'What you aspire for isn't always good for you'

Dr Jaffer Khan, plastic surgeon and founder of Aesthetics International and Nova Clinic, tells us why we should let life take its course

What is the number one item on your wish list?
On a personal note, the number one item on my wish list is continued health for my friends, family and myself. Too often, we take good health for granted and you only need to have flu on a holiday, or find out a loved one has an incurable disease, to be reminded of how important our health is.
One life lesson you would want to share.
When I was in medical school, I spent a lot of time with my grandfather. He once told me that, if I wanted to keep my family together, I'd have to remember that the 'elder' is always right. Of course, this could not go down well with my western education and I had a long argument with him about how everyone has an intellect and a right to make decisions. However, he was adamant. He believed you could do harm to the family unit by not respecting your elders.
Over the years, even though I still agree with him 100 per cent, I realise that one's elders need to be given respect - even if it is just to make them feel better by saying they are right. It is important because one day, we too will grow old. It is always very comforting to know that you still have the respect and love of the youngsters in your family.
What is your most challenging project to date?
It is the one that I think we are currently doing, which is trying to set up a state-of-the-art brand Nova Clinic and involve surgeons from overseas, who are, respectively, world authorities on what they do. In other words, to create a subspecialty in aesthetic surgery areas where we can provide services to the local population that are second to none and globally recognised.
The challenge has always been to be able to get great minds like those people together, work as one unit and create an international branding which has not been done so far in our specialty.
What has been the biggest learning point or experience in your life?
Over the years, I have experienced disappointments that have subsequently turned out to be the best things that could have ever happened to me and have changed the course of my life. I think that is the lesson here. What you aspire for is not always good for you or will take you to your end goal. I think the message is to try your best, remain calm and always have gratitude for the path life takes - things usually end up well.

What advice would you give to your younger self, if you could?
Be patient. Don't get phased by stressful situations as nothing changes with worry. I think we spend far too much time worrying about things we cannot change, and simply working hard and having faith is the best way forward. It's true that it is much easier said than done. Also, enjoy each stage of life to its fullest which, I am happy to say, I have done for the most part. Within reason, one should not deny oneself the small pleasures of life because that time is really not coming back.

If you could move to any place in the world, what place would that be?
I've had the privilege of living in seven different countries as we travelled a lot because of my father's job. But I've been in Dubai for 20 years and I'm not in any hurry to move out. The only thing that becomes slightly difficult to endure is the summer, but no place is perfect. I enjoy Europe and the diversity it offers within driving distances, in terms of culture, food and variable topography.
The best thing you have ever bought yourself and why?
I would like to say that it was a new car or a new watch. But, while I have enjoyed having these things, these joys are shortlived, and one gets used to things no matter how nice they are.
I think the best things are the ones that bring you comfort, and continue to bring you comfort, over a period of time. One of them is probably my orthopedic pillow, which allows me to sleep well with my neck in good posture. Of course, I take this for granted, but when I am travelling and do not have it, I remember how much I miss it.
The other thing that I enjoy and would say was a good purchase, is an ultrasonic electronic toothbrush, which again one gets used to. But, somehow, I can't stop using it or go back to using the manual.
A superpower you wish you had?
The power to heal. It goes without saying that our health is probably the most important thing we have. I certainly do not want to be able to tell the future, but I think the gift of healing would be a superpower, which could make a huge difference to people's lives as well as to one's own.
If you were head of your country, what is the first thing you would do?
This is difficult as it does not relate to oneself, but one's perception of what's missing and perhaps governmental failures in the past.
At this present moment, I would find being head of a country extremely challenging because of the magnitude of problems that exist. Perhaps, education would be paramount in helping citizens to make the right choices for their future. In order to promote education, financial resources are required, a lot of which is dedicated to military spending. The one thing that could ideally make a difference would be peaceful relations with one's neighbour.
Therefore, if I had to do something as head of my country, I would seek peace with my neighbours that's not just temporary, but will actually allow my country to get on with its own development.
- Staff Reporter