Preparations! Clarification, please?

[SpiffyBeats]

Before I dive in, if my questions have been answered already and you really don't want to repeat yourself, feel free to tell me so and just redirect me to that post. I apologise if that happens, I have been reading posts, but maybe not enough.

So I haven't actually started stretching (yet... tapers and plugs ordered and in the mail). In the meanwhile, I was just wondering about aftercare. I have read quite a few posts on the site (which are really helpful, thanks!), but I'm still a tad hazy on a few things and I'm one of these people that likes to have detailed plans waaay in advance.

After using the taper to put the plug in (they're all acrylic plugs btw, which I've just read can be bad news... oops):

-Should I keep my plugs in for a few weeks straight while the stretch heals completely or should I be taking it out after, say, the first week to be able to clean everything properly? -Next Q: I was wondering, only if there is no irritation/nastiness after doing this of course, should I still do SSS because I have read conflicting opinions: not necessary, just dries it out vs. adding to your body's healing process? -Also, should I take the plugs out or leave them in when doing the SSS? When should I start massaging with oil (I'm using vit e) because I know you shouldn't do it too soon?
-Finally, when can/should I start sleeping without my plugs in (I want lovely, thick, healthy lobes and I've read this helps).

So sorry for the bombardment of questions. Thanks so much for the help, all!

[corazon_de_oro]

Beware of stretching kits; they can encourage fast stretching because you have all the sizes there at once. If I were you I'd get some steel plugs, your lobes aren't going to be happy if you use the acrylic throughout the whole healing process. Plus having a variety of jewelry will help you stretch more slowly. Anyway, to answer your questions...
-A stretch shouldn't take a few weeks to heal because there should never be any open wounds. If it's sore or irritated, go back to the previous size. If it's not sore or irritated, you can take them out to clean them. I always just clean the plugs and my ears with hand soap or body wash at the sink or in the shower.
-SSS won't dry out your ears unless there's too much salt, it's just not really necessary unless you have open wounds. Sitting with your ears in a cup of salt water for 5-10 minutes each gets very boring, so why do it if you don't have to?
-If you do SSS (like if you get a tear or irritation), at smaller sizes you might want to leave your plugs in. If they shrink slightly while they're out, putting them in can irritate them more.
-Start doing oil massages about a few days to a week after you've stretched. Take your plugs out to do that.
-I'm at 0G and I don't sleep without plugs. If you want to try sleeping without them, leave them out during the day to see how long you can go without them shrinking.

[SpiffyBeats]

Awesome. Thanks so much for answering everything. I think I will go out and buy some steel plugs. Stupid me for not doing so right away. And I will make sure to go slow, even if I'm super stoked to move up another size. I've seen and heard enough examples of lobe nastiness to prevent me from being too hasty.