There’s a lot of variation in what different individuals need. I think you just got lucky. Plus chetts dilation schedule is ridiculous. I’m not sure anyone sticks to it.

Long term I’ve heard of women go years without dilating and still be able to recover depth.

You're looking for an excuse to do less dilation, go for it. It's your body and your choice. My best friend has kelloid scarring and she lost a significant amount of depth for skipping what you'd consider "unreasonable" dilation. Only fact I'm sure of is that every single body is different and heals different. Maybe you're one of the lucky ones that heals faster or better, congratulations. Doctors still need to recommend the bottom common denominator followup treatment to avoid leaving out the trans women who aren't that lucky. So. Your body, your choice, only you know your body and whether you're okay with cutting back or not on the schedule.

This is a complicated subject and question. There are a few reasons dilation is recommended, the most important of which are:

• Prevention of stricture, which can lead to stenosis (think of this as prevention of tissue contraction while healing early on)
• Relaxing and training the muscles around the canal
• Possible long-term prevention of stenosis via unspecified means

The first is without question true. Every formal study of neo vagina based techniques that examines tissue contraction has determined that a dilation is highly effective in preventing it. Although the degree it occurs varies with technique and graft type.

The second is also without question true but is more of a comfort thing. Though there is some evidence that this is somehow related to stenosis early on, and conjecture of it being related later on. Either way once you are a few years post op, this isn't really that big of an issue. Like yes if you didn't dilate or be penetrated for a while it could hurt or be uncomfortable, but I sincerely doubt you'd lose depth over this.

We have no concrete data on this third point. At least not in sufficient abundance to draw any sort of conclusions or even educated speculation. I think this is why most surgeons go with a "see how your body responds" mentality for this stage. (If someone had a study saying contrary, I'd love to read it?) With as much change as has happened in trans healthcare but especially mtf gcs in the last two decades, I wouldn't hold my breath for a study that will be applicable (to you) and well researched examining this.

I know for me personally, once dilation is firmly at the 1/week mark, I don't spending the 30 minutes per week to make sure I keep depth. It's honestly not that big of a worry especially when penetrative sex counts, which I enjoy very much.

Same reason some people can go weeks without earrings and don't lose their piercing, and others can't go a day. Even after years of having the piercing in 24/7, still closes.

Considering we can't see the inside of our ear any better than we can the inside of our vagina, sticking something in those holes occasionally to be sure we're not one of the closing types seems like an ok price to pay to not have to redo it.

21x a week is pretty crazy. It would be a good reason for me personally to consider a different doctor, or maybe push the limit of what I actually have to do. But if one day I lost a mm, I'm upping my frequency.

I don't think you can pick a length of time, and say ok, at this point it's unnecessary, stop, and have everyone keep their depth. So it's very understandable why a Dr would say to do it for life.

If someone chooses to explore their own body at some risk they accept, I understand. I wouldn't understand that person telling other people it's safe. People are too different to be so bold.

Ask all the women who failed to dilate and now have to go back in for a revision.

You need to dilate to be sure depth is maintained. A few exceptions or a week without isn't proof of anything.

I never understood why Thai surgeons recommend so much. You'd be at 1-2x a week with my surgeon iirc

I have the same experience as you. In fact, if I don't dilate for a week I get less "pain" and better depth. I really feel like if you healed well and properly that the whole dilation thing is less critical. Some people scar badly with a ton of contraction so I can't speak to that. I healed quickly with almost no issues and negligible bleeding so I'm guessing that aided me as well?

It’s not a myth. That said chettawat recommends way more than needed. I had surgery with suporn and followed his advice for the first year. I’ve found that cutting dilation down to 1/week has been super doable after the first year.

But this varies by person for sure. If you cut back, experiment with what works for your body and make sure it works for you first. Don’t just do it!

Are you engaging in regular PIV sex?

I am 9 (almost 10) months since having surgery with Chett. I am dilating about once every other day now and my depth is still at 6". Hell I just skipped two days in a row over the weekend, dilated no problem today. However, I am not using dilator #4 out of a personal choice since my sexual preference is women and I have no interest in PIV sex.

I had SRS with Chettawut back in 2017 and I barely even dilate now. I might dilate once or twice a month plus I'm having frequent sex.

No