Facelift Consultation

Considering facelift surgery is a significant step, and finding the right surgeon to guide you through the process matters. At Dr Turner’s Sydney practice, consultations are designed to give you the time, information, and clarity you need to make an informed decision about facial aesthetic surgery.

You’ll meet directly with Dr Turner—not a patient representative—so every question you have will be answered by the Specialist Plastic Surgeon who will perform your procedure. With over a decade of experience focused exclusively on facial aesthetic surgery, Dr Turner’s approach is straightforward: listen carefully, assess thoroughly, and provide honest, realistic guidance tailored to your unique facial anatomy and goals. Your consultation isn’t about pressure—it’s about understanding what facelift surgery can realistically achieve for you, and whether it aligns with what you’re hoping for.

Why a Specialist Consultation Matters

Facelift surgery addresses complex anatomical structures, including skin, muscle, fat, and deeper fascial layers. A comprehensive consultation with a qualified Specialist Plastic Surgeon is essential to:

• Accurately assess the extent of facial ageing across multiple facial zones
• Determine which surgical techniques are most appropriate for your anatomy
• Identify any medical factors that may influence surgical safety or outcomes
• Establish realistic expectations about what can be achieved
• Ensure you understand the recovery process and commitment required
• Allow you to ask questions and address concerns before making decisions

Dr Turner’s consultations are thorough, educational, and focused on helping you make an informed choice about whether facelift surgery is right for you.

The Two-Consultation Requirement

Dr Turner requires at least two separate consultations before any facelift surgery proceeds. This isn’t just policy—it’s about making sure you have the time and space to make a decision you’re genuinely comfortable with, without feeling rushed or pressured.

First Consultation: Assessment and Education

Your first appointment marks the beginning. Dr Turner will spend time getting to know you, understanding what’s brought you to consider surgery, and thoroughly assessing your facial anatomy.

Discussing Your Concerns

The conversation starts with listening. Dr Turner will ask about what bothers you most about facial ageing, how long you’ve been thinking about surgery, and what you’re hoping to achieve. He’ll also ask about any previous treatments or procedures you’ve had and about your expectations. This discussion ensures that, if you proceed, the surgical plan is tailored to what matters most to you.

Comprehensive Medical Assessment

Your medical history is carefully reviewed to ensure surgery can be performed safely. Dr Turner will ask about current and past medical conditions—particularly cardiovascular disease, diabetes, bleeding disorders, or autoimmune conditions—as well as previous surgeries, current medications (including supplements), known allergies, and your smoking history. If you smoke, you’ll need to stop entirely for at least six weeks before and after surgery. This medical review helps identify any factors that require special consideration or management.

Detailed Facial Analysis

Dr Turner will examine your face in detail, assessing:

• Bone Structure: Your underlying skeletal framework
• Skin Quality: Thickness, elasticity, texture, and any sun damage
• Facial Volume: Where fat loss or tissue descent has occurred
• Brow Position: Whether descended brows contribute to an aged appearance
• Eyelids: Excess skin, fat, or hollowing around the eyes
• Midface: Cheek flattening, nasolabial fold depth, and tissue descent
• Jawline: Jowl formation and loss of definition
• Neck: Skin laxity, muscle banding, fat accumulation, and gland prominence
• Facial Symmetry: Natural asymmetries that may influence planning

This comprehensive assessment determines which areas need attention and which surgical techniques would work best for your individual anatomy.

Treatment Options and Surgical Planning

Based on what Dr Turner observes, he’ll explain the facial ageing patterns specific to you and recommend which facelift technique—whether Deep Plane, SMAS, Short Scar, or the comprehensive Face+ Signature Facelift—best addresses your concerns. He’ll discuss whether additional procedures like brow lift, eyelid surgery, fat grafting, or lip lift might enhance your results, why the recommended approach suits your anatomy, what the surgery can realistically achieve, and what the recovery will involve. Alternative options will also be discussed where applicable.

Clinical Photography

With your consent, clinical photographs will be taken from standardised angles. These images remain strictly confidential in your medical file and serve as documentation for surgical planning, reference during surgery, and objective comparison of your results.

Questions and Discussion

There’s plenty of time set aside for your questions. Dr Turner encourages you to ask about anything—surgical techniques, expected outcomes, recovery, risks, costs, his experience and qualifications, or anything else on your mind. No question is too small or trivial.

Cost Information

You’ll receive a detailed written quote outlining the surgeon’s fees, anaesthetist’s fees, hospital fees, and any post-operative supplies. While facelift surgery is generally not covered by Medicare or private health insurance, any applicable item numbers will be included in your quote.

Second Consultation: Final Planning and Consent

The second consultation, scheduled at least seven days after the first, allows time for reflection and ensures you’re making a well-considered decision. This appointment focuses on addressing any questions that arose since your initial meeting, confirming the surgical plan, and reviewing pre-operative requirements. Dr Turner will discuss specific surgical techniques, incision placement, anaesthesia approach, and hospital arrangements in detail.

During this consultation, potential risks and complications are reviewed comprehensively, along with pre-operative instructions including required medical clearances, medication adjustments, and smoking cessation requirements. Only after both consultations, when Dr Turner is confident you fully understand the procedure and are making an informed decision with realistic expectations, is surgery scheduled. There is no pressure to proceed—your comfort and confidence in your decision remain the priority.

After Your Consultations: Taking Time to Reflect

Following your second consultation, Dr Turner requires at least 7 days before surgery can be scheduled. This mandatory waiting period gives you time to:

• Reflect on everything discussed without pressure
• Research facelift surgery further if desired
• Discuss the decision with family or trusted advisors
• Consider whether you’re ready to commit to surgery

Once the waiting period has passed and you’ve decided to proceed, surgery is scheduled at a mutually convenient time. You’ll receive detailed pre-operative instructions, any required medical clearances will be arranged, pre-operative photographs are scheduled closer to your surgery date, and payment arrangements are finalised.

If you need more time or decide against surgery, that’s completely acceptable. Dr Turner’s priority is ensuring patients make decisions they’re comfortable with.

This content is suitable only for an 18+ adult audience.

Individual results vary between patients and depend on factors including genetics, age, skin quality, healing capacity, and lifestyle. All surgical procedures carry inherent risks and require a recovery period with specific care protocols. Information provided is educational and does not constitute medical advice or create a doctor-patient relationship. Patients should obtain multiple professional opinions and carefully consider all benefits and risks before proceeding with cosmetic surgery.