Many plastic surgery procedures are designed to support, restore, or reshape the face and body. Cosmetic procedures are usually chosen to enhance appearance. Other procedures are reconstructive, meaning they help rebuild form or function after injury, cancer, birth differences, burns, or medical conditions.
People across Canada consider plastic surgery for many personal goals. Some people are looking for a more rested look. Some patients hope to restore their body after changes from pregnancy, weight loss, or aging. Other patients need help after trauma, skin cancer, breast cancer, or a congenital concern. The right procedure depends on your anatomy, goals, health, lifestyle, and recovery time.
Use this guide to understand the main types of plastic surgery procedures in Canada, including 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 vs. Reconstructive Plastic Surgery
The two main types of plastic surgery are usually cosmetic surgery and reconstructive surgery.
What Is Cosmetic Plastic Surgery?
Cosmetic surgery is used to improve or refine appearance. These procedures are usually elective, meaning they are chosen by the patient and are not medically required.
Cosmetic plastic surgery may be used for goals such as:
- Supporting better facial harmony
- Softening signs of aging
- Changing body proportions
- Restoring volume after weight loss or pregnancy
- Enhancing areas such as the nose, eyelids, ears, lips, breasts, abdomen, arms, or thighs
- Supporting a better fit 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
The goal of reconstructive plastic surgery is to help restore normal form and function. It may be needed after cancer surgery, trauma, burns, infections, birth differences, or medical conditions.
Common types of reconstructive surgery include:
- Breast reconstruction after a mastectomy
- Skin cancer reconstruction after a skin tumour is removed
- Cleft lip or palate repair
- Reconstruction after burns
- Hand surgery
- Scar treatment and revision
- Surgical wound repair
- Repair after facial trauma
- Congenital reconstruction
Provincial health plans may cover some reconstructive procedures when they are medically necessary. Cosmetic procedures are usually not covered.
Common Facial Plastic Surgery Options
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.” 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. This procedure may soften jowls, tighten loose facial skin, and improve deeper folds around the mouth.
Patients often consider facelift surgery for:
- Softness or jowling at the jawline
- Skin laxity in the lower face
- Deeper smile lines
- Drooping cheek tissue
- Reduced definition from the jawline into the neck
Modern facelift surgery often treats deeper support layers below the skin. This may create a smoother, longer-lasting result without a pulled appearance. Depending on the patient, a facelift may be planned with 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. When the neck muscle is tightened, the procedure is called platysmaplasty.
Common reasons for neck lift surgery include:
- Prominent neck bands
- Loose skin on the neck
- A jawline that looks less defined
- A heavy area under the chin
- A “turkey neck” appearance
Some patients benefit from both skin and muscle tightening. Some patients may only need liposuction under the chin. Since aging often affects both the face and neck, a facelift and neck lift may be done in one plan.
Upper and Lower Eyelid Surgery
Tired-looking eyes may be improved with eyelid surgery, also called blepharoplasty, by adjusting extra skin, fat, or tissue around the eyelids.
Upper eyelid surgery can address:
- Heaviness in the upper eyelids
- Extra skin on the upper eyelids
- A tired or aged look
- Skin resting on the eyelashes
- Visual field concerns in some medical situations
Lower blepharoplasty may help with:
- Under-eye bags
- Puffiness
- Extra skin below the eyes
- Dark-looking shadows under the eyes
- Eyes that still look tired after rest
Blepharoplasty is common because even subtle changes around the eyes can make the face look more rested.
Brow Lift Surgery for a Heavy Brow
A brow lift, also called a forehead lift, raises a low or heavy brow. It may improve the upper eye area and reduce forehead heaviness.
Common brow lift concerns include:
- Low or drooping eyebrows
- Heavy upper lids from brow descent
- Horizontal forehead lines
- Lines between the brows
- A heavy expression that seems tired or stern
Brow lift surgery and eyelid surgery are not the same procedure. A brow lift focuses on eyebrow position, while eyelid surgery focuses on plastic surgery extra eyelid skin. Many patients need one or the other, and some benefit from both.
Nose Surgery (Rhinoplasty)
Rhinoplasty is nose surgery that can change nasal shape, size, or structure. Depending on the patient, rhinoplasty can be cosmetic, functional, or a combination.
Rhinoplasty may address:
- A bump on the bridge
- Tip droop
- A broad or boxy tip
- Nasal crookedness
- The size or projection of the nose
- Nasal asymmetry
- Breathing issues related to structure
When breathing is a concern, surgery may include 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 (Otoplasty)
Otoplasty, commonly called ear surgery, can change the shape, position, or size of the ears. Otoplasty is often chosen for ears that stick out.
Otoplasty may address:
- Noticeably prominent ears
- Asymmetry between the ears
- Large cartilage folds in the ears
- Ears with too much projection
- Earlobe appearance concerns
Both adults and children may choose or need otoplasty. For younger patients, ear growth, maturity, and family goals help guide timing.
Lip Lift Procedure
The space between the upper lip and the nose can be shortened with a lip lift. This space is called the upper lip length. The procedure can make the upper lip look more visible without adding filler.
A lip lift may address:
- A lengthened upper lip area
- Upper teeth that show less when smiling
- Limited visible upper lip
- Uneven lip balance
- Age-related changes around the mouth
A lip lift is different from lip filler. Dermal filler increases volume. A lip lift improves the upper lip by changing its position and visible shape.
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.
Common facial implant procedures include:
- Chin augmentation implants
- Cheek implant surgery
- Jawline implants
In some cases, chin surgery may be combined with rhinoplasty because the nose and chin affect facial balance in profile view.
Fat Grafting to the Face
With facial fat grafting, fat from the patient’s own body is used to restore facial 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:
- Hollow cheeks
- Tear trough hollowing
- Age-related facial volume loss
- 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.
Breast Plastic Surgery Procedures
In Canada, breast surgery is one of the most common forms of cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery. 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 augmentation surgery uses implants or fat transfer to increase breast size and shape. Breast implants may be saline or silicone gel. Implant choice depends on body type, breast tissue, goals, and surgeon guidance.
Breast augmentation may address:
- Small natural breast size
- Less breast fullness after pregnancy
- Weight-related breast volume loss
- Breasts that do not match well
- A fuller look in clothing
A common concern is whether breast augmentation will look too large or unnatural. Chest width, skin quality, lifestyle, and long-term maintenance should all be part of the plan.
Breast Lift (Mastopexy)
A breast lift, also known as mastopexy, raises and reshapes breasts that have dropped. The main purpose is not to 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:
- Sagging breasts
- Downward-pointing nipples
- Stretched areolas
- Breast skin laxity
- 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 surgery makes the breasts smaller and lighter by removing extra breast tissue, fat, and skin.
Common breast reduction concerns include:
- Pain in the neck
- Heavy shoulder pressure
- Back strain
- Bra strap marks
- Rashes under the breasts
- Trouble exercising
- Difficulty finding clothing that fits
Breast reduction may be viewed as medically necessary in Canada in certain cases. Coverage depends on provincial rules, symptoms, and medical assessment.
Revision Breast Implant Surgery
Existing breast implants may be adjusted or replaced with breast implant revision. Patients may need it for cosmetic goals or medical concerns.
Common reasons include:
- Changing breast implant size
- A ruptured implant
- Capsular contracture, which means firm scar tissue around an implant
- An implant that has moved out of position
- Breast asymmetry
- Breast changes over time after augmentation
- Breast implant removal
A breast lift may be done when implants are removed. New implants may be chosen with a changed size, shape, or position.
Breast Reconstruction Surgery
The breast may be rebuilt after mastectomy or lumpectomy with breast reconstruction. It may use implants, natural tissue, or a combination.
The breast reconstruction process may involve:
- Breast reconstruction with implants
- Breast reconstruction with natural tissue flaps
- Rebuilding the nipple and areola
- Fat grafting for contour improvement
- Revision surgery for symmetry
Choosing reconstruction is deeply personal. For some patients, reconstruction feels right. Others choose to stay flat. Both choices are valid.
Male Breast Reduction (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:
- Puffy-looking nipples
- Extra tissue under the areola
- Fullness in the chest
- Uneven shape across the male chest
- Concern about the chest in fitted shirts, at the gym, or at the beach
The right technique depends on whether the fullness comes from fat, gland tissue, loose skin, or a combination.
Body Plastic Surgery Procedures
Body contouring surgery improves shape by removing extra skin, reducing stubborn fat, or tightening tissue. It is often considered after pregnancy, aging, or major weight loss.
Tummy Tuck Surgery, Also Called Abdominoplasty
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.
Common tummy tuck concerns include:
- Loose skin on the abdomen
- A lower stomach apron
- Stretch marks on skin below the belly button
- Abdominal muscle separation
- Changes after pregnancy or weight loss
Tummy tuck surgery is not a general weight-loss procedure. It is best for patients who are near a stable weight and want to improve abdominal shape.
Fat Reduction With Liposuction
A cannula, which is a thin tube, is used in liposuction to remove localized fat. It is used for body contouring rather than general weight loss.
Common liposuction areas include:
- Abdominal area
- Flanks, also called love handles
- Hip area
- Thigh areas
- Arm fullness
- Back
- The chin and neck
- The chest
- Inner knee area
Good skin tone is important. If the skin is loose, liposuction by itself may not be enough. When skin laxity is significant, surgery to remove skin may be a better option.
Mommy Makeover Surgery
A mommy makeover is a custom plan that treats body changes after pregnancy, breastfeeding, or weight change. Breast and abdominal procedures are often combined in a mommy makeover.
A mommy makeover may include:
- Tummy tuck surgery
- Breast lift surgery
- A breast augmentation procedure
- Breast reduction surgery
- Surgical fat removal
- Fat grafting
The name can be misleading because the procedure is not limited to mothers. The procedure can apply to anyone with similar body concerns. The best plan depends on health, goals, recovery time, and whether future pregnancy is planned.
Brachioplasty, or Arm Lift Surgery
Loose upper arm skin can be removed with an arm lift, also called brachioplasty.
Arm lift surgery can help improve:
- Hanging skin under the arms
- Extra skin after major weight loss
- Age-related changes in the arms
- Feeling uncomfortable in sleeveless tops
- Chafing from upper arm skin
A scar along the inner or back arm is the key trade-off with brachioplasty. Many patients feel the improved arm contour is worth the scar, but careful discussion is important.
Thigh Lift
Loose thigh skin can be removed with a thigh lift. Thigh lift surgery is common after significant weight loss.
Thigh lift surgery can help improve:
- Extra inner thigh skin
- Rubbing in the inner thighs
- Pants that do not fit well
- Extra skin that feels heavy
- Loose thigh skin after bariatric surgery or weight loss
Several surgical patterns are available for thigh lift surgery. How much skin needs removal and where the looseness sits will guide the best option.
Body 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.
Patients may consider a body lift after:
- Significant weight loss
- Bariatric surgery
- Changes in body shape after pregnancy
- Aging with major skin laxity
Because it is a larger surgery, recovery takes more time. The best candidates are usually in good health and at a stable weight.
Fat Transfer to the Body
Fat grafting moves fat from one area of the body to another. It may be used to add natural volume or improve contour.
Common areas for fat grafting include:
- The breasts
- Buttock contour
- Hip contour
- Facial volume
- Contour changes after surgery or injury
Although fat grafting uses your own fat, not all transferred fat will survive. Results can change over time, and more than one session may be needed.
Skin Lesion, Scar, and Surface Treatments
Plastic surgery also includes treatments for the skin surface, scars, and soft tissue.
Surgical Scar Revision
The look or feel of a scar may be improved with scar revision. It may not remove the scar completely, but it can make it less raised, tight, wide, or noticeable.
Patients may consider scar revision for:
- Post-surgical scars
- Injury-related scars
- Burn injury scars
- Thick scars
- Restrictive scars
- Scars that limit movement
Treatment may include surgery, copyright injections, laser treatment, silicone therapy, or a combination.
Removal of Moles, Cysts, and Skin Lesions
Plastic surgery may be chosen for benign skin lesions, cysts, moles, and lumps when the closure should be as careful as possible. Some moles or lesions need proper medical review to make sure skin cancer is not present.
Removal may be considered for:
- Skin irritation
- Growth
- Bleeding
- A cosmetic concern
- Medical diagnosis
- Relief from discomfort
Changing moles or suspicious skin lesions should be reviewed by a qualified medical professional.
Skin Cancer Repair and Reconstruction
After skin cancer removal, reconstruction may be needed to close the area and restore appearance. This is common on the face, nose, eyelids, ears, lips, scalp, and hands.
Skin cancer reconstruction may involve:
- Simple direct closure
- Reconstruction with 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.
Non-Surgical Cosmetic Procedures
Surgery is not needed for every patient. Early signs of aging, facial lines, volume loss, and skin quality concerns may be improved with non-surgical cosmetic treatments. Compared with surgery, non-surgical treatments often have less downtime but need maintenance.
BOTOX and Other Neuromodulators
Selected facial muscles can be relaxed with BOTOX and other neuromodulators. Neuromodulators are commonly chosen for lines caused by facial movement.
Patients may consider neuromodulators for:
- Frown lines between the brows
- Forehead lines
- Eye-area smile lines
- Nose bunny lines
- Dimpling in the chin
- Selected neck bands
Neuromodulator results are temporary, so maintenance appointments are often part of the plan. Most patients want a softer, rested look rather than a frozen face.
Facial Fillers
Dermal filler treatments are used to restore or add soft tissue volume. Many dermal fillers are made with hyaluronic acid, a gel-like substance used to shape and support soft tissue.
Fillers may treat:
- Lip enhancement
- Cheeks
- Chin contour
- The jawline
- 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 can look unnatural, so conservative planning is important.
Chemical Peel Treatments
A chemical peel uses a controlled chemical solution to improve the outer layers of skin.
Patients may consider chemical peels for:
- Uneven skin tone
- Skin dullness
- Small fine lines
- Sun-damaged skin
- Mild acne marks
- Texture concerns
The strength of a peel may be light, medium, or deeper depending on the goal. Recovery depends on peel type.
Energy-Based Aesthetic Skin Treatments
Laser and energy-based treatments can improve skin tone, redness, texture, hair growth, scars, and signs of aging.
Patients may consider options such as:
- Skin laser resurfacing
- Intense pulsed light (IPL)
- Radiofrequency skin treatments
- Skin tightening treatments
- Laser hair removal or reduction
- Laser treatment for small visible vessels
The right laser or energy treatment depends on skin type, skin tone, and the concern. This is especially important for patients with darker skin tones, where pigment changes can be a risk.
Dermabrasion vs. Microdermabrasion
Dermabrasion is a deeper skin resurfacing procedure that removes outer skin layers. Microdermabrasion is lighter and more surface-level.
Dermabrasion and microdermabrasion may help with:
- Texture
- Mild scarring
- Skin dullness
- Uneven surface
- Fine lines
The right option depends on skin quality, goals, downtime, and risk tolerance.
Choosing a Procedure That Fits Your Goals
A good plastic surgery plan starts by identifying the concern instead of choosing a procedure name first. Many patients come in asking for one treatment, then learn that another option better matches their anatomy.
Examples include:
- 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.
- Fat, loose skin, muscle separation, or internal weight may cause abdominal fullness.
- A flat breast shape may be treated with a breast lift, breast augmentation, fat grafting, or a combined plan.
- Under-eye bags may be caused by fat pads, hollowing, skin laxity, or pigmentation.
A strong treatment plan should answer three questions:
- What anatomy is causing the issue?
- Which procedure treats that cause best?
- What trade-offs should be expected with that choice?
Those trade-offs may include scars, downtime, swelling, cost, maintenance, and possible complications.
Plastic Surgery Fears and Questions
Before plastic surgery, many patients feel both excited and nervous. Feeling excited and anxious at the same time is common. Many patients worry about safety, pain, scars, recovery, cost, and whether the outcome will look natural.
“Will Plastic Surgery Change My Face Too Much?”
This is one of the most common patient concerns. The goal for many people is to look refreshed while still looking like themselves. A natural result should match your facial features, body frame, age, and personal style.
The goal is often to improve balance, not chase perfection.
“How Long Is the Recovery?”
Recovery depends on the procedure. Non-surgical options often involve minimal downtime. A tummy tuck, body lift, or mommy makeover is more involved and needs more planning.
Plastic surgery recovery often involves:
- Bruising and swelling
- Temporary activity restrictions
- Time away from work
- Follow-up visits
- Care for scars
- Gradual return to exercise
- A result that improves as swelling settles
Healing takes time. For many procedures, results continue to refine over weeks and months.
“How Noticeable Will Scars Be?”
Any surgery that uses an incision creates a scar. The goal is careful scar placement and strong scar healing.
Scar appearance may be affected by:
- How your body naturally scars
- Your skin tone
- The kind of surgery performed
- Incision placement
- Pulling on the healing incision
- Whether you smoke
- Exposure to the sun
- Aftercare
Scars usually fade over time, but they do not disappear completely.
“Is Plastic Surgery Safe?”
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 depends on many factors, including:
- Your overall health
- Prescription and non-prescription medications
- Smoking or nicotine use
- The procedure selected
- The surgery facility
- The planned anesthesia
- The surgeon’s skill, training, and experience
- Your aftercare and follow-up
Benefits, risks, alternatives, and realistic expectations should all be discussed during a consultation.
What Canadians Should Know About Plastic Surgery
Plastic surgery in Canada is guided by 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
Training and credentials should be a major part of choosing a plastic surgeon in Canada. A plastic surgeon should have medical training, surgical training, and certification in the specialty of plastic surgery.
Patients may want to ask:
- Are you formally certified in the specialty of 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 will provide the anesthesia?
- Which risks are most relevant to me?
- What happens if I have a complication?
- How many follow-up appointments are included?
- Can I review examples of similar cases?
This is not about being demanding. It is about being informed.
Plastic Surgery Costs in Canada
Fees for cosmetic plastic surgery in Canada can differ greatly. Procedure complexity, surgeon experience, anesthesia, facility fees, implants or devices, garments, follow-up care, and location can all affect price.
Fees may be higher in major Canadian cities such as Vancouver, Toronto, Calgary, Edmonton, Ottawa, and Montreal due to overhead and demand. Smaller cities may have different pricing, but cost should not be the only factor.
If a very low price means less attention to safety, training, facility standards, or aftercare, it can be a warning sign.
Medical Tourism for Plastic Surgery
Some patients in Canada consider medical tourism to save money on surgery. Although this may sound appealing, extra risks should be considered.
Concerns with medical tourism may include:
- Reduced follow-up access
- Travel during early recovery
- Possible infection
- Different facility or safety standards
- Hard-to-get records
- Complications that are harder to manage back in Canada
- Communication barriers
- Revision surgery costs
When surgery is done closer to home, follow-up may be easier if concerns or complications occur.
Plastic Surgery Consultation Preparation
Your consultation is the time to understand what can be done safely and realistically. You should not feel rushed or pressured during the consultation.
It helps to prepare before your consultation:
- Prepare a short list of your main concerns.
- Take a list of all medications and supplements you use.
- Share your health and medical history honestly.
- Be honest about smoking, vaping, cannabis, and nicotine use.
- If photos make your goals clearer, bring them to the consultation.
- Discuss recovery, scarring, risks, and other options.
- Ask what can realistically be achieved for your face or body.
A strong consultation includes clear discussion of treatment options. The right advice may be to delay surgery, choose a smaller treatment, improve health first, or avoid surgery.
Good Candidates for Plastic Surgery
Good candidates for plastic surgery are usually healthy, informed, and realistic. They understand that surgery can improve appearance, but it cannot create perfection or solve every life concern.
You may be a good candidate if:
- You have good general health
- You know what concern you want to address
- You are at a stable weight for body contouring
- You are nicotine-free or can stop before and after surgery
- You are prepared for the recovery process
- You accept the risks and trade-offs
- The choice is based on your own goals
- You have realistic goals
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.
Combined Plastic Surgery Procedures
Combining procedures can be appropriate in selected cases. Others should be staged. Combined surgery can reduce overall downtime, but it can also increase surgical time and recovery demands.
Common combined surgery plans include:
- A facelift with a neck lift
- Combining eyelid surgery and brow lift
- Rhinoplasty with chin surgery
- Breast lift plus volume enhancement
- Abdominoplasty with liposuction
- A customized mommy makeover
- Combining body lift with arm or thigh surgery
- Combining facial rejuvenation and fat grafting
The safest plan depends on your health, procedure length, anesthesia, recovery support, and risk level.
Summary of Plastic Surgery Procedures in Canada
Across Canada, plastic surgery includes many procedures for cosmetic and reconstructive needs. Certain procedures are used to improve the face, breasts, or body. Other procedures focus on repair after cancer, injury, burns, or medical conditions. Non-surgical treatments may also help with wrinkles, volume loss, skin texture, and early aging changes.
The best procedure is not always the procedure people ask about first. A good procedure choice fits the patient’s 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.