Male Plastic Surgery at a Glance
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Surgeon | Dr Scott J Turner, Specialist Plastic Surgeon (FRACS) |
| Procedures for men | Gynaecomastia surgery, male facelift and neck lift, male rhinoplasty, male blepharoplasty |
| Related procedures | Chin implants, brow lift, neck liposuction, deep neck lift |
| Consulting clinics | Eastern Suburbs and Northern Beaches, Sydney |
| Usually performed | Accredited Sydney private hospitals |
| Referral | Required, preferably from your usual GP |
| Consultations and surgery | Two consultations with Dr Turner, then a seven-day cooling-off period |
| Fees and Medicare | Consultation fee $450; written surgical quote after consultation; Medicare only where clinical criteria are met |
Which Procedure Fits?
Start with what you would like to change. Your consultation confirms which procedure, if any, suits your anatomy.
| What you would like to change | Procedure usually discussed |
|---|---|
| Puffy nipples or enlarged breast tissue on the chest | Gynaecomastia surgery |
| Jowls, a softer jawline and neck changes together | Male facelift and neck lift |
| Loose neck skin, neck bands or fullness under the chin, with little change in the lower face | Male neck lift, on the facelift and neck lift page |
| The shape of the nose, or breathing through it | Male rhinoplasty |
| Heavy or hooded upper eyelids, or under-eye bags | Male blepharoplasty |
| A chin that sits back in profile | Chin implants |
| Eyelid changes together with lower-face and neck changes | Male blepharoplasty and a facelift and neck lift, planned together |
Plastic Surgery Procedures for Men
Gynaecomastia Surgery
Gynaecomastia surgery (male breast reduction) removes enlarged breast gland tissue, usually through an incision along the lower edge of the areola, often with liposuction for the surrounding fat. It suits firm gland tissue that persists, including puffy nipples, which does not respond to diet or exercise. Read about gynaecomastia and male breast reduction.
Male Facelift and Neck Lift
A male facelift and neck lift repositions the deeper tissues of the lower face and neck, with incisions planned around the beard, sideburn and hairline. In some men the changes sit mainly in the neck; in others, the lower face and neck change together. The deep plane approach is the technique Dr Turner uses most often. Read about facelift and neck lift for men.
Male Rhinoplasty
Male rhinoplasty reshapes the nose within male proportions, usually preserving a straighter, stronger bridge, and can treat breathing problems in the same operation. Read about rhinoplasty for men.
Male Blepharoplasty
Male blepharoplasty removes excess upper-eyelid skin or treats under-eye bags. The plan is conservative and takes account of the lower, flatter male brow, aiming to keep the eyelids in proportion with the face. Read about eyelid surgery for men.
Related Facial Procedures
A related procedure may suit instead of, or alongside, those above: chin implants where the chin sits back in profile, a brow lift where the brow sits low, neck liposuction for fat under the chin where the skin is firm, or a deep neck lift for fullness beneath the neck muscle.
Male Plastic Surgery Before and After Photos
Before and after photos of Dr Turner’s patients are grouped by procedure in the gynaecomastia, facelift, rhinoplasty and eyelid surgery galleries. Each shows an individual patient at a stated time after surgery. Results vary between people, and all surgery carries risks. Further cases can be viewed at consultation.
How Surgery Is Planned for Men
Male anatomy changes how each operation is planned. Men generally have thicker skin with a richer blood supply, beard-bearing skin that limits where incisions can sit, a hairline that may recede over time, a lower and flatter brow, and a straighter nasal bridge. Men also have a higher risk of haematoma, a collection of blood under the skin, after facelift and neck lift surgery, so blood pressure is managed closely before and after the operation. Dr Turner plans incisions, technique and aftercare around these differences for every procedure.
Fees and Medicare
Fees depend on the procedure, the operating time, the hospital and anaesthetist fees, and whether procedures are combined in the same operation. Male cosmetic surgery follows the same fee structure as surgery for any patient. Dr Turner provides a detailed written quote after consultation, and each procedure page explains what affects its fee. The consultation fee is $450, and indicative ranges are listed on the plastic surgery fees page.
Medicare and private health insurance do not cover cosmetic surgery. Where an operation also meets strict clinical criteria, for example rhinoplasty for documented nasal obstruction, upper eyelid surgery where excess skin obstructs the visual field, or gynaecomastia surgery where the enlargement is not due to obesity and photographs document the clinical need, a partial Medicare rebate may apply and private hospital cover may contribute to the hospital fee. An out-of-pocket gap usually remains. Gynaecomastia fees are set out in gyno surgery cost in Australia.
The Consultation Process
Cosmetic surgery for men follows the same steps as for every patient, set by the Medical Board of Australia’s guidelines for cosmetic surgery:
- A referral is required, preferably from your usual GP, or from another GP or specialist medical practitioner.
- Your first consultation with Dr Turner can be held by video. It covers your medical history, your goals, the options and the risks.
- Your second consultation is in person, to review the plan, the risks and the written quote before you decide.
- Dr Turner screens every patient for underlying psychological conditions, such as body dysmorphic disorder, and refers for further assessment where indicated.
- A seven-day cooling-off period applies before surgery can be booked or a deposit paid.
Dr Turner conducts both consultations and your post-operative reviews personally.
Finding a Qualified Surgeon
A specialist plastic surgeon has completed specialist surgical training and holds specialist registration in plastic surgery. Following the National Law amendment, a medical practitioner can only use the title ‘surgeon’, including ‘cosmetic surgeon’, if they hold specialist registration in an eligible surgical specialty. You can check any practitioner’s registration on the AHPRA public register.
Questions worth asking at any consultation:
- Who performs the operation, and who provides the follow-up care?
- How often do you perform this procedure for men?
- Is the surgery performed in an accredited hospital, with a specialist anaesthetist?
- What are the risks, and what does recovery involve for my plan?
- What does the quoted fee include?
You are welcome to seek a second opinion before making a decision.
Frequently Asked Questions
What plastic surgery procedures does Dr Turner perform for men?
Dr Turner performs plastic surgery for men, including gynaecomastia surgery (male breast reduction), male facelift and neck lift, male rhinoplasty and male blepharoplasty. Related procedures such as chin implants, a brow lift or neck liposuction may be discussed where they suit your anatomy. Which procedure, if any, is appropriate is decided at consultation, after an examination and a discussion of your goals.
How is plastic surgery for men different from surgery for women?
The operations share their names, but the plan changes with male anatomy. Facelift incisions are planned around the beard, sideburn and hairline; eyelid and brow surgery is kept conservative to preserve the lower, flatter male brow; and rhinoplasty usually keeps a straighter, stronger bridge. Because men have a higher risk of haematoma after facelift and neck lift surgery, blood pressure is managed closely before and after the operation.
What is the difference between a male facelift and a male neck lift?
A neck lift treats the neck alone: loose skin, platysmal bands and fullness under the chin. A facelift treats the lower face and neck together, including the jowls and jawline, so it may suit men whose changes span both areas. Both options are explained on the male facelift and neck lift page, and Dr Turner assesses where the changes sit at consultation.
How long is recovery after male plastic surgery?
Recovery depends on the procedure. As a general guide, many men return to desk work around day 7 to 10 after gynaecomastia surgery, around two weeks after a facelift, neck lift or eyelid surgery, and one to two weeks after rhinoplasty. Strenuous exercise usually waits around six weeks after gynaecomastia surgery, a facelift or a neck lift. Swelling eases over several months, and can take 12 to 18 months to settle fully after rhinoplasty. Dr Turner gives timing specific to your plan.
How much does plastic surgery for men cost in Sydney?
The fee depends on the procedure, the operating time, the hospital and anaesthetist fees, and whether procedures are combined. Fees follow the same structure for men and women having the same operation. Dr Turner provides a detailed written quote after consultation, and the consultation fee is $450. Cosmetic surgery is not covered by Medicare or private health insurance.
Can male plastic surgery be covered by Medicare?
Only in limited cases. Cosmetic surgery is not covered. Where an operation also treats a documented medical problem that meets Medicare criteria, such as nasal obstruction, excess upper-eyelid skin that blocks the visual field, or gynaecomastia that is not due to obesity and is documented with photographs, a partial rebate may apply, although a gap usually remains. Dr Turner assesses eligibility at consultation.
How many consultations are required before surgery?
A minimum of two consultations with Dr Turner is required before cosmetic surgery. The first can be by video; the second is in person. A seven-day cooling-off period then applies before surgery can be booked or a deposit paid. Dr Turner also screens every patient for underlying psychological conditions and refers for further assessment where indicated.
Do I need a referral?
Yes. A referral is required, preferably from your usual GP, or from another GP or specialist medical practitioner. Your GP can also share relevant medical history, which helps Dr Turner plan your care. Once you have a referral, contact the practice to arrange your first consultation.
