Dilation after SRS?

[Guest Kurohana]

Hey, just got back home today after a successful SRS surgery

I ordered my vaginal dilators on the Internet and should be getting them on Monday or Tuesday..

At the moment, I'm still using the vaginal stent (hope you know what I mean. if you don't, I can upload a picture of the stent..) they put in during surgery, which is about 10 or 11 cm long.

Yesterday, I kept it in my vagina all day long. My surgeons told me to leave it out for an hour today, then for two hours tomorrow, for three hours the day after tomorrow, and so on, and to reduce the time I leave it in by one hour every day, until I get down to 16 hours. And then, I can start dilating. So basically, I'll start dilating on September 3rd..

Feels kind of like a weird schedule to me, but okay..

Now here's the problem:

-I have absolutely no clue how long I should dilate, which sizes I should use, and how long I should leave the dilators in.. Can someone help me here? I know I already asked this in another topic, but I'm still unsure, sorry.

And I did ask my surgeon again. He told me to just dilate whenever I felt I needed to.

I searched on the Internet but didn't find much stuff on the topic..

I know that usually, you're supposed to start with the two smallest dilators after SRS, but I don't really see the point in doing so. The stent I'm using at the moment is 30 mm in diameter (which is just as large as dilator #3), and to my surprise goes in without any problem.. It doesn't hurt at all and goes in pretty easily even.

-So, could I start with the third size, or would that be too dangerous at the moment (I don't want to injure myself for nothing..) ?

There's another problem: school will soon start again, and since my school is pretty far from home, I don't get to come home until 7 pm or so, sometimes even later.

- I was thinking of dilating 3 times a day for the first month, but would it be okay to dilate once in the morning before going to school(around 6 am or so), once when I get back (7 or 8 pm) and then one last time before going to bed(around midnight-1 am)? Or do you have to do it around noon too? I seriously don't know how I'm supposed to dilate at school, that sounds really awkward.. I can't dilate on the toilet every day!

What do you think? And would 3 times a day be enough for the first month?

I would greatly appreciate any other helpful tips you may have

Okay, sorry for bothering you all again, but I really need help..

Thanks!

[Guest Leah1026]

Now here's the problem:

I have absolutely no clue how long I should dilate, which sizes I should use, and how long I should leave the dilators in.. Can someone help me here? I know I already asked this in another topic, but I'm still unsure, sorry.

I know that usually, you're supposed to start with the two smallest dilators after SRS, but I don't really see the point in doing so. The stent I'm using at the moment is 30 mm in diameter (which is just as large as dilator #3), and to my surprise goes in without any problem.. It doesn't hurt at all and goes in pretty easily even.

-So, could I start with the third size, or would that be too dangerous at the moment (I don't want to injure myself for nothing..) ?

There's another problem: school will soon start again, and since my school is pretty far from home, I don't get to come home until 7 pm or so, sometimes even later.

- I was thinking of dilating 3 times a day for the first month, but would it be okay to dilate once in the morning before going to school(around 6 am or so), once when I get back (7 or 8 pm) and then one last time before going to bed(around midnight-1 am)?

Before you dilate you'll need a couple items, the most important being lube. I don't know what's available in Germany but I use Surgi-Lube that I order here:

http://www.buyemp.com/product/1011201.html

I would get a couple boxes to get started because you will be dilating frequently.

You will also need bed protectors of some kind, either washable or disposable. I use these disposable ones:

http://www.buyemp.com/product/1091908.html

Then you'll need panty liners of course.

Last, you'll need some anti-bacterial dish soap to clean the dilators.

Dilation: Do dilate 3x a day if possible for the first 2-3 months. Note I said if possible. Then 2x a day for the next 3 months. Then once a day until you're one year post-op. Then go down as you see fit.

Which dilators to use? You're going to have to figure this out with experience. I would suggest using one of the small dilators for 3-5 minutes to open things up. Then go with a larger dilator for 15-20 minutes.

You might find this web page useful:

http://www.marcibowers.com/grs/postopcare.html

A couple more supplies you might like:

I have a small self-standing hand mirror that I use to start dilation. Before I start I place the mirror between my legs. Then I use a finger to put a couple dolops of lube in the vaginal opening. Then I lube the dilator and insert. Insertion is easier with exhalation, it relaxes the muscles down there. I usually hold the dilator with my hand and pass the time watching TV. When it's time for the next dilator I close my legs to hold the dilator while I lube up the next dilator. Remove the first and insert the second.

I also use moist towelettes to clean myself up after I'm done.

You should also have lots of paper towels. I use them for a couple things. On my bed I lay the dilators on a couple and use them also to wipe my fingers. I also use them in the kitchen. After I wash the dilators I lay them on the paper towels to dry.

Hope this helps.

[Guest Kurohana]

Now here's the problem:

I have absolutely no clue how long I should dilate, which sizes I should use, and how long I should leave the dilators in.. Can someone help me here? I know I already asked this in another topic, but I'm still unsure, sorry.

I know that usually, you're supposed to start with the two smallest dilators after SRS, but I don't really see the point in doing so. The stent I'm using at the moment is 30 mm in diameter (which is just as large as dilator #3), and to my surprise goes in without any problem.. It doesn't hurt at all and goes in pretty easily even.

-So, could I start with the third size, or would that be too dangerous at the moment (I don't want to injure myself for nothing..) ?

There's another problem: school will soon start again, and since my school is pretty far from home, I don't get to come home until 7 pm or so, sometimes even later.

- I was thinking of dilating 3 times a day for the first month, but would it be okay to dilate once in the morning before going to school(around 6 am or so), once when I get back (7 or 8 pm) and then one last time before going to bed(around midnight-1 am)?

Before you dilate you'll need a couple items, the most important being lube. I don't know what's available in Germany but I use Surgi-Lube that I order here:

http://www.buyemp.co...ct/1011201.html

I would get a couple boxes to get started because you will be dilating frequently.

You will also need bed protectors of some kind, either washable or disposable. I use these disposable ones:

http://www.buyemp.co...ct/1091908.html

Then you'll need panty liners of course.

Last, you'll need some anti-bacterial dish soap to clean the dilators.

Dilation: Do dilate 3x a day if possible for the first 2-3 months. Note I said if possible. Then 2x a day for the next 3 months. Then once a day until you're one year post-op. Then go down as you see fit.

Which dilators to use? You're going to have to figure this out with experience. I would suggest using one of the small dilators for 3-5 minutes to open things up. Then go with a larger dilator for 15-20 minutes.

You might find this web page useful:

http://www.marcibowe...postopcare.html

A couple more supplies you might like:

I have a small self-standing hand mirror that I use to start dilation. Before I start I place the mirror between my legs. Then I use a finger to put a couple dolops of lube in the vaginal opening. Then I lube the dilator and insert. Insertion is easier with exhalation, it relaxes the muscles down there. I usually hold the dilator with my hand and pass the time watching TV. When it's time for the next dilator I close my legs to hold the dilator while I lube up the next dilator. Remove the first and insert the second.

I also use moist towelettes to clean myself up after I'm done.

You should also have lots of paper towels. I use them for a couple things. On my bed I lay the dilators on a couple and use them also to wipe my fingers. I also use them in the kitchen. After I wash the dilators I lay them on the paper towels to dry.

Hope this helps.

Oh god, thanks so much, now I've got it

I'll do that

I've already seen that site, but all they say is "Follow your surgeon's instructions regarding the frequency of dilation", which is totally useless info for me since he didn't give me any instructions lol..