Popular topic, this one.

Through just being too darn busy I've managed to not dilate in 36 hours. (I'm supposed to be 2x/day.) Is this an end-of-the-world thing, or is it not a bigdeal?

I heard that there's a "relaxing" of the area after 9 months of healing - moreover, if you just maintain depth to that point things sort of settle down and it gets easier to move to larger sizes. (Starting my sixth month and still on mediums, boo. ) Is this true?  Has someone else experienced this?

a slip up now and again isn't the end of the world, just don't make a habit of it lol

I've related my experience with this several times here- in the beginning I got up to the larger dilators rather quickly, but there came a time at 4 months when I tightened up so much I could no longer use them, and so progressively I lost #4, and then #3.. of course I was terrified of losing it all but Dr. McGinn told me to just continue using the smaller dilators to maintain depth.  I did as she said, religiously, even throwing in extra sessions.  After about 7-8 months, I was able to start slowing introducing the next larger size and finally got back up to using all of them again.

The skin does soften up after a while and "relaxing" (and stretching) does occur.  The important thing is not to lose depth, but width can be regained if you don't let it get too far gone.

My doctor had a different procedure then that, giving 6 dilators its common (from all the girls i talked to who had him do SRS) within the first week after unpack to be at the largest one without much issue.  One girl couldnt follow the procedure because she had complications but 4/5 including me didn't have dilation issues.  As far as i know if you mess up once or twice (as long as time in between mess ups is long) you should be alright.  Most healing happens in the first 3 months after surgery so those are more critical that you dont mess up your dilation routine. 

My routine uses 6 dilators 16/16 size to 21/16 size (looks pretty scary first time i had to put this one in) x3 a day the first 3 months then x2 up to 6 months then 1/week if having regular sex, or 1/day or other day.   Sessions last 35minutes per dilation, although i increase the time when i dont have pending issues giving more minutes to various dilators.  Seems to have worked. 

After unpack i was 4 inches, following instructions from my doctor I dropped to 3.5 inches (pre-regular dilation method), then left Thailand to go home and was able to regain my old depth (via regular dilation method instructed by doctor) and then some 4.5~5 inches on the larger dilators via regular dilation.  The skin does stretch a little, and its important to use a lot of lube, and relax.  Watch a movie / show, relax your mind, and thing go much easier. 

I feel kinda sorry for those who have 2 ~ 4 dilators, i know if i skip one size and put in a larger one without stepping up normally... stings a bit. 

I'm definitely hoping it gets a little easier at some point. I had the same thing happen...at 3-4 months, dilating became much more difficult and #4 has hurt like hell at times. I've been able to keep at it and it's doable now but I still have to start at #2 then to #3 before I can get to #4.