Vertical Restore Facelift Surgery in Bondi Junction, Sydney
Dr Scott J Turner is a Specialist Plastic Surgeon (FRACS) based in Bondi Junction, Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs, with over a decade of dedicated experience in facial aesthetic surgery. At his Bondi Junction consulting rooms, Dr Turner performs the Vertical Restore Facelift—his most advanced surgical offering—a comprehensive procedure that addresses every zone of the ageing face from the brows and eyelids through to the jawline and neck in a single, carefully coordinated operation.
Facial ageing does not happen in isolation. The brows descend, the eyelids grow heavy, cheek volume depletes, nasolabial folds deepen, jowls form along the jaw, and the neck loses definition—often all at once. Treating one area while leaving adjacent regions unchanged can create an imbalance where part of the face appears refreshed but the overall picture remains incomplete. The Vertical Restore approach treats the face as an interconnected system, combining deep plane facelift techniques with browlift, upper and lower blepharoplasty, lip lift, and facial fat grafting to deliver balanced, proportionate improvement across the entire face.
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What is the Vertical Restore Facelift?
Over time, the face transitions from the inverted triangle shape associated with youth toward a more rectangular profile. This happens because the deeper fascial layer—the Superficial Musculoaponeurotic System (SMAS)—gradually elongates and descends under the constant influence of gravity. The retaining ligaments that anchor soft tissue to the facial skeleton attenuate, allowing the malar fat pads to slide downward off the cheekbone, the buccal fat and subcutaneous tissue to spill over the mandibular border forming jowls, and the neck structures to lose their definition.
The Vertical Restore Facelift is not simply a collection of procedures performed at the same time. It is a carefully sequenced surgical plan where each component builds upon and enhances the others. By correcting the forehead, brows, eyelids, midface, jawline, lips, and neck within a single operation, Dr Turner achieves a level of facial harmony that staged procedures—performed months or years apart—struggle to replicate. Patients who undergo piecemeal correction often find that by the time all areas are eventually addressed, the earliest procedures have already begun to show their age.
How the Vertical Lift Direction Works
Conventional facelift methods predominantly pull tissues in a lateral direction toward the ears. While this approach removes excess skin effectively, it can sometimes produce a tight or windswept appearance because it applies a horizontal solution to what is fundamentally a vertical problem. Gravity pulls tissue downward, not sideways.
The Vertical Restore Facelift repositions facial tissues upward—directly opposing gravitational descent. Dr Turner works beneath the SMAS layer, releasing the retaining ligaments that hold tissues in their aged position, then elevates the SMAS and overlying skin as a composite unit along a vertical vector. The overlying skin then redrapes naturally over repositioned structures without bearing the lifting forces itself. This distinction is important because the deeper structural tissues carry the correction rather than the skin alone, outcomes tend to be longer lasting, and the stretched appearance associated with older techniques is avoided. A further advantage of the vertical approach is that it also addresses the upper face. When you lift cheek tissues vertically toward the temples, skin bunches in the temporal region. Traditional facelifts deal with this by redirecting the pull horizontally, which can flatten the cheeks. The Vertical Restore Facelift incorporates a brow lift to redistribute and smooth that temporal tissue, allowing for a truly vertical repositioning that would not be achievable with a standard facelift alone.
Areas Targeted by the Vertical Restore Facelift
The procedure addresses six anatomical zones in a coordinated sequence. The upper face, including the temples and lateral brow, is where descent causes hooding around the eyes. The eyelids, both upper and lower, are where excess skin and fat bulges accumulate with age. The midface, where volume loss in the cheeks and deepening nasolabial folds alter facial proportions. The lower face, where SMAS laxity and skin redundancy produce visible jowling along the jawline. The upper lip, which elongates over time as tissue descends. And the neck, where laxity in the platysma muscle creates banding and blurs the facial contour. By treating these zones within the same operation, each correction complements the others rather than creating the imbalance that can result from isolated procedures.
Seven Integrated Surgical Components
The Vertical Restore Facelift integrates seven distinct but interconnected procedures into a unified surgical plan:
1. Deep Plane Face Lift – Working beneath the SMAS layer, Dr Turner releases the deep facial retaining ligaments and elevates the SMAS together with the overlying skin as a single composite flap. This provides substantial correction of midface descent, softens nasolabial folds, and eliminates jowling. The technique shares foundational principles with the deep plane facelift but extends beyond it by incorporating vertical vectors throughout.
2. Deep Plane Neck Lift – Comprehensive neck contouring through platysmaplasty (muscle tightening), deep fat sculpting via a deep neck lift approach, excess skin removal, and cervical fascia management for a refined jawline-to-neck transition.
3. Temporal Browlift – Repositions the descended lateral brow to its natural anatomical position—above the orbital rim in women, at the rim in men—without creating the overly elevated look sometimes associated with older brow lift techniques. This component also smooths the temple region to accommodate the vertical facelift vector.
4. Upper Blepharoplasty – Precise removal of excess upper eyelid skin and, where indicated, conservative reduction or repositioning of upper eyelid fat to define the eyelid crease and eliminate hooding.
5. Lower Blepharoplasty – Correction of under-eye bags through repositioning or selective removal of lower eyelid fat pads, with skin tightening to create a smooth transition from eyelid to cheek.
6. Upper Lip Lift – A bullhorn lip lift shortens the distance between the nose and the upper lip border, increasing dental show and creating a fuller, more defined lip appearance without the need for injectable fillers.
7. Facial Fat Grafting – Volume restoration using your own purified fat, strategically placed in depleted areas including the temples, cheeks, tear troughs, and perioral regions. Facial fat grafting replaces lost volume and enhances the contour improvements achieved by the structural repositioning.
Am I a Suitable Candidate?
The Vertical Restore Facelift is designed for patients who present with ageing changes across multiple facial zones and want those concerns corrected in a coordinated, single-stage operation rather than through a series of separate procedures over several years. Suitable candidates typically demonstrate descent in the brow region alongside eyelid changes, midface volume loss, jawline laxity, and neck concerns that would benefit from simultaneous treatment. You should be in sound overall health with no uncontrolled cardiovascular, metabolic, or bleeding disorders, and maintain a stable weight that has not fluctuated significantly in the preceding six months.
Smoking or vaping must be ceased for a minimum of eight weeks before and after surgery—this requirement is non-negotiable for a procedure of this scope, as tobacco use dramatically impairs wound healing and increases the likelihood of complications. As mandated by Australian regulations effective 1 July 2023, all patients considering cosmetic surgery must also complete a psychological assessment to confirm emotional readiness and realistic expectations. During your consultation at Dr Turner’s Bondi Junction clinic, a thorough evaluation will determine whether this comprehensive approach suits your specific anatomy and goals, or whether a more targeted procedure—such as a deep plane facelift, SMAS facelift, or short scar facelift—would better serve your needs.
How is the Vertical Restore Facelift Performed?
The Vertical Restore Facelift is performed under general anaesthesia in an accredited private hospital in Sydney, with continuous monitoring by a qualified anaesthetist throughout. Given the comprehensive scope of this surgery, operative time typically exceeds six hours. Dr Turner recommends an overnight hospital stay for observation and comfort management, with discharge the following morning.
Pre-Operative Planning and Marking
Before anaesthesia, Dr Turner marks all incision locations, tissue vectors, and treatment zones while you are awake and upright—gravity’s effect on the tissues is only visible in this position. Markings include temporal and pretrichial incision lines for brow access, upper and lower eyelid crease positions, facelift incision paths following the natural ear contours and extending into the hairline, the submental access point beneath the chin, the bullhorn lip lift pattern at the nasal base, areas designated for fat grafting, and critical anatomical landmarks including the facial nerve branches and vascular structures.
Surgical Sequence: A Systematic Approach
Dr Turner follows a systematic surgical sequence designed to optimise tissue handling and surgical efficiency:
Stage One: Upper Face Rejuvenation
Browlift:
Through temporal incisions, the periosteum is elevated, and the descended brow tissue is released from restrictive ligaments. The lateral brow is repositioned to restore its natural arch position above the orbital rim, secured with bone tunnels or tissue fixation techniques.
Upper Blepharoplasty:
Precise incisions are created in the natural upper eyelid crease. Excess skin is measured and excised, and when indicated, upper eyelid fat is conservatively repositioned or reduced. The crease is reconstructed with fine sutures to create a defined eyelid architecture.
Stage Two: Lower Eyelid Refinement
Lower Blepharoplasty:
Depending on your anatomy, Dr Turner uses either a subciliary approach (just below the lashes) or a transconjunctival approach (inside the eyelid). Protruding fat pads are repositioned or carefully reduced. Excess skin, when present, is conservatively trimmed. The orbicularis muscle may be tightened, and the lower eyelid supported to prevent post-operative malposition.
Stage Three: Deep Plane Face and Neck Lift
Facial Incisions:
Incisions extend under the temporal hairline, following the natural curves of the ear (pre-auricular and post-auricular), continuing into the posterior hairline.
Submental Access:
A small incision beneath the chin provides access to the neck structures.
Neck Lift:
Working through the submental incision, Dr Turner performs comprehensive neck contouring:
- Liposuction of superficial and, when indicated, subplatysmal fat excision
- Platysmaplasty (muscle tightening) suturing separated platysma bands in the midline
- Transection and repositioning of the platysma for enhanced neck definition
- Removal of deep structures when necessary, like the submandibular glands and the tail of the parotid gland
Deep Plane Face Lift:
The facial skin and subcutaneous tissue are elevated to expose the SMAS layer. Dr Turner then dissects beneath the SMAS into safe anatomical planes, releasing the retaining ligaments. The SMAS and overlying skin are elevated as a composite unit, repositioned in a vertical vector, and secured to stable anatomical points.
This deep plane technique provides powerful, long-lasting correction of:
- Descended midface and cheek tissue
- Deep nasolabial folds
- Marionette lines
- Jowl formation
Stage Four: Lip Enhancement
Bullhorn Lip Lift:
A precisely measured strip of skin at the nasal base is excised. The bullhorn pattern follows the natural curves of the nostril base and columnella. The remaining lip skin is advanced upward and sutured, shortening the upper lip length to approximately 14-16mm while increasing vermillion (red lip) show and creating a more defined lip appearance.
Stage Five: Volume Restoration
Fat Harvesting:
Fat is gently harvested via small incisions from a donor site (typically the abdomen, flanks or inner thighs) using low-pressure liposuction techniques that preserve adipocyte viability.
Fat Processing:
The harvested fat undergoes centrifugation and cleansing to separate viable fat cells from damaged cells, blood, and tumescent fluid.
Strategic Fat Grafting:
Dr Turner meticulously injects purified fat in small aliquots using a layering technique to restore volume in:
- Temporal hollows
- Lateral brow and upper eyelid sulcus
- Tear troughs and infraorbital regions
- Cheeks and midface
- Nasolabial folds
- Marionette lines
- Jawline (when appropriate)
- Any other areas requiring volumetric enhancement
Final Stage: Skin Redraping and Closure
With all deeper structures repositioned and volume restored, the facial and neck skin is carefully redraped without tension. Excess skin is conservatively trimmed, and meticulous layered closure is performed using fine sutures that minimise scarring.
Surgical drains may be placed temporarily to prevent fluid accumulation. Dressings and a supportive compression garment are applied.
Recovery and Aftercare After Facelift Surgery
Following your Vertical Restore Facelift, you will remain in the hospital overnight before being discharged the next morning with detailed care instructions. Swelling and bruising typically peak around the third day and then gradually subside over the following two weeks. During this initial phase, continuous head elevation, limited facial movement, and strict adherence to Dr Turner’s post-operative protocols are essential. Sutures are removed progressively across the first two weeks, and a soft food diet with minimal talking helps support undisturbed tissue healing.
Most patients feel comfortable returning to desk-based work around weeks two to three, though visible post-surgical appearance may persist. By the fourth to sixth week, swelling continues to diminish and regular daily activities can typically resume, although high-impact exercise remains restricted. The full effect of the Vertical Restore Facelift becomes increasingly apparent between three and six months as residual swelling resolves completely and incision lines continue to mature.
For comprehensive milestone-by-milestone guidance on what to expect, please visit our dedicated facelift recovery resource.
Risks and Complications of Facelift Surgery
All surgical procedures carry inherent risks, and an operation of this scope warrants careful consideration. Predictable post-operative effects include swelling, bruising, tightness, and temporary numbness that resolve naturally during the healing process. Potential complications include infection, bleeding, unfavourable scarring, prolonged or permanent alterations in skin sensation, and asymmetry. Less common but more serious risks include injury to facial nerve branches affecting movement, delayed wound healing, skin irregularities, and adverse reactions to anaesthesia.
Dr Turner employs meticulous surgical techniques, thorough pre-operative assessment, and detailed post-operative protocols to minimise these risks. Comprehensive information about specific complications, preventive strategies, and what to expect during healing is available in our detailed risks and complications guide.
Your Vertical Restore Facelift Consultation in Bondi Junction
Your journey toward a Vertical Restore Facelift begins with a personal consultation at Dr Turner’s Bondi Junction practice, located at 39 Grosvenor St, Bondi Junction NSW 2022. The clinic is easily accessible from across Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs—including Double Bay, Woollahra, Rose Bay, Paddington, Bellevue Hill, Vaucluse, Randwick, and Coogee—and is situated just moments from Bondi Junction station and Westfield Bondi Junction.
Dr Turner conducts a minimum of two personal consultations before any surgical procedure—a philosophy that reflects his commitment to thorough preparation and informed decision-making. You will meet directly with Dr Turner—not a patient representative—so every question is answered by the Specialist Plastic Surgeon who will actually perform your surgery. Given the comprehensive scope of the Vertical Restore Facelift, these consultations involve a detailed facial assessment of all zones—forehead, brows, eyelids, midface, jawline, lips, and neck—to determine how each component should be calibrated for your individual anatomy and goals.
Pre-operative photographs and measurements are taken during consultation to assist with surgical planning. Because the Vertical Restore Facelift integrates up to seven procedures into a single operation, the consultation is more detailed than for individual procedures, covering each component, the expected operative timeline, recovery planning, and realistic expectations for the comprehensive outcome.
Patients travelling from outside Sydney can find detailed information about accommodation, transport, and planning your visit on our out-of-town patients resource page.
To arrange a consultation, please contact us or call 1300 437 758.
Frequently Asked Questions
Related Facial Procedures
Dr Turner offers a comprehensive range of facial procedures at his Bondi Junction practice, many of which form individual components of the Vertical Restore Facelift or serve as standalone alternatives for patients seeking more targeted correction. Depending on your anatomy and goals, one or more of the following may be recommended during your consultation:
Deep Plane Facelift — The core lifting technique within the Vertical Restore approach, also available as a standalone procedure addressing the midface, lower face, jawline, and neck for patients who do not require upper face or perioral correction.
SMAS Facelift — A versatile technique working at or above the SMAS layer, suited to patients with moderate facial ageing who may not require the extensive mobilisation of a deep plane approach.
Short Scar Facelift — Uses abbreviated incisions for patients with early to moderate ageing, primarily addressing mild jowling and jawline laxity with a shorter recovery period.
Ponytail Facelift — Incisions placed entirely within the temporal hairline, targeting the upper and midface with complete scar concealment for younger patients with early descent.
Neck Lift / Platysmaplasty — Addresses neck laxity, platysmal banding, and excess skin, frequently performed alongside facelift surgery for balanced face-and-neck results.
Deep Neck Lift — An advanced neck procedure addressing structures beneath the platysma, including subplatysmal fat, submandibular glands, and digastric muscles.
Brow Lift — Elevates descended brows and reduces forehead creasing, an integral component of the Vertical Restore Facelift also available as a standalone procedure.
Upper Blepharoplasty — Corrects excess upper eyelid skin and hooding, one of the seven components of the Vertical Restore approach.
Lower Blepharoplasty — Addresses under-eye bags, puffiness, and lower lid laxity to create a refreshed appearance around the eyes.
Facial Fat Grafting — Restores age-related volume loss in the temples, cheeks, and midface using the patient’s own tissue, a key volume restoration component within the Vertical Restore approach.
Lip Lift — Shortens the distance between nose and upper lip, increasing dental show and lip definition—the perioral component of the Vertical Restore Facelift.
Revision Facelift — Secondary surgery to correct unsatisfactory outcomes from previous facelift procedures performed elsewhere.
Chin Implant — Enhances chin projection and lower facial balance, often performed with facelift or neck lift to strengthen jawline definition.
For a complete overview of all available procedures, visit our face procedures, eye procedures, nose procedures, and male procedures pages, or explore the FacePlus blog for educational articles and patient resources.
Schedule a Consultation in Bondi Junction
Patients from across Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs and beyond are welcome to arrange a consultation with Dr Turner at the Bondi Junction clinic to discuss their concerns and explore appropriate surgical options.
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FacePlus Aesthetics 39 Grosvenor Street, Bondi Junction NSW 2022
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by Dr Turner, Specialist Plastic Surgeon
