About the Practice · Surgical Care

Good surgery begins well before the operating theatre and continues long after it. The quality of the result is shaped not only by what happens during the procedure, but by the accuracy of the assessment, the appropriateness of the decision, the preparation beforehand, and the way healing is supported afterwards.

At this practice, surgery is approached as a multi-stage clinical process rather than a single intervention. Each stage matters — and in many cases, the most important part of the entire journey is not the operation itself, but the judgement that determines whether surgery is appropriate in the first place.

Stage by Stage

Each stage is connected. The quality of the result depends on how carefully each one is handled.

Stage 01 — The Consultation in Detail

The face is assessed as a three-dimensional structure that includes bone support, the position and behaviour of soft tissues, the way volume is distributed, skin quality and elasticity, and the role of movement and expression.

A good consultation does not reduce the face to a problem list. It tries to understand how the face works, how it has changed, and whether intervention makes sense within that broader picture.

What the assessment considers

Stage 02 — Suitability

Not every concern is best managed surgically. Not every patient is likely to benefit. And not every technically possible procedure is a good idea.

In some cases, what a patient is noticing may fall within normal anatomical variation. In others, the improvement possible with surgery may be too limited to justify the intervention. This is why patient selection is such a central part of responsible surgical practice — it protects outcomes, but more importantly, it protects patients.

Stage 03 — Planning

When surgery is appropriate, the aim is never to do the maximum that can be done. It is to identify what is necessary, what is likely to be effective, and what can be expected to age well.

A measured plan usually produces a more convincing result than an ambitious one. Patients do not benefit from having more surgery than they need. They benefit from having the right surgery, in the right way, for the right reason.

Stage 04 — Decision-Making

Once a plan has been discussed, there is usually value in taking a step back.

Facial surgery should not be entered into lightly or quickly. Even when the recommendation is clear, there is still a period of thought that needs to happen on the patient’s side. The information given during consultation needs to settle. Risks and benefits need to be weighed properly. Recovery needs to be understood in practical, not abstract, terms. And the patient needs enough space to decide whether surgery genuinely feels appropriate for them.

It helps separate a considered decision from an emotional one. It allows patients to move forward with greater clarity and less urgency. And in some cases, it becomes clear during that period that waiting is the better option.

Stage 05 — Preparation

Once a decision has been made to proceed, the focus turns to ensuring that the patient is physically and practically ready for surgery. This may involve optimising general health, reviewing medications and supplements, adjusting habits that may impair healing, and making sure the patient has appropriate support in place for recovery. For some people, this stage is very straightforward. For others, it requires more planning.

Preparation is not just about reducing medical risk, though that is a large part of it. It is also about creating the right conditions for healing. Surgery is easier to recover from when the patient understands what lies ahead, has realistic expectations about the early postoperative period, and is not trying to fit recovery into an already overcommitted life.

Stage 06 — The Operation

The day of surgery sits within a much larger sequence. Surgery is performed in an accredited hospital environment, with the procedure tailored to the individual. Two patients may appear to need the same operation in broad terms, but the details of how surgery is planned and performed often differ considerably once anatomy, tissue behaviour and overall facial balance are taken into account.

Dr. Lew-Gor personally performs all critical aspects of each procedure, including the surgical planning, the operation itself and the precise closure of incisions. This ensures consistency of technique and the highest level of surgical attention throughout.

Stage 07 — Recovery

What happens during the healing period affects the final outcome more than many patients initially realise. Swelling, bruising, tightness and temporary asymmetry are common parts of the early postoperative phase. None of these necessarily indicate a problem — they are simply part of how tissues recover from surgery.

Recovery is not passive. Following postoperative instructions, modifying activity appropriately, and attending follow-up appointments all contribute to how the result develops. It asks for patience, but also for cooperation.

Stage 08 — Recovery

Results are progressive. The early postoperative appearance is not the final outcome. Swelling resolves gradually, tissues soften and settle, and scars mature over time. Areas that look slightly firm or uneven in the early phase often become much more natural as healing continues.

Surgery does not stop time. A result that respects anatomy and avoids excess usually remains more stable and looks more believable years later. Where appropriate, longer-term skin-focused care supports the longevity of the surgical result.

Questions most commonly raised about the surgical journey — answered directly.

What makes a good surgical outcome?

A good outcome depends on accurate assessment, an appropriate indication for surgery, a plan that fits the individual, careful operative technique, and attentive recovery. No single element is more important than the others — the result is shaped by the quality of every stage, not the operation alone.

How do I know if I am a suitable candidate?

Suitability is determined through consultation and clinical assessment. It depends on a concern that can be meaningfully improved, anatomy that supports that improvement, a benefit that justifies the risks involved, and expectations within the range of what is achievable. This cannot be determined from photographs or prior to examination.

What if the consultation concludes that surgery is not appropriate?

That is a valid and important outcome of the consultation process. Sometimes a non-surgical approach is more appropriate. Sometimes the degree of change does not warrant intervention. And sometimes the right recommendation is simply to wait. All of these conclusions are part of responsible clinical care, not a limitation of the practice.

How long will recovery take?

Recovery timelines vary depending on the procedure performed and individual healing patterns. Most patients are presentable in social settings within two to four weeks, though full results continue to emerge over months. Specific recovery expectations will be discussed in detail at consultation and at the pre-operative appointment.

When will I see the final result?

Most patients see their true outcome between three and twelve months following surgery, as swelling fully resolves and tissues soften. The early postoperative appearance gives hints but does not tell the whole story. Results continue to improve gradually over this period, becoming more natural and integrated as healing completes.

How long do surgical results last?

Surgery can produce lasting structural improvement, but it does not stop time. The face continues to age following surgery. A result that respects anatomy and avoids excess tends to remain more stable and credible over the longer term. Most patients experience sustained improvement for many years following well-planned facial surgery.

Does Dr. Lew-Gor perform all aspects of the surgery?

Yes. Dr. Lew-Gor personally performs all critical aspects of each procedure, including the surgical planning, the operation itself and the precise closure of incisions. This ensures consistency of technique and the highest level of surgical attention throughout the procedure.

How far in advance should surgery be planned?

Patients are generally advised to allow adequate time for consultation, thoughtful planning and recovery before any significant social or professional commitments. Many patients choose to schedule surgery several months in advance, particularly when planning around travel, work responsibilities or important personal events.

What type of anaesthesia is used?

Surgical procedures are typically performed under general anaesthesia, administered by an experienced specialist anaesthetist. The anaesthetist will oversee all aspects of anaesthesia and pain management throughout the procedure and during the early stages of recovery. Dr. Lew-Gor works with experienced anaesthetic specialists who are skilled in patient safety and peri-operative monitoring.

Also in the About Section

Dr. Sim Lew-Gor — facial Plastic Surgery Clinic in Melbourne & wagga wagga

Assessment

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Planning

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Suitability

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