Many plastic surgery procedures are designed to enhance, rebuild, or change the face and body. Some procedures are known as cosmetic, meaning they are chosen to enhance how a person looks. Other procedures are reconstructive, meaning they help restore form or function after injury, cancer, birth differences, burns, or medical conditions.
There are many concerns why people in Canada search for plastic surgery. Some patients want a more rested appearance. For others, the goal is to restore body shape after pregnancy, weight loss, or aging. Other patients need help after trauma, skin cancer, breast cancer, or a congenital concern. A safe plan should be based on your anatomy, goals, health, lifestyle, and recovery time.
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. It also covers key questions to consider before a plastic surgery consultation.
Cosmetic Plastic Surgery Compared With Reconstructive Plastic Surgery
In general, plastic surgery is grouped into cosmetic surgery and reconstructive surgery.
Cosmetic Plastic Surgery Procedures
Cosmetic plastic surgery focuses on appearance. These procedures are usually elective, which means they are planned by choice and are not medically required.
Common goals include:
- Refining facial balance
- Improving visible signs of aging
- Changing body proportions
- Improving volume changes after weight loss or pregnancy
- Addressing concerns with the nose, eyelids, ears, lips, breasts, abdomen, arms, or thighs
- Helping patients feel better in clothing
- Improving confidence in a natural-looking way
Most cosmetic procedures in Canada are paid for privately. Fees can vary based on the procedure, surgeon, facility, anesthesia, follow-up care, and location.
Reconstructive Plastic Surgery
Reconstructive plastic surgery is focused on restoring form and function. Patients may need reconstructive surgery after cancer surgery, trauma, burns, infections, birth differences, or medical conditions.
Common examples include:
- Breast reconstruction after breast cancer surgery
- Skin cancer reconstruction after tumour removal
- Cleft lip and palate reconstruction
- Burn injury reconstruction
- Reconstructive hand surgery
- Scar revision
- Wound reconstruction
- Repair after facial trauma
- Surgery for congenital differences
Some reconstructive procedures may be covered by a provincial health plan when they are cosmetic procedures medically necessary. Cosmetic changes are usually not covered.
Types of Facial Plastic Surgery
Facial procedures may be used to improve balance, soften aging changes, and restore a rested look. In many cases, the goal is not a dramatic change. Strong results usually look natural, balanced, and personal to the patient.
Rhytidectomy, Commonly Called Facelift Surgery
A facelift or rhytidectomy can improve loose tissue in the lower face and jawline. It can help with jowls, loose facial skin, and deeper folds around the mouth.
Facelift surgery can address concerns such as:
- Softness or jowling at the jawline
- Loose skin in the lower face
- Deeper smile lines
- Lowered cheek tissue
- Reduced definition from the jawline into the neck
Today, facelift surgery often works on deeper support layers below the skin. This may create a smoother, longer-lasting result without a pulled appearance. A facelift may be combined with a neck lift, eyelid surgery, brow lift, or facial fat grafting.
Neck Lift Procedure (Platysmaplasty)
Loose skin, muscle bands, and fullness under the chin may be improved with a neck lift. When the neck muscle is tightened, the procedure is called platysmaplasty.
Common reasons for neck lift surgery include:
- Visible neck bands
- Extra neck skin
- Soft jawline definition
- Fullness under the chin
- A “turkey neck” appearance
For some people, both the skin and neck muscle need tightening. Some patients may only need liposuction under the chin. A facelift and neck lift are often planned together because the face and neck commonly age as a unit.
Blepharoplasty, or Eyelid Surgery
Eyelid surgery, also called blepharoplasty, improves tired-looking eyes by removing or adjusting extra skin, fat, or tissue around the eyelids.
Upper eyelid surgery may help with:
- Heavy upper eyelids
- Excess eyelid skin
- A tired-looking or aged appearance
- Skin that sits on the eyelashes
- Vision blockage in certain medical cases
Lower eyelid surgery may help with:
- Bags under the eyes
- Under-eye swelling or fullness
- Extra skin below the eyes
- Shadowing under the eyes
- A tired appearance that does not improve with sleep
Many patients choose eyelid surgery because small improvements around the eyes can make the whole face look more awake and rested.
Brow Lift, Also Called Forehead Lift
A brow lift, also known as a forehead lift, raises a low or heavy brow. A brow lift can make the upper eye area look more open and reduce forehead heaviness.
A brow lift may address:
- A heavy, lowered brow
- A heavy upper eyelid look caused by brow position
- Horizontal forehead lines
- Vertical lines between the brows
- A tired, sad, or stern expression
A brow lift is not the same as eyelid surgery. The eyelids and brows are different structures, so eyelid surgery treats extra eyelid skin and a brow lift treats brow position. Some patients need only a brow lift or eyelid surgery, while others benefit from both procedures.
Cosmetic and Functional Rhinoplasty
A nose job, medically known as rhinoplasty, changes the shape, size, or structure of the nose. It can be cosmetic, functional, or both.
Patients may consider rhinoplasty for:
- A raised bridge bump
- A lowered nose tip
- A broad or boxy tip
- A crooked nose
- Nasal size or projection
- Nose asymmetry
- Breathing problems related to nasal structure
When breathing is a concern, surgery may include work on the septum, the wall between the nostrils. The medical term for septum surgery is septoplasty. Cosmetic rhinoplasty refines how the nose looks, while functional nasal surgery focuses on breathing and airflow.
Cosmetic Ear Surgery
The shape, position, or size of the ears may be changed with ear surgery, also called otoplasty. It is often used to correct ears that stick out.
Otoplasty may help with:
- Protruding ears
- Uneven ears
- Prominent ear cartilage folds
- Ears that stand out from the head
- Concerns with the earlobes
Otoplasty is common in adults and children. In children, timing depends on ear development, maturity, and family goals.
Lip Lift for Upper Lip Balance
Lip lift surgery shortens the area between the upper lip and the base of the nose. That space is often described as the upper lip length. The procedure can make the upper lip look more visible without adding filler.
Lip lift surgery can help improve:
- A lengthened upper lip area
- Reduced tooth show in the upper smile
- An upper lip that looks thin
- Lip imbalance
- Aging changes around the mouth
Lip lift surgery differs from lip filler. Lip filler adds volume. A lip lift changes the position and shape of the upper lip.
Chin and Jawline Implant Surgery
Facial implants may improve balance in the chin, cheeks, or jawline. A chin implant may be considered when the chin looks small compared with the nose or other facial features.
Facial implant options may include:
- Chin implants
- Cheek augmentation implants
- Surgical jawline implants
Because the nose and chin affect how the face looks from the side, chin surgery may sometimes be combined with rhinoplasty.
Facial Volume Restoration With Fat Grafting
Facial fat grafting uses a patient’s own fat to restore volume. The process usually involves taking fat from the abdomen or thighs, processing it, and placing it into selected facial areas.
Facial fat grafting may help with:
- Hollows in the cheeks
- Hollows beneath the eyes
- Volume changes caused by aging
- Thinning soft tissue
- Facial imbalance
Facial fat grafting can be performed by itself or with procedures such as facelift surgery, eyelid surgery, or other facial surgery.
Breast Plastic Surgery Procedures
In Canada, breast surgery is one of the most common forms of cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery. Some patients want more volume, less size, a breast lift, better symmetry, or breast restoration after cancer surgery.
Breast Augmentation Surgery
Breast augmentation surgery uses implants or fat transfer to increase breast size and shape. Saline and silicone gel are common breast implant options. Choosing an implant depends on the patient’s body type, breast tissue, goals, and guidance from the surgeon.
Common breast augmentation goals include:
- A naturally small breast shape
- Less breast fullness after pregnancy
- Weight-related breast volume loss
- Uneven breast size or shape
- More fullness in bras or clothing
Patients often worry about looking too large or unnatural. Chest width, skin quality, lifestyle, and long-term maintenance should all be part of the plan.
Mastopexy, or Breast Lift Surgery
A breast lift or mastopexy improves breast position and shape when the breasts have dropped. A lift changes position and shape rather than mainly adding volume. Instead, the goal is to improve breast position and shape.
Patients may consider a breast lift for:
- Breast sagging
- Nipples that face downward
- Stretched nipple-areola areas
- Breast skin laxity
- Breast shape changes from pregnancy, breastfeeding, or weight loss
Some patients combine a breast lift with implants for more upper breast fullness. For a natural result without added implant volume, some patients choose a breast lift alone.
Breast Reduction
Breast reduction removes excess breast tissue, fat, and skin to make the breasts smaller, lighter, and more balanced.
Breast reduction may address:
- Neck discomfort
- Shoulder discomfort
- Upper back pain
- Bra strap marks
- Irritated skin under the breasts
- Exercise discomfort
- Difficulty fitting bras or clothes
Breast reduction may be viewed as medically necessary in Canada in certain cases. Coverage depends on provincial requirements, symptoms, and medical assessment.
Revision Breast Implant Surgery
Surgery to adjust or replace existing breast implants is called breast implant revision. It may be needed for cosmetic reasons or medical concerns.
Common reasons for breast implant revision include:
- A desire to change implant size
- An implant that has ruptured
- Capsular contracture, a firm scar tissue response around an implant
- Implant shifting
- Breast size or shape imbalance
- Natural aging changes after breast implants
- Choosing to remove implants
Some patients choose implant removal with a lift. Other patients choose new implants with a different size, shape, or placement.
Reconstructive Breast Surgery
Breast reconstruction restores breast shape after mastectomy or lumpectomy. Breast reconstruction can use implants, natural tissue, or both.
Breast reconstruction may involve:
- Breast reconstruction with implants
- Breast reconstruction with natural tissue flaps
- Nipple-areola reconstruction
- Fat transfer as part of reconstruction
- Surgery to refine breast symmetry
Breast reconstruction is a very personal decision. Some patients want reconstruction. Some patients choose a flat closure instead. Both options are valid.
Gynecomastia Surgery for Male Breast Reduction
Male breast reduction, also called gynecomastia surgery, treats enlarged male breast tissue. The procedure may use liposuction, gland removal, or both methods.
Gynecomastia surgery may help with:
- Puffy-looking nipples
- Extra tissue under the areola
- Fullness in the chest
- Uneven shape across the male chest
- Self-consciousness at the beach, gym, or in fitted shirts
Treatment choice depends on whether fat, gland tissue, loose skin, or a mix of these is causing the fullness.
Types of Body Contouring Surgery
Body contouring surgery improves body shape by removing extra skin, reducing stubborn fat, or tightening tissue. It is often considered 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. The procedure may also repair diastasis recti, which means separated abdominal muscles.
A tummy tuck may help with:
- Sagging abdominal skin
- A hanging lower abdomen
- Stretch-marked skin below the belly button
- Separated abdominal muscles
- Loose abdominal tissue after pregnancy or weight loss
A tummy tuck is not a weight-loss procedure. The best candidates are often near a stable weight and want better abdominal contour.
Liposuction
Liposuction removes localized fat with a thin tube called a cannula. It is used for body contouring, not general weight loss.
Liposuction may be used on areas such as:
- The abdomen
- Side waist areas, often called love handles
- The hips
- Inner or outer thighs
- Upper arms
- Back contour areas
- Chin-neck contour
- Chest
- The knees
Good skin tone matters. Loose skin may limit what liposuction alone can achieve. In that case, skin removal surgery may be needed.
Mommy Makeover Procedure
A mommy makeover is a custom plan that treats body changes after pregnancy, breastfeeding, or weight change. This plan often brings together breast surgery and abdominal contouring.
Common mommy makeover procedures include:
- Abdominal contouring with tummy tuck
- Breast lift surgery
- Breast implants or fat transfer augmentation
- Surgical breast size reduction
- Fat reduction with liposuction
- Fat transfer for volume
Although the name suggests otherwise, the procedure is not only for mothers. It may be suitable for anyone with similar body changes. The best plan depends on health, goals, recovery time, and whether future pregnancy is planned.
Arm Lift Surgery, Also Called Brachioplasty
An arm lift, also called brachioplasty, removes loose skin from the upper arms.
Common arm lift concerns include:
- Loose hanging skin on the upper arms
- Loose upper arm skin after weight loss
- Age-related changes in the arms
- Avoiding sleeveless clothing
- Chafing from upper arm skin
Arm lift surgery leaves a scar along the inner or back part of the arm. For many patients, better shape is worth the scar, but this should be discussed carefully.
Thigh Lift Procedure
Loose thigh skin can be removed with a thigh lift. It is often chosen after major weight loss.
A thigh lift may address:
- Sagging skin on the inner thighs
- Chafing from loose thigh skin
- Trouble with pants fit
- A heavy feeling from extra skin
- Thigh changes after weight loss or bariatric surgery
Different thigh lift incision patterns may be used. The right option depends on the amount of skin to remove and where the looseness is located.
Body Lift Surgery
Body lift surgery is used to remove loose skin around the lower body. The procedure may improve several areas, including the abdomen, hips, outer thighs, buttocks, and lower back.
A body lift may be chosen after:
- A major weight change
- Bariatric surgery
- Post-pregnancy body changes
- Aging changes with loose skin
Because it is a larger surgery, recovery takes more time. A stable weight and good overall health are important before body lift surgery.
Fat Grafting for Body Contouring
With fat grafting, fat is removed from one area and placed in another. It may be used to add natural volume or improve contour.
Common areas for fat grafting include:
- The breasts
- Buttock shape
- The hips
- Facial volume
- Contour irregularities after surgery or injury
Fat grafting is natural in the sense that it uses your own tissue, but not all of the fat remains long term. Results can change over time, and more than one session may be needed.
Skin and Scar Plastic Surgery Procedures
Plastic surgery also includes treatments for the skin surface, scars, and soft tissue.
Scar Treatment and Revision
Scar revision can improve the appearance or feel of a scar. Scar revision may not erase a scar, but it can improve scars that are raised, tight, wide, or noticeable.
Scar revision may address:
- Post-surgical scars
- Scarring after an injury
- Burn injury scars
- Bulky scars
- Scars that feel tight
- Scars that pull during movement
Treatment may involve surgery, copyright injections, laser treatment, silicone therapy, or a combination.
Removal of Moles, Cysts, and Skin Lesions
Benign skin lesions, cysts, moles, and lumps may be removed by plastic surgeons when a precise closure is needed. Certain lesions should be checked medically to rule out skin cancer.
Patients may seek removal for:
- Skin irritation
- Growth or change
- Bleeding from the lesion
- Appearance concerns
- Diagnosis
- Comfort in daily life
Any changing mole or suspicious skin lesion should be checked by a qualified medical professional.
Skin Cancer Repair and 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:
- Direct surgical closure
- A skin graft
- Reconstruction with local flaps
- Complex reconstruction
Skin cancer reconstruction aims to support safe cancer removal while protecting function and appearance.
Injectable and Skin Treatments
Some patients can meet their goals without surgery. Non-surgical cosmetic treatments can help with early signs of aging, facial lines, volume loss, and skin quality. These treatments usually involve less downtime, but results are more temporary.
Neuromodulator Injections
BOTOX and similar neuromodulators are used to relax targeted facial muscles. They are commonly used for expression lines.
Patients may consider neuromodulators for:
- Expression lines between the brows
- Horizontal forehead lines
- Lines at the outer corners of the eyes
- Lines on the sides of the nose
- Peau d’orange chin texture
- Neck muscle bands in some situations
The results do not last forever and usually need maintenance treatments. The goal is usually a softer, rested look, not a frozen face.
Hyaluronic Acid Fillers
Dermal fillers can restore or add volume. They are often made with hyaluronic acid, a gel-like substance that shapes and supports soft tissue.
Dermal fillers may treat:
- The lips
- The cheeks
- Chin
- Jawline
- Hollowing under the eyes
- Lines from the nose to the mouth
- Lines from the mouth corners toward the chin
Good filler planning depends on the right product, careful injection technique, facial anatomy, and clear goals. Overfilling may look unnatural, so conservative planning is important.
Medical Chemical Peels
The outer layers of skin can be improved with a chemical peel using a controlled solution.
Chemical peel treatments can help improve:
- Skin tone irregularity
- Dull skin
- Mild lines
- Visible sun damage
- Mild marks from acne
- Skin texture concerns
Peels come in different strengths, from light to deeper options. The type of peel affects recovery time.
Laser Skin Treatments and Energy-Based Procedures
Skin tone, redness, texture, hair growth, scars, and aging changes may be treated with laser and energy-based treatments.
Laser and energy-based options may include:
- Laser skin resurfacing
- IPL, or intense pulsed light
- Radiofrequency-based treatments
- Energy-based skin tightening
- Laser-based hair reduction
- Vascular laser for redness or broken vessels
The right laser or energy treatment depends on skin type, skin tone, and the concern. Careful selection matters for darker skin tones, where unwanted pigment changes may be a risk.
Skin Resurfacing With Dermabrasion and Microdermabrasion
Dermabrasion removes outer skin layers as a deeper resurfacing treatment. Compared with dermabrasion, microdermabrasion is lighter and more superficial.
Common concerns include:
- Texture
- Mild scars
- Skin dullness
- An uneven skin surface
- Mild lines
The right option depends on skin quality, goals, downtime, and risk tolerance.
How Patients Can Choose the Best Procedure
Choosing the right procedure starts with the concern, not the procedure name. A patient may request one procedure, then find out that a different option fits their anatomy better.
This can happen in situations such as:
- Heavy upper lids can be caused by extra eyelid skin, a low brow, or both.
- Loose skin, neck bands, fat, or chin position may cause a soft jawline.
- Fat, loose skin, muscle separation, or internal weight may cause abdominal fullness.
- Breasts that look flat may need lifting, added volume, fat grafting, or more than one procedure.
- Under-eye bags may be caused by fat pads, hollowing, skin laxity, or pigmentation.
A clear plastic surgery plan should answer three key questions:
- What is creating the concern?
- Which procedure best treats that cause?
- What must be accepted with that option?
Every procedure has trade-offs, which may include scars, downtime, swelling, cost, maintenance, and possible complications.
Common Questions and Concerns Before Plastic Surgery
Mixed feelings are normal before a plastic surgery procedure. Excitement is common, but so are nerves. Many patients worry about safety, pain, scars, recovery, cost, and whether the outcome will look natural.
“Will I Still Look Like Myself?”
This is one of the most common concerns. The goal for many people is to look refreshed while still looking like themselves. Good plastic surgery should respect the patient’s natural features, body frame, age, and style.
The goal is usually to improve balance, not chase perfection.
“How Much Downtime Will I Need?”
Healing time is different for every procedure. Non-surgical options often involve minimal downtime. Larger surgeries, such as tummy tuck, body lift, or mommy makeover, need more planning.
In general, recovery planning may include:
- Bruising and swelling
- Limits on activity
- A break from work
- Surgical follow-up care
- Scar healing support
- A staged return to physical activity
- Final results that develop over time
Recovery does not happen instantly. Many procedures improve over weeks and months.
“Can Plastic Surgery Scars Be Hidden?”
Any surgery that uses an incision creates a scar. The goal is to place scars as carefully as possible and help them heal well.
Scar appearance may be affected by:
- Family scar tendencies
- Pigment response in the skin
- The type of procedure
- Incision placement
- How much tension is on the wound
- Smoking or nicotine use
- How much sun the scar gets
- How the scar is cared for
Scars tend to soften and fade, but they usually remain to some degree.
“What Should I Know About Plastic Surgery Safety?”
Every operation has possible risks. Plastic surgery risks may include bleeding, infection, poor scarring, anesthesia concerns, asymmetry, delayed healing, numbness, fluid buildup, and dissatisfaction.
Surgical safety depends on several factors, including:
- The patient’s health
- Your current medications
- Smoking or nicotine use
- The procedure being done
- Where the procedure takes place
- The anesthesia approach
- The surgeon’s skill, training, and experience
- Care after the procedure
A careful consultation should review benefits, risks, alternatives, and realistic expectations.
Plastic Surgery in Canada
Canadian plastic surgery is regulated through medical licensing, provincial colleges, hospital systems, surgical facilities, and professional standards. Patients should understand the difference between marketing terms and recognized medical training.
Choosing a Plastic Surgeon in Canada
When researching plastic surgery in Canada, patients should look for proper training and credentials. A plastic surgeon should have medical training, surgical training, and certification in plastic surgery.
Important consultation questions include:
- Are you certified as a plastic surgeon?
- Are you licensed to perform surgery in this province?
- How often do you perform this procedure?
- Where will the procedure take place?
- Who manages anesthesia during the procedure?
- What are my personal risks with this procedure?
- What is the plan if there is a complication?
- How many follow-up visits are included?
- May I see before-and-after examples for similar procedures?
This is not about being demanding. It is about understanding your options.
What Affects Plastic Surgery Fees in Canada
Cosmetic surgery costs in Canada can vary widely. Pricing may depend on procedure complexity, surgeon experience, anesthesia, facility fees, implants or devices, garments, follow-up care, and location.
In major Canadian cities such as Vancouver, Toronto, Calgary, Edmonton, Ottawa, and Montreal, fees may be higher because of overhead and demand. Smaller cities may have different fees, but cost should not be the only factor.
Low pricing can be concerning when it reflects shortcuts in safety, training, facility standards, or aftercare.
Medical Tourism for Plastic Surgery
Some patients in Canada consider medical tourism to save money on surgery. Lower cost may be appealing, but surgery abroad can come with extra risks.
Risks or challenges with medical tourism may include:
- Reduced follow-up access
- Travel soon after surgery
- Risk of infection
- Different surgical standards
- Challenges getting procedure 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.
How to Prepare for a Plastic Surgery Consultation
A plastic surgery consultation helps clarify what is possible, safe, and realistic for your case. It should not feel rushed or high-pressure.
It helps to prepare before your consultation:
- List your main concerns before the visit.
- Bring a list of medications and supplements.
- Share your health and medical history honestly.
- Do not hide smoking, vaping, cannabis, or nicotine use.
- Bring photos if they help show your goals.
- Discuss recovery, scarring, risks, and other options.
- Ask what result is realistic for your own body or face.
A strong consultation includes clear discussion of treatment options. A responsible plan may involve waiting, starting with a smaller treatment, improving health, or deciding against surgery.
Who May Be a Good Candidate?
Good candidates for plastic surgery are usually healthy, informed, and realistic. Plastic surgery can improve appearance, but good candidates know it cannot create perfection or solve every concern.
You may be a suitable candidate if:
- You are in good general health
- You can explain a clear concern
- You are near a stable weight for body procedures
- You can avoid smoking and nicotine before and after surgery
- You understand healing takes time
- You accept the risks and trade-offs
- You are choosing the procedure for yourself
- You have reasonable expectations
Surgery may need to wait if you are pregnant, planning major weight loss, using nicotine, managing an unstable medical condition, or feeling pressured by another person.
Planning More Than One Plastic Surgery Procedure
Certain procedures can be safely combined. Some procedures are safer when staged. Combined surgery can reduce overall downtime, but it can also increase surgical time and recovery demands.
Common procedure combinations include:
- Facelift with neck lift
- Upper facial rejuvenation with eyelid surgery and brow lift
- Rhinoplasty with chin surgery
- Breast lift plus volume enhancement
- Abdominoplasty with liposuction
- Mommy makeover surgery combinations
- Body lift with thigh lift or arm lift
- Combining facial rejuvenation and fat grafting
The right approach depends on the patient’s health, how long the procedure takes, anesthesia, recovery support, and overall risk.
Final Thoughts About Plastic Surgery Procedure Types in Canada
In Canada, plastic surgery covers a wide range of cosmetic and reconstructive options. Some procedures improve the face, breasts, or body. Some procedures restore tissue after cancer, injury, burns, or medical conditions. Non-surgical treatments can also help with wrinkles, volume loss, skin texture, and early aging changes.
The most popular procedure is not always the best fit. The best choice is the one that fits your anatomy, goals, health, and comfort level.
A responsible approach should be built around safety, natural-looking results, clear expectations, and proper follow-up care. Whether the procedure is eyelid surgery, rhinoplasty, breast augmentation, tummy tuck, liposuction, facelift surgery, or reconstructive plastic surgery, the first step is understanding what each option can and cannot do.