Cost of a Facelift in Sydney
How Much Does a Facelift Cost in Sydney? This guide to facelift costs in Sydney has been written by Dr Mark Kohout, a specialist plastic surgeon based in Sydney, Fellow…
Face Surgery Pricing
Why Does Dr Kohout Cost More — Sometimes a Lot More?
I’d rather you know this before you book a consultation than find out at the quote: my fees are often double what other surgeons charge for the same operation, and several times more than a cosmetic doctor or an overseas cosmetic clinic will quote for something that sounds similar. That gap is not an accident and you need to know exactly what it buys you.
One or two operations a day.
On the days I operate, I do one operation. Sometimes two. I don’t book a list of five, six or seven cases back to back. Body shaping surgery, breast lift and necklift are often long, technically demanding operations, and the standard of the last hour of surgery should be identical to the first. A packed list doesn’t allow for that. It is important that my focus is on the one operation and not having to be distracted by what is coming up . Or being under pressure to finish an operation because three more patients are waiting.
Operating on fewer patients, more carefully means more attention to detail and finessing the results. It costs more. I think it’s the right trade, and it’s one many higher-volume practices simply don’t make.
A surgeon who specialises in three areas, not the full menu
I focus my operating list on body shaping surgery, breast lift and necklift. I don’t take on the entire catalogue of cosmetic procedures. That narrower focus means I perform these operations often enough to keep refining technique on them specifically, rather than being jack of all trades across dozens of procedures.
If you are considering body contouring, a breast lift or a necklift done by someone who operates on that specific procedure regularly, that specialisation is part of what you’re paying for.
Training that goes beyond the minimum
Every plastic surgeon in Australia has to meet a minimum standard to be registered. A cosmetic doctor doesn’t have to meet that standard at all — cosmetic medicine is not a recognised surgical specialty, and someone practising as a “cosmetic doctor” or in a “cosmetic clinic” may hold no surgical fellowship and no plastic surgery board certification whatsoever. I’ve gone well beyond even the surgical minimum:
- A Master’s degree in surgery, on top of my medical and surgical fellowship training.
- A fellowship completed at Harvard hsopitals, working alongside surgeons operating at the top of the field, on cases more complex than most surgeons will see in general practice.
- Board certification as a specialist plastic surgeon — meaning my qualifications, training and ongoing practice are independently verified, not just self-declared.
- Membership of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS), one of the most rigorous aesthetic surgery bodies in the world, requiring ongoing peer review and education to maintain.
None of this guarantees a perfect result: no honest surgeon will tell you that. But it does mean that when something is technically difficult, or doesn’t go quite to plan, you’re dealing with someone who has seen it before and knows what to do about it.
An operation planned around you, not a template
I don’t run a single package and apply it to every patient who walks through the door. Two people asking for the same procedure can need two quite different operations: different incisions, different technique, different goals, depending on their anatomy, their skin, their lifestyle and what they actually want to look like afterwards. That takes more time in consultation, more thought in planning, and more time to execute.
An honest assessment, even when it's not what you want to hear
I’ll tell you plainly if I don’t think an operation will give you what you’re after, if a smaller procedure will do the job, or if I think you should wait. That’s not always the answer people want in a consultation, but it’s the one I think you’re owed. I’d rather lose a booking than perform an operation I don’t believe is right for you.
Attention to technical detail
The difference between a good result and a very good one is often in the details most patients never think to ask about. The length and placement of an incision, the layer-by-layer closure, the adjustments made while you’re still on the table. This is unglamorous, time-consuming work. Doing one operation a day, on a procedure I perform constantly, is what makes that level of attention possible.
Aftercare that doesn't stop at 5pm
Surgery doesn’t finish when you leave the recovery room, and issues, if they happen, don’t wait for business hours. Every patient of mine has after-hours access to a patient care coordinator and to me personally — not an answering service, and not a locum who’s never seen your file. If something concerns you at 10pm or on a Sunday, you can reach the person who actually knows you, your operation and your care.
Full service
Your aftercare is personally directed by me. Whether it is my practice nurse changing your dressings or fitting your surgical garment, I direct all care. The cost of these treatments is included in your fee. Scar treatment and products are also included.
So why is the gap sometimes this large?
A cosmetic doctor or cosmetic clinic is very often not run by a specialist plastic surgeon at all, and the fee reflects a different level of training behind the procedure. Other qualified plastic surgeons may be excellent and simply run a higher-volume model: more cases per day, faster operations, less individual time, no after-hours line to the surgeon himself. Neither approach is automatically wrong. But it is a different service to mine, even when the name of the operation on the quote is the same word.
What this means for you
Cheaper quotes exist, from qualified surgeons, cosmetic clinics or overseas centres. If you’re weighing them up, weigh up what’s actually included: who is operating, how many other patients they’re seeing that day, how tailored the plan is to you, how honestly you’re advised, how much technical attention goes into the operation itself, and what happens if you need help at 9pm on a Sunday. Compare those, not just the number at the bottom of the page.
If you’d like to discuss your own situation, book a consultation and we’ll go through it together.
Prices for Dr Mark Kohout
Ponytail lift
This price covers the cost of the surgery 6 weeks follow up. Anaesthetic fees around $1,500 and hospital costs around $2,000 – $3,900 are additional
$11,990
Brow Lift
This price includes surgeon fee & 6 weeks follow up. Anaesthetic fee of $1,400 and day surgery fee are additional. Hospital fee $2,200.
$4,990-$9,990
Upper eyelid reduction
This price covers the cost of the surgery under local anaesthetic and 6 weeks follow up. If applicable, Medicare rebate approx. $300. Hospital fee around $990.
$6,990
Lower Eyelid Reduction (skin and/or pouching)
This price includes surgeon fee & 6 weeks follow up. Anaesthetic fee of approx. $1,400 and Hospital fees are an additional cost of around $2,800.
$ 6,990 - $9,990
Upper and Lower Eyelids Reduction ( Blepharoplasty)
This price includes surgeon fee & 6 weeks follow up. Anaesthetic fee around $1,800 and Hospital fees are additional costs at around $3,500. If a medical item number applies to your situation, you may get $220 rebate.
$9,990-$13,990
Mid-Facelift / S-lift / MACS lift
This price includes surgeon fee & 6 weeks follow up. Anaesthetic fees of around $2,700 are additional as is hospital/day surgery fees at around $4,800.
$14,900-$18,900
Full (SMAS) Facelift and Neck lift
This price includes surgeon fee & 6 weeks follow up. Anaesthetic fee of around $3,500 and Additional hospital fees around $5,900 – $7,900.
$19,900-$28,990
Facial Surgery: includes full SMAS Facelift/Neck Lift, Brow Lift & Upper Eyelid Blepharoplasty.
This price includes surgeon fee & 6 weeks follow up. Additional anaesthetic around $4,500 and hospital fees around $8,500.
$36,990
Complete facial surgery (includes Facelift, Neck Lift, Upper and Lower Eyelid Surgery, Brow Lift, laser skin resurfacing and/or fat grafting).
This price includes surgeon fee & 6 weeks follow up. Additional Anaesthetic fee of around $5,000 and hospital fees around $10,000.
$49,990
Laser Facial Resurfacing
We use Candela fractional CO2 laser. This price includes surgeon fee, Anaesthetist fee around $1,100, Broadway day surgery fee & 6 weeks follow up. Hospital fee around $990.
$2,900-$4,900
Insertion of chin implant
This price includes surgeon fee, implants cost (Silicone, GoreTex or Medpor implants) & 6 weeks follow up. Additional hospital and anaesthetic fees are around $2,200.
$9,900-$17,990
Genioplasty or Chin implant
This price covers the surgeon fee & 6 weeks follow up. Anaesthetic fee of around $1,700 is additional. If fund cover does not apply in your situation, plan for additional hospital fees are around $4,500.
$16,990
Otoplasty (Correction of prominent ears)
This price covers the surgeon fee & 6 weeks follow up. If private health cover does not apply, allow for additional hospital fees around $4,500. Anesthetic fee of Approx $1,700 is also additional.
$9,990-$12,990
Reduction of large earlobes
You may be eligible for Medicare rebates. Performed under local anaesthetic. Hospital fees are around $990.
$6,490
Repair of split earlobes
Performed under local anaesthetic. Hospital fees are around $990.
$2,790 per side
Buccal Fat Pad Removal (both sides)
This price includes surgeon fee & 6 weeks follow up. Anaesthetic fee and Hospital fees are additional at around $990.
$6,490
Lip lift
This price includes surgeon fee, Local anaesthetic fee & 6 weeks follow up. Additional hospital fees are around $990.
$6,490
Scalp Reduction /Forehead Shortening /Lowering Hairline
This price includes surgeon fee, anaesthetic fees are around $1,500 & 6 weeks follow up. Hospital fees are an additional cost of around $2,200.
$7,900 - $10,900
Neck Liposuction and RF skin tightening (eg. FaceTite)
This price includes surgeon fee, anaesthetic fee & 6 weeks follow up. Hospital fees are an additional cost of $990.
$9,990
Dimple Surgery
Out patient procedure using local anaesthetic. Hospital fees are additional cost of $990.
Visit our Sydney clinic or contact us to know more about our face surgery pricing options available and receive detailed information on face surgery pricing to help make an informed decision.
$3,490-$6,490
Cheek Implants
This price includes surgeon fee, anaesthetic fee of around $1,800. Hospital fees are an additional cost of $4,000. Extras are around $2,800.
$9,900-$18,990
Related Blog Posts
Cost of Blepharoplasty in Sydney
How Much Does Eyelid Surgery Cost in Sydney? This guide to blepharoplasty costs in Sydney has been written by Dr Mark Kohout, a specialist plastic surgeon based in Sydney, Fellow…
Different Techniques for SMAS Facelift
SMAS in Facelift Surgery: Insights from Dr Mark Kohout A facelift is a widely performed procedure aimed at addressing the face and neck areas. In this blog, Sydney Plastic Surgeon Dr Mark Kohout will…