Dilation Frequency

[LilyRobinson241092]

Hey,
So I'm 23 years old and 5 weeks ago I had SRS. Anyway I spoke to the nurse over this but I still can't help worrying about it.

So basically the guidance I got on discharge said I need to dilate 3 times a day for the first 6 weeks, 2-3 times a day for 6-12 weeks, 2 times a day a for 12 weeks to 6 months and so on.

Anyway about 3 weeks after surgery I found I was able to cut down to 2 times a day with no issues and I am now finding it easy to cut down to 1 time a day.

I spoke to the nurse who said these are just guidelines and to just do what feels comfortable and stuff. It just seems odd I am being able to cut my dilations down so fast in comparison to the guidelines I've been given.

I'm probably just over thinking things as I'm maintaining depth (even gained a little actually), had some issues with the small dilator so the nurse said just to use the large one and dilating isn't painful at all.

I think I am just overthinking it but I'm just paranoid things will collapse in even though my dilations are going fine despite the rapid cutting down in frequency.

Anyone else got experience with this that could be useful and put my mind at ease I guess.

[mmmmm]

Everybody heals at different rate... if insertion to full depth becomes easy and fast (meaning there isnt much resistance and pain), it simply means you can do dilations less frequently. If you notice you have more trouble, and insertion takes longer, or even become painful, it means you should dilate more frequently. As long as you are able to maintain your depth, and it doesnt become painful or take too long to reach full depth, you are ok. That being said, with some SRS techniques (like Suporns) most tissue contraction happens between 2nd and 5th month.

[LilyRobinson241092]

I'm not entirely sure what technique was used. I just know my surgeon was Mr Thomas at Nuffield Health Brighton Hospital. I'm kinda a prude about this sort of thing so I didn't have a look at the end results and kinda preferred to know as little about the surgery as possible so I got the basics pretty much, lol.

[mmmmm]

Dr. Thomas performs peno-scrotal flap technique (except for patients who were XXL before surgery). This pretty much means you dont have to worry, as dilations arent problematic with this technique. Penile and scrotal skin are used as a flap, this means far less tissue contraction than with techniques where skin graft(s) was used. Since you are in early post-op stage, you should follow dilation guidelines as much as possible in the next few months. I would recommend you stay at 2 times per day, even if you feel its easier than expected. Its not just about vaginal wall, its also about vaginal entrance and scar tissue around it.

[Dena]

Welcome to Susan's Place. Returning to work just out of the hospital had me living on the edge of total exhaustion so I am sure that I was pretty much dilating twice a day when I should have been doing more. I was fortunate that it appears I haven't lost anything as the result but it was risky considering all the money I spent for surgery and revisions weren't heard of in those day. I would suggest you follow the doctors instructions as close as possible because you may gain additional depth and it will make sure that scar tissue is not an issue. At some point, once a week will be sufficient and it will be possible to go for an extended period of time without harmful results if you are careful now.

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[LilyRobinson241092]

Well this is precisely why I contacted the nurse and she just made it very clear what I'd been given was guidelines and she said if dilation became easy I could cut down frequency and if it became difficult up the frequency and just alter what I am doing for my specific needs.

I mean in terms of depth, I'm fortunate to have a lot of depth and to gain more would make it difficult to get a grip on the dilator so that is something I am not really interested in. I'm managing to maintain depth quite easily and I have checked with the nurse before reducing my dilations to get her opinion on it. And pretty much she just said to play it on what feels right.

Still hasn't helped the nagging feeling about it in my head though.

[Serenation]

My surgeon just said once you understand it, do as much as you need to do.Things are still fairly tight for me with 1.5 inch dilator even after a year. I had friends that had srs same time and they had to dilate much less, though I think they settled on a smaller dilater

[- Rachel -]

I'm 11 weeks post-op with Dr. Marci Bowers, 10 weeks since I started dilating. I was instructed to do 15 min. 3x daily for 3 months. I'm up to the largest size they gave me (the green one). Even though it feels like I could drop to 2x daily, I'm going to be conservative about dropping frequency.

[jujubes1986]

I'm 11 weeks post-op with Dr. Marci Bowers, 10 weeks since I started dilating. I was instructed to do 15 min. 3x daily for 3 months. I'm up to the largest size they gave me (the green one). Even though it feels like I could drop to 2x daily, I'm going to be conservative about dropping frequency.

congratz on your srs... how are you healing up?

[- Rachel -]

I'm healing up nicely, thanks
4 months was definitely a milestone and Dr. Bowers said I should be close to my final appearance in 6 mo.