Hi Jim
I live in the U.K. so all treatments and dilators are provided free, curtesy of our national health service.
The brand I use are Dilatan Plus size 18 & 20. The size was decided by my surgeon and was based on the diameter of his finger! A quick google search and I see they are retailing at US$50!
I think maybe if a stricture is treated early enough then dilation under anaesthetic can be successful so this may well work for you. My issue was I struggled on before getting it seen too (a negative of our NHS is follow up falls away quite soon after surgery) so my stricture had stenosed so much, dilation every 3 months wouldn’t keep it open. That’s why regular weekly dilation works for me.
The name cliffmegacolon has its origins in the fact I was diagnosed with a toxic megacolon 2 weeks after the onset of my first bout of UC.
Oh I live on a small Island called Jersey and lobster is caught in abundance all year round! Slightly different species to your Maine lobster but equally tasty!
good luck