of us has our own schedule per our doctors advice.

Isabell

Hi Agent_J,

Quote from: Agent_J on January 29, 2014, 05:10:59 PM
Hopefully I can get to using just #4 by then so I can pack a bit less (yeah, #3 isn't huge, that's a good chunk of space when packing on a bike.)

For all you nerdy types (self included) you'll marvel at he fact tat dilating on No 5 to a depth of 5.5 in, one displaces 184.64 cubic centimetres. So yes, a little more packing space required.

Hi Isabell,

Quote from: mind is quiet now on January 29, 2014, 06:49:02 PM
I am at the #4 and let me tell you that OMG (orange monster guage) is no fun at all.

Hummmm hope you "enjoy" "Divide & Conquer" No 5.       great in creating a split personality.

Huggs
Catherine

Quote from: Catherine Sarah on January 29, 2014, 09:50:01 PM
No 5

1.75"? The Soul Source set that Brassard issues only contains four dilators, and the largest is 1.5"

Yes. I think you'll have to source a No 5 or it's equivalent elsewhere. Still, 1.75 in. Sort of like conjures up the image of an over night parking spot for the car. 

Hugg
Catherine

For me there's little reason to go to that. I'm sticking with #4, and may someday just cease dilation completely (I nearly asked for no-cavity SRS, only didn't for fear of being denied SRS.)

Agent_J, I think you can easily find space for your #4 dilator.  When I travel during shark week I need to take a box of tampon which take up a lot more space.

Quote from: mm on January 30, 2014, 10:28:43 AM
Agent_J, I think you can easily find space for your #4 dilator.  When I travel during shark week I need to take a box of tampon which take up a lot more space.

#4 isn't in question; it's also taking #3. I was half-joking about space, though it will be two people on a 25 day motorcycle trip so space is at a premium.

I don't think see much of a point with having  a #5 (if you can find one) unless you plan on ha going with horses anyway,  4 is all anyone really needs. I have thought about looking for a possible 5 but only for fun/out of boredom,  right now and for the last 3 months or so I have only been using the #4 and for about an hour,  and thought perhaps it'd be fun to have a new challenge as dilation time is pretty boring,  but then I think about it and other than just a challenge it really isn't a point.

Quote from: Agent_J on January 29, 2014, 09:45:59 AMBrassard's instructions say that after one year, "slowly increase the interval of time between each dilation until you reach one dilation per week." I'm interested in what sort of schedules people used for this transition period.

I never went down to one.  Having a marginal result depth-wise I've always been paranoid about losing anything in that department.  So I still dilate two or three times a week.  And I'm coming up on 6.5 years since surgery.  Besides depth I also like the idea of always being moist/lubed up down there; it's hard to explain.  Dilation isn't just for your vagina; it also good for keeping the PC muscles down there loose IMO.