This is a great questions! I have seen a lot of pictures and videos that would definitely make you wonder about both the short, and long term affects.

I'm also curious about this. My guess would be that done conscientiously/carefu lly it doesn't have to be dangerous, but I have no experience with it so I wouldn't know. I do have friends that do it and they claim that it has never caused them any problems that anal sex couldn't cause (soreness, fissures, etc.)

That's a good question. It seems that if done properly, it's ok. The anus is incredibly stretchy and quite elastic, though that elasticity decreases slowly with age.

The key is to do it properly. I've only self-fisted so far (post link), and it took a long time to work up to (years, really - I started with toys, and I think big plugs such as the Tantus Ringo and A-Bomb are what helped me to take my hand). You meed to be very aware of your anus and how to relax it, and your partner has to be very aware of anatomy and very aware of you.

Do wear gloves (they help to make your hand smooth).

That said, I think I do want to try fisting again, this time with someone else (my wife, if I can convince her to give it a go).

Not me! That's scares me LOL Good luck and post some follow up with your adventures.

It's all about taking it slow, being very relaxed and completely sober, and being willing to stop when you need to.

Be sure your eyes aren't bigger than your ass, too. Reality check - take the largest toy you can handle anally, and compare it to the size of your fist. Or your partners fist. Note the difference. If it seems like a lot, I'd suggest investing in another, larger toy and conquering that first. After about 2 inches in diameter, even small jumps in size get very difficult to take.

And yep, it's a worthy goal

doesn't seem very pleasurable does it? Yikes...

Yes, it can be very pleasurable but go easy...real baby steps in sizes of inserted objects. Also fisting has many conotations, vaginal fisting? anal fisting? Size of the actual fist being inserted? How ready the receiver is?
And yes, as said above, not under the influence and it it hurts, stop!

While I've never been anally fisted (maybe some day! Not into rushing anything) I would guess this is a slow and steady wins the race sort of situation.

I've also been told getting it out is way harder than getting it in. At least you can stop putting it in, you can't just stop taking it out.

I've given myself the "low five".

Listen to ScottA...he knows what he's talking about!

LUBE LUBE LUBE

Friend of mine gave me this advice when I asked him for help in this area.

"Lube. Work up to it over many sessions. Expect the knuckle pop to hurt."

Yow.

As it is, I've taken four fingers without major mishap. Working up to the point where I can say, "... to the wrist." Eventually.

And not just any lube. Fisting requires a very heavy lube that will stay in place and can be easily dealt with in large quantities.

I've tried anal fisting a few times since starting this discussion, but sadly, I still haven't been able to do it. For some reason, when I try to do it to myself, it feels great, but my arm is not long enough to reach around and fully insert the fist. Because of this, I just can't get the proper angle.

On the other hand, I asked my wife to fist me. And for some reason, it doesn't feel good when she does it. This is strange because I love anal, and I love using large toys. I think, perhaps, that compared to my toys, her fist feels rough, plus it doesn't slide like my dildos.

Any suggestions? Perhaps tight latex gloves, or a silicone or oil based lube?

Also make sure your nails are very short and filed smooth if you try fisting!

I have fisted someone on several occasions. Slow and steady is definitely the way to go and there is no such thing as to much lube. I myself have attempted being fisted and have made it up to the knuckles but had to back out. I absolutely loved the entire process and long for the day I accomplish this mission. I have also attempted self fisting and can get all four fingers in but can't manage to slide the thumb in as well.

Latex gloves and Astroglide X formula has been my combo of choice. Not the cheapest of lubes but it works for me so I buy it. As mentioned earlier, relaxation is key. If you haven't ever had something of significant size in your ass the natural response is to push it back out. It is sort of like a gag reflex for the rectum. If you stay calm and relaxed you can get passed that and enjoy the entire process.

Also, in case anyone may have overlooked the step, clean the butt with an enema before you attempt anything like this. I know a lot of people are like, "DUH??!?!?" but I am sure that at least one person will read this and be thankful for the advice.

Best of luck to you in your fisting adventures.

gross...i dont like this act. but who cares!!

Still no luck, I'm starting to wonder if I'm just too small back there.

The biggest toy I have is the Vixen Randy. Though I can fit it in after about half an hour of warm up with the Vixen Johnny and a tonne of lube, anything larger just hurts. I even caused a fissure once and, since then, I've been much more careful about what I attempt. It's ok though, I'm fine with not being able to do it. I'd rather not bite off more than I can chew.

Over the past five years I've worked my way up from the Classic Butt Plug, to the Tantus Tex, and my fist. It is entirely possible to thoroughly enjoy anal penetration, even up to and exceeding the sizes I can accommodate

My Personal Advice

For Beginners:
-Start SMALL (think index finger)
-When you can take a couple of fingers, consider buying a smaller or medium sized butt plug. I wouldn't recommend anything more than two inches for a beginner
-Be very aware of the materials your toys are made of and the lube you use. Do not use oil based lubes with natural rubber or latex toys; do not use silicone based lubes with silicone based toys. Avoid toys that contain pthalates; some of the first toys I bought were not the most chemically neutral available and caused unpleasant sensations that detracted from my experience.
-Enemas are not necessarily essential, a good diet and healthy evacuation should be all that's needed. Enemas can be fun, and are nice if you don't want to wait for your colon to finish its job on its own.
-Conquer your fears of excrement. It's not necessarily the safest substance in the world, but getting it on your hands isn't the end of the world—much of the world's population wash their asses by hand several times-a-day. If you can contain any messes that may occur and keep 'em out of any open cuts, sores, vaginas, or mouths (controversial), you should be fine—just wash your hands thoroughly before you transition to your next activity.
-Gloves are a great idea—especially Nitrile gloves. Nitrile is practically hypoallergenic and extremely chemical tolerant—latex gloves will quickly breakdown if exposed to oil based lubricants.
-Relax and make friends with your anus. Familiarize yourself with your anatomy and practice controlling your muscles.

Personal Favorites
Lubricants:
-Water Based:ID Glide
-Silicone Based:ID Millennium
-Silicone Based:Wet Platinum
-Oil Based:Crisco
-Oil Based:Coconut Oil
Toys:
Tantus's line of silicone toys are the best I've found—especially their anal toys
High-quality glass can be very nice

Personal Fisting Recipe
Ingredients:
1 Pair Nitrile Gloves
1 Serving Coconut Oil
1 Serving Crisco
* Favorite Toys (Blend to Taste)

Procedure:
1 Prepare a work area, preferably over a non-porous surface, a washable towel of dark color is usually a good idea.
2 Gather ingredients, place on a clean, washable, non-porous surface within easy reach
3 Apply gloves to hands
4 Assume preferred position
5 Apply a generous amount of Coconut Oil to anus, gently penetrating and pushing into rectum
6 Gently stretch anus until many fingers can be comfortably inserted, proceed when comfortable.
7 (Optional) Insert toys of choice
8 When comfortable with the idea of full-fist penetration, apply additional Coconut Oil as desired, optionally apply Crisco for extra lubrication
>>Crisco is thicker than Coconut Oil and well suited to the insertion of larger objects, though it is wholly incompatible with natural latex
9 Penetrate anus with hand/fist as is comfortable and pleasurable

Bottom Line
Don't be afraid—be respectful.
Understand that the areas you are exploring ARE *potentially* very dangerous. You CAN get hurt—badly. HOWEVER, you also can enjoy many years of unique pleasure, IF you respect your limits, your body, and your toys.
Research things before you try them and ask questions. Very few things have never been tried.

I want it... someday

A lot of preparation seems to be the key.