SHARJAH: There are five points to consider before one regrets to have taken an irreversible decision to remain young-looking or become beautiful through cosmetic surgery.

These five points are expectation, comprehension, recovery, credentials and facility, according to “999.”

The monthly magazine of the UAE Ministry of Interior mentioned the five points under its cover story “Beauty Comes At A Price” for its January 2013 edition.

The purpose is not only to caution but also to educate the public of the hazards they could encounter if they go under the knife to become physically presentable.

In the first place, cosmetic surgery is defined as the procedure that modifies and principally improves a physical feature or flaw.

Yet, as published in the AMEinfo.com website, Dr Allen Rezai of the Elite Cosmetic Surgery Group, headquartered in the Dubai Healthcare City, said that region-wide “many patients are happy to have highly invasive procedures done far from hospital facilities.”

999 stated that on expectation, those interested in undergoing cosmetic surgery “must anticipate improvement, not perfection.”

Comprehension means they must be responsible in knowing the risks they may get into, which include the possibilities of getting infections and unexpected results.

On recovery, they must see the bigger picture of how the surgery could affect their personal, career and social life as well as financial status since full recuperation may take weeks or months.

Credentials means the very good background check on the surgeon and which may include his team.

The surgeon must be able to answer expertly all questions raised.

999 quoted Ras Al Khaimah Hospital-Plastic/Aesthetic & Reconstructive Surgery clinical head Dr Punam Bijlani: “As with any surgery, if you do your homework and find a board certified surgeon, you will not have problems.

“However, all surgery poses risk, but in the event of a problem, a certified surgeon will have a fully trained anaesthetist and a team to cover any eventuality,” she also said.

What to remember on the facility is the guarantee that this “meets international standards in terms of safety and post-surgery care.”

As quoted in the AMEinfo.com interview, Rezai said: “Any procedure that requires a general anaesthetic is serious and should only be done within the confines of a hospital.

“It is also important to educate yourself fully before having any procedure done. You need to know what is available, appropriate and achievable and exactly what to expect in the weeks following a procedure, as well as the long-term result,” he also said.

In this regard, 999 offered seven questions the public must neither be scared nor ashamed of asking their surgeons.

These are:

* Can I see before and after photos so I can understand the procedure and see the expected result?

* What are the possible complications?

* Are there treatments other than surgery that might work just as well or better for me?

* Can the desired result be achieved through one procedure, or do you anticipate multiple procedures?

* Will I be hospitalised? If so, for how long?

* How much will the procedure cost?