Deep Plane Facelift Brisbane, Queensland

Why Patients Research Deep Plane Facelift With Dr Turner

The information below is provided to help patients evaluate whether Dr Turner’s practice aligns with what they are looking for. Facelift outcomes vary between patients, and suitability for any procedure is determined in consultation, not from a website.

• FRACS Specialist Plastic Surgeon — Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons in plastic and reconstructive surgery
• AHPRA registration MED0001654827 — current and verifiable on the AHPRA public register
• Facial aesthetic focus — Dr Turner’s practice is concentrated on facial aesthetic surgery, with deep plane facelift forming a significant part of the surgical caseload
• Accredited Sydney private hospitals — all surgery is performed at fully accredited private hospital facilities with a specialist anaesthetist and dedicated nursing team
• Local Brisbane follow-up — routine post-operative care is coordinated through Herstellen Clinic in Spring Hill, so Queensland patients are not required to travel to Sydney for routine reviews
• Transparent cost range — extended deep plane facelift surgery typically ranges AUD $35,000 to $50,000, with an itemised quote provided after consultation
• Minimum two consultations — required before any surgical decision; the Queensland 7-day cooling-off period applies
• Before-and-after gallery available during consultation — compliant facelift imagery is available to view during consultation rather than displayed publicly online, in line with AHPRA guidance

Facelift Brisbane: When Deep Plane Technique May Be Considered

Patients researching facelift surgery in Brisbane will encounter several techniques — SMAS facelift, short scar or mini facelift, endoscopic ponytail facelift, neck lift and deep plane facelift. These procedures are not interchangeable. Each is designed for different anatomy, ageing patterns and surgical goals.

Deep plane facelift is generally discussed when the presenting concerns include established jowls, midface descent, deep nasolabial folds, loss of jawline definition and neck laxity. The technique works below the SMAS to release deeper retaining ligaments, allowing tissues to be repositioned as a composite unit rather than pulled at the skin layer.

Patients with earlier lower-face changes may be better suited to a short scar facelift Brisbane. Patients whose concerns are primarily upper-face or temple-related may be assessed for endoscopic ponytail facelift Brisbane. Patients with isolated neck laxity may be assessed for neck lift Brisbane. The correct option depends on clinical examination, not category preference.

Brisbane Patient Pathway

Understanding where consultation, surgery and follow-up occur is one of the most important parts of planning. The pathway for Brisbane patients is structured to keep as much of the process local as the surgery itself allows.

Consultation in Spring Hill

Dr Turner consults at Herstellen Clinic, 490 Boundary Street, Spring Hill QLD 4000 — in the Spring Hill medical precinct, close to Brisbane CBD. The initial consultation is a detailed anatomical assessment: facial anatomy, skin quality, brow position, midface support, jowl formation, jawline definition, neck laxity, previous treatments and medical history.

Pre-Operative Planning

If surgery is appropriate, Dr Turner provides a written treatment plan and itemised quote. A minimum of two consultations is required before any cosmetic surgery decision. The Queensland 7-day cooling-off period applies between initial consultation and surgical booking — a mandatory requirement, not an optional waiting period.

Surgery in Sydney

All deep plane facelift surgery is performed at accredited private hospitals in Sydney, where Dr Turner operates with his established anaesthetic, theatre and nursing teams. Overnight admission is standard for extended deep plane facelift.

Early Post-Operative Review

The first post-operative review is completed in Sydney before the patient returns to Brisbane. Return-travel timing is planned individually based on recovery progress, with no return travel booked until the recommended review period has been confirmed.

Routine Follow-Up in Brisbane

All routine post-operative appointments — wound checks, suture removal, scar review and longer-term monitoring — are coordinated through Herstellen Clinic in Brisbane by Dr Turner and the Herstellen team. Queensland patients do not need to travel back to Sydney for routine follow-up.

Understanding Extended Deep Plane Facelift

The extended deep plane facelift is a facelift technique that works below the SMAS layer to release the retaining ligaments anchoring descended facial tissues. The aim is to reposition skin, fat and the underlying support layers as a composite unit using a vertical vector. Unlike skin-only or standard SMAS approaches, deep plane technique is designed to address the structural causes of facial ageing — jowls, deep nasolabial folds, midface descent and the jawline-to-neck transition — comprehensively.

The “extended” component refers to more comprehensive ligament release across all four ligament groups, combined with extended neck dissection to address the cervicomental angle as part of the same operation.

How It Compares to Other Techniques in the Deep Plane Family

Individual outcomes vary. This comparison is educational and does not predict outcomes for any individual patient.

How It Compares to Other Brisbane Facelift Options

For patients weighing deep plane against the broader landscape:

What Deep Plane Facelift May Address

Extended deep plane facelift surgery is planned to address structural changes contributing to lower-face, midface and neck ageing:

• Jowl formation — descent of cheek fat and laxity along the jawline
• Loss of jawline definition — the blurred boundary between face and neck that sharpens with structural repositioning
• Deep nasolabial folds — driven by descended malar fat pads, not skin laxity alone
• Midface descent — flattened cheeks and the drawn appearance of central-face volume change
• Marionette lines — lines running downward from the corners of the mouth
• Neck laxity and platysmal banding — addressed through extended neck dissection
• Submental fullness — fullness below the chin contributing to jawline blur

What it does not directly address: upper-face ageing (brow descent, eyelid hooding), fine surface wrinkles, significant volume depletion, or fundamental skin quality. These may require endoscopic brow lift, blepharoplasty, fat transfer or skin resurfacing, which can sometimes be combined in the same surgical setting where anatomy and goals warrant it.

Are You a Suitable Candidate?

An extended deep plane facelift is generally considered for patients with moderate to significant facial ageing — established jowls, deep nasolabial folds, midface descent and neck laxity. Most patients are in their 50s to 70s, although biological age, anatomy and health matter more than chronological age. Genetics, lifestyle and sun exposure all influence how facial ageing presents and progresses.

You may be a suitable candidate if you have:

• Established jowls contributing to jawline blur
• Deep nasolabial folds associated with midface descent
• Flattening or descent of the cheek tissues
• Neck laxity, platysmal banding or submental fullness
• A preference for longer-lasting results over repeated lesser procedures
• Realistic expectations about what surgery can and cannot change

Good general health and non-smoking status — or willingness to stop smoking at least 6 weeks before and after surgery — are required for all patients. Final suitability is determined after physical assessment and review of medical history.

Preparation Before Surgery

Preparation is part of reducing avoidable risk and supporting recovery. Specific instructions are tailored to each patient and provided in writing, but preparation generally includes:

• Stopping smoking and all nicotine use for the period advised by Dr Turner (minimum 6 weeks before and after)
• Reviewing medications, supplements and blood-thinning agents with the practice
• Managing blood pressure and any relevant medical conditions before surgery
• Arranging a support person for the early recovery period
• Planning travel to Sydney and return-to-Brisbane timing
• Organising time away from work and usual responsibilities
• Preparing post-operative garments and wound-care items
• Avoiding unapproved skin treatments or injectables in the weeks before surgery

Written pre- and post-operative instructions are provided as part of the surgical planning process.

Cost of Deep Plane Facelift in Brisbane

Extended deep plane facelift surgery with Dr Turner typically ranges from AUD $35,000 to $50,000. This includes the surgeon’s fee, accredited hospital fees (including overnight stay), specialist anaesthetist fees and post-operative garments.

The cost reflects the comprehensive nature of the procedure. Extended deep plane facelift surgery typically takes 5 to 8 hours of operating time, compared to approximately 3 hours for a standard SMAS facelift. A detailed, itemised quote is provided after consultation, once Dr Turner has assessed your anatomy and confirmed the surgical plan. Cosmetic deep plane facelift is not eligible for Medicare or private health insurance rebates in Australia.

Request a Brisbane consultation

Surgical Technique

Incision Placement

Incisions are placed within the hairline and around the ear, following natural skin folds to reduce visibility. Dr Turner uses a tragal-edge incision technique — the incision follows the contour of the ear rather than sitting in front of it — which allows the scar to sit within the ear’s shadow. Once healed, these incisions are typically difficult to detect, even with hair worn up. Healing is individual and some patients develop more visible scarring.

Ligament Release

The core of the extended deep plane technique is comprehensive ligament release across all four groups — zygomatic (cheek), masseteric (jawline), mandibular (lower jaw) and cervical retaining ligaments (neck). Partial release moves some tissue; comprehensive release allows full vertical repositioning of the midface, jowls and neck as a single unified structure.

Composite Flap Movement

Once released, the skin, SMAS, fat and platysma move together as a composite flap. The lift direction is vertical — closer to the path the tissues originally descended — rather than pulled toward the ears. Because tension is distributed through the deeper structures rather than the skin, the skin itself carries minimal tension at closure. This is the technical reason results aim to look like a rested version of the patient’s own face: the tissue is repositioned, not pulled.

Extended Neck Dissection

The “extended” component specifically includes comprehensive neck dissection — addressing platysmal banding, submental fullness and cervical skin laxity as part of the same procedure. This avoids the unresolved neck that standard SMAS facelifts can leave, where the face improves but the jawline-to-neck transition remains unclear.

Total operating time is typically 5 to 8 hours. Overnight hospital stay is standard. Surgery is performed at fully accredited private hospitals in Sydney with a specialist anaesthetist and dedicated nursing staff.

Recovery After Extended Deep Plane Facelift

First 7–10 Days

Overnight hospital stay is standard for monitoring following surgery in Sydney. The first week requires dedicated rest with head elevation. Swelling and bruising typically peak around days 2 to 3. Surgical drains, if placed, are removed within 1 to 2 days. Tightness and temporary numbness in the treated areas are normal. No strenuous activity, bending or heavy lifting during this phase.

One thing that surprises many patients: despite the more extensive dissection, recovery from extended deep plane surgery is often comparable to less comprehensive facelift techniques. The sub-SMAS plane bleeds less than superficial tissue planes, and because the skin remains attached to deeper structures, its blood supply and lymphatic drainage are better preserved.

Weeks 2–6

Visible bruising largely resolves. Most patients feel comfortable being seen in public — sometimes referred to as “restaurant ready” — by around 3 weeks, though this varies individually. Sutures are removed during this period. Light activities and desk work can typically resume, while strenuous exercise remains restricted until approximately 6 weeks. Residual swelling continues to improve throughout this phase. Routine follow-up is coordinated through Herstellen Clinic in Brisbane.

Three to Six Months and Beyond

Swelling continues to settle gradually, with results emerging between 3 and 6 months as tissues reach their resting position. Sun protection is particularly important during this period — Brisbane’s UV exposure can affect scar maturation and long-term skin quality. Results from extended deep plane facelift may last 10 to 15 years or longer because the procedure addresses structural causes of descent rather than relying on skin tension. Ageing continues from an improved baseline, and individual outcomes vary.

Risks and Complications

All surgery carries inherent risks. An extended deep plane facelift is a comprehensive procedure, and understanding the risk profile before proceeding is an important part of the decision-making process.

Common during recovery (expected and temporary): swelling, bruising, tightness, temporary numbness and minor asymmetry as healing resolves at different rates on each side.

Surgical risks specific to this procedure:

• Haematoma — collection of blood beneath the skin requiring drainage. The most common complication following facelift surgery (approximately 1 to 3% of patients). Blood pressure management and avoiding blood-thinning medications reduces this risk.
• Nerve injury — facial nerve branches run through the surgical area throughout the extended deep plane dissection. Temporary weakness of facial muscles occurs in a small percentage of patients and almost always resolves within weeks to months. Permanent injury is rare but real and is discussed in detail during consultation.
• Skin necrosis — rare in non-smokers. Smoking significantly increases this risk, which is why cessation at least 6 weeks before and after surgery is mandatory.
• Infection — uncommon with appropriate technique and post-operative care.
• Scarring — all surgery results in scars. Individual healing varies and some patients develop more visible scarring.
• Hairline or sideburn changes — possible depending on incision placement and individual healing.
• Asymmetry — minor asymmetry is common during healing and usually settles. Significant asymmetry requiring revision is uncommon.
• Delayed healing — more likely in smokers or patients with certain medical conditions.
• Results not meeting expectations — if anatomy or ageing pattern is not suited to this approach, results may not fully address all concerns. Revision surgery may be required in some cases.

Dr Turner discusses all relevant risks during consultation, including how they relate to your specific anatomy and health history. For broader information, see risks and complications of cosmetic surgery.

About Dr Scott J Turner

Dr Scott J Turner (FRACS, AHPRA: MED0001654827) is a Sydney Specialist Plastic Surgeon and Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons — FRACS (Plas) — with a practice focused on facial aesthetic surgery, including extended deep plane facelift, short scar facelift, endoscopic ponytail facelift, neck lift and blepharoplasty.

His approach prioritises anatomy over branded technique names — the focus is on what produces a durable outcome for each patient’s specific findings, not what label is currently being marketed. Dr Turner’s primary surgical practice is based in Sydney at Bondi Junction and Manly; he consults in Brisbane at Herstellen Clinic, Spring Hill, with surgery at accredited Sydney private hospitals and post-operative follow-up provided by Dr Turner and the Herstellen team in Brisbane.

Related Brisbane Facial Procedures

For patients whose anatomy or goals may suit a different approach:

• Short Scar Facelift Brisbane — earlier lower-face changes and limited neck laxity
• Endoscopic Ponytail Facelift Brisbane — early upper-face and midface concerns with smaller access points
• Vertical Restore Facelift Brisbane — multi-zone facial ageing involving brow, midface and lower face together
• Neck Lift Brisbane — isolated neck laxity, platysmal banding or submental fullness
• Endoscopic Brow Lift Brisbane — brow descent or upper-face heaviness
• Blepharoplasty Brisbane — upper or lower eyelid concerns

Book a Consultation at the Brisbane Clinic

If you are based in Brisbane, Queensland, or elsewhere in Australia and would like to explore your options with Dr Turner, contact the practice to request a consultation at Herstellen Clinic in Spring Hill. For visual reference of surgical outcomes, the facelift before and after gallery is available.

Herstellen Clinic 490 Boundary Street, Spring Hill QLD 4000 Phone: 1300 437 758 Email: [email protected] Hours: Monday – Friday, 9am – 5pm

Request a Brisbane consultation

Consultations are with Dr Turner personally. A minimum of two consultations is required before surgery. Queensland’s 7-day cooling-off period applies to all cosmetic surgical procedures.

Brisbane Procedure Pages

• Endoscopic Ponytail Facelift — Brisbane
• Short Scar Facelift — Brisbane
• Deep Plane Facelift — Brisbane
• Vertical Restore Facelift — Brisbane
• SMAS Facelift — Brisbane
• Revision Facelift — Brisbane
• Neck Lift — Brisbane
• Deep Neck Lift — Brisbane
• Direct Neck Lift — Brisbane
• Endoscopic Brow Lift — Brisbane
• Blepharoplasty — Brisbane