A deep plane facelift works beneath the superficial muscle layer of the face, the SMAS. Selected retaining ligaments are released so the deeper tissues of the mid face, jawline and upper neck can be repositioned together, with the skin redraped over them.
A SMAS facelift tightens the superficial muscle layer of the face, the SMAS, by folding or trimming it, without the deeper ligament release of a deep plane facelift. Dr Turner explains how the two compare, and which suits your face, at consultation. Deep plane is the technique he performs most often.
A lower facelift concentrates on the jowls, jawline and upper neck, and is often combined with a neck lift. It can be performed with SMAS or deep plane techniques. Dr Turner explains which approach suits your face at consultation. Deep plane is the technique he performs most often.
A short scar facelift uses shorter incisions, mainly in front of the ear, and is sometimes called a mini facelift. Dr Turner explains how it compares with a deep plane facelift, the technique he performs most often, and which approach suits your face.
A ponytail facelift is a name used for limited-incision lifts with incisions placed within the hairline, mainly lifting the brow and mid face. Dr Turner explains how it compares with a deep plane facelift, the technique he performs most often, and which approach suits your face.
A revision facelift is surgery after a previous facelift, planned around the earlier technique, existing scars and how the tissues have healed. Dr Turner explains at consultation which approach suits your face, and your previous operation records help with planning. Deep plane is the technique he performs most often.
You can be seen in Newcastle or Canberra, or by video, without travelling to Sydney to start. A deep plane facelift works beneath the superficial muscle layer of the face, the SMAS, so the deeper tissues of the mid face, jawline and upper neck are repositioned together. Surgery is performed in Sydney.
Dr Turner consults at Campbell, in Canberra's inner north, and the second consultation can be held by phone or video. A deep plane facelift works beneath the superficial muscle layer of the face, the SMAS, so the deeper tissues of the mid face, jawline and upper neck are repositioned together. Surgery is performed in Sydney.
Dr Turner consults at Adamstown, ten minutes from the Newcastle city centre, and your first consultation can be held by video. A deep plane facelift works beneath the superficial muscle layer of the face, the SMAS, so the deeper tissues of the mid face, jawline and upper neck are repositioned together. Surgery is performed in Sydney.
How the facelift techniques compareDr Scott J Turner is a Specialist Plastic Surgeon (FRACS) practising in Sydney, with a practice concentrated on aesthetic facial plastic surgery. Deep plane is the facelift technique he performs most often, and he operates at accredited private hospitals in Sydney.
Dr Turner conducts a minimum of two consultations with you himself before surgery can proceed. The first can be by video and the second is in person, so the plan is considered carefully and decided together. Results vary between individuals and cannot be guaranteed.
The deep plane technique works beneath the superficial muscle layer of the face, the SMAS. Rather than tightening skin alone, the deeper tissues and the muscle layer are released from their supporting ligaments and repositioned together as a single unit.
Because the lift is carried out in this deeper plane, tension sits on the structural tissues rather than the skin surface. For many people this allows the mid face, jawline and upper neck to be included in one procedure, with the skin redraped over the repositioned tissues rather than pulled tight.
A deep plane facelift is a complex aesthetic procedure performed under general anaesthesia. It is one of several facelift techniques Dr Turner may discuss with you. The most suitable approach depends on your facial anatomy, the changes you have noticed and your medical history, and is decided together at consultation.
Dr Turner performs several facelift techniques. Deep plane is the one he performs most often and the focus of this page, but it is not the right choice for everyone. The technique is chosen together at consultation, based on your facial anatomy, the changes you have noticed, any previous surgery and your medical history.
Works beneath the SMAS. Selected retaining ligaments are released so the deeper tissues of the mid face, jawline and upper neck can be repositioned together.
The SMAS is tightened by folding and stitching it (plication) or by trimming and lifting it, without the deeper ligament release of a deep plane facelift.
Concentrates on the lower third of the face. It can be performed with SMAS or deep plane techniques and is often combined with a neck lift.
Uses shorter incisions, mainly in front of the ear, without the longer incision behind the ear into the hairline. It is sometimes called a mini facelift.
A name used for limited-incision lifts where the incisions sit within the hairline, often lifting the brow and mid face. It treats the jawline and neck to a more limited degree.
Surgery after a previous facelift, planned around the earlier technique, existing scars and how the tissues have healed. It can be more complex than a first facelift, so previous operation records help with planning.
Every facelift technique leaves permanent scars, carries the risks of surgery and needs time to recover. Fees, theatre time and recovery differ between techniques and are set out in writing after consultation. The figures on this page are for a deep plane facelift with neck lift.
Figures are for a deep plane facelift with neck lift, are indicative and are confirmed at your consultation. Fees are higher where theatre time is longer or other procedures are added, and other techniques are quoted after consultation. Medicare and private health rebates do not apply to cosmetic facelift surgery.
Disclaimer: The outcomes shown are only relevant for this patient and do not necessarily reflect the results other patients may experience, as results may vary due to many factors, including facial anatomy, skin quality, age, smoking status and healing. Photographs are of Dr Turner's patients, each of whom had a deep plane facelift performed by Dr Turner, and are published with consent. Some images may have the patient's tattoos, jewellery or other identifiable items blurred to protect patient identities.
Cosmetic surgery in Australia follows a considered process. A referral from your GP or another registered medical practitioner is required before your surgical consultation, and there is time built in to ask questions and reflect before any decision is made.
Obtain a referral from your GP or another registered medical practitioner and request a consultation. The team will help you arrange a time at Bondi Junction or the Northern Beaches, or by video.
Obtain a referral from your GP or another registered medical practitioner and request a consultation. The team will arrange a time in Newcastle or Canberra, or by video.
Obtain a referral from your GP or another registered medical practitioner and request a consultation. The team will arrange a time at the Adamstown rooms, or by video.
Obtain a referral from your GP or another registered medical practitioner and request a consultation. The team will arrange a time at the Campbell rooms in Canberra.
By video or in person. Dr Turner assesses your face, listens to your goals and explains the options, including whether the deep plane technique suits you.
A second consultation, in person with Dr Turner, confirms your plan and answers any further questions. After it, and once your consent forms are signed, a cooling-off period of at least seven days applies before surgery can be booked or a deposit paid.
Surgery is performed at an accredited Sydney private hospital with an overnight stay, followed by reviews at day 3 and day 7 and scheduled follow-up.
Dr Turner consults in Newcastle and Canberra as well as Sydney, and your first consultation can be held by video. At least one consultation is in person before you consent to surgery.
Newcastle for the Hunter and northern NSW, Canberra for the ACT and southern NSW, or by video from anywhere in the state.
Performed at an accredited private hospital under general anaesthesia, with an overnight stay.
Reviews at day 3 and day 7, so patients from outside Sydney are advised to stay nearby for the first week.
The team can help you plan travel and timing around your consultation and surgery dates.
Dr Turner consulted and operated in Newcastle from 2013 to 2023 and now consults there again, seeing patients from Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Maitland, Port Stephens, the wider Hunter and the Mid North Coast.
At 5A/281-293 Brunker Road, Adamstown NSW 2289, about ten minutes by car from the Newcastle city centre.
A car park sits next to the building, buses stop on Brunker Road, and Adamstown station is about ten minutes away.
The first can be held by video and the second in person in Newcastle, so a single visit to the Adamstown rooms is generally enough.
At an accredited private hospital with a specialist anaesthetist, an overnight stay, then reviews at day 3 and day 7.
Dr Turner consults in Canberra, seeing patients from across the ACT, Queanbeyan and southern NSW, with surgery at an accredited private hospital in Sydney.
By appointment at G24/6 Provan Street, Campbell ACT 2612, in Canberra's inner north, with access from the city centre, Woden, Belconnen and Queanbeyan.
Street parking is available in the surrounding area, and the clinic can be reached by public transport.
The first is in person in Campbell and the second is usually by phone or video the following week, so a single visit to the Canberra rooms is generally enough.
At an accredited private hospital with a specialist anaesthetist, an overnight stay, then reviews at day 3 and day 7.
All surgery carries risks. A facelift is a significant operation, and it is important to understand the potential complications before deciding to proceed. These are discussed fully and individually during your consultations.
Recovery takes time and varies between individuals. Dr Turner provides written information and the opportunity to ask questions before you consent to surgery. Seeking a second opinion is encouraged.
Facelift surgery is quoted individually, because the plan, theatre and anaesthetic time differ for each person. You receive an itemised written quote covering surgeon, anaesthetist, hospital and aftercare before you decide to proceed. Fees are higher where theatre time is longer or other procedures, such as brow lift, eyelid surgery, lip lift or fat grafting, are added in the same session.
Medicare and private health rebates do not apply to cosmetic facelift surgery. After your second consultation and once your consent forms are signed, a cooling-off period of at least seven days applies before surgery can be booked or a deposit paid.
Both work with the SMAS, the muscle layer of the face. A SMAS facelift folds or partially releases that layer while the deeper tissues stay in place. A deep plane facelift dissects beneath the SMAS, releases selected retaining ligaments and repositions the deeper tissues of the mid face and jawline. The right approach depends on your anatomy and is decided at consultation.
A lower facelift concentrates on the jowls, jawline and upper neck. It can be performed with SMAS or deep plane techniques and is often combined with a neck lift. Whether it suits you depends on how much the mid face has changed, which is assessed at consultation.
The terms are often used interchangeably. A short scar facelift uses shorter incisions, mainly in front of the ear, which gives more limited access to the neck, so it is usually discussed where changes are milder. Any facelift leaves permanent scars, and recovery still takes time.
It is a name used for limited-incision lifts where the incisions sit within the hairline, often lifting the brow and mid face. It treats the jawline and neck to a more limited degree, so it is usually discussed for earlier changes. Dr Turner explains at consultation how it compares with other techniques for your face.
A revision facelift is surgery after a previous facelift, when changes have returned with time or you would like to discuss aspects of an earlier result. It can be more complex than a first facelift because of scar tissue and earlier changes to the tissues, so your previous operation records are helpful. The approach is decided at consultation.
Your preferences are part of the discussion, and the technique is decided together with Dr Turner at consultation. The choice depends on your facial anatomy, the changes you have noticed, any previous surgery and your medical history, and Dr Turner explains the options and risks of each.
Yes. Under Medical Board of Australia guidelines, a referral from your GP or another registered medical practitioner is required before a surgical consultation for cosmetic surgery. You can send an enquiry before you have your referral.
Yes. Your first consultation with Dr Turner can be held by video. Your second consultation is in person, and at least one in-person consultation is required before you can consent to surgery.
Medical Board of Australia guidelines require at least two pre-operative consultations before cosmetic surgery. After your second consultation and once your consent forms are signed, a cooling-off period of at least seven days applies before surgery can be booked or a deposit paid, so you have time to consider the information and ask questions.
A deep plane facelift can be performed with or without a neck lift. Where there is banding or fullness under the chin, a neck lift component may be added. This is assessed at consultation, and it affects surgical time, recovery and cost.
Recovery varies between patients. Swelling, bruising and tightness are expected early and settle over the following weeks. Many patients plan two to three weeks away from work, and healing continues over several months.
Yes. Any facelift involves incisions and permanent scars, usually placed around the ear and into the hairline so they sit within natural contours. How a scar matures varies from person to person and is discussed at consultation.
Cost varies because each surgical plan differs. As an indicative figure, a deep plane facelift with a neck lift component is from $35,000, all-inclusive, covering the surgeon, anaesthetist, hospital and aftercare. Fees are higher where theatre time is longer or other procedures are added in the same session. Medicare and private health rebates do not apply, and you receive an itemised written quote after consultation.
Send photos of the areas you would like to discuss and the team will explain the consultation process. A photo review is not a medical assessment. Suitability for surgery is determined only at consultation with Dr Turner, following a referral from your GP or another registered medical practitioner.
Request a consultation to talk through your goals, your options and what surgery would involve for you, with clear information and time to decide.