Srs Dilate?

[Guest Hanayuki]

Hey people..

I once read ( can't remember where exactly) that after SRS you'll have to dilate... If I understood it correctly, you basically have to use vaginal stents to prevent the new vagina from losing depth because the body tries to close the vagina because it treats it like a wound...

So, I've got a few questions again:

-Will I have to dilate for the rest of my life?

-If yes, how long will that take me? Do I have to do it every day, every week? And can I stop after a while?

-Stupid question... Is it very painful or does it get better with time?

-Do SRS procedures that don't require dilation afterwards exist? I'm talking about a surgery where the body doesn't treat the vagina as a wound...

Thanks in advance for your replies...

[Guest Donna Jean]

Hey people..

I once read ( can't remember where exactly) that after SRS you'll have to dilate... If I understood it correctly, you basically have to use vaginal stents to prevent the new vagina from losing depth because the body tries to close the vagina because it treats it like a wound...

So, I've got a few questions again:

I'll try to answer to the best of my knowledge...

-Will I have to dilate for the rest of my life?

That's my understanding. To discontinue will mean the neovagina will close...

-If yes, how long will that take me?

I don't know...

Do I have to do it every day, every week?

It's a daily thing. I don't believe that you can stop unless you no longer want the depth available to you...

And can I stop after a while?

Like hormones, a lifetime endevor...as long as you want it to have depth ...

-Stupid question... Is it very painful or does it get better with time?

I don't know...some say it's a bit uncomfortable at first, but, gets easier with time...

-Do SRS procedures that don't require dilation afterwards exist? I'm talking about a surgery where the body doesn't treat the vagina as a wound...

If those were available, everyone would do that.....

Thanks in advance for your replies...

I have answered because I have my surgery letter and I've obviously done some reading, but, only someone that is post-op can give ther real low down....

Huggs...

Donna Jean

[Guest Elizabeth K]

You may want to look at:

http://www.avitale.com/dilation.htm

My understnding is all SRS required dilating, that it is extensive in need at first, slowly decreases, but actually the need to dilate is there for a long time, maybe a lifetime. Use it or lose it... errrr.. sounds crude! My post op friends tell me they get tired of dilating after two or three years, especially if the don't have a male partner and don't expect to find one. Later potential for intercouse is challanged I think when that happens - and the male partner needs to understand that.

Lizzy

[Guest Jewel]

This page has a good summary:

T-Vox Article on Dilation

In short, yes, after SRS you most likely will have to dilate the rest of your life if you want to maintain depth and girth of the vaginal canal. The frequency of dilation decreases quite a bit over time. Dilation recommendations vary from physician to physician. Here are the instructions from SRS surgeon Dr. Chettawut, for instance....

*Warning: Graphic Images of a Post-Op Girl's Vagina*

Dr. Chet's Page on Dilation

I don't have first hand experience, so I'll leave it to others to talk about whether there is pain or discomfort.

I'm not aware of any common techniques for vaginoplasty for trans women which don't involve dilation.

[Guest Michele H]

Surgeons differ in their recommendations. Dr. McGinn places a great deal of emphasis on dilation. Initially, she requires patients to dialate 5 times a day. I understand that there is some pain involved ( I will be much more athorative in a couple of months ) in the early stages but easies with time. After the first year, you will be down to weekly.

[Guest Hanayuki]

Thanks for all your replies...

I feared the worst and that's what I get lol...

Ok, well at least, it gets down to once a week after a few months...

I'll have my surgery either in a year (if I can convince my GT to let me have the surgery with 17) or in two years if I have to wait until I'm 18 >__<

I was just thinking that if I have my surgery next year, I'll have a neovagina which will require dilation for the rest of my life, but what if a new type of SRS that won't require dilation will be invented in... say 2 or 3 years or so?

Then a new SRS technique will be available but I won't be able to have that new SRS because I already had another surgery

I know I'm overthinking things, but the mere thought of using a stent freaks me out...

Okay, no offense to anybody here, but it just grosses me out

After searching a bit on the net, I found this site: http://wiki.susans.org/index.php/Gender_re...ture_techniques

where they wrote this:

"In further study, is a method of vaginoplasty using stem cells to fabricate autologous (derived or transferred from the same individual's body) vaginal tissue.

It has been successfully tested in a patient with Mayer–von-Rokitansky–Küster–Hauser syndrome, by taking a full thickness sample, then converting the tissue into stem cells and cultivating them. After 14 days, she had a modified Abbè–McIndoe vaginoplasty using the cultured tissue. After a 1 month followup, the new vagina retained normal properties of depth and mucosal qualities. "

That might mean SRS without having to dilate isn't impossible, right?

I guess I'm dreaming too much lol...

[Sally]

I cannot tell you anything authoritatively, except that yes, dilation is for a lifetime but then s o is breathing.

I have a very good friend who is 5 years post op now and uses her once a week dilation as her 'down' time - there is no pain after all of the swelling has gone down.

She uses that time to relax and listen to music - it can be seen as a terrible chore or just a weekly fee for being complete and not a very high one either.

Love ya,

Sally

[Guest Hanayuki]

I cannot tell you anything authoritatively, except that yes, dilation is for a lifetime but then s o is breathing.

I have a very good friend who is 5 years post op now and uses her once a week dilation as her 'down' time - there is no pain after all of the swelling has gone down.

She uses that time to relax and listen to music - it can be seen as a terrible chore or just a weekly fee for being complete and not a very high one either.

Love ya,

Sally

But then again, breathing happens without you having to constantly think about it...

I like the last thing you said though... You're right, I'll have to deal with it either way sooner or later, so might as well come to terms with it now... It's maybe not so terrible after all... Thanks

[Guest Chayraine]

After searching a bit on the net, I found this site: http://wiki.susans.org/index.php/Gender_re...ture_techniques

where they wrote this:

"In further study, is a method of vaginoplasty using stem cells to fabricate autologous (derived or transferred from the same individual's body) vaginal tissue.

It has been successfully tested in a patient with Mayer–von-Rokitansky–Küster–Hauser syndrome, by taking a full thickness sample, then converting the tissue into stem cells and cultivating them. After 14 days, she had a modified Abbè–McIndoe vaginoplasty using the cultured tissue. After a 1 month followup, the new vagina retained normal properties of depth and mucosal qualities. "

That might mean SRS without having to dilate isn't impossible, right?

I guess I'm dreaming too much lol...

Yes there are techniques for this kind of thing that are being tested. It is mostly being done for organ transplantation. They have also done other tests. One TV showed a gentleman who lost his finger up to his first knuckle and they used the same research to grow his finger again. This research has a lot of great possibilities as well. I read somewhere it would allow for men and women to replace their reproductive organs via transplantation if they are injured or removed b/c of cancer. They also did tests to regenerate basic breast tissue for a woman that allowed her to regrow her breasts (don't know any details). Sadly there is little information out there to find as most of it is kept secret until they are ready to start using it.

The implications for the trans community, assuming you can afford it, is a complete reassignment, nothing neo-x. Though the time line for this is likely many many years away as they are still trying to find a way to artificially create stem cells that are reliable and cost effective. At least last I heard. But if this new way works I seriously doubt there would be a problem adapting it for GRS for both MtF and FtM. All they need is a mold (not sure what the actual term they use).

So yes the technology and research is out there.

[Guest Evan_J]

After searching a bit on the net, I found this site: http://wiki.susans.org/index.php/Gender_re...ture_techniques

where they wrote this:

"In further study, is a method of vaginoplasty using stem cells to fabricate autologous (derived or transferred from the same individual's body) vaginal tissue.

It has been successfully tested in a patient with Mayer–von-Rokitansky–Küster–Hauser syndrome, by taking a full thickness sample, then converting the tissue into stem cells and cultivating them. After 14 days, she had a modified Abbè–McIndoe vaginoplasty using the cultured tissue. After a 1 month followup, the new vagina retained normal properties of depth and mucosal qualities. "

That might mean SRS without having to dilate isn't impossible, right?

I guess I'm dreaming too much lol...

You're not dreaming too much.

You're dreaming about as much as a lot of us FtMs are. And honestly? I have my suspicions theres a few peeps working on these things. Your article in particular casts light on some work being done. I often (like you) wonder if I shouldn't "wait a while longer" . My doc keeps saying to. And I certainly fear the risks of things as they are currently.

I'm really sorry this hurts for you all. I didnt know that. I thought it was more just a "grind". (Ok, so the guy in me thought it was basically like masterbating for natal ladies originally, and that some trans girl out there was "havin a good time" but this is the ignorance of bein another sex) And yes, common sense should've pointed out the number of natal ladies who don't like that. And the number for whom its displeasing