Dr Scott J Turner | Specialist Plastic Surgeon (FRACS) | Sydney

Rhinoplasty is among the most researched cosmetic procedures in Australia, and one of the most individual. The questions patients ask before committing tend to be the right ones: about candidacy, technique, recovery, cost, Medicare eligibility, and how to choose a surgeon. This guide answers the questions Dr Turner is asked most often at consultation, with links to the specific nose surgery procedures where each topic is covered in full clinical detail.

Dr Scott J Turner is a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (FRACS, 2013), AHPRA MED0001654827, with specific subspecialty training in rhinoplasty. He consults at Bondi Junction and Manly, with surgery performed at Bondi Junction Private Hospital and Delmar Private Hospital, Dee Why.

What is rhinoplasty?

Rhinoplasty is surgery to alter the structure of the nose. It is performed for cosmetic reasons (addressing the shape, size, or proportions of the nose), for functional reasons (correcting structural problems affecting breathing such as a deviated septum or nasal valve collapse), or both in the same operation. The procedure works on the bone, cartilage, and soft tissue of the nose depending on what needs to change. There is no single standard rhinoplasty: the surgical plan is built around your anatomy and your specific concerns.

Surgical goals for rhinoplasty centre on proportion, balance, and structural integrity rather than a single fixed aesthetic standard. What looks appropriate for one face may not for another. The cosmetic rhinoplasty and functional rhinoplasty pages cover each approach in detail, including the specific anatomical features addressed in each case.

Am I a suitable candidate for rhinoplasty?

Suitable candidates typically have specific concerns about the appearance or function of their nose, fully developed nasal anatomy (generally from mid-to-late teens), are in good general health, do not smoke (or are prepared to stop well before surgery, as nicotine impairs healing), and have realistic expectations about what surgery can and cannot achieve.

Candidacy is not a checklist. It is assessed through clinical consultation. Dr Turner examines your nasal anatomy and gives a direct view of what surgery may achieve in your specific case. If surgery is unlikely to achieve what you are hoping for, he will say so. For patients under 18, additional requirements apply, including a 3-month cooling-off period under Medical Board and AHPRA requirements: see teen rhinoplasty.

What types of rhinoplasty does Dr Turner perform?

Dr Turner performs the full range of nasal surgical procedures across the cluster:

Open vs closed rhinoplasty: what’s the difference?

Closed rhinoplasty uses incisions placed entirely inside the nostrils, so there is no external scarring. It suits less complex cases where the surgeon does not need direct external access to the nasal framework.

Open rhinoplasty involves a small incision across the columella (the strip of tissue between the nostrils), allowing the nasal skin to be lifted and the underlying structure to be seen and worked on directly. Open rhinoplasty is used for more complex cases: significant tip reshaping, dorsal reduction, cartilage grafting, or revision surgery. The columellar incision heals to a fine line in most cases, though scar quality is individual.

Both approaches produce good outcomes when matched to the right case. Dr Turner advises which is more appropriate based on your anatomy and what needs to be done.

How long does rhinoplasty recovery take?

Recovery follows a broadly predictable pattern, though timelines vary between individuals:

What you see at six weeks is not your final outcome. For a full week-by-week breakdown, see the rhinoplasty recovery guide.

How much does rhinoplasty cost in Sydney?

Pricing at Dr Turner’s practice, all-inclusive of surgeon, hospital, anaesthesia, and follow-up:

A formal itemised quote is provided after consultation once the surgical plan is confirmed. For the full cost framework, MBS items, and what affects price within each range, see the rhinoplasty cost guide.

Does Medicare cover rhinoplasty?

Cosmetic rhinoplasty is not covered by Medicare. Where rhinoplasty addresses a documented functional problem (deviated septum, nasal valve collapse, post-traumatic deformity, post-rhinoplasty obstruction), a partial Medicare contribution may apply under specific MBS items including 41659 (closed nasal fracture reduction), 41671 (septoplasty), and 45641 (total functional rhinoplasty).

A GP referral is required, and clinical documentation including photographic or NOSE Scale evidence must support the claim. Medicare covers the surgical component only: anaesthesia and hospital fees are out-of-pocket regardless, with a gap payment expected in most cases even where Medicare and private health insurance both apply. For the full Medicare framework, see Will Medicare Cover My Rhinoplasty?.

What are the Medical Board and AHPRA requirements before rhinoplasty?

Before any cosmetic rhinoplasty proceeds, Medical Board and AHPRA requirements apply:

• A referral from your GP or specialist physician
• A minimum of two consultations with Dr Turner before surgery is booked
• A psychological assessment where indicated by validated screening
• A 7-day cooling-off period for adult patients before formal surgical consent
• A 3-month cooling-off period for any patient under 18 years of age

These requirements apply to all cosmetic surgical procedures in Australia and cannot be bypassed. Standalone functional procedures such as septoplasty for documented airway obstruction follow a different regulatory pathway. Dr Turner’s team clarifies which requirements apply to your situation at consultation.

What are the risks of rhinoplasty?

Rhinoplasty carries specific risks every patient should understand before proceeding:

• Bleeding during or after surgery
• Infection
• Adverse reaction to anaesthesia
• Asymmetry or surface irregularity
• Scarring (particularly with open rhinoplasty)
• Changes to skin sensation including numbness
• Altered nasal airflow
• Unsatisfactory cosmetic result
• Septal perforation (uncommon)
• Need for revision surgery

Dr Turner discusses the risks relevant to your anatomy and surgical plan at consultation. For the comprehensive overview, see Understanding Rhinoplasty Risks and Complications.

How do I choose a rhinoplasty surgeon?

Rhinoplasty is among the most technically demanding procedures in plastic surgery. The surgeon you choose significantly affects outcomes. Key considerations:

Qualification. In Australia, the highest standard for surgical training is the Fellowship of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons in Plastic Surgery (FRACS). Dr Turner holds this qualification. The title “cosmetic surgeon” is not a protected qualification in Australia; training and experience behind that title vary considerably.

Subspecialty experience. Look for a surgeon who operates in rhinoplasty regularly, not occasionally. Ask about primary and revision rhinoplasty volume, and about the specific techniques they use (open vs closed, preservation techniques, cartilage grafting approach).

Honesty at consultation. A surgeon who tells you what is achievable in your specific anatomy, including what is not, is more valuable than one who agrees with everything you want. Ask whether your goals are realistic for your anatomy and what compromises may be involved.

Accredited facilities. Surgery should be performed at a fully accredited private hospital with full anaesthetic and recovery support, not at a day procedure centre that is not equipped for surgical complications.

Photographic outcomes review. Ask to see before-and-after results of the surgeon’s own primary and revision work, and review whether the aesthetic style demonstrated matches what you are seeking.

Dr Turner consults personally; all consultations are one-on-one with the surgeon performing the procedure. For deeper guidance on selecting a rhinoplasty surgeon, see How to choose a rhinoplasty surgeon you can actually trust.

Frequently asked questions

Will rhinoplasty results look natural to my face?

Outcomes depend on surgical planning, technique, and the surgeon’s clinical judgment, not on whether the approach is labelled “natural.” A rhinoplasty planned in proportion with your existing facial features, and executed with technique appropriate to your anatomy, should produce a result that fits your face. Over-resection, dramatic reduction, or a plan that ignores cultural or structural context tends to look operated. Dr Turner discusses what is appropriate for your specific anatomy at consultation.

Can rhinoplasty improve breathing as well as appearance?

Yes. Combining cosmetic and functional goals in a single operation is often the most efficient approach. Septorhinoplasty addresses both the external shape and internal structural problems such as a deviated septum or nasal valve collapse. Combining them means one anaesthetic, one recovery period, and preserved septal cartilage as grafting material. Where functional criteria are met, a Medicare contribution may apply to the functional component.

How do I know if I need open or closed rhinoplasty?

This is determined by the complexity of what needs to be done, not by patient preference. Closed rhinoplasty suits less complex cases such as minor tip work or modest dorsal adjustment. Open rhinoplasty provides direct access to the nasal framework and is used for more complex reshaping, significant tip work, cartilage grafting, or revision cases. Dr Turner advises which approach is more appropriate for your anatomy during consultation planning.

What happens if I am not happy with my rhinoplasty result?

The first step is time. Many concerns at three to six months look substantially different at 12 months as swelling continues to resolve. If concerns remain after full healing (typically at least 12 months), revision rhinoplasty may be considered. Revision surgery is more complex than primary rhinoplasty due to altered anatomy and scar tissue, and it requires careful assessment of what can realistically be improved. Dr Turner accepts revision rhinoplasty assessment including for patients whose primary procedure was elsewhere.

What is the difference between rhinoplasty and septoplasty?

Rhinoplasty addresses the external shape, size, bridge, and tip of the nose. Septoplasty corrects a deviated septum to improve nasal airflow and is performed entirely inside the nose with no external scarring and no change to external appearance. The two are frequently combined as septorhinoplasty where both cosmetic and functional concerns are present. Septoplasty may attract a Medicare contribution under MBS item 41671 where clinical criteria are met; cosmetic rhinoplasty does not.

Schedule a consultation with Dr Turner

Dr Scott Turner consults for rhinoplasty in Sydney at his Bondi Junction and Manly clinics. Surgery is performed at Bondi Junction Private Hospital and Delmar Private Hospital, Dee Why. The consultation provides clinical examination, NOSE Scale scoring where relevant, discussion of the surgical plan, and a formal itemised quote.

To schedule a consultation, contact our team.

Phone: 1300 437 758 Email: [email protected] Bondi Junction: 39 Grosvenor Street, Bondi Junction NSW Manly: Suite 504, Level 5, 39 East Esplanade, Manly NSW

Two consultations are required before any cosmetic component of surgery is scheduled, in line with Medical Board and AHPRA requirements.