The Canberra Clinic
Dr Turner consults from The Clinic Skin Health & Wellness, located at G24/6 Provan St, Campbell ACT 2612 — near the Campbell Shops precinct, with straightforward access from Constitution Avenue and the Monaro Highway.
The clinic is accessible for patients from across Canberra, including Braddon, Barton, Civic, Manuka, Kingston, Griffith, Deakin, Woden, Tuggeranong, Belconnen, Gungahlin, Ainslie, Dickson and surrounding suburbs. Patients travelling from Queanbeyan, Yass, Goulburn, Cooma and the broader southern NSW region are also welcome.
The Campbell clinic is used for consultations, pre-operative planning, and post-operative follow-up. Surgical procedures are performed at accredited private hospitals in Sydney.
Face and Neck Lift Techniques
Modern facelift surgery involves considerably more than simply tightening skin. The approach used — and the structures addressed — varies significantly between techniques. Dr Turner’s practice incorporates several methods, and the right choice depends on your anatomy, the degree of change present, and your goals.
Deep Plane Facelift
The deep plane facelift is Dr Turner’s preferred technique for most patients seeking comprehensive facial correction. Rather than working on skin and the superficial SMAS layer only, this approach releases key facial ligaments and repositions the deeper soft tissue as a single unit. Because it addresses the structural cause of facial descent rather than simply tightening the surface, results may be more durable and tend to appear more natural.
This technique is particularly suited to patients with significant jowling, midface descent, or those who want a thorough result with lasting effect.
Vertical Restore Facelift
The vertical restore facelift addresses facial descent using a predominantly vertical tissue movement — lifting tissue upward rather than back toward the ears. This approach aims to restore a more natural-looking facial position. It may suit patients with midface concerns and significant tissue descent.
SMAS Facelift
The SMAS facelift works at the level of the superficial musculoaponeurotic system — a layer of muscle and connective tissue beneath the skin. By addressing this deeper layer in addition to the skin, results may last longer than purely skin-tightening approaches. It remains one of the more commonly performed facelift techniques.
Short Scar (Mini) Facelift
A mini facelift uses shorter incisions and typically involves a more limited dissection. It may suit patients with earlier or more localised concerns — particularly those with mild to moderate jowling and relatively good neck skin — who want a less extensive procedure with a shorter recovery period.
It’s worth being realistic about what this technique can and can’t achieve. A mini facelift has limitations compared to a full facelift and typically doesn’t address the neck or deeper structural changes as thoroughly. During consultation, Dr Turner will advise honestly on whether this approach is appropriate for your situation.
Ponytail Facelift
The ponytail facelift is a minimally invasive endoscopic technique with all incisions placed within the hairline. It primarily addresses the upper and midface. Patients with lower face, jawline, or neck concerns would generally benefit from a more comprehensive approach.
Revision Facelift
A revision facelift is for patients who’ve had previous facelift surgery and are either unhappy with the result or experiencing ongoing change since their first procedure. Revision surgery is more complex — the surgeon must work with altered anatomy and previous scar tissue. Dr Turner has experience with revision procedures and will assess your situation carefully to determine what can realistically be achieved.
Neck Lift Surgery
Neck concerns are among the most common reasons patients seek facial surgery. The neck often shows signs of change earlier than the face, and some patients have specific neck concerns even when the midface and upper face look relatively good.
Dr Turner performs standalone neck lift procedures as well as neck lifting as part of a comprehensive facelift. Neck surgery may address:
- Excess skin laxity and loose skin in the neck
- Platysmal muscle banding — the vertical cords that become visible over time
- Submental fullness that hasn’t responded to diet or exercise
- An undefined jawline caused by tissue descent
Whether a neck lift alone is appropriate, or whether a combined face and neck approach may serve you better, is something Dr Turner will discuss during your consultation based on your specific anatomy.
Complementary Procedures
Some patients choose to combine face and neck lift surgery with additional procedures to address concerns across the whole face in a single operation. These may include:
Facial fat transfer uses your own fat to restore volume in areas such as the temples, cheeks, and tear troughs — areas where volume loss contributes significantly to facial change over time.
Buccal fat removal removes fat pads from the cheeks to create a slimmer lower face contour. It’s not appropriate for everyone and will be discussed on a case-by-case basis.
Lip lift surgery shortens the distance between the nose and upper lip, which tends to lengthen with age.
Eyelid surgery and brow lift — upper and lower blepharoplasty and endoscopic brow lift can be combined with facelift surgery to address the upper face in the same procedure.
For Canberra Patients: How the Process Works
A common question from ACT patients is how the logistics work when surgery takes place in Sydney. The short answer is that it’s more straightforward than most people expect.
Consultation in Canberra. Your initial appointment takes place at the Campbell clinic. There’s no need to go to Sydney for the assessment — Dr Turner reviews your anatomy, discusses your goals, and outlines the most appropriate surgical approach at the local clinic.
Cooling-off period. Under Australian regulations introduced in July 2023, patients considering cosmetic surgery must complete a psychological evaluation and observe a mandatory cooling-off period before any procedure can proceed. Dr Turner’s practice follows these requirements in full.
Surgery in Sydney. Once you’re ready to proceed, surgery takes place at an accredited Sydney private hospital. Canberra to Sydney is roughly 2.5–3 hours by road or under an hour by air. Most facelift patients plan to arrive in Sydney the evening before their procedure and stay for 2–3 nights post-operatively before returning home to Canberra.
Follow-up in Canberra. Post-operative appointments are available at the Campbell clinic, which means you don’t need to return to Sydney for every follow-up review. Telehealth options may also be available for appropriate check-ins during recovery.
For more detail, see the information page for out of town patients.
Your Consultation at the Canberra Clinic
Your consultation with Dr Turner is an opportunity to get clear, honest information about what surgery can achieve for your specific situation — not a sales appointment.
During the consultation, Dr Turner will:
- Review your medical history and any relevant health considerations
- Assess your facial anatomy in detail
- Explain which techniques may be appropriate and why
- Walk through the surgical process, expected recovery, and realistic outcomes
- Discuss all risks and potential complications
- Answer your questions openly
There is no obligation to proceed following a consultation. Many patients book an initial appointment simply to understand their options before making any decision.
Recovery After Face and Neck Lift Surgery
Recovery varies between individuals and between techniques. As a general guide:
Days 1–7: Swelling and bruising are at their most significant in the first week. Most patients rest at home and keep their head elevated. Driving and strenuous activity are not permitted.
Weeks 2–3: Bruising begins to resolve for most patients. Some return to light social activities, though residual swelling is still visible at this stage.
Weeks 4–6: Most patients return to office-based work and normal daily activities. Strenuous exercise and heavy lifting should still be avoided.
Months 3–6: Swelling continues to settle gradually. Final results typically emerge as tissues soften and settle fully into position.
Dr Turner provides detailed post-operative instructions and is available for follow-up at the Canberra clinic throughout recovery. The practice team is also reachable by phone if questions arise between appointments.
Risks and Complications
All surgical procedures carry risk, and it’s important to understand these clearly before making a decision. Potential risks associated with face and neck lift surgery include bleeding or haematoma, infection, nerve injury (which may be temporary or, rarely, permanent), unfavourable scarring, skin changes, asymmetry, altered sensation, and results that don’t meet expectations.
Smoking and vaping significantly increase the risk of complications and impair healing. Patients are required to cease smoking for a minimum of six weeks before and after surgery.
Dr Turner discusses all relevant risks in detail during your consultation. Further information is available on the risks and complications page.
About Dr Scott J Turner
Dr Scott J Turner is a Specialist Plastic Surgeon — a protected title in Australia that requires completion of medical school, years of surgical training, and Fellowship with the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (FRACS) in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.
His practice is focused on facial and breast procedures. Dr Turner operates from accredited surgical facilities and maintains hospital-level safety standards across all procedures. He is registered with AHPRA under registration number MED0001654827.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between a facelift and a neck lift?
A facelift primarily addresses the midface, lower face, and jawline — concerns like jowling, tissue descent, and skin laxity in the cheek and jaw area. A neck lift focuses on the neck: loose skin, platysmal banding, and submental fullness. The two procedures are often performed together, as the face and neck typically age in tandem. Whether one or both is appropriate depends on your anatomy and goals, and is something Dr Turner will advise on during consultation.
Which facelift technique is right for me?
There’s no single answer — the right technique depends on your anatomy, the degree of change present, your skin quality, and what you’re hoping to achieve. Dr Turner will conduct a thorough assessment and explain his recommendation, including the reasons behind it. Most patients benefit from either the deep plane or vertical restore approach, but a consultation is required before any recommendation can be made.
How long do facelift results last?
Results vary between individuals. Deep plane techniques may offer more durable results compared to approaches that primarily address the superficial tissues, because they address the underlying structural causes of facial descent. Most patients can expect results to last in the range of 8–12 years, depending on technique, individual ageing patterns, skin quality, and lifestyle factors. Surgery doesn’t stop the ageing process — it sets the clock back.
Where is surgery performed for Canberra patients?
Surgery is performed at accredited private hospitals in Sydney. Consultations, pre-operative planning, and most post-operative follow-up take place at the Canberra clinic in Campbell. Most Canberra patients plan for 2–3 nights in Sydney following their procedure before returning home.
Am I a suitable candidate for facelift surgery?
Suitability depends on a number of factors including overall health, anatomy, skin quality, and your specific concerns. A comprehensive consultation is required to assess this. There is no way to determine suitability without a proper in-person assessment.
Considering Other Procedures? Consult Dr Turner in Canberra
Dr Turner offers consultations for a range of surgical procedures at the Campbell clinic. If you’re exploring more than one area of concern, these can often be assessed in a single appointment.
Face & Neck Surgery — Canberra
- Rhinoplasty (Cosmetic & Functional) — Canberra
- Endoscopic Brow Lift & Blepharoplasty — Canberra
- Male Face Surgery — Canberra
Breast & Body Surgery — Canberra
Book a Consultation in Canberra
To arrange a consultation at the Campbell clinic, contact the practice online or call 1300 437 758.
Canberra Clinic: G24/6 Provan Street, Campbell ACT 2612
