Should I use my circ scar ring as a guide for T-taping?

[RFtugnstuff]

I have been doing research on restoration for about 4 days straight now and am going to start T-taping soon. I have (what I believe to be) a ring of scar tissue around my penis and I can use that as the POE for the tape ( I'm at a RCI-3), but if i do the outside skin will have a little bit of stretching to do to be even with the inside skin. (My reason for doing this is mostly so that when I'm done the color appears more natural)

Are there any known or supposed problems with essentially stretching the outer skin w/o stretching the inner?

[admin]

Originally Posted by RFtugnstuff

Are there any known or supposed problems with essentially stretching the outer skin w/o stretching the inner?

Asymmetry in your tension will make your setup work loose quicker than otherwise.

Should I use my circ scar ring as a guide

I say no, don't use your circ scar as a guide for anything. You didn't choose it, some knife wielder did. Please read our Glossary entries about Roll-over Point http://foreskin-restoration.net/foru...ead.php?t=5591 and Inner/Outer Skin http://foreskin-restoration.net/foru...78&postcount=1.

See also my explanation why I avoid letting the scar location decide anything, from this thread: http://foreskin-restoration.net/foru...2&postcount=44

I don't know why you'd want to tug with your induced roll-over point at your circ scar:

- This would severely reduce your overall growth rate by hampering you with fewer options to optimize both inner and outer tension.

- Targeting the scar for your eventual flaccid roll-over point just seems like a bad idea. Who wants to look at a scar?

- The scar area includes damaged dartos fascia. For my roll-over point I want functional dartos fascia so it can pucker effectively, especially in the cold, at least until I retract it.

- That approach would not be generalizable to all cut people since cuts vary so widely. Some guys have so little surviving mucosa that the circ scar is just millimeters from the corona. For others, the scar is jagged, irregular, or far from circular.

- Many guys don't realize that "outer" skin worn facing in gets soft and more supple than regular outer skin. It's just fine for wearing against the glans.

The main reason really is that guys typically don't have nearly enough inner skin left to make it work. Maybe they've lost half their mucosal skin and only one-fourth of their outer shaft skin. So if such a guy draws his skin forward from the scar chances are he will put his inner skin under unbearable stress before his outer skin feels anything.

Using T-Tape, TLC Tugger, or any basic tugging method, you have control over the inner/outer tension ratio, by where you affix the device. To increase inner tension put the T-Tape closer to the glans or apply the tapeless tugger while partially erect.

The beauty of bi-directional devices is you can max out on inner and outer tension at the same time independently through the extension of the inner pushing part. And with the TLC-X you have further independent control of where the skin rolls over by swapping in Pushers of different lengths or adding Selects spacers.

Cheers,
-Ron

[greg_b]

As in many things related to restoration, there are differing feelings.

I have used my scar for tugging. This has worked well for me. I started with little inner skin. One of my goals was to end up with inner skin on the inside and outer skin on the outside. Using the scar seemed the best way to achieve this. I also use a bidirectional tugging method, t-tape strips and an insert for tension.

What I have found is:

The scar has become very difficult to see. It appears to have become more diffuse and faded.

I have grown inner skin as desired, and my inner and outer skin have "kept pace" with each other.

I am achieving what I wanted, inner skin on the inside and outer skin on the outside.

It is diffiuclt for me to tell where exactly the scar is at any particulat time when the skin is over my glans and I am flaccid, but I do not see anything that looks like inner skin, so perhaps I am ending up with the scar slightly inside the skin tube without trying to do that. Shrug, hard to say as my skin and penis change size a lot from minute to minute.

Bottom line is I am happy with my decision to use the scar line as my point of tension and recommend it.

But that is me, considering my objectives. Each person should figure out what they think is best.

Regards

[RFtugnstuff]

That's what I'm hoping for, Greg. I want to end up with something like you describe. I also want to be sure that if the scar is any kind of visable that it's at the end of the skin tube instead of some where in the middle. I've been examining my penis almost every chance I get since I heard about restoration and I think it'll work like you say. I'll post photos for reference later. Always easier to discuss when you know the situation.

[freddys]

Personally, as soon as manual tugging had supplied enough skin for t-taping, I found using the POE as the easiest line to apply the tapes. Later, after graduating to the TLC, it was the easiest and most comfortable way to grip the skin. Pulling the skin along the axis of the shaft gave the same level of tension on both inner and outer skins. Now, the scar, which has faded and thinned is hidden inside the skin tube. The portion of outer skin located inside the skin tube is somewhat lighter in color and moist, compared to the portion on the outside. I started with almost 1 cm of inner skin, and I thought that the more rigid scar at the tip of the restored foreskin would keep it as an open tube, rather than closing in a more natural-looking pucker.
Best regards,
Alfred.