Taking the first step toward plastic surgery is a significant personal decision. Whether you are considering facelift surgery, rhinoplasty, or another facial procedure, your initial consultation provides an opportunity to discuss your concerns, understand your options, and determine whether surgery may be appropriate for your individual circumstances.
Dr Scott J Turner, Specialist Plastic Surgeon, offers consultations at clinics in Sydney, Brisbane, and Canberra. This guide explains what you can expect during your facelift consultation and how to prepare for your appointment.
Why the Initial Consultation Matters
Your consultation is more than a standard medical appointment. It is a dedicated time for you and Dr Turner to discuss your concerns, assess your suitability for a procedure, and establish a foundation of understanding and trust. For patients considering facial procedures such as facelift surgery, this appointment allows Dr Turner to evaluate your facial anatomy, skin quality, and overall health to determine whether you may be a suitable candidate.
An informed patient is better positioned to make decisions that align with their goals and circumstances. The consultation process is designed to provide you with comprehensive information about potential procedures, realistic expectations regarding outcomes, and a clear understanding of associated risks and limitations.
About Dr Scott J Turner
Dr Scott J Turner is a Specialist Plastic Surgeon with extensive training in facial plastic surgery procedures. His qualifications include:
- Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (FRACS) in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
- Specialist registration with the Medical Board of Australia
- Advanced training in facial surgical techniques, including Deep Plane facelift and Vertical Restore facelift approaches
- Multiple practice locations in Sydney, Brisbane, and Canberra
Dr Turner is trained in multiple facelift approaches, including Deep Plane facelift, Vertical Restore facelift, mini facelift, and revision facelift for patients who have had previous surgery. He also performs male face and neck lift surgery, which takes into account the specific anatomical considerations for male patients, including hairline placement, beard-bearing skin, and masculine facial contours.
Dr Turner’s approach emphasises thorough patient assessment, comprehensive education about surgical options, and individualised treatment planning based on each patient’s unique anatomy and goals.
What Happens During Your Appointment
Dr Turner ensures that every consultation is thorough and unhurried. You can expect the following steps during your visit:
Personal Discussion
Your appointment begins with a private conversation about your concerns, goals, and motivations for considering surgery. Dr Turner will take time to understand what you hope to address and why you are exploring surgical options. This discussion helps ensure your expectations are realistic and that any recommended approach aligns with what may be achievable for your individual anatomy.
Medical Review
Patient safety is the priority. Dr Turner will review your general health, medical history, past surgeries, current medications, and any allergies. Certain health conditions or medications may affect surgical suitability or require additional considerations in treatment planning.
Physical Examination
To provide an accurate assessment, Dr Turner will perform a focused examination of the area or areas you wish to address. For patients considering facelift surgery, this includes evaluating facial structure, skin laxity, underlying tissue characteristics, and bone structure that may influence the surgical approach and potential outcomes.
This assessment helps determine whether a Deep Plane facelift, Vertical Restore technique, mini facelift, or alternative approach may be most appropriate for your individual presentation. A traditional facelift addresses the mid-face, lower face, and often the neck through comprehensive tissue repositioning. In contrast, a mini facelift typically involves smaller incisions and addresses more limited areas, which may be appropriate for patients with milder concerns.
Procedure Education
You will receive a detailed overview of the surgical or non-surgical options that may be appropriate for your situation. Dr Turner will explain the techniques involved, the expected recovery timeline, and the range of outcomes that patients with similar presentations have experienced.
Individual results vary based on numerous factors, including skin quality and elasticity, underlying facial structure, age, lifestyle factors such as smoking and sun exposure, overall health, and individual healing characteristics. Dr Turner will discuss realistic expectations based on your specific anatomy during your consultation.
Facelift surgery is often performed in conjunction with complementary procedures such as neck lift, deep neck lift, upper blepharoplasty, lower blepharoplasty, or brow lift to address multiple areas of concern. Some patients also consider facial fat transfer or lip lift surgery as complementary procedures. The suitability of combined procedures depends on your individual goals, anatomy, and overall health.
For detailed information about the healing process, see our guide on recovery after facelift surgery.
Discussion of Risks and Limitations
Transparency is essential to informed decision-making. Dr Turner will explain the potential risks and complications associated with any recommended procedure, including general surgical risks and those specific to the proposed treatment.
As with all surgical procedures, facelift surgery carries risks including bleeding, infection, scarring, nerve injury, asymmetry, and anaesthetic complications. Understanding these limitations helps ensure you can make a fully informed choice about whether to proceed. For comprehensive information, read our detailed guide on risks and complications after facelift surgery.
Photographic Reference
With your consent, clinical photographs may be taken for your confidential medical record. During your consultation, Dr Turner may discuss clinical photographs to help illustrate the range of outcomes that may be achievable, while noting that individual results vary significantly based on anatomy, healing characteristics, and other factors.
Cost Estimate
You will receive a general outline of associated costs, including the surgeon’s fee, anaesthetist’s fee, and hospital or facility charges. Relevant Medicare item numbers or private health fund information will be discussed if applicable to your situation.
Time for Questions
You are encouraged to ask any questions throughout your consultation. Dr Turner takes the time to ensure you fully understand your options before considering whether to move forward.
How to Prepare for Your Consultation
To make the most of your appointment, consider the following preparation steps:
Obtain a GP Referral
A valid GP referral is required for all consultations with a Specialist Plastic Surgeon in Australia, regardless of whether the procedure is cosmetic or medically indicated.
Why is a GP referral required? Since July 2023, AHPRA requires all plastic surgery consultations to include a valid GP referral. This regulatory requirement ensures comprehensive medical assessment, coordinates care between your GP and specialist, and confirms the proposed procedure aligns with your overall health profile. Your referring GP does not need to be your regular GP—any registered medical practitioner can provide this referral. Your referral remains valid for 12 months from the date of your first specialist appointment.
Don’t have a GP referral yet? Contact your general practitioner to arrange one before your appointment, or contact our clinic for guidance on the referral process.
Gather Your Medical Information
Bring your complete medical history, including a list of current medications and supplements, any known allergies, and details of previous surgeries. This information helps Dr Turner assess your suitability and plan appropriate care.
Prepare Your Questions
It is easy to forget questions during an appointment. Writing them down beforehand ensures all your concerns are addressed. Common questions include recovery timeframes, time off work, potential risks, and what to expect during the healing process.
Wear Comfortable Clothing
Choose clothing that allows for easy examination of the area you wish to discuss. For facial consultations, this typically does not require any special preparation, though avoiding heavy makeup may be helpful for an accurate skin assessment.
Consider Your Goals
Spend time thinking about what you would like to address and what outcomes would be meaningful for you. If helpful, please bring reference photos as a general guide for discussion, understanding that these represent ideals rather than guaranteed results, and that outcomes depend on individual anatomy, skin quality, and healing response.
After Your Consultation
Following your consultation, you will receive:
- Personalised recommendation based on your concerns, anatomy, and goals
- Detailed written quote with comprehensive cost information, typically provided within 24-48 hours
- Educational materials specific to any proposed procedure, including recovery guidelines and pre-operative requirements
- Follow-up contact from our patient care team to answer any additional questions
There is no pressure to make an immediate decision. Dr Turner encourages patients to take their time—typically one to two weeks or longer—to consider their options, discuss with family or support people, and return with any follow-up questions. The decision to proceed with surgery should be made when you feel informed and confident in your choice.
In accordance with AHPRA regulations, a mandatory cooling-off period applies between your consultation and any cosmetic surgical procedure. This period ensures you have adequate time to consider your decision without pressure.
Recovery and Time Off Work
Recovery varies between individuals. Generally, patients may experience swelling and bruising for approximately two to three weeks, with most social activities possible after two to three weeks. Return to exercise and strenuous activity typically occurs at four to six weeks, though individual recovery may be shorter or longer.
Most patients take approximately two weeks off work, though this varies depending on your occupation, individual healing, and the extent of your procedure. Patients in physically demanding roles or public-facing positions may require additional recovery time. Detailed recovery information will be provided based on your specific procedure.
Should you choose to proceed, the practice team will guide you through each step of the booking and pre-operative process, including any required health assessments, pre-operative instructions, and scheduling.
Choosing a Facelift Surgeon in Australia
Selecting a surgeon for facial procedures requires careful consideration. As a Specialist Plastic Surgeon, Dr Turner has completed extensive training in plastic and reconstructive surgery through the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons. This qualification distinguishes Specialist Plastic Surgeons from other practitioners who may offer cosmetic procedures.
When evaluating any surgeon, consider their qualifications, experience with the specific procedure you are considering, and whether you feel comfortable with their communication style and approach to patient care. Your consultation provides an opportunity to assess these factors before making any decisions.
Key questions to consider when choosing a facelift surgeon include:
- Are they a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (FRACS) in Plastic Surgery?
- Do they hold specialist registration with the Medical Board of Australia?
- Do they operate in accredited hospitals or surgical facilities?
- Do they provide comprehensive information about risks and realistic expectations?
- Do you feel heard and comfortable during your consultation?
Clinic Locations
Dr Scott J Turner consults at multiple locations to provide accessible care across eastern Australia:
Sydney Sydney clinic – Serving the Northern Beaches, Eastern Suburbs, North Shore, Inner West, and Sydney CBD
Brisbane Brisbane clinic – Serving Brisbane, Gold Coast, and South East Queensland
Canberra Canberra clinic – Serving the ACT and surrounding NSW regions
For patients travelling from regional areas or interstate, please see our information for out-of-town patients.
Book Your Consultation
If you are considering facial plastic surgery and would like to discuss your options with Dr Scott J Turner, Specialist Plastic Surgeon, the first step is to obtain a GP referral and contact our practice to schedule a consultation at one of our Sydney, Brisbane, or Canberra clinic locations.
Medical Disclaimer: This information is intended for general educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Individual results vary, and all surgical procedures carry risks. Potential complications should be discussed during your consultation. A valid GP referral is required for all consultations with a Specialist Plastic Surgeon in Australia.
