I only have a few stitches left and I can see that they are falling out. I saw my doctor last week for my one month post-op visit and that's when she said I could go ahead and start using the dilators. She said it was very important to use the dilators in the peri-operative period. (fyi- I had a "full" vestibulectomy).

Just a background note- I did not have pelvic floor/muscle issues beforehand-- I could use tampons and have sex (sex with horrible pain) and somehow I was able to keep my muscles relaxed. I will probably continue using the dilators at least once a week once I reach the maximum size just to keep my body used to the feeling (since I don't have a partner). My doctor said that there was no risk of vaginal stenosis (narrowing) if I quit using the dilators after I reached the maximum size. Once I do have a partner though, I think I will be afraid to have sex - I guess because that is the ultimate test of whether or not the surgery worked, right? My doctor said it would be okay for me to have intercourse now if there was someone "special" in my life, though there is not and I am not mentally ready to have intercourse.

I'm so glad to be on this "side" of the surgery (post-op) and so satisfied with the care I have received from my doctor. She's definitely at the top of her game and I would recommend her to others.

Just as a general update, my doctor said that she could already see the difference from my using the Estrace cream (had been applying nightly since the surgery) and since I was having slight headaches during the day I could cut down on using it to only a couple times per week.

Also for those who are paying so much for their dilators-- when I went to be evaluated by a pelvic floor PT, they tried to sell me some expensive dilators but I declined. Then my doctor told me about vaginismus.com, which sells a set of 4 medical-grade dilators for $44.95.

Someone asked me about the breakdown of hospital and other fees for the surgery:
I have Blue Cross Blue Shield (of TX) and my bill was about $13,000 (then reduced to $3,000 that the insurer would actually pay the hospital) and I am responsible for about $900 total (in addition to the $3,000 that my insurer will pay the hospital), including my $350 deductible (I have really, really great insurance.) Most of the $13,000 were hospital use/equipment fees as well as the anesthesiologist fee. I'm not sure what my surgeon's fee was but this is the breakdown:

Pharmacy - 620.00
Med-Surg supplies - 42.00
Lab - 477.00
Lab-Path - 875.00
OR Services - 8,750.00 (this could include surgeon's fee as well as nurse and anesthesiologist)
Anesthesia - 787.00
Drugs requiring spec id - 10.00
Self-administerable drugs - 4.50
Recovery room - 1,764.00

Dilators, post-op

My doctor gave me the go-ahead to start using dilators. I ordered a set from vaginismus.com and I am currently on the second dilator. I don't have much pain except in the 11 o'clock area.... I think tomorrow I will try the #3 dilator.


I wonder how long I am supposed to continue the dilator use. If I am comfortable with the biggest dilator then can I stop? I will have to ask my doctor.

I am 5 weeks post-op. I still have some stitches but they should fall out soon. My doctor took some out in the office but it hurt so she said we'd just let them fall off.