I don't think the good doctor understands that an inflation fetish involves a lot more than that one toy.

Is your boyfriend a Guinea pig? Do you like to perform science experiments on him? Because it sounds like that is exactly what you would be doing. There doesn't appear to be any sound research on the safety of inflation. Maybe it's perfectly harmless fun. Maybe he'll pop a blood vessel and have a stroke. Who knows? How bad do you want to find out?

start with a raw kale salad and don't let him fart - see how he likes that inflation.

Dr. Ley: I'm looking forward to what you blow us the rest of the week. Dan often seems full of hot air, but you seem very down to earth.

@1: Yep, swing and a miss. Let me see if I can help....

But is inflation something that can be done in real life, or does it need to stay in the fantasy realm?

Rising trade deficits and productivity have conspired to keep both inflation and inflation fetishists at historical lows in the United States.

Not to worry, though - just take a trip to Venezuela, where inflation rates are a titillating 20 percent! (Be sure to try chivo al coco while you're there, it's delicious.)

Helpful hint for those of us not in the know. Always explain the fetish so we know what the fuck you are talking about.

A friend of mine, after a medical procedure (draining a pleural effusion), had a small leak in his lung and he did, in fact, inflate like a balloon for a few hours until it healed. Needless to say, it was pretty alarming. So it is technically possible. But I would say inducing this effect would be terribly unsafe in any setting other than an ICU. Writer and her boyfriend should just get an inflatable suit and explore this kink that way. Some fantasies are not worth the risk.

@7, the jokes will be funnier, as well.

Definitely need more information on the type of inflation fetish the guy has. If he wants to be filled with air then he is out of luck. That is simply a painful way to die. But there are other ways.

You can do amazing things with sterile saline on the inflation front (so to speak) without killing your partner. Inflated scrotum? Been there, watched that. Inflated breasts? Been there and inflated those. On ladies you can also do the labia that way (just noted so that the ladies cross their legs like the guys did at the inflated scrotum comment). Use sterile equipment and make sure to clean the injection area well before inflating.

Another type of inflation is done with enemas. Not my cup of tea so to speak but it can be done. Just take it slowly so you don't rupture the colon. Takes a while to stretch the colon so that you get major inflation. (a while as in months not minutes or hours)

Remember to observe all possible safety precautions while playing.

I'm with @3 - the fantasy you imagine is doubtless more fun than any reality. Plus, google embolism. Not cool. The plug? Sure.

@10 I agree with you sort of. I read the letter and thought oh no thes guy is has some sort of injection inflation fetish/fantasy. The good Doctor completely whiffed on this one.

Someone needs to pull Dr. Ley aside, explain to him what this is really all about, it ain't butt plugs. I'd really like to read his answer after he actually understands the question. This kinda fetish/fantasy has always struck me as very very risky, right up there choking/breath "play".