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A Guide to SRS

General information and tips

  • Try not to hate dilating. You’ll be doing a lot of it so figure out what you need to make it bearable (find that one reddit post talking about their strategy).

    • If you want to keep your vagina sizeable this is something you have to do.

  • No one has the same dilating regimen, you will work out what works for you and your body.

  • Initially it will feel like you’re living to dilate, it lessens over time but it is now the most important part of your day, your month, and your year. You will be planning everything around it.

  • It is uncomfortable but it shouldn’t be sharp pain. What you are doing by dilating is reversing scar contracture, which is trying to reduce the diameter of your vagina. You’re also training your pelvic floor.

  • Do not fret over depth and girth being smaller than initially estimated. You gain through dilating and especially through the reduction in swelling over time. This also makes dilating easier.

  • Establishing a dilation schedule is important, and it will help you to be consistent with dilating. If you struggle with organisation make sure this is one thing you work out how to do regularly.

  • Dr Hart’s initial schedule for dilation is: “3x/day for 4-6 weeks, then 2x/day for a month or so, daily for about 6 months and then 1-2 weekly forever”.

  • Currently I dilate once every two-three days, I am one year and four months out from my surgery.
  • Each surgeon seems to recommend a different dilation schedule.
    • Start with your surgeon’s recommendation and figure out what works for your body.
      • Adjust duration, frequency, method, etc. As long as it works for you and your goals.

Kate’s guide to dilating

  • This is a well written and incredibly informative guide to dilating and everything surrounding it.
  • This guide taught me a lot when I was learning to dilate.

Dr Hart’s words on dilating

Dilating - 45-60 mins, 3x per day; over the next few weeks build up to the larger sizes. In the next few days, at the end of each dilation, try the next size up and once this becomes comfortable you know you are ready to upsize. At the start of the dilating session everyone is different as to how easily the dilator goes in - some find it inserts in a matter of seconds, whereas others may take up to 20 minutes to get the dilator to depth. Just take your time and persist. There’s often old blood/gunk on the dilator that’s fairly consistent for the next few months. Sometimes there’s discomfort with dilating. It shouldn’t be too painful, just pressure. There is a lot of psychological stamina required for dilating and patients often miss sessions as they are physically and emotionally exhausted. Try your best to persist - the first three months are really important for getting to maturity in depth and width.