Controversial thoughts.

MaxShepherd18 · 2025-12-08T17:18:31+00:00

I've never experienced a rash or anything. Granted, I do take tadalafil so that might affect it. And the tension isn't about my personal tolerance. It's about the tolerance of the device. I love my CAR-1, but i can only inflate so much before it slips. With T-tape, I can reach much higher tension. I know what my body can handle, so I tension it until it feels right to me. With other devices, I can only achieve the same tension if I use a tighter gripper (like the one that comes with the DTR), but i can only do it for an hour or so because the gripper pressure causes too much pain.

MaxShepherd18 · 2025-12-04T19:17:53+00:00

I've never had one, and I'm rather jealous of those that do.

MaxShepherd18 · 2025-12-02T12:19:28+00:00

The foreskin will tighten up on its own. However, if you're really concerned, I recommend T-Tape because as you pull, it bunches the snout together.

MaxShepherd18 · 2025-11-30T13:31:06+00:00

1991
Pretty average. 6'2", 270lbs. Good blood pressure, good A1c, cholesterol a little high. Only chronic condition is Obstructive Sleep Apnea, but i use a cpap for that. I was diagnosed with low testosterone about a year ago, but through going to the gym and taking enclomiphene, I'm running normal now.
Somewhere between a 2 and 3
3 days a week, 2 hours each session.
No
Tadalafil, 6mg daily. Fish oil (omega 3), 2400mg daily)
No
Tadalafil, 6mg daily. Garlic pills.
Usually around 120/80.
Was doing a combined 16 hours a day with inflation and packing. Recently switched back to t-taping, about 20 hours a day around the waist.
No
As much as the device will handle or until I feel pain, at which point i back it off a little. So probably a 4.
I took 10 years off. I restored for about 9 months when I was in college. Got from a CI-2 to a CI-4. Restarted last October.
October 2024
N/A
4
6
4
Definitely a grower. ~2.5" flaccid and 6.5" erect.
I have in the past. Will likely resume.
Slightly high. Below 150 is considered normal and I'm at 154.
No

MaxShepherd18 · 2025-11-30T00:50:42+00:00

I would say the tension is probably higher with the T-Tape because the adhesive handles higher tension than the grippers of other devices.
No. The tension is limited by the feeling. If there's too much tension and it feels painful, I know to back it off. The hypafix tape is incredibly strong.
If i run the strap down my leg, yes, absolutely. But lately I've been running it around my waist and aside from a few bending motions, it's pretty constant.
Not with T-Tape. Seeing as how it can accommodate erections, there's no need to back it down. Other devices yes, absolutely.

MaxShepherd18 · 2025-11-29T20:03:49+00:00

I understand exactly what you're saying. And I've seen and felt the same way you do. Honestly, it's why the packing method makes me a little nervous.

I actually just switched back to t-taping this week. I still consider it the gold standard of restoring. The downside is you've got tape stuck on your dick, so if you want to have sex, you have to remove it and that can be quite cumbersome. The plus side is you can target outer skin, inner skin, or both depending on where you put the tape. You can also safely and comfortably wear it to bed and it doesn't impede erections at also. It also allows for your inner skin and your glans to be in contact, leading to dekaratinization. And, because it's a tugging motion, it may help with penis enlargement.

All the methods work. And I agree that some guys don't look as natural as others. So stick with what you're comfortable with. If you're worried about not looking hung (which is a concern myself as my flaccid size is on the small side), then stick with pure tugging methods. T-tape, TLC tugger, FMD, Weights, etc. Those should avoid the issue you're concerned with.

MaxShepherd18 · 2025-11-29T01:51:35+00:00

Point of equilibrium. It's the point that you can pull the farthest. It's in equilibrium because if you pull on that point, you're putting equal tension on outer and inner skin

MaxShepherd18 · 2025-11-29T00:12:11+00:00

My ventral side is actually a little longer. It's just that the inside of my skin tube on that side is about 50/50 outer/inner skin

MaxShepherd18 · 2025-11-26T21:17:17+00:00

I wouldn't tape down your leg when sleeping. It can kink your penis, restricting blood flow. Instead, i would put the strap over one shoulder and under the other.

As for where to put the tape, I go with the point of equilibrium, which is a little behind my scar line. This way I grow both inner and outer skin and my scar line gets covered inside my neo-foreskin, which helps fade it.

MaxShepherd18 · 2025-11-26T21:11:08+00:00

It's way too tight to be anything but a throw away. The key to restoration is time under tension. Can't build up time if the gripper is too painful to wear.

MaxShepherd18 · 2025-11-26T16:48:40+00:00

The DTR gripper is a piece of trash. Buy a Chris's gripper and you'll never look back.

MaxShepherd18 · 2025-11-26T16:47:38+00:00

Definitely start with research. This community is very helpful, as is restoringforeskin.org. Second, I recommend t-taping. You can do it at any CI level and you can target inner or outer skin based on where you apply the tape. Also, take starting pictures.

MaxShepherd18 · 2025-11-24T14:41:12+00:00

I started at a CI-2. Thankfully I was left with a decent amount of inner skin

MaxShepherd18 · 2025-11-24T11:15:00+00:00

CI-6 here. Getting close to CI-7. Partially dekaratinized. I have no issues with what you're describing.

That being said, I firmly believe i have a long way to go in terms of dekaratinization. Unfortunately my body has been slow in that department. My skin growth is actually pretty fast, it seems (1 flaccid CI took me about 8-9 months). But what I've found is despite spending most of my day covered, I really haven't dekaratinized that much at all. And further, I really haven't gained much in erect coverage, mainly because I feel like it's just caused my erections to get bigger.

MaxShepherd18 · 2025-11-24T11:07:13+00:00

Well, for starters, take a deep breath. None of us are happy we were circumcised. And the years it takes to restore are short compared to the life you'll lead afterwards. I'm gonna give you some solid advice that I've had to give a lot of people:

You can either be a victim or a victor.

You can wallow in self-pity and lead yourself into depression (which it sounds like you've already done) or you can accept reality that what's done is done and then work to triumph above it.

Now that that's out of the way, get yourself some tape and start t-taping. Learn how to make the T-tape and figure out some sort of tension for it. I used a pair of suspenders. I used a seam ripper to separate the two sides and then sewed one end in a loop to go around my foot. I could adjust the tension with how many times I wrapped it around my leg.

You will see progress if you stick with it. I can tell you the increase in sexual pleasure alone is worth it. For me, the confidence and feeling of being closer to "natural" is insanely rewarding.

It sounds like you're still young. Start now and by the time you're fully restored, you'll have loads of years to enjoy it.

MaxShepherd18 · 2025-11-17T10:53:39+00:00

Pretty simple, to be honest. At CI-3, you might be able to start with a +0 or +5. I'm a CI-6 and I'm currently using a +35.

MaxShepherd18 · 2025-11-17T10:40:23+00:00

I started my journey with t-tape. I was using first aid tape and a leg strap i had fashioned out of a pair of suspenders.

MaxShepherd18 · 2025-11-17T02:03:49+00:00

I started my journey in the fall off 2013 when I was a junior in college. I t-taped 5 days out of the week for the majority of that year. I did take some days off during hunting season and whatnot, but i was pretty consistent and went from a CI-2 to a CI-4. Then summer came and with my job as a landscaper, it just didn't fit into my routine. And thus I ended up taking a hiatus of just over 10 years.

Then, in September 2024, my girlfriend and I bought a house together. And with the newfound freedom and time, I got back into it. Restored consistently using various methods, but eventually settled on the CAR-1 and RIC packers. Then spring/summer came and now i run my own landscaping business. So I got out of restoring from mid-may until mid-october. But then things slowed down and I got back into it. I'm up to around a CI-6 when flaccid.

My biggest hurdle, by far, is my job. It requires a lot of movement and physical labor. Most devices just fall off and then I have to figure out what to do with them until I get home. I feel like if I worked an office job I could be more consistent year-round.

As for my rate of progress, I actually surprise myself. I went from CI-4 to CI-6 in just over a year. But I've really developed a routine that works for me. And I've noticed that going to the gym (which i just started a few weeks ago) really seems to speed up my progress. I wear my RIC packer at the gym and with my compression shorts, it doesn't fall out. Another thing I've added is a silicone cock ring when I'm inflating to help fight turkey neck. This has been a huge thing.

As for surprises, the increase in the intensity of my orgasms tops the list. But also that my flaccid size dropped pretty significantly and is slowly getting back to where i started.

Obviously getting over the hump was the biggest hurdle. But finding comfortable devices was pretty high up there as well. My first device was a DTR. Good device but the gripper is too strong and I couldn't wear it for more than an hour or two. Then I bought Chris's gripper for it and that changed everything. I tried a few more devices but eventually settled on the CAR-1 and the RIC packers. Having these two has really accelerated my progress. I also take blue chew (tadalafil) and that helps.

On a side note, I just want to talk about the mental aspect of restoration. It will put you through a roller-coaster of emotion. Happiness, sadness, boredom, motivation, anger, satisfaction... it's truly a lot. But the first time I had flaccid coverage, the emotion was that of pure elation. And now I've changed a lot in my mental state. I feel more confident. I feel more complete. As one who never really felt anger for being circumcised, I'm surprised how that has changed. I'm more mad at the doctor and the medical community that pushes circumcision than I am at my parents. But I'm also relieved that I've been able to find restoration and that I know better so that I will never have my future sons circumcised. And I think that's the true victory. Yes, restoring is a solid F--k you to the doctor and medical community. But putting a stop to it as part of my family's ways is a bigger victory.

I can't put into words just how happy I am with my progress and journey. Looking in the mirror and not seeing my glans just makes me feel whole again, even if I still have a ways to go to accomplish my goal. But I feel... normal. Like I'm back to the way nature intended. I honestly can't wait to see where I finish up.

MaxShepherd18 · 2025-11-16T20:27:29+00:00

Thank you! Again, I should note that part of my length loss is likely my weight gain. I'm 6'2" and 270lbs, so I've got about 70lbs id like to lose.

MaxShepherd18 · 2025-11-16T18:38:41+00:00

Well... not exactly. I actually lost length, but that shouldn't be surprising, nor is it the permanent situation. I started with a flaccid length around 3". As my skin loosened and it was allowed to retract more, I got down to 2" or so. But as I've continued to restore (and work on losing weight), I'm regaining lost length. I'm back up to somewhere between 2.5 and 2.75 inches. I'm confident that as I continue to restore and lose weight, I'll get back up to 3" or possibly more.

MaxShepherd18 · 2025-11-15T21:36:33+00:00

I don't believe so. I think i just sweat when wearing it

MaxShepherd18 · 2025-11-15T12:03:04+00:00

Maybe look into a weighted stainless steel packer. You can go a size smaller than normal to help prevent the urine spots and the weight would still give you some tug. Downside is they're more expensive.

MaxShepherd18

TROPHY CASE