I've been reading some of the posts that deal with dialation and I must admit it seems it would be challenging to have to stick to it for any length of time. It definitely makes one think aqbout doing GCS . I'm in my 60's so I wouldn't have to do it as near as long as someone in their 20's , but it still feels daunting .

I can relate. I've read plenty of dilation threads and it's definitely daunting to think about how committed one has to be to following through consistently on dilation. I'm steadfast on my determination to pursue GCS but it's something I think about, along with all the other considerations such as risks, etc.

I think its not so much dilation as being the problem, but trying to fit it in with the rest of your life. Having to dilate 3 times a day while still going to work is hard to imagine.

The big thing about dilation seems to be the time committment.  Being retired, that is not a huge deal for me.  I do have fears about the post-op recovery in general: the pain and the general debilitation.

But I suspect, when the time comes, I will look at it the same way I am looking at my impending coming out this week: the theatre is booked; the tickets are sold; the show must go on.

I have a fear of the amount of upkeep involved I'm reading about dilation.  I'm actually more afraid of having SRS and then feeling like that part of my body is artificial.  I prefer it to feel as natural as possible.

What's clearly a bigger fear is what if I never get to do SRS?  I definitely cannot comfortably live with what I have now.

Depending on the surgery and the doctor, by about 6 months you are down to once or twice a day at the most. By about a year it could be as little as once a week. I was careful in the early stages to follow instructions as close as possible (though there were problems in the first month) and I was able to go 10 years without dilation. Upon returning to it, I dilated twice a week for the first month or two but then I was back to where I was before. I can now maintain what I have with once a week or once every other week.

Now on the other hand, if you are sexually active and have a properly sized penis available, dilation isn't required.

All the more motivation to partake in team dilation.

I was fearful of the process when I first started thinking about having it done.  Someone posted on a thread here that was something to the effect of "Oh, you mean those times when I can pleasure myself twice a day."  I looked at it different from that day forward and I'm glad I did.. 

Like so many other aspects of medical transition, GRS and the post-op maintenance is very dependent on the individual.  Dilation is no exception.  Most of the people I know haven't had such a rough time with it.  I'm not trying to minimize the problems that do happen for some girls.  I'm a Chett girl who followed his dilation schedule carefully for the first two months, but realized that the frequency and duration of his sessions were overkill for me.  I switched over to Suporn's dynamic dilation technique which allowed me to shorten up each session to as little as 15 minutes after full depth was achieved.  I'm almost 18 months post-op now and still dilate for few minutes a couple times a week.  It's no big deal, and even kind of nice.

Clara, I'm curious how you found the difference in dilation techniques. Was there some immediate benefit going to dynamic dilation or or did it take some time?

Quote from: stephaniec on April 17, 2017, 03:43:00 PM
I've been reading some of the posts that deal with dialation and I must admit it seems it would be challenging to have to stick to it for any length of time. It definitely makes one think aqbout doing GCS . I'm in my 60's so I wouldn't have to do it as near as long as someone in their 20's , but it still feels daunting .

Have you considered doing a "minimal depth" procedure? You would still have the external female genitalia and (hopefully) the ability to orgasm, but no internal vagina thus no need to dilate. It's a faster, easier procedure to recover from and more and more people seem to be choosing it. You would need to be 100% sure that that was what you wanted, though, as it would be difficult (though not impossible) to have a vagina constructed later.

Thank you everyone for your guidance.  I'm a month post op and dilation is both time consuming and difficult.  Nice to know that it will indeed become easier, less intense and perhaps dare I say kind of fun?

JB

It never really crossed my mind as a concern. The first month post-op, I basically did nothing but dilate, sitz baths, douche, and nap. But after that, it rapidly got easier. And I was still recovering from surgery for that first month, so I didn't expect to have much energy or time left over regardless. It was an intense time, but I don't regret a relatively brief period spend devoted to post-op care compared to the rest of my life.

I'm now down to dilating once every few months for ~20 minutes with the biggest dilator. (I got there by following the same surgeon's rules I did to gradually taper down from once a day to once a week, which tapering the surgeon did recommend - if there's no loss of depth or added tightness, there's no issue. If I found it was uncomfortable, I increased the frequency back to where I was. Over the past year or so, I went from once a month to this, and I've maintained my depth just fine. I'm coming up on 5 years post-op.) I was absolutely scrupulous about maintaining the schedule for the first three years, mind you, which I'm sure helped in the long run.

My concern with dialation and my exploring the possibility of a zero-depth vaginoplasty stems from both the scheduling and time involved in dilation, particularly in the first year, and some psychological issues linked to abuse in my youth.

Outweighing this is the knowledge that I might someday get past the psychological issues and have a partner interested in penetrative acts, but if I elected for zero-depth I would have effectively ruled out future revisions that might let me function in that area.   If I elect for a full vaginoplasty I would have that functionality even if I didn't make use of it, and I would always have the option of just letting it go if I cannot handle dilation. 

It's another tradeoff I have to work through.  For the moment my surgical request is for a full vaginoplasty and labiaplasty.

Quote from: I Am Jess on April 17, 2017, 06:02:52 PMI was fearful of the process when I first started thinking about having it done.  Someone posted on a thread here that was something to the effect of "Oh, you mean those times when I can pleasure myself twice a day."  I looked at it different from that day forward and I'm glad I did..

I hope that was me.

     

In my view it is no different than coming out, or electrolysis or laser or anything like that. Uncomfortable and painful perhaps but necessary. There was never a question that I would do all of it once I knew that there was something that I could do to resolve and remove the crushing dysphoria that I have felt my whole life. The surgery is all that I have left to do and even though my dysphoria is almost gone, I can't wait to get it done and start dilating.

So no, I don't fear it, I welcome it. Grateful beyond words for the process that brought me out of darkness into the light. The price is small.

I don't relish the idea of dilation, but it doesn't put me off in the slightest. It's more the time it takes that bothers me.

It gets manageable. Nowadays I do it once a week , 15 min each dilator (45min total). I watch a netflix show in that time. It's really not that big of a deal at this point.

During recovery it's more of a PITA but doable.

I'm fearful of any surgery in general. The dilating seems like a bit of a burden but isn't the primary put-off for me.

But I think I would be interested in the minimal depth option, if anything. I've not been able to find anything on the web about it. Honestly, I'd kinda like to see some after pics of that option. Anyone had it done or can provide a link to some information or doctors websites - thanks in advance. PM would be ok so as not to derail this great thread.

Quote from: laurenb on April 19, 2017, 07:55:33 AM
But I think I would be interested in the minimal depth option, if anything. I've not been able to find anything on the web about it. Honestly, I'd kinda like to see some after pics of that option. Anyone had it done or can provide a link to some information or doctors websites - thanks in advance. PM would be ok so as not to derail this great thread.

There are posts on this site about this type of srs.

I don't think I've ever seen any pictures and suspect there aren't any publically available. I'd also guess that externally they look just like the normal result from the same surgeon.