Six months ago I had GRS and since then have followed the dilation regime to the letter. However I have gone from 5.5 inches depth to 2.5 inches and still it continues to shrink. I am due to have silver nitrate cauterise in a few weeks time and hopefully the stops the depth reduction.

I am so upset, it was not what I was promised nor expected.

Has anyone else had similar issues?

Hi Cathy,

My heart  goes out to you. Some loss of depth is normal, but maybe not to that extent. I definitely had some decrease in depth.  Immediately after SRS, I had about six inches of depth, but after the swelling subsided I lost about an inch.  I am now 15 months post-op and down to about four inches. Definitely not what I was expecting. I actually am considering a revision. Sex hurts, and my lack of depth has made me hesitant to have penis-in-vagina sex.

~Terri

Hi, I feel for you both, I'm kinda in the same boat, I have 3.5 inches of depth left after having just over 6, and penis-in-vagina sex also hurts. I'm looking into sigmoid colon revision as  theres no chance in liising depth(or so ive heard) just need to keep on dilating so your opening doesn't close up. I'm considering PAI or Kamol in thailand as I had my srs there but with a different surgon.

Maybebaby56, I'm loving your quote by Annie Dillard - so true!

Sam x

Hi,

I am sorry you are having this issue. I forget what I was just after GCS, I think about 4.5 inches and I was able to get 6 inches. My width was great and I was able to get to #4 dilator quickly.

Then I found out areas of the graft died and I had scar tissue contraction, ouch. I had a revision 1.5 years after GCS and I lost an 1.5 inches of depth and I am just now just over 5 inches (a very small amount above the 5th dot). I want to get back to 6 inches.

I measure my depth as the part not visible inside so there is additional depth from that point to the skin.

I have another revision in April but hope to not lose any depth. I have no scar tissue inside my vaginal canal and dilation is painless. However, I apply pressure at perhaps 5 or 6 pounds and after 30 minutes there is some discomfort.

I have not had PIV and am just now beginning to feel comfortable with my body. My vagina had some extensive work with GCS and was not pretty nor was it done. My revision and two office procedures corrected most of that and it looks good. After April I think I will look awesome.

I understand how frustrating setbacks and disappointments are and that you are on the right track to correcting this issue. I wish you good luck.

Rachel

My understanding is that granulation by itself should not cause loss of depth, although it may cause pain which stops you dilating to the correct depth. Every dilation should be to your full depth, and I've heard of women in extreme pain from granulation who use opiates to continue dilation.

Would you mind saying who your surgeon was?