Part of Iz’s treatment after having her new bottom built involves preventing scar tissue from forming and avoiding shrinkage. Following the PSARP procedure, the new bottom needs time to heal before anal dilation begins using a device called a Hegar Dilator. This involves a metal rod which comes in different sizes, ranging from 6mm to 12mm. Initially, the idea of anal dilation was daunting and overwhelming for us as I’m sure you can imagine, and as most parents faced with this we found it difficult to accept having to do this to our child. But despite our initial fears, we soon realized it wasn’t as traumatic as we’d imagined and if Iz’s surgeon said it was necessary then we sure as hell weren’t going to skip it because we didn’t feel like doing it.

Instructions were given by Iz’s surgeon, and after some apprehension at the start, we trusted the process and worked together as a team. Singing a silly rhyme helped ease tension during the dilation process, making it more bearable for everyone involved. Iz found our songs amusing, which helped her stay relaxed throughout the procedure. As we gradually increased the size of the dilator, we found a routine that worked well for us without encountering any of the horror stories I’d read about.

The success of the anal dilation process is crucial for Iz’s future surgeries, and we, as her parents, are committed to doing it correctly to avoid any further pain for her, if we can. Although Iz finds humor in our silly songs, despite the heartache they cover, the procedure is becoming easier over time, and we are hopeful that we are on the right track. Our dedication to following the instructions and working as a team has made the process more manageable for all of us, especially Iz. Even though there are days when both of us really struggle, when we go into our room and start the process, no matter what else is going on in our world, we dance, we sing, and we make sure that Iz is as relaxed as she can possibly be, every time, without fail.