Struldbrugs: Perspectives From Plastic Surgery and Esthetic Medicine

Abstract

The aim of this study is to analyze the Struldbrugs, beings who are immortal but continue to age, from the perspective of plastic surgery and esthetic medicine. In Gulliver's Travels, Gulliver encounters a unique group known as the Struldbrugs. Upon reaching the age of 30, they start to lose their vitality. By the time they are 80, they are deemed legally dead and stripped of their civil rights and property. After this age, their condition worsens significantly; they become increasingly frail, forgetful, and bitter, suffering from all the ailments associated with old age, yet they are denied the relief of death. They do not only physically decay but also mentally deteriorate, losing their memories and the ability to form coherent thoughts. The Struldbrugs' appearance serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of unchecked aging. Swift's portrayal of their decaying bodies, juxtaposed with their immortality, prompts significant ethical and philosophical considerations regarding cosmetic interventions designed to preserve a youthful appearance. Struldbrugs symbolize the human apprehension of aging and the foolishness of yearning for eternal life without fully understanding its consequences. Lacking youth and vitality, eternal life transforms into a torturous ordeal. Analyzing the Struldbrugs through the lens of an antiaging medicine doctor and plastic surgeon provides valuable insights into the paradoxes and challenges of pursuing eternal youth and life extension. Swift's Struldbrugs serves as a compelling metaphor for the harsh realities of unchecked aging, prompting reflection on contemporary interventions designed to slow or reverse the physical and psychological aspects of aging.