Aesthetic medicine is another established field of wish-fulfilling medicine. In contrast to doping, however, this form of enhancement is largely accepted by society and in some cases is already considered a routine medical procedure, especially with regard to surgical measures.

According to the German Society of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons (DGPRÄC), procedures are described as aesthetic if their aim is the "harmonization of the external appearance" and they are performed without medical necessity but due to "dissatisfaction" with the appearance and could improve the patient's body image. This could help to alleviate any lack of self-confidence, feelings of inferiority, depressive moods and psychological difficulties in coping with everyday life. According to the German Medical Association’s journal Ärzteblatt, the most frequent aesthetic procedures, apart from the correction of ears, breast corrections and rhinoplasties, are upper eyelid lifts, liposuction and breast enlargement. There is no central German register for cosmetic surgery. 

Further distinctions in terms of benefits, risks and objectives may be relevant for an ethical assessment. For example, a distinction can be made between interventions that reduce negative attention or stigmatization and those that aim to increase positive attention in the form of a mere increase in attractiveness. Under certain conditions, for example, it would be acceptable to protect children from stigmatization by means of aesthetic surgery. On the other hand, operations with the sole aim of increasing physical attractiveness in minors should be avoided.