Plastic surgery is a broad field with treatments that can enhance, rebuild, or reshape areas of the face and body. When surgery is chosen mainly to refine appearance, it is often called cosmetic surgery. Reconstructive plastic surgery may be used after injury, cancer, birth differences, burns, or medical conditions to help rebuild form or function.
In Canada, people search for plastic surgery for many personal reasons. For some people, the goal is to look more rested. Body changes from pregnancy, weight loss, or aging may lead some people to consider surgery. For some patients, the need is related to 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 reviews what to consider before booking a consultation.
Understanding Cosmetic vs. Reconstructive Plastic Surgery
In general, plastic surgery is grouped into cosmetic surgery and reconstructive surgery.
Cosmetic Plastic Surgery Procedures
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.
Common reasons for cosmetic plastic surgery include:
- Creating better facial balance
- Reducing signs of aging
- Improving body contours
- Restoring volume after weight loss or pregnancy
- Refining the nose, eyelids, ears, lips, breasts, abdomen, arms, or thighs
- Helping patients feel better in clothing
- Improving confidence in a natural-looking way
Cosmetic procedures in Canada are usually not covered by provincial health plans and are often paid for privately. Costs may vary based on the procedure, surgeon, surgical facility, anesthesia, follow-up care, and location.
Reconstructive Plastic Surgery in Canada
Reconstructive plastic surgery focuses on restoring normal form and function. It may be needed after cancer surgery, trauma, burns, infections, birth differences, or medical conditions.
Reconstructive plastic surgery may include:
- Breast reconstruction after mastectomy
- Skin cancer reconstruction following tumour removal
- Cleft lip and palate surgery
- Burn reconstruction
- Surgery for hand function or repair
- Scar treatment and revision
- Surgical wound repair
- Facial trauma reconstruction
- Correction of congenital concerns
Some reconstructive procedures may be covered by a provincial health plan when they are medically necessary. Changes done only for cosmetic reasons are usually not covered.
Facial Plastic Surgery Procedures
Facial plastic surgery can improve facial balance, soften signs of aging, and restore a refreshed look. The goal is usually not to look “different.” The best facial surgery results often look natural and balanced.
Facelift Surgery, Also Called Rhytidectomy
Sagging in the lower face and jawline may be improved with a facelift, also called rhytidectomy. It can help with jowls, loose facial skin, and deeper folds around the mouth.
Facelift surgery can address concerns such as:
- Jowls near the jawline
- Skin laxity in the lower face
- Deeper smile lines
- Drooping cheek tissue
- Less clear separation between the face and neck
A modern facelift commonly addresses the deeper support layers beneath the skin. This may create a smoother, longer-lasting result without a pulled appearance. A facelift can be part of a larger facial rejuvenation plan that includes a neck lift, eyelid surgery, brow lift, or facial fat grafting.
Neck Lift Surgery (Platysmaplasty)
A neck lift is used to improve neck skin laxity, muscle bands, and under-chin fullness. The clinical term for tightening the neck muscle is platysmaplasty.
Common reasons for neck lift surgery include:
- Muscle bands in the neck
- Sagging neck skin
- An undefined jawline
- Fullness under the chin
- A “turkey neck” look
Some patients benefit from both skin and muscle tightening. Other patients may benefit from liposuction under the chin. Because the face and neck often age together, a facelift and neck lift may be planned together.
Blepharoplasty, or Eyelid Surgery
Eyelid surgery or blepharoplasty helps refresh the eyes by removing or repositioning extra skin, fat, or tissue around the eyelids.
Patients may choose upper eyelid surgery for:
- Heaviness in the upper eyelids
- Extra eyelid skin
- A tired-looking or aged appearance
- Eyelid skin that hangs over the lashes
- Vision concerns in some medical cases
Patients may choose lower eyelid surgery for:
- Under-eye puffiness or bags
- Lower eyelid puffiness
- Extra skin below the eyes
- Under-eye shadowing
- A fatigued look that remains after sleep
Because small changes around the eyes can refresh the whole face, eyelid surgery is one of the most common facial body contouring plastic surgery procedures.
Brow Lift Procedure
A brow lift, also called a forehead lift, raises a low or heavy brow. It can improve the upper eye area and reduce forehead heaviness.
Brow lift surgery can improve:
- A heavy, lowered brow
- Upper eyelid heaviness caused by a low brow
- Forehead creases
- Creases between the eyebrows
- A tired, sad, or stern expression
Brow lift surgery and eyelid surgery are not the same procedure. Eyelid surgery addresses extra eyelid skin, while a brow lift changes the position of the eyebrows. Some patients need only a brow lift or eyelid surgery, while others benefit from both procedures.
Rhinoplasty for Nose Shape and Breathing
Rhinoplasty is nose surgery that can change nasal shape, size, or structure. It can be cosmetic, functional, or both.
Patients may consider rhinoplasty for:
- A bump along the bridge of the nose
- A nasal tip that droops
- A boxy nasal tip
- A crooked nasal shape
- The size or projection of the nose
- Nose asymmetry
- Breathing issues related to structure
For patients with breathing concerns, rhinoplasty may include work on the septum, which separates the nostrils. The medical term for septum surgery is septoplasty. A cosmetic rhinoplasty is done for appearance, while functional nasal surgery is done to improve airflow.
Otoplasty for Prominent Ears
Ear surgery or otoplasty is used to adjust ear shape, position, or size. Otoplasty is often chosen for ears that stick out.
Ear surgery can help improve:
- Protruding ears
- Asymmetry between the ears
- Overdeveloped ear cartilage folds
- Ears that project away from the head
- Earlobe appearance concerns
Both adults and children may choose or need otoplasty. 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. Clinically, this measurement is often called the upper lip length. This surgery may reveal more of the upper lip without using filler.
Common lip lift concerns include:
- A longer upper lip
- Limited upper tooth show when smiling
- An upper lip that looks thin
- Uneven lip balance
- Aging changes around the mouth
A lip lift is different from lip filler. Lip filler mainly adds fullness. A lip lift changes upper lip position and shape.
Chin, Cheek, and Jawline Implants
Facial implant surgery can refine the chin, cheeks, or jawline for better balance. Chin surgery is often used when the chin looks small compared with the nose or other facial features.
Types of facial implant surgery may include:
- Chin implants
- Surgical cheek implants
- Jawline augmentation implants
In some cases, chin surgery is combined with rhinoplasty because the nose and chin both affect facial balance in profile view.
Facial Fat Grafting
Facial fat grafting uses the patient’s own fat to restore volume. Fat is usually removed from areas such as the abdomen or thighs, processed, and placed into the face.
Patients may consider facial fat grafting for:
- Sunken-looking cheeks
- Under-eye volume loss
- Age-related facial volume loss
- Thinning soft tissue
- Imbalance in facial volume
Fat grafting can support facial rejuvenation on its own or be combined with facelift surgery, eyelid surgery, or other facial procedures.
Types of Breast Plastic Surgery
Breast surgery is one of the most common areas of cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery in Canada. Patients may want to increase volume, reduce size, lift the breasts, improve symmetry, or restore the breast 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. Body type, breast tissue, personal goals, and surgeon guidance all help determine implant choice.
Breast augmentation may address:
- Small natural breast size
- Lost breast volume following pregnancy
- Lost breast volume after weight changes
- Breast asymmetry
- More fullness in bras or clothing
Patients often worry about looking too large or unnatural. A careful plan should consider chest width, skin quality, lifestyle, and long-term maintenance.
Breast Lift Surgery, Also Called Mastopexy
A breast lift, also called mastopexy, raises and reshapes breasts that have dropped. It does not mainly add volume. A breast lift is designed to improve where the breasts sit and how they are shaped.
Patients may consider a breast lift for:
- Lower breast position
- Downward-pointing nipples
- Stretched nipple-areola areas
- Stretched breast skin
- Changes after pregnancy, breastfeeding, or weight loss
Some patients choose a breast lift with implants for more upper breast fullness. Others prefer a lift without implants for a natural result.
Reduction Mammoplasty
To reduce breast size and weight, breast reduction removes extra tissue, fat, and skin.
Breast reduction surgery can help improve:
- Pain in the neck
- Heavy shoulder pressure
- Back pain
- Bra strap grooves
- Irritated skin under the breasts
- Limited comfort during physical activity
- Trouble finding clothing that fits
Breast reduction may be viewed as medically necessary in Canada in certain cases. Coverage depends on provincial requirements, symptoms, and medical assessment.
Breast Implant Replacement or Removal
Breast implant revision is surgery to adjust or replace existing breast implants. It may be needed for cosmetic reasons or medical concerns.
Common reasons include:
- Desire to change implant size
- A ruptured implant
- Capsular contracture, a firm scar tissue response around an implant
- Implant shifting
- Uneven breast appearance
- Aging changes after breast augmentation
- Choosing to remove implants
Some patients benefit from implant removal together with a breast lift. Some patients replace their implants with a different size, shape, or placement.
Breast Reconstruction
Breast reconstruction restores breast shape after mastectomy or lumpectomy. Implants, natural tissue, or a mix of both may be used for breast reconstruction.
The breast reconstruction process may involve:
- Breast reconstruction with implants
- Flap-based reconstruction
- Reconstruction of the nipple and areola
- Breast fat grafting
- Symmetry-focused revision surgery
This is a deeply personal choice. Some patients want reconstruction. Some patients decide not to rebuild the breast and remain flat. Both options are valid.
Male Breast Reduction Surgery
Enlarged male breast tissue may be treated with gynecomastia surgery. Liposuction, gland removal, or a combination may be used.
Male breast reduction can help improve:
- Nipple puffiness
- Firm tissue beneath the nipple-areola area
- Fullness in the chest
- An uneven male chest shape
- Concern about the chest in fitted shirts, at the gym, or at the beach
A surgeon chooses the technique based on whether the chest fullness is due to fat, gland tissue, loose skin, or more than one factor.
Body Contouring Plastic Surgery Procedures
Body contouring surgery improves body shape by removing extra skin, reducing stubborn fat, or tightening tissue. Many patients consider body contouring after pregnancy, aging, or major weight loss.
Abdominoplasty for Abdominal Contouring
A tummy tuck, also known as abdominoplasty, removes extra abdominal skin and tightens the abdominal wall. Separated abdominal muscles, called diastasis recti, can also be repaired during the procedure.
Common tummy tuck concerns include:
- Loose skin on the abdomen
- A lower belly overhang
- Lower abdominal skin with stretch marks
- Diastasis recti
- 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 surgery uses a thin tube called a cannula to remove localized fat. Liposuction is not a weight-loss method, it is a contouring procedure.
Liposuction can treat:
- Abdominal area
- Flank areas
- Outer hip area
- Thigh areas
- Upper arm area
- Back contour areas
- Submental area and neck
- The chest
- Knees
Good skin elasticity helps improve results. Liposuction alone may not be enough when the skin is loose. When skin laxity is significant, surgery to remove skin may be a better option.
Customized Mommy Makeover
Body changes after pregnancy, breastfeeding, or weight change may be treated with a custom mommy makeover plan. It often combines breast and abdominal procedures.
Common mommy makeover procedures include:
- Tummy tuck surgery
- Mastopexy
- Breast augmentation
- Breast reduction surgery
- Liposuction surgery
- Fat transfer
The name can be misleading because the procedure is not only for mothers. Anyone with similar changes may consider this type of plan. The right plan depends on health, goals, recovery time, and whether future pregnancy is planned.
Brachioplasty, or Arm Lift Surgery
An arm lift, also known as brachioplasty, removes loose skin from the upper arms.
An arm lift may address:
- Loose skin along the upper arms
- Extra skin after major weight loss
- Aging-related arm laxity
- Avoiding sleeveless clothing
- Skin rubbing and irritation
The main trade-off is a scar along the inner or back part of the arm. Because the scar is permanent, patients should carefully discuss whether the improved shape is worth it.
Inner Thigh Lift
A thigh lift removes extra loose skin from the thighs. It is often chosen after major weight loss.
A thigh lift may help with:
- Sagging skin on the inner thighs
- Skin friction between the thighs
- Poor fit in pants
- Thigh heaviness caused by extra skin
- Changes after bariatric surgery or weight loss
Thigh lift surgery can be done with different patterns. The right option depends on the amount of skin to remove and where the looseness is located.
Body Contouring Lift
A body lift removes extra loose skin around the lower body. A body lift can address the abdomen, hips, outer thighs, buttocks, and lower back.
Common reasons for body lift surgery include:
- Substantial weight loss
- Bariatric weight-loss surgery
- Body changes related to pregnancy
- Aging with major skin laxity
Because it is a larger surgery, recovery takes more time. A stable weight and good overall health are important before body lift surgery.
Body Contouring With Fat Transfer
Fat transfer, also called fat grafting, moves fat from one part of the body to another. The goal may be natural volume, smoother contour, or both.
Fat grafting may be used in areas such as:
- Breast shape
- The buttocks
- The hips
- Facial volume
- Contour changes after surgery or injury
Fat grafting uses your own tissue, but not all transferred fat survives. The result can shift over time, and some patients may need more than one session.
Skin Lesion, Scar, and Surface Treatments
Skin surface concerns, scars, and soft tissue problems may also be treated with plastic surgery.
Surgical Scar Revision
The look or feel of a scar may be improved with scar revision. Scar revision cannot guarantee an erased scar, but it may make the scar less raised, tight, wide, or visible.
Scar revision may address:
- Post-surgical scars
- Injury scars
- Scarring after burns
- Raised or thick scars
- Restrictive scars
- Movement-limiting scars
A scar revision plan may use surgery, copyright injections, laser treatment, silicone therapy, or a mix of options.
Skin Lesion, Mole, and Cyst Removal
When careful closure is important, plastic surgeons may remove benign skin lesions, cysts, moles, and lumps. Some lesions require medical assessment to rule out skin cancer.
Common reasons for removal include:
- Ongoing irritation
- Noticeable growth
- A lesion that bleeds
- Cosmetic concern
- Diagnostic testing
- Improved comfort
Any changing mole or suspicious skin lesion should be assessed by a qualified medical professional.
Reconstruction After Skin Cancer Removal
When skin cancer is removed, plastic surgery reconstruction may help close the area and restore appearance. Skin cancer reconstruction is often needed on the face, nose, eyelids, ears, lips, scalp, and hands.
Skin cancer reconstruction may involve:
- Closing the area directly
- Skin graft reconstruction
- Moving nearby tissue with a local flap
- More complex reconstruction
The aim is to remove the cancer safely and preserve function and appearance as much as possible.
Non-Surgical Cosmetic Procedures
Not every patient needs surgery. Early signs of aging, facial lines, volume loss, and skin quality concerns may be improved with non-surgical cosmetic treatments. Most non-surgical treatments have less downtime, but the results do not last as long as surgery.
Wrinkle Relaxing Injections
Neuromodulators such as BOTOX reduce movement in selected facial muscles. They are often used for expression lines.
Common treatment areas include:
- Lines between the eyebrows
- Forehead expression lines
- Eye-area smile lines
- Lines on the sides of the nose
- Peau d’orange chin texture
- Selected neck bands
Results are temporary and usually need repeat treatments. The goal is usually a softer, rested look, not a frozen face.
Facial Fillers
Volume can be restored or added with dermal fillers. Many dermal fillers are made with hyaluronic acid, a gel-like substance used to shape and support soft tissue.
Dermal fillers may treat:
- Lip enhancement
- Cheek volume
- Chin
- Lower-face contour
- Under-eye hollowing
- Nasolabial folds
- Lines below the corners of the mouth
Dermal filler results depend on product choice, injection technique, facial anatomy, and treatment goals. Overfilling may look unnatural, so conservative planning is important.
Medical Chemical Peels
A chemical peel uses a controlled chemical solution to improve the outer layers of skin.
Common chemical peel concerns include:
- Uneven tone
- Skin dullness
- Fine surface lines
- Skin changes from sun exposure
- Mild acne marks
- Rough skin texture
Peels come in different strengths, from light to deeper options. Downtime depends on how strong the peel is.
Energy-Based Aesthetic Skin Treatments
Laser and energy-based treatments may 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
- Non-surgical skin tightening
- Laser hair reduction
- Laser treatment for small visible vessels
Skin type, skin tone, and the concern being treated should guide the choice of treatment. Careful selection matters for darker skin tones, where unwanted pigment changes may be a risk.
Dermabrasion and Microdermabrasion
Dermabrasion is a deeper resurfacing procedure that removes outer skin layers. Microdermabrasion treats the surface more gently and is not as deep.
Common concerns include:
- Uneven texture
- Minor acne scarring
- Dullness
- Uneven surface
- Small fine lines
Choosing between these treatments depends on skin quality, goals, recovery time, and risk tolerance.
Finding the Right Plastic Surgery Option
Choosing the right procedure begins with the concern, not the procedure name. Many patients ask for one treatment and later learn that another option better matches their anatomy.
This can happen in situations such as:
- Upper lid heaviness may be related to eyelid skin, brow position, or both.
- An undefined jawline may be caused by loose skin, neck muscle bands, fat, or the position of the chin.
- Abdominal fullness may come from fat, loose skin, separated muscles, or internal weight.
- Flat-looking breasts may be improved with a lift, implants, fat grafting, or a combination.
- Under-eye bags can be caused by fat pads, hollowing, skin laxity, or pigmentation.
A good treatment plan should answer three questions:
- What is creating the concern?
- Which procedure best treats that cause?
- What are the trade-offs of that option?
Patients should consider trade-offs such as scars, downtime, swelling, cost, maintenance, and possible complications.
What Patients Often Worry About Before Surgery
It is common to have mixed feelings before plastic surgery. Excitement is common, but nervousness is common too. Many patients worry about safety, pain, scars, recovery, cost, and whether the outcome will look natural.
“Will I Look Natural After Surgery?”
This is one of the most common concerns. The goal for many people is to look refreshed while still looking like themselves. Natural-looking plastic surgery should respect facial features, body frame, age, and personal style.
The goal is often to improve balance, not chase perfection.
“How Long Is the Recovery?”
Recovery time depends on the procedure. Little or no downtime may be needed after many non-surgical treatments. Larger surgeries, such as tummy tuck, body lift, or mommy makeover, require more planning.
In general, recovery planning may include:
- Bruising and swelling
- Limits on activity
- Time away from work
- Follow-up appointments
- Care for scars
- Careful return to exercise
- Gradual settling before final results are seen
The body needs time to heal. Many procedures improve over weeks and months.
“Will I Have Scars?”
Any surgical cut leaves some type of scar. The goal is careful scar placement and strong scar healing.
Scar quality depends on:
- Your genetics
- Natural skin tone
- Surgical procedure type
- Incision placement
- How much tension is on the wound
- Smoking status
- Exposure to the sun
- Post-surgery aftercare
A scar often becomes less noticeable over time, but it will not vanish completely.
“How Safe Is Plastic Surgery?”
All surgical procedures carry some risk. 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:
- Your overall health
- Prescription and non-prescription medications
- Smoking, vaping, or nicotine exposure
- The procedure being done
- The surgical facility
- The anesthesia approach
- The qualifications of the surgeon
- Your post-operative care
Benefits, risks, alternatives, and realistic expectations should all be discussed during a consultation.
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.
How to Choose a Qualified Plastic Surgeon
Training and credentials should be a major part of choosing a plastic surgeon in Canada. Proper plastic surgery training includes medical training, surgical training, and specialty certification in plastic surgery.
Helpful questions include:
- Are you formally certified in the specialty of plastic surgery?
- Are you licensed to practise in this province?
- Do you perform this procedure often?
- Where will the procedure take place?
- Who will provide the anesthesia?
- What are my personal risks with this procedure?
- What happens if I have a complication?
- How often will I be seen after surgery?
- Can I see examples of similar cases?
Asking questions is not being difficult. It is about being informed.
Cosmetic Surgery Costs in Canada
Cosmetic surgery costs in Canada can vary widely. Many factors affect pricing, including procedure complexity, surgeon experience, anesthesia, facility fees, implants or devices, garments, follow-up care, and location.
Overhead and demand may increase fees in major Canadian centres such as Vancouver, Toronto, Calgary, Edmonton, Ottawa, and Montreal. Smaller markets may offer different pricing, but cost alone should not guide the decision.
A very low price may be a warning sign if safety, training, facility standards, or aftercare are being reduced.
Medical Tourism vs. Surgery in Canada
Some Canadians think about travelling outside the country for lower-cost surgery. Although this may sound appealing, extra risks should be considered.
Medical tourism concerns may include:
- Less access to follow-up care
- Flying or travelling soon after surgery
- Possible infection
- Different surgical standards
- Less access to surgical records
- Trouble getting complications treated after returning to Canada
- Communication barriers
- Revision surgery costs
Having surgery closer to home can make follow-up easier, especially if swelling, healing concerns, or complications occur.
Plastic Surgery Consultation Preparation
Your consultation is the time to understand what can be done safely and realistically. The process should feel informative, not rushed or pressured.
It helps to prepare before your consultation:
- Write down the main concerns you want to discuss.
- Take a list of all medications and supplements you use.
- Prepare to discuss your medical history.
- Be honest about smoking, vaping, cannabis use, and nicotine exposure.
- Photos may help explain your goals.
- Make sure you ask about recovery time, scars, risks, and alternatives.
- Ask what result is realistic for your own body or face.
A good consultation should clearly discuss your options. In some cases, the best recommendation is to wait, choose a smaller treatment, improve health first, or avoid surgery.
Is Plastic Surgery Right for You?
Good candidates for plastic surgery are typically healthy, informed, and realistic. They understand that surgery can improve appearance, but it cannot create perfection or solve every life concern.
Plastic surgery may be appropriate if:
- You are in good general health
- Your goals are based on a clear concern
- You are near a stable weight for body procedures
- You are nicotine-free or can stop before and after surgery
- You understand the recovery process
- You understand the risks and can accept them
- You are choosing the procedure for yourself
- Your goals are realistic
You may need to delay surgery if you are pregnant, planning major weight loss, using nicotine, managing an unstable medical condition, or feeling pressured by someone else.
Can Plastic Surgery Procedures Be Combined?
It may be safe to combine some procedures. In some cases, procedures should be separated into different surgeries. Combined surgery can reduce overall downtime, but it can also increase surgical time and recovery demands.
Common combinations include:
- Facelift and neck lift surgery
- Blepharoplasty with brow lift
- Profile balancing with rhinoplasty and chin surgery
- Combining breast lift and implants
- Tummy tuck with liposuction
- Breast and body procedures in a mommy makeover
- Combining body lift with arm or thigh surgery
- Fat grafting with facial surgery
Your health, procedure length, anesthesia, recovery support, and risk level all affect the safest plan.
Final Thoughts on Types of Plastic Surgery Procedures in Canada
In Canada, plastic surgery covers a wide range of cosmetic and reconstructive options. Some procedures improve the face, breasts, or body. Other procedures focus on repair after cancer, injury, burns, or medical conditions. Wrinkles, volume loss, skin texture, and early aging changes may also be improved with non-surgical treatments.
The best procedure is not always the procedure people ask about first. The right option should match your anatomy, goals, health, and comfort level.
The strongest treatment plan should focus on safety, natural-looking results, clear expectations, and proper follow-up care. Whether you are considering eyelid surgery, rhinoplasty, breast augmentation, tummy tuck, liposuction, facelift surgery, or reconstructive plastic surgery, the first step is learning what each option can and cannot do.