I had my Jpouch surgery (one-stage) about 6 1/2 months ago.

I had two surgical dilations - Mid January and early March. I went to my surgeon today for a follow up visit and he said that I was slightly strictured - and did an office dilation (OUCH!)

He wants me to do a daily dilation at home using my finger - rubber glove, ky jelly and finger. Ive read on the posts that most people who do this at home use a Home Dilator kit. Is there a difference? As you can imagine I am a little apprenhensive/curious about doing this. Any advice on this would be greatly appreciatiated.

Keith

I'm so sorry Keith, I had an office dilation done once and OUCH doesn't even cover it....lol,

I don't have any answer for you, hopefully someone will be along soon.

I just wanted to say I was sorry that you're going through this.

janna

Hi Keith,

I used the home dialtion tool on a daily basis for about a year. It was easy to use and quite painless, but that may have been because I'd been dilated under anaesthetic prior to being given the tool to use. I found that if I went about a week without using it then it would be uncomfortable, so I stuck to the daily routine.

The tool itself is about 3-4" long, cone shaped and made of plastic. You just apply some lubrication (KY jelly etc) and insert it as far as is comfortable. I could always manage to insert it the full length with no pain or discomfort.

I'm sure I remember a thread on this topic a long time ago (correct me here folks if I dreamed this) in which someone's surgeon had suggested using a houshold candle and the thread got totally out of hand with suggestions of other "tools" which could be used.

Anyway, hope you get success with your home dilation. Good luck and keep us posted.

Shell

A candle?!! Yikes! No way would I ever insert anything up there that wasn't either my own finger or given to me by a doctor.
Huh, now I'm so stiff and immobile with joint pain I couldn't have performed a home dilation if my life depended on it (LOL)!
Good luck and be gentle

Keith, you can also buy a box (gross/144) of disposable finger cots for less than $4.00 for finger dilation. You can buy online or a pharmacy that sells medical supplies can order them for you.
Regards, DianeC