Plastic surgery includes many procedures that can refine, restore, or support the face and body. Cosmetic procedures are usually chosen to refine appearance. Reconstructive procedures are used to help restore form or function after concerns such as injury, cancer, birth differences, burns, or medical conditions.
In Canada, people search for plastic surgery for many personal reasons. Some patients want a more rested appearance. Others want to restore body shape after pregnancy, weight loss, or aging. Plastic surgery may also help after trauma, skin cancer, breast cancer, or a congenital concern. Your anatomy, goals, health, lifestyle, and recovery time all help guide the right procedure.
This page explains the main types of plastic surgery procedures in Canada, with sections on facial surgery, breast surgery, body contouring, reconstructive surgery, and non-surgical cosmetic treatments. You will also learn what to think about before scheduling a consultation.
Cosmetic and Reconstructive Plastic Surgery
Plastic surgery is commonly divided into two main categories, cosmetic surgery and reconstructive surgery.
Cosmetic Surgery
Cosmetic surgery is used to improve or refine appearance. Most cosmetic procedures are elective, which means they are planned by choice rather than medical need.
Patients often choose cosmetic surgery to help with:
- Refining facial balance
- Reducing signs of aging
- Improving body shape
- Replacing volume lost after weight change or pregnancy
- Changing the shape of the nose, eyelids, ears, lips, breasts, abdomen, arms, or thighs
- Helping clothing fit better
- Creating natural-looking changes that may support confidence
Most cosmetic surgery procedures in Canada are private-pay services. The total fee can depend on the procedure, surgeon, facility, anesthesia, follow-up visits, and location.
Reconstructive Surgery
The goal of reconstructive plastic surgery is to help restore normal form and function. Reconstructive procedures may be recommended after cancer surgery, trauma, burns, infections, birth differences, or medical conditions.
Common examples include:
- Breast reconstruction after breast cancer surgery
- Skin cancer reconstruction following tumour removal
- Cleft lip and palate surgery
- Reconstruction after burns
- Hand reconstruction
- Scar repair or revision
- Complex wound repair
- Reconstruction after facial trauma
- Repair of congenital differences
When reconstructive procedures are medically necessary, some may be covered by a provincial health plan. Cosmetic procedures are usually not covered.
Plastic Surgery Procedures for the Face
Facial plastic surgery may improve facial balance, soften signs of aging, and help restore a refreshed look. Most patients do not want to look “different.” The best facial surgery results often look natural and balanced.
Facelift Surgery for the Lower Face
A facelift, also known as rhytidectomy, improves sagging in the lower face and jawline. Patients may choose facelift surgery for jowls, loose facial skin, and deeper folds near the mouth.
A facelift may help with:
- Jowls near the jawline
- Lower-face loose skin
- Deep smile lines
- Cheek tissue that has dropped
- Reduced definition from the jawline into the neck
Many modern facelift techniques focus on deeper support layers under the skin. This can create a smoother, longer-lasting result without a pulled look. Depending on the patient, a facelift may be planned with a neck lift, eyelid surgery, brow lift, or facial fat grafting.
Platysmaplasty and Neck Lift Surgery
A neck lift improves loose skin, muscle bands, and fullness under the chin. The clinical term for tightening the neck muscle is platysmaplasty.
A neck lift may help with:
- Vertical neck bands
- Loose skin on the neck
- An undefined jawline
- Fullness below the chin
- A loose “turkey neck” appearance
Some patients benefit from both skin and muscle tightening. For patients with extra fat but good skin tone, liposuction under the chin may help. The face and neck often change at the same time, so facelift and neck lift surgery may be combined.
Blepharoplasty, or Eyelid Surgery
Eyelid surgery, also known as blepharoplasty, improves tired-looking eyes by removing or adjusting extra skin, fat, or tissue around the eyelids.
Common upper eyelid concerns include:
- A weighted upper eyelid look
- Excess eyelid skin
- A more tired or older eye appearance
- Eyelid skin that hangs over the lashes
- Functional vision concerns in some patients
Lower eyelid surgery may help with:
- Under-eye puffiness or bags
- Puffy lower eyelids
- Loose skin under the eyes
- Hollow shadows under the eyes
- A tired look that does not improve with rest
Many patients choose eyelid surgery because small improvements around the eyes can make the whole face look more awake and rested.
Brow Lift Surgery for a Heavy Brow
Brow lift surgery, or a forehead lift, is used to raise a low or heavy brow. By lifting the brow, the procedure may improve the upper eyes and soften forehead heaviness.
Brow lift surgery can improve:
- Brow descent
- Heavy upper eyelids caused by brow descent
- Horizontal forehead lines
- Vertical lines between the brows
- A heavy expression that seems tired or stern
A brow lift should not be confused with eyelid surgery. Eyelid surgery treats extra eyelid skin, while a brow lift treats the position of the eyebrows. Many patients need one or the other, and some benefit from both.
Nose Surgery Procedure (Rhinoplasty)
Rhinoplasty, commonly called a nose job, changes the shape, size, or structure of the nose. Rhinoplasty may focus on appearance, breathing, or both.
Rhinoplasty may address:
- A raised bridge bump
- A lowered nose tip
- A boxy nasal tip
- A crooked nose
- Nasal size or projection
- Nose asymmetry
- Structural breathing concerns
Structural breathing issues may require work on the septum, the wall between the nostrils. This is called septoplasty. A cosmetic rhinoplasty changes appearance, while functional nasal surgery focuses on airflow.
Ear Surgery Procedure (Otoplasty)
The shape, position, or size of the ears may be changed with ear surgery, also called otoplasty. Prominent ears that stick out may be improved with otoplasty.
Patients may consider otoplasty for:
- Ears that sit far from the head
- Uneven ears
- Ear folds that look large
- Ears that stand out from the head
- Earlobe shape concerns
Ear surgery can be considered for adults as well as children. When otoplasty is considered for a child, timing is based on ear growth, maturity, and family goals.
Surgical Lip Lift
A lip lift reduces the space between the upper lip and the nose. Clinically, this measurement is often called the upper lip length. A lip lift can improve upper lip show without adding dermal filler.
Common lip lift concerns include:
- A lengthened upper lip area
- Limited upper tooth show when smiling
- An upper lip that looks thin
- Lip proportions that feel unbalanced
- Changes around the mouth from aging
Lip lift surgery differs from lip filler. Lip filler adds volume. The purpose of a lip lift is to change the upper lip position and shape rather than just add volume.
Chin and Jawline Implant Surgery
Balance in the chin, cheeks, or jawline may be improved with facial implants. Chin surgery may be used when the chin looks small compared with the nose or other facial features.
Common facial implant procedures include:
- Chin implants
- Cheek implants
- Jawline implant surgery
For profile balance, chin surgery and rhinoplasty may be combined in select cases.
Fat Transfer for Facial Volume
A patient’s own fat can be used in facial fat grafting to restore volume. The process usually involves taking fat from the abdomen or thighs, processing it, and placing it into selected facial areas.
Common facial fat grafting concerns include:
- Hollows in the cheeks
- Under-eye hollowing
- Lost facial volume due to aging
- Loss of soft tissue fullness
- Facial imbalance
Facial fat grafting can be performed by itself or with procedures such as facelift surgery, eyelid surgery, or other facial surgery.
Common Breast Surgery Options
Cosmetic and reconstructive breast surgery are common parts of plastic surgery in Canada. Breast plastic surgery can address volume, size, position, symmetry, and reconstruction after cancer surgery.
Breast Implants and Fat Transfer Augmentation
Breast size and shape can be increased with breast augmentation using implants or fat transfer. Breast augmentation may use either saline implants or silicone gel implants. The choice of implant depends on body type, breast tissue, goals, and surgeon guidance.
Common breast augmentation goals include:
- Small natural breast size
- Breast volume loss after pregnancy
- Weight-related breast volume loss
- Asymmetry between the breasts
- Improved breast shape in fitted clothing
Patients often worry about looking too large or unnatural. Planning should account for chest width, skin quality, lifestyle, and future maintenance.
Breast Lift for Sagging Breasts
Mastopexy, commonly called a breast lift, raises and reshapes breasts that sit lower than desired. It does not primarily add volume. The procedure focuses on improving breast position and shape.
Common breast lift concerns include:
- Breasts that sag
- Downward-pointing nipples
- Areola stretching
- Loose breast skin
- Post-pregnancy, breastfeeding, or weight-loss breast changes
A lift and implants may be combined to improve position and add upper breast fullness. A lift without implants may be preferred by patients who do not want added implant volume.
Breast Reduction Procedure
Breast reduction removes excess breast tissue, fat, and skin to make the breasts smaller, lighter, and more balanced.
Common breast reduction concerns include:
- Neck discomfort
- Shoulder pain
- Back discomfort
- Shoulder grooves from bra straps
- Skin irritation under the breasts
- Exercise discomfort
- Problems with clothing fit
In Canada, breast reduction may be considered medically necessary in some cases. Coverage depends on provincial rules, symptoms, and medical assessment.
Revision Breast Implant Surgery
Breast implant revision is surgery to adjust or replace existing breast implants. This surgery may address cosmetic concerns, medical concerns, or both.
Common reasons for breast implant revision include:
- A desire to change implant size
- A ruptured implant
- Capsular contracture, a firm scar tissue response around an implant
- An implant that has moved out of position
- Breast size or shape imbalance
- Aging changes after breast augmentation
- Breast implant removal
A breast lift may be done when implants are removed. Others choose new implants with a different size, shape, or placement.
Reconstructive Breast Surgery
The breast may be rebuilt after mastectomy or lumpectomy with breast reconstruction. The procedure may be done with implants, natural tissue, or a combined approach.
Breast reconstruction may use:
- Implant-based reconstruction
- Flap-based reconstruction
- Nipple-areola reconstruction
- Fat grafting for contour improvement
- Breast reconstruction revision for symmetry
Breast reconstruction is a very personal decision. Many patients want breast reconstruction. Others choose to remain flat. Both choices are valid.
Gynecomastia Surgery
Enlarged male breast tissue may be treated with gynecomastia surgery. Liposuction, gland removal, or a combination may be used.
Gynecomastia surgery may help with:
- A puffy nipple appearance
- Firm tissue beneath the nipple-areola area
- Extra chest volume
- Male chest asymmetry
- Discomfort being shirtless, exercising, or wearing fitted shirts
Treatment choice depends on whether fat, gland tissue, loose skin, or a mix of these is causing the fullness.
Common Body Contouring Options
Body contouring focuses on improving shape through skin removal, fat reduction, or tissue tightening. It is common after pregnancy, aging, or major weight loss.
Abdominoplasty for Abdominal Contouring
Abdominoplasty, commonly called a tummy tuck, removes extra abdominal skin and tightens the abdominal wall. It can also repair separated abdominal muscles, which are known as diastasis recti.
A tummy tuck may help with:
- Abdominal skin laxity
- A hanging lower abdomen
- Stretch-marked skin under the belly button
- Abdominal muscle separation
- Body changes from pregnancy or weight loss
A tummy tuck should not be viewed as weight-loss surgery. The best candidates are often near a stable weight and want better abdominal contour.
Fat Reduction With Liposuction
Liposuction removes localized fat using a thin tube called a cannula. It is used for body contouring, not general weight loss.
Common liposuction areas include:
- Abdominal area
- Flanks, often called love handles
- The hips
- Inner or outer thighs
- Upper arms
- Back
- Under the chin and neck
- Chest area
- The knees
Firm, elastic skin is important. When loose skin is present, liposuction alone may not create the desired contour. In those cases, skin removal surgery may be needed.
Post-Pregnancy Body Contouring
A mommy makeover is a customized plan for body changes after pregnancy, breastfeeding, or weight change. Breast and abdominal procedures are often combined in a mommy makeover.
Common mommy makeover procedures include:
- Abdominal contouring with tummy tuck
- Surgical breast lifting
- Breast augmentation
- Surgical breast size reduction
- Liposuction
- Fat transfer for volume
The name can be misleading because the procedure is not limited to mothers. It is really a custom body contouring plan for patients with similar concerns. The right plan depends on health, goals, recovery time, and whether future pregnancy is planned.
Arm Lift Surgery, Also Called Brachioplasty
An arm lift, also known as brachioplasty, removes loose skin from the upper arms.
Arm lift surgery can help improve:
- Hanging skin under the arms
- Loose skin after weight loss
- Upper arm changes from aging
- Trouble feeling comfortable in sleeveless shirts
- Skin friction in the upper arms
A scar along the inner or back arm is the key trade-off with brachioplasty. For many patients, better shape is worth the scar, but this should be discussed carefully.
Thigh Lift Surgery
Loose thigh skin can be removed with a thigh lift. Thigh lift surgery is common after significant weight loss.
A thigh lift may help with:
- Extra inner thigh skin
- Skin rubbing
- Poor clothing fit around the thighs
- Heaviness from extra skin
- Changes after bariatric surgery or weight loss
There are different thigh lift patterns. The best thigh lift pattern depends on skin amount and the location of the looseness.
Body Lift
Body lift surgery is used to remove loose skin around the lower body. It may improve the abdomen, hips, outer thighs, buttocks, and lower back.
Patients may consider a body lift after:
- A major weight change
- Bariatric surgery
- Changes in body shape after pregnancy
- Aging changes with loose skin
A body lift is a larger procedure and usually has a longer recovery. Patients should be at a stable weight and in good overall health.
Fat Grafting for Body Contouring
Fat can be moved from one body area to another with fat grafting. It may be used to add natural volume or improve contour.
Patients may consider fat grafting for:
- Breasts
- Buttocks
- Hips
- Facial volume
- Contour irregularities after surgery or injury
Your own tissue is used in fat grafting, but not every transferred fat cell survives. Results may change over time, and more than one session may be needed.
Procedures for Skin, Scars, and Surface Concerns
Plastic surgeons may also treat scars, skin surface concerns, and soft tissue issues.
Surgical Scar Revision
Scar revision can improve the appearance or feel of a scar. Scar revision cannot guarantee an erased scar, but it may make the scar less raised, tight, wide, or visible.
Scar revision surgery can help improve:
- Surgical scars
- Scarring after an injury
- Burn injury scars
- Thickened scars
- Tight or pulling scars
- Scars that limit movement
A scar revision plan may use surgery, copyright injections, laser treatment, silicone therapy, or a mix of options.
Plastic Surgery for Moles, Cysts, and Skin Lesions
Benign skin lesions, cysts, moles, and lumps may be removed by plastic surgeons when a precise closure is needed. Some lesions need medical assessment to rule out skin cancer.
Common reasons for removal include:
- Ongoing irritation
- Noticeable growth
- Recurrent bleeding
- Cosmetic concern
- Pathology or diagnosis
- Comfort
A qualified medical professional should assess any changing mole or suspicious skin lesion.
Skin Cancer Reconstruction
After skin cancer removal, reconstruction may be needed to close the wound and restore appearance. This is common on the face, nose, eyelids, ears, lips, scalp, and hands.
Skin cancer reconstruction can involve:
- A direct closure
- A skin graft
- Moving nearby tissue with a local flap
- Advanced reconstructive techniques
Skin cancer reconstruction aims to support safe cancer removal while protecting function and appearance.
Common Non-Surgical Cosmetic Options
Not every patient needs surgery. For some patients, non-surgical treatments help soften early aging signs, facial lines, volume loss, and skin concerns. Most non-surgical treatments have less downtime, but the results do not last as long as surgery.
BOTOX Cosmetic Treatments
Selected facial muscles can be relaxed with BOTOX and other neuromodulators. Expression lines are a common reason for BOTOX and neuromodulator treatment.
BOTOX and neuromodulators may treat:
- Expression lines between the brows
- Forehead wrinkles
- Eye-area smile lines
- Expression lines on the nose
- Peau d’orange chin texture
- Mild neck bands in certain cases
Results are temporary and usually require repeat treatments. The goal is often a softer, rested look, not a frozen face.
Dermal Fillers
Dermal fillers can restore or add volume. Many dermal fillers are made with hyaluronic acid, a gel-like substance used to shape and support soft tissue.
Dermal fillers may treat:
- Lip shape
- Cheeks
- The chin
- The jawline
- Hollows beneath the eyes
- Lines from the nose to the mouth
- Lines from the mouth corners toward the chin
Filler results depend on product choice, injection technique, facial anatomy, and treatment goals. Overfilling can look unnatural, so conservative planning is important.
Skin Peels
A chemical peel uses a controlled chemical solution to improve the outer layers of skin.
Chemical peels may help with:
- Uneven tone
- Skin dullness
- Mild lines
- Skin changes from sun exposure
- Light acne marks
- Surface texture issues
Chemical peels can range from light treatments to deeper treatments. The type of peel affects recovery time.
Laser, IPL, and Radiofrequency Skin Treatments
Laser and energy-based treatments can improve skin tone, redness, texture, hair growth, scars, and signs of aging.
Common options may include:
- Resurfacing laser treatment
- IPL skin treatment
- Radiofrequency skin treatments
- Treatments for mild skin laxity
- Laser hair removal or reduction
- Vascular laser for redness or broken vessels
These treatments should be matched to skin type, skin tone, and the concern being treated. This is especially important for patients with darker skin tones, where pigment changes can be a risk.
Skin Resurfacing With Dermabrasion and Microdermabrasion
A deeper resurfacing option called dermabrasion removes outer layers of skin. Microdermabrasion is lighter and more surface-level.
These treatments may help with:
- Skin texture
- Mild scars
- Skin dullness
- Uneven surface
- Small fine lines
Skin quality, goals, downtime, and risk tolerance help determine the right choice.
Choosing the Right Plastic Surgery Procedure
The right procedure should be chosen based on the concern, not just the procedure name. A patient may request one procedure, then find out that a different option fits their anatomy better.
For example:
- Extra eyelid skin, a low brow, or both may cause heavy upper lids.
- Jawline softness may be related to skin laxity, neck bands, fat, or chin position.
- A full abdomen may be caused by fat, loose skin, muscle separation, or internal weight.
- Breasts that look flat may need lifting, added volume, fat grafting, or more than one procedure.
- Under-eye concerns may come from fat pads, hollows, loose skin, or pigmentation.
A good treatment plan should answer three questions:
- What is causing the concern?
- Which treatment is most likely to correct the cause?
- What trade-offs come with that option?
Those trade-offs may include scars, downtime, swelling, cost, maintenance, and possible complications.
Common Questions and Concerns Before Plastic Surgery
Most patients have mixed feelings before plastic surgery. Excitement is common, but so are nerves. It is normal to worry about safety, pain, scars, recovery, cost, and whether the result will look natural.
“Will I Still Look Like Myself?”
This is one of the most common concerns. Many patients want to look refreshed rather than changed. Natural-looking plastic surgery should respect your facial features, body frame, age, and personal style.
For many patients, the goal is better balance, not a perfect or unrealistic look.
“What Is the Recovery Like?”
Downtime varies by procedure. Some non-surgical treatments have little or no downtime. A tummy tuck, body lift, or mommy makeover is more involved and needs more planning.
Most patients should prepare for:
- Swelling and bruising
- Restrictions on exercise or lifting
- Planned time away from work
- Appointments after surgery
- Scar healing support
- A staged return to physical activity
- A result that improves as swelling settles
Recovery does not happen instantly. Many procedures improve over weeks and months.
“Will I Have Scars?”
Any surgery that uses an incision creates a scar. A good plan places scars as carefully as possible and supports healing.
Scar healing depends on:
- Family scar tendencies
- Skin tone
- The kind of surgery performed
- Placement of the incision
- Tension on the wound
- Nicotine exposure
- Sun exposure
- Following aftercare instructions
Scars usually fade over time, but they do not disappear completely.
“What Are the Risks of Plastic Surgery?”
Every surgery has risk. Possible risks include bleeding, infection, poor scarring, anesthesia problems, asymmetry, delayed healing, numbness, fluid buildup, and dissatisfaction with the result.
Safety is influenced by:
- Your health
- Prescription and non-prescription medications
- Whether you smoke or use nicotine
- The planned procedure
- Where the procedure takes place
- The type of anesthesia
- Surgeon training and experience
- Care after the procedure
During consultation, patients should learn about benefits, risks, alternatives, and realistic expectations.
Important Plastic Surgery Information for Canadian Patients
Canadian plastic surgery is regulated through medical licensing, provincial colleges, hospital systems, surgical facilities, and professional standards. It is important to understand the difference between marketing language and recognized medical training.
Choosing a Qualified Plastic Surgeon
When researching plastic surgery in Canada, look for proper training and credentials. Proper plastic surgery training includes medical training, surgical training, and specialty certification in plastic surgery.
Important consultation questions include:
- Are you certified in plastic surgery?
- Are you licensed to practise medicine in this province?
- Do you commonly perform this type of surgery?
- Where would my surgery be done?
- Who manages anesthesia during the procedure?
- What are my personal risks with this procedure?
- What is the plan if there is a complication?
- What follow-up care is included?
- Can I see results from similar cases?
Asking questions is not being difficult. It is about making an informed choice.
Canadian Cosmetic Surgery Pricing
Fees for cosmetic plastic surgery in Canada can differ greatly. Pricing may depend on procedure complexity, surgeon experience, anesthesia, facility fees, implants or devices, garments, follow-up care, and location.
Fees may be higher in major Canadian cities such as Vancouver, Toronto, Calgary, Edmonton, Ottawa, and Montreal due to overhead and demand. Costs may vary in smaller Canadian cities, but price should not outweigh safety, training, and follow-up care.
Low pricing can be concerning when it reflects shortcuts in safety, training, facility standards, or aftercare.
Surgery Abroad vs. Plastic Surgery in Canada
Lower-cost surgery outside Canada may appeal to some Canadians. Medical tourism can seem attractive, but it adds risks that should be reviewed.
Patients should think about medical tourism concerns such as:
- Limited post-surgery follow-up
- Flying or travelling soon after surgery
- Infection risk
- Different facility or safety standards
- Hard-to-get records
- Difficulty finding care for complications at home
- Language barriers
- Additional costs if revision surgery is needed
Having surgery closer to home can make follow-up easier, especially if swelling, healing concerns, or complications occur.
Getting Ready for a Plastic Surgery Consultation
A consultation gives you the chance to learn what is possible, safe, and realistic. It should not feel rushed or pressured.
You can prepare for the visit by doing the following:
- Make notes about your main concerns.
- Take a list of all medications and supplements you use.
- Share your health and medical history honestly.
- Tell the truth about smoking, vaping, cannabis, and nicotine use.
- Bring photos if they help show your goals.
- Ask about recovery, scars, risks, and alternatives.
- Ask what result is realistic for your own body or face.
Your consultation should include a clear review of your options. In some top cosmetic plastic surgery cases, the best recommendation is to wait, choose a smaller treatment, improve health first, or avoid surgery.
Plastic Surgery Candidate Guidelines
Good candidates for plastic surgery are typically healthy, informed, and realistic. A good candidate understands that surgery may improve appearance, but it cannot create perfection or fix every life problem.
You may be a suitable candidate if:
- Your overall health is good
- You have a clear concern
- Your weight is stable if you are considering body surgery
- You can avoid smoking and nicotine before and after surgery
- You understand what recovery involves
- You accept the risks and trade-offs
- The choice is based on your own goals
- Your goals are realistic
You may need to postpone surgery if you are pregnant, planning major weight loss, using nicotine, managing an unstable medical condition, or feeling pressured by someone else.
Procedure Combinations in Plastic Surgery
Some procedures can be combined safely. Some procedures are safer when staged. Doing more than one procedure at once may shorten total recovery, but it can increase surgery length and healing stress.
Common combinations include:
- Facelift and neck lift surgery
- Eyelid surgery with a brow lift
- Profile balancing with rhinoplasty and chin surgery
- Breast lift plus volume enhancement
- Tummy tuck and liposuction
- A customized mommy makeover
- Combining body lift with arm or thigh surgery
- Facial surgery combined with fat grafting
The right approach depends on the patient’s health, how long the procedure takes, anesthesia, recovery support, and overall risk.
Final Thoughts on Types of Plastic Surgery Procedures in Canada
Across Canada, plastic surgery includes many procedures for cosmetic and reconstructive needs. Some improve the face, breasts, or body. Other procedures focus on repair after cancer, injury, burns, or medical conditions. Non-surgical cosmetic options can help soften wrinkles, restore volume, improve texture, and address early aging changes.
The best procedure is not always the most popular one. The right option should match your anatomy, goals, health, and comfort level.
Every plastic surgery plan should put safety, natural-looking results, clear expectations, and proper follow-up care first. Before choosing eyelid surgery, rhinoplasty, breast augmentation, tummy tuck, liposuction, facelift surgery, or reconstructive plastic surgery, it helps to understand what each option can and cannot do.