Are Plastic Surgeons the Heirs of Pygmalion and Galatea? Self-Directed and Partner-Directed Aesthetic Interventions Among Plastic Surgeons

Abstract Background The myth of Pygmalion and Galatea inspired the psychological concepts of the Pygmalion and Galatea effects, describing how expectations and self-beliefs may influence behaviour. Whether plastic surgeons’ continuous exposure to aesthetic ideals extends into their own lives and relationships remains largely unexplored. Objectives To investigate the prevalence of self-directed aesthetic procedures and partner-directed aesthetic interventions among plastic surgeons and to explore whether these behaviours invite comparison with the myth of Pygmalion and Galatea. Methods An anonymous cross-sectional online survey was distributed to plastic surgeons in Germany, Austria, Italy, and Switzerland through professional societies and institutional mailing lists. Participants reported demographic characteristics, personal history of aesthetic procedures, aesthetic interventions involving current or former partners, and whether they had personally treated their partners. Descriptive statistics and exploratory χ2 testing were performed. Results A total of 181 plastic surgeons completed the survey. Overall, 74.0% reported previous minimally invasive aesthetic procedures and 24.9% previous aesthetic surgery. More than half reported aesthetic interventions in a current or former partner, and 55.8% had personally performed aesthetic procedures on their partner. Surgeons with a personal history of aesthetic interventions were significantly more likely to report treating their partners. Conclusions Self-directed and partner-directed aesthetic interventions were common among the plastic surgeons surveyed. Surgeons with a personal history of aesthetic interventions were significantly more likely to report personally treating their current or former partners. These findings demonstrate an association between surgeons’ personal experience with aesthetic interventions and partner-directed treatment; however, the underlying motivations and psychological mechanisms cannot be determined from the present study.