I've been experimenting with some difficulty with the kind of stretching techniques I've seen on this forum and elsewhere on the internet. I'm unable to retract my foreskin fully. I can retract it a certain amount, when flaccid to a diameter of almost 2cm, with the frenulum just exposed. I can get it a little less wide when erect. So it does stretch a certain amount already.

The problems I have with the stretching exercises (trying to get a finger or two into the opening) are caused I think by the fact the tightness isn't equal the whole way around. It is tightest around the side opposite the frenulum. In contrast, on the side of the fremulum I have a little bit of extra foreskin. So when trying to pull the foreskin away from the glans, I'm really pulling by the extra foreskin, and consequently find it difficult to access (with a finger or pen lid) the actual part (phimotic ring?) that needs stretching. I have tried pulling back over the glans a bit first, exposing the tight part of the ring, before pulling away, but I can't get any kind of decent grip and the opening is only a couple of mm.

Elsewhere on this site I've read your criticisms of the Glansie - that it doesn't apply equal pressure all the way around. However in my case, might it be useful to have something of this nature given that the tightness seems to be most obvious in a particular area. (Also are there any similar but cheaper devices which might work the same way to the Glansie?)

I think there must be something I'm doing not quite right in these exercises, because when stretching away from the glans, I can only get the opening to about 2 or 3mm, but as I said above, when pulling back over the glans, it stretches much more. Maybe I should just persevere with pulling back rather than away, and gradually try to pull back a bit further?

Thanks in advance for your repsonses. I hope my description is reasonably clear, I've tried to be as detailed as possible.

Read the thread directly previous to yours for an ingenious idea. Perhaps you'll be inspired by it to find some kind of device which suits your situation.

I still believe that fingers are your best tool, but if you're having some challenges, do whatever you can to apply mild tension on the opening.

Have you tried this one:

Your description is interesting.

Regarding, the Glansie, my concern is that the tips are really narrow and unsuitable (without the addition of plastic "shoes") for anything but the tightest degree of phimosis - when you cannot visualise the glans at all.

I have pointed out in this previous thread a standard medical instrument that looks more suitable (blunter) and is actually likely to be cheaper if obtained from a standard medical supplier. I presently think however that the GFS device would be the most appropriate and convenient (and not only for you, but in most cases) device.

If you need a device, that is. What I otherwise suggest, is to practice "flaring" the foreskin as Jim illustrates, and while you do this (yes, clearly this needs more hands! ), slipping a (lubricated) finger in through the opening, so that it gets under the foreskin and can pull forward and outward on whatever the tight part is. Once you master that skill, you can progress to larger fingers and then two. Once you get to two, "hooked" inside the space under the foreskin, you can pull them apart and you have the game licked!

Even then, retracting over an erection is still useful (but requires that you can hold an erection while doing it), and despite the apparent "extra" foreskin on the frænulum side, I think you will need to pursue the frænulum stretching exercise as well.

Thanks for the responses.

I have tried the exercise suggested by Jim, adapted so as to focus the stretching on the tightest area. Grip is the main problem.

I have also been attempting getting a finger in the opening, but currently lack the luxury of the third hand (i.e. girlfriend.....hmph) Might this be another way in which the device might help - using the speculum with one hand to stretch apart the opening and then inserting a finger from the other hand?

Paul, in that other thread, any reason why you specifically recommend the Killian or Cottle makes? I live in the UK, but could only find those brands available on eBay from the USA, so would have to wait a while to get hold of them. But I did come across other similar ones on the UK eBay which might work as well? I'm considering trying with the speculum before the GFS, partly just because of cost. In other threads you have expressed concern over the material of the balloon being compatible with certain ointments or lubricants - what is your current opinion on this?

Are you planning to give the current exercise time to work? Skin takes time to expand, as new cells must be formed. It's an act similar to building muscles. As I understand it, stretching causes little voids which are filled in with new cells. Consider who long it takes for fat people to get fat and you'll understand that this is not an overnight venture. However, it won't take a lifetime either.

I can understand the gripping challenge. Just keep at it.

I do realise that it's going to require some time and application. But I have been trying for a while, although admittedly on and off. Knowing myself as I do, I do get discouraged quite easily when I seem to be making little progress, so a device which makes things a bit simpler might be worth it if it not only helps but also encourages me to apply myself. I think the way I'm considering using the speculum is not drastically different from the exercise with fingers - I'm not thinking of it as an entirely separate method (which the GFS would be) but as a way to make the current exercise a bit easier (at least for now - as I can see that once it gets to the stage where you can insert two fingers then that is probably a very effective method and gives the most control).

Unfortunately for all of us, diversions keep us from developing new habits easily. Perhaps you could put a note on your bathroom mirror, reminding you of your need to make this a regular practice for a while.

I understand the problem with "grip". Noted no available girlfriend - I wasn't specifically suggesting that, but as you have perhaps noted by now, I always suggest that if one has a girlfriend or wife, she should always be included in the process at the very least to the extent that she understands the nature of the problem and the process undertaken to remedy it, and would in almost all cases wish to assist with any such exercises, rather than having an unhealthy relationship where the issue is kept "secret".

Now regarding the nasal speculae, the only reason I named particular styles, was to make it easier to locate these in a catalogue. I would think that any readily available and inexpensive speculum would be useful but the characteristics for which I was looking were relatively short blades (of the order of an inch, longer ones generally relate to veterinary use), minimally tapered blades (to minimise slippage) and that a clamp screw (to hold the blades in the open position without continuous hand pressure) would be an extremely useful feature (as in the "better" version of the "Glansie").

From your description, I think this device would be useful to you, but the GFS would probably be better. I haven't contacted them yet, have their phone number and tried once but didn't get them for some reason. Will try again after the holiday season - who knows, but I may have the opportunity to visit their facility in person at some stage.

I am perfectly content that their device will be compatible with common "surgical" or "personal" lubricants that are not petroleum-based, or indeed common vegetable oils, because these lubricants are always used with standard catheters. My query is whether it would be degraded by the betamethasone or similar ointments that you might - if you can get it prescribed - use to enhance stretching.

It is inappropriate in any case, to use the therapeutic ointment as the stretching lubricant, but traces might remain after application, that could affect the stretching balloon some hours later, so it is a concern that I wish to resolve. Clearly, if you are not using such an ointment, then you can use the common "personal" lubricant with the device and need expect no problems in this respect.

The GFS does seem the more costly option, but no more so than an American doctor's appointment as I understand it, and far less than the monetary cost of a circumcision (or any other procedure) even if we ever did consider that appropriate!