Mariah's GRS with Dr. Meltzer 10/27/16 and Post surgical journey.

Rachel · January 11, 2017, 05:47:16 PM

Hi Mariah,

You are a few weeks ahead of me with your GCS. Have you noticed any tightening of the vaginal canal? I have been instructed to use all 4 dilators each time I dilate. On the 1.5 inch dilator it feels a little bit tighter now. It could be my imagination or it could be something that happens and is normal. Do you have any insight?

Dena · January 11, 2017, 07:10:07 PM

If you are having difficulty with the larger dilator it might indicate you need to use it more. I think you are already doing 3 or 4 dilations a day so the trick might be a longer dilation session with the larger dilator. I have always had a 20 minute session from day one and that seems to be sufficient to maintain the proper size.

Beth Andrea · January 11, 2017, 07:49:38 PM

My instructions for dilations (Meltzer/Ley) says:

Quote"Moving up in size approximately every two weeks:

Start with number one. Use for approximately two weeks then move up to the number two.

...

"#3: progress to the number three dilator when the number to becomes easier, in two to three weeks ."

Are you sure you're supposed to do all 4 sizes?

Dena · January 11, 2017, 08:14:38 PM

Meltzer's dilator set consist of 1,2t,2,3t,3,4. The "T" dilators are tampered and are only used to open up enough room so the non "t" dilator will fit. Mariah and I have found that when you are going up, you would use 1,2t,2 as a set. Net step would be 2,3t,3 as the next step. The reason for this is the small dilator will give you full depth until you can get the larger dilator to full depth. Once the larger dilator will go to full depth, you can discontinue usage of the smaller ones.

Mariah · January 12, 2017, 10:54:15 AM

We were told 4 was optional. In my case, 4 is necessary due to my fiancé and because I wanted to do it in the first place but you can choose to stop at 3 if that is what you want to do. Hugs
Mariah

Quote from: Beth Andrea on January 11, 2017, 07:49:38 PM
My instructions for dilations (Meltzer/Ley) says:

Are you sure you're supposed to do all 4 sizes?

Beth Andrea · January 12, 2017, 11:41:53 AM

My concern was was "...I have been instructed to use all 4 dilators each time I dilate...."

Maybe I misread it, but it sounded like she was using all 4 sizes during each dilation session.

Mariah · January 12, 2017, 12:04:18 PM

Yeah, sounds like you misread it. It can be confusing for sure. You will start with dilator number 1 for 2 weeks. Then you will add dilators 2 and 2T while still doing 1 until 2 reaches the full depth that 1 is reaching. Then 2 additional weeks or 4 weeks after your first dilation you move onto 3T , and 3 while still using 2 until 3 reaches that same depth that 2 has been reaching. Then if you choose to go onto 4 the same thing. 3 and 4 would be at the same time until 4 reaches the full depth. Anyways that is how it works. I hope that helps Beth Andrea. Hugs
Mariah

Quote from: Beth Andrea on January 12, 2017, 11:41:53 AM
My concern was was "...I have been instructed to use all 4 dilators each time I dilate...."

Maybe I misread it, but it sounded like she was using all 4 sizes during each dilation session.

Mariah · January 12, 2017, 12:37:56 PM

If I miss a dilation then yes it gets tight. We don't have to use all 4 at one time though. Meltzer has us dilate in a particular order that he has us using. Hugs
Mariah

Quote from: Rachel Lynn on January 11, 2017, 05:47:16 PM
Hi Mariah,

You are a few weeks ahead of me with your GCS. Have you noticed any tightening of the vaginal canal? I have been instructed to use all 4 dilators each time I dilate. On the 1.5 inch dilator it feels a little bit tighter now. It could be my imagination or it could be something that happens and is normal. Do you have any insight?

Mariah · January 24, 2017, 12:07:42 PM

We have been treating the granulation tissue and I am still doing so, but now will be getting a post op follow up appointment with Meltzer once I arrive in Phoenix since he wants to evaluate the granulation tissue in person which is possible since I will be living in Arizona. Hugs
Mariah

Beth Andrea · January 24, 2017, 10:05:10 PM

I already miss Dena and AZ...and it's only been 3 days since returning!

Mariah · January 24, 2017, 10:11:40 PM

As much as I missed Dena, I missed my then fiancé, now husband, even more when I returned to Washington State. Hugs
Mariah

Quote from: Beth Andrea on January 24, 2017, 10:05:10 PM
I already miss Dena and AZ...and it's only been 3 days since returning!

Dena · January 24, 2017, 10:39:29 PM

I am only as far as a Skype call away though I can do face time as well.

Mariah · January 31, 2017, 10:58:01 AM

I will be following up with Meltzer in person February 8 so he can evaluate the granulation situation in person and I'm going to ask about the pee that still spraying to see what we can do about that now that I'm more than 3 months out. I kind of expected that to be the case considering the damage done to the urethra from all the prior surgeries though. Hugs
Mariah

Mariah · February 08, 2017, 01:54:44 PM

They had me see Dr. Ley instead of Dr. Meltzer since she will be preforming the Labiaplasty. A good amount of granulation is inside the vagina and resulted in more silver nitrate being applied. I will be going back to follow up with her in two weeks time. Hugs
Mariah

Mariah · February 22, 2017, 08:55:28 PM

So I had my speculum exam today. it hurt more, but the silver nitrate didn't hurt as much as last time. The granulation was bad enough that the Labiaplasty is now back to being on March 27 instead of March 8. I could definitely feel the speculum in there more today than the the first time. Hugs
Mariah

jujubes1986 · March 06, 2017, 07:10:29 PM

time flew by eh!

Mariah · August 07, 2017, 09:28:40 PM

So now been over 9 months and still fighting a little bit of granulation, but it is a lot better. Now going to be seeing Meltzer every 3 to 4 weeks to clear it up. I had to step down from 3 down to 2 at one point due the granulation and the measures needed to treat it. I'm just now working on getting 3T in again. It's taking time, but slowly making progress as I heal. I had the granulation treated again today and was able to dilate a couple hours later without issue this time. Short note I should have used a thicker pad after the exam because I might have ruined a pair of panties. Oh well. Hugs
Mariah

mm · August 08, 2017, 11:29:52 AM

Great you are making process; it has been a very long recovery for you, about as long as I have ever heard. Just keep up with the dilating and you will make it.

Mariah · August 08, 2017, 06:13:00 PM

Yep which is why I'm now scheduled to see him every three to four weeks. Hugs
Mariah

Mariah · October 23, 2017, 07:47:50 PM

I had another checkup with Melter today and the granulation is barely there anymore. So hopefully when I have my next check up it should be clear of any granulation for good. Hugs
Mariah

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Mariah's GRS with Dr. Meltzer 10/27/16 and Post surgical journey.