What Is the Vertical Restore Facelift?
The Vertical Restore Facelift is a facelift technique that lifts the deeper fascial layers of the face in a vertical direction to work against the gravitational pull that contributes to facial ageing. The term refers to the direction of tissue repositioning. Rather than pulling facial tissues horizontally back toward the ears, which is the vector used in older-generation facelift techniques, the Vertical Restore approach lifts tissue planes upward, returning them to a position closer to where they were before the ageing process began.
The technique is built on deep plane dissection. The surgeon works beneath the SMAS (Superficial Musculoaponeurotic System) layer, carefully releasing the retaining ligaments that tether the deeper facial structures to the underlying skeleton. Once released, these deeper tissues can be repositioned as a composite unit, rather than being pulled only at the skin level. This means the skin is not being stretched to create the lift. The underlying support structure is what does the repositioning, and the skin is redraped naturally over the new anatomical position.
Fat grafting is typically included as part of the operation. As the face ages, it doesn’t simply sag; it also loses volume in specific areas such as the temples, cheeks, and around the eyes. Structural lifting alone does not address this volume loss. Fat grafting replaces lost volume in areas where it’s anatomically appropriate, using fat harvested from the patient’s own body.
The Vertical Vector: How It Differs from Traditional Facelift Techniques
Understanding the difference between vertical and horizontal lift direction is central to understanding why this technique was developed.
In the human face, gravity pulls tissues downward over time. The lateral brow descends. The midface fat pads drift down toward the nasolabial folds. The jawline loses definition as jowls form. The neck skin and underlying muscles become lax. All of this happens in a predominantly downward direction.
Older facelift techniques responded to this descent with a horizontal vector of lift, pulling the facial skin and sometimes the underlying SMAS layer laterally and slightly upward toward the ears. This approach can tighten skin effectively, but because the lift direction is not opposite to the direction of descent, the visual result can sometimes produce a pulled or windswept appearance, particularly around the mouth and cheeks. Some patients describe this as the “operated” look associated with earlier generations of facelift surgery.
The Vertical Restore approach uses a direction of lift that is more directly opposite to the direction of descent. By lifting the deep fascial layers upward, the tissues move back toward their pre-ageing position rather than being redirected to a new location. The visual aim is a face that appears to have reversed some of its ageing changes, rather than one that looks pulled.
What the Vertical Restore Facelift Addresses
The operation is designed to address changes across four anatomical zones in a single procedure.
Upper face. The lateral portion of the eyebrow and the temple area are repositioned. As we age, the outer third of the brow descends, which can contribute to upper eyelid heaviness and a tired appearance. The Vertical Restore technique lifts the outer brow without creating the overly elevated, surprised look that can result from aggressive brow lifting.
Midface. The cheek region, nasolabial folds, and undereye area are addressed through the deep plane component of the procedure. By lifting the midface fat pads back up toward the cheekbone, the volume redistributes in a way that softens the nasolabial fold and the transition between the lower eyelid and the cheek.
Lower face. Jowls along the jawline are repositioned, and the definition between the jawline and the neck is restored. This is typically the region where patients notice the most visible change.
Neck. Laxity of the neck skin and platysmal banding (the vertical bands that can become visible in the front of the neck) are addressed. Depending on the extent of neck involvement, this may be done through the same incisions as the facelift or with an additional small submental incision under the chin.
Because the procedure addresses all four zones in a single operation, the healing process, the anaesthetic, and the recovery period are consolidated into one rather than being spread across multiple separate operations.
How the Procedure Is Performed
The Vertical Restore Facelift is performed under general anaesthesia at accredited private hospital facilities in Sydney. Depending on the extent of the operation and individual patient factors, hospital stay is typically one to two nights.
Incisions are placed in anatomically concealed positions: within the temporal hairline, around the contour of the ear (following the natural crease in front of and behind the ear), and sometimes into the posterior hairline. When a neck component is included, an additional small incision is made under the chin. Incision placement is planned individually based on anatomy, hairline, and the extent of the required dissection.
Once access is established, the surgeon works beneath the skin and then beneath the SMAS layer, carefully identifying and releasing the retaining ligaments. This deep plane dissection is where the anatomical knowledge and experience of the surgeon matters most. The facial nerve runs through this region, and the margin for error in this plane is small. Releasing the ligaments allows the deeper tissues to be repositioned without putting tension on the skin.
The repositioned tissues are secured with sutures anchored to fixed deep structures such as the deep temporal fascia. Any redundant skin is trimmed without tension, and the incisions are closed with fine sutures.
Fat grafting, when included, involves harvesting fat from a donor area (commonly the abdomen, flanks, or inner thighs) via small liposuction incisions. The harvested fat is processed and then injected in small amounts into areas of the face that have lost volume, such as the temples, cheeks, and undereye region.
The operation typically takes between five and eight hours depending on the extent of the work being performed.
Who May Be a Suitable Candidate
The Vertical Restore Facelift is designed for patients with moderate to advanced facial ageing who want to address changes across multiple facial zones in a single operation. Most patients presenting for this procedure are between the ages of 45 and 70, though chronological age matters less than the pattern of anatomical change and overall health.
A patient may be a suitable candidate if they have visible jowling along the jawline, midface descent with prominent nasolabial folds, neck laxity or platysmal banding, temple hollowing or volume loss in the upper or midface, good general health and no uncontrolled medical conditions, and realistic expectations about what surgery can and cannot achieve.
Non-smoking status is a requirement. Smoking reduces blood flow to the skin and substantially increases the risk of wound healing complications, skin necrosis, and unfavourable scarring. Patients who smoke need to stop at least six weeks before and continue to abstain for at least six weeks after surgery. This requirement applies to all forms of nicotine including cigarettes, vaping, and nicotine replacement products.
Suitability is determined individually during consultation with Dr Turner, taking into account skin quality, facial anatomy, medical history, medications, and the patient’s specific concerns and goals.
Who May Not Be a Suitable Candidate
Not everyone is a suitable candidate for a Vertical Restore Facelift. Patients who may not be suitable include those with uncontrolled medical conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, or cardiovascular disease that have not been stabilised, active smokers who are unable or unwilling to cease nicotine use during the perioperative period, patients with unrealistic expectations about what surgery can achieve, patients who have very loose or poor-quality skin that may not respond well to redraping, those with active infection or significant skin disease in the surgical area, and patients whose primary concerns are better addressed by non-surgical options or by a different facelift technique.
For some patients, a less extensive procedure such as a mini facelift, ponytail facelift, or endoscopic facelift may be more appropriate. For others, non-surgical options may be a better starting point. These alternatives are discussed during consultation.
Recovery After Vertical Restore Facelift
Recovery is best understood in phases. Individual recovery varies, and the timelines below are general rather than guaranteed.
First week. Expect the most swelling, bruising, and discomfort in the first seven days. Hospital stay is typically one to two nights. At home, rest with the head elevated is important for reducing swelling. Pain medication is provided and is typically needed for the first few days. Most patients can transition to over-the-counter pain relief by the end of the first week. Sutures or surgical clips are generally removed between days five and ten at a review appointment.
Second and third weeks. Bruising begins to fade, and swelling starts to settle. Most patients feel able to return to desk-based work around two weeks after surgery, though visible bruising may still be present and individual comfort varies. Residual numbness around the ears and in the cheeks is common and normal. Camouflage makeup can typically be resumed once incisions have closed and sutures have been removed.
Weeks four to six. Most of the obvious swelling has resolved by this point, though subtle swelling often continues beneath the skin for several months. Return to more physical activity, including light exercise, is usually appropriate from around four weeks. Heavy lifting, intensive cardio, and high-impact activities should be avoided until cleared by Dr Turner, typically at around the six-week mark.
Three to six months. The face continues to refine. Residual swelling in the deeper tissues gradually resolves, and scars mature and soften. Numbness around the surgical areas slowly returns to normal sensation, though for some patients a small amount of altered sensation persists longer.
Twelve months. This is the point at which the final settled appearance is typically visible and scars have reached mature colour and texture.
For a detailed week-by-week recovery guide, see our recovery after facelift blog.
Realistic Expectations and Longevity
The Vertical Restore Facelift aims to reposition facial tissues to an earlier anatomical state. What it does not do is stop the ageing process. The face will continue to age after the operation, but from a repositioned starting point.
Published clinical experience suggests that the structural results of a deep plane facelift performed with a vertical vector are durable. Many patients report that the anatomical improvements remain recognisable more than a decade after surgery, though skin quality, sun exposure, weight fluctuations, and genetic factors all influence how the face continues to change over time.
Individual outcomes vary considerably. Factors that affect the outcome include the starting degree of facial change, skin quality and elasticity, bone structure, fat distribution, genetics, lifestyle factors (smoking, sun exposure, weight stability), and general health. Realistic expectations are fundamental. Dr Turner will discuss what is achievable in your specific case during consultation, including what the procedure is not designed to address and what limitations apply.
The procedure is not designed to change the underlying facial structure, to create features that were never present, or to produce an appearance that closely matches a celebrity or reference image. It is designed to restore a version of the patient’s own face to a state closer to how it appeared earlier in their life.
Potential Risks and Complications
All surgical procedures carry risk. The Vertical Restore Facelift, because of its depth and extent, carries a risk profile that reflects the complexity of the operation. Patients considering this procedure need to understand these risks in detail before proceeding.
Common and expected post-operative effects include swelling and bruising (peaking around days two to three and settling over two to four weeks), temporary numbness in the cheeks, ears, and scalp, mild to moderate discomfort in the first week, a sensation of tightness that settles as tissues soften, and temporary tightness or stiffness when smiling or making facial expressions.
Potential complications include haematoma (a collection of blood beneath the skin that may require drainage), infection (uncommon with current surgical protocols but possible), unfavourable or thickened scarring, prolonged altered sensation in areas of the face, asymmetry that may require revision, nerve injury with temporary or, rarely, permanent weakness of facial muscles (the facial nerve is at risk during deep plane dissection), skin necrosis (very rare but more likely in patients who smoke), hair loss around incision lines, and deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism (rare but recognised risks of any major surgery, minimised with compression stockings, blood thinners where appropriate, and early mobilisation).
Revision surgery is occasionally required for asymmetry, contour issues, or complications. The rate of revision in published facelift literature varies from around 5 to 15 percent depending on the technique and definition of revision used.
All risks will be discussed in full during consultation. A detailed overview of facelift risks is available in our risks and complications after facelift surgery guide.
Combining Vertical Restore with Other Procedures
The Vertical Restore Facelift is a comprehensive operation that addresses most of the major zones of facial ageing in a single procedure. It can be combined with other procedures at the same operation when clinically appropriate, which can consolidate recovery into a single period rather than requiring separate operations.
Procedures commonly combined with the Vertical Restore Facelift include upper blepharoplasty (upper eyelid surgery) to address excess upper eyelid skin, lower blepharoplasty or transconjunctival blepharoplasty to address lower eyelid bags or hollowing, lip lift to address an elongated upper lip, and additional fat grafting to specific areas beyond those addressed as standard in the procedure.
Whether additional procedures are appropriate depends on individual anatomy and the cumulative surgical time under general anaesthesia. These decisions are made during consultation.
Vertical Restore vs Deep Plane Facelift: How They Compare
These terms are often used interchangeably, but they describe different aspects of the operation.
Deep plane facelift describes the surgical plane in which the dissection is performed. It refers to the anatomical depth, beneath the SMAS layer, where the retaining ligaments are released and the composite flap is mobilised.
Vertical Restore facelift describes the direction of repositioning. Rather than pulling tissues laterally, the lift direction is vertical, working against gravity.
A Vertical Restore Facelift is performed in the deep plane. That is, the dissection technique is deep plane, and the vector of lift is vertical. A surgeon can perform a deep plane facelift without using a vertical vector (using instead a more horizontal or oblique vector), but a Vertical Restore Facelift, by definition, uses both the deep plane approach and the vertical repositioning vector.
For a more detailed comparison, see our deep plane vs vertical restore blog.
Cost Considerations in Sydney and Australia
The cost of a Vertical Restore Facelift reflects the complexity and length of the operation, the hospital and anaesthetic requirements, and the comprehensive nature of the work. Approximate total costs typically range from $45,000 to $60,000, which includes surgeon’s fees, anaesthetist’s fees, hospital accommodation, and post-operative care.
The final figure depends on whether additional procedures are combined at the same operation, the length of hospital stay required, and individual case complexity. A specific quote is provided following consultation once the surgical plan has been confirmed.
Medicare rebates do not apply to cosmetic facelift surgery. Private health insurance typically does not provide cover for cosmetic procedures either, though policies vary and it is worth confirming specifics directly with your fund.
The Consultation Process
Dr Turner conducts a minimum of two consultations prior to any facelift surgery, as required under Australian cosmetic surgery regulations. Both consultations are conducted personally by Dr Turner, not by a patient representative or clinical coordinator.
A GP referral is required before your first consultation. This is necessary for AHPRA compliance and allows your GP to confirm that surgery is appropriate for your general health.
During your consultations, Dr Turner will conduct a detailed facial anatomy assessment, discuss your specific concerns and surgical goals, explain which facelift technique is most appropriate for your individual situation (the Vertical Restore may not be the right option for every patient), provide clear information about the procedure, recovery, risks, and realistic outcomes, explain the cost in detail, and answer all your questions.
A cooling-off period between consultations and surgery is mandatory under Australian cosmetic surgery law. This provides time to consider the information, discuss with family if you choose, and make an informed decision without pressure.
If surgery is not suitable for you, or if a different technique would be more appropriate, Dr Turner will say so. If you are not a suitable candidate, that information will be provided honestly.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Vertical Restore Facelift?
The Vertical Restore Facelift is a comprehensive facelift technique that lifts facial tissues in a vertical direction, working against gravity rather than pulling tissues laterally. It uses deep plane dissection to release the retaining ligaments that anchor deeper facial structures, allowing those structures to be repositioned back toward their pre-ageing position. The technique addresses the upper face, midface, lower face, and neck in a single operation, typically with fat grafting included to address volume loss.
How is a Vertical Restore Facelift different from a traditional facelift?
Traditional facelift techniques generally pull facial skin and tissues horizontally back toward the ears. Over years, this lateral vector of lift can produce a pulled or windswept appearance. The Vertical Restore technique lifts tissue planes upward rather than laterally, which is more directly opposite to the direction gravity has pulled the face during ageing. It also works at a deeper plane, beneath the SMAS layer, so the repositioning is structural rather than skin-based.
How does a Vertical Restore Facelift compare to a deep plane facelift?
They describe different aspects of the same technique. Deep plane refers to the surgical depth (beneath the SMAS, where retaining ligaments are released). Vertical Restore refers to the direction of lift (upward, against gravity). A Vertical Restore Facelift is performed in the deep plane with a vertical vector. A deep plane facelift can be performed with different vectors of lift, not all of which are vertical. All Vertical Restore Facelifts are deep plane, but not all deep plane facelifts are vertical in vector.
How long do the results of a Vertical Restore Facelift last?
Clinical experience suggests that the structural repositioning achieved with a deep plane facelift performed with a vertical vector is durable. Many patients report that the anatomical improvements remain recognisable more than a decade after surgery. However, the ageing process continues after the operation, and factors such as skin quality, sun exposure, weight fluctuations, smoking, and genetics all influence how the face continues to change over time. Individual results vary.
What is the recovery like after a Vertical Restore Facelift?
Hospital stay is typically one to two nights. Most patients can return to desk-based work around two weeks after surgery, though visible bruising may still be present. Light exercise is usually appropriate from around four weeks, and more demanding activity from six weeks. Most of the obvious swelling has settled by six weeks. Subtle deeper swelling continues to refine over three to six months, with the final appearance visible at approximately twelve months. Individual recovery varies.
Am I a suitable candidate for a Vertical Restore Facelift?
Suitability depends on your pattern of facial ageing, skin quality, general health, and whether your concerns are best addressed by this particular technique. Most patients having this operation are between 45 and 70 and have moderate to advanced changes across multiple facial zones. Non-smoking status is required. Realistic expectations are essential. Suitability is determined individually during consultation, and if a different technique or a non-surgical option would be more appropriate, that will be recommended instead.
What are the risks of a Vertical Restore Facelift?
All surgery carries risk. Common post-operative effects include swelling, bruising, temporary numbness, and a sensation of tightness. Potential complications include haematoma, infection, unfavourable scarring, prolonged altered sensation, asymmetry, nerve injury with temporary or very rarely permanent weakness of facial muscles, skin healing problems (more likely in smokers), hair loss around incisions, and rare risks of any major surgery including deep vein thrombosis. All risks are discussed in detail during consultation.
How much does a Vertical Restore Facelift cost in Sydney?
Approximate total costs range from around $45,000 to $60,000, including surgeon’s fees, anaesthesia, hospital accommodation, and post-operative care. The final cost depends on case complexity and whether additional procedures are combined. A specific quote is provided after consultation. Medicare rebates do not apply to cosmetic facelift surgery, and private health insurance typically does not provide cover for cosmetic procedures.
Book a Consultation
If you’re considering a Vertical Restore Facelift or wanting to understand which facelift technique would be appropriate for your situation, book a consultation with Dr Turner at our Bondi Junction or Manly clinic in Sydney. Dr Turner also consults at clinics in Brisbane (Herstellen Clinic, Spring Hill), Canberra (Campbell ACT), and Newcastle (Adamstown, Fridays).
A GP referral is required before your appointment. Surgery is performed at accredited private hospitals in Sydney. Consultations include a detailed facial assessment, discussion of all facelift options (not only the Vertical Restore), clear information about risks and recovery, and the mandatory two-consultation cooling-off process required under Australian cosmetic surgery law.
Contact our clinic on 1300 437 758 or email [email protected] to arrange a consultation.
General information only, not medical advice. All surgery carries risk. Outcomes vary significantly between patients based on anatomy, skin quality, health factors, and individual response to surgery. Any decision about facelift surgery requires individual clinical assessment by a qualified health practitioner.
