Types of Plastic Surgery Procedures in Canada

Plastic surgery is a broad field with surgical options that can refine, rebuild, or adjust areas of the face and body. Some procedures are cosmetic, which means they are chosen to refine appearance. When plastic surgery helps restore form or function after injury, cancer, birth differences, burns, or medical conditions, it is called reconstructive surgery.

Canadians may look into plastic surgery for many goals. For some people, the goal is to look more balanced. Some want to restore their body after pregnancy, weight loss, or aging. Some people seek care 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. The guide also explains important points to review before booking a consultation.

Cosmetic Plastic Surgery vs. Reconstructive Plastic Surgery

Plastic surgery is commonly divided into two main categories, cosmetic surgery and reconstructive surgery.

Cosmetic Plastic Surgery in Canada

Cosmetic plastic surgery focuses on appearance. These procedures are usually elective, which means they are planned by choice and are not medically required.

Common cosmetic goals may include:

Refining facial balance
Softening signs of aging
Improving body contours
Restoring fullness after weight loss, pregnancy, or aging
Changing the shape of the nose, eyelids, ears, lips, breasts, abdomen, arms, or thighs
Helping patients feel better in clothing
Helping confidence through natural-looking improvements

Most cosmetic procedures in Canada are paid for privately. Costs may vary based on the procedure, surgeon, surgical facility, anesthesia, follow-up care, and location.

What Is Reconstructive Plastic Surgery?

Reconstructive plastic surgery is focused on restoring form and function. It may be used after cancer surgery, trauma, burns, infections, birth differences, or medical conditions.

Reconstructive plastic surgery may include:

Breast reconstruction after removal of breast tissue
Skin cancer reconstruction after tumour removal
Cleft lip and palate reconstruction
Burn injury reconstruction
Hand repair surgery
Surgical scar revision
Surgical wound repair
Facial injury reconstruction
Congenital reconstruction

Provincial health plans may cover some reconstructive procedures when they are medically necessary. Procedures done only to improve appearance are usually not covered.

Facial Cosmetic Surgery Procedures

Facial plastic surgery can improve facial balance, soften signs of aging, and restore a refreshed look. Most patients do not want to look “different.” The best results often look natural and balanced.

Facelift Surgery (Rhytidectomy)

A facelift, also known as rhytidectomy, improves sagging in the lower face and jawline. A facelift can address jowls, loose facial skin, and deeper folds around the mouth.

Patients often consider facelift surgery for:

Softness or jowling at the jawline
Loose lower facial skin
Deeper smile lines
Lowered cheek tissue
Loss of definition between the face and neck

Today, facelift surgery often works on deeper support layers below the skin. By supporting deeper tissues, the result may look smoother, more natural, and longer-lasting. Depending on the patient, a facelift may be planned with a neck lift, eyelid surgery, brow lift, or facial fat grafting.

Neck Lift Surgery for Jawline and Neck Definition

Neck lift surgery may treat loose skin, visible muscle bands, and fullness below the chin. The medical term for tightening the neck muscle is platysmaplasty.

A neck lift may address:

Vertical neck bands
Loose skin on the neck
A soft or undefined jawline
Under-chin fullness
A “turkey neck” appearance

For some people, both the skin and neck muscle need tightening. Under-chin liposuction may be helpful for certain patients. 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

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:

A weighted upper eyelid look
Redundant upper eyelid skin
A tired or aged look
Skin that sits on the eyelashes
Vision concerns in some medical cases

Patients may choose lower eyelid surgery for:

Bags under the eyes
Puffy lower eyelids
Loose lower eyelid skin
Shadowing under the eyes
Tired-looking eyes that do 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 (Forehead Lift)

Brow lift surgery, or a forehead lift, is used to raise a low or heavy brow. It may improve the upper eye area and reduce forehead heaviness.

Brow lift surgery can improve:

Brow descent
Heavy upper lids from brow descent
Forehead lines
Lines between the brows
An expression that looks tired, sad, or stern

A brow lift is different from eyelid surgery. The eyelids and brows are different structures, so eyelid surgery treats extra eyelid skin and a brow lift treats brow position. A consultation can help decide whether eyelid surgery, a brow lift, or both is the better fit.

Cosmetic and Functional Rhinoplasty

Rhinoplasty, often called a nose job, changes the shape, size, or structure of the nose. It may be cosmetic, functional, or both.

Nose surgery can address concerns such as:

A raised bridge bump
A nasal tip that droops
A boxy nasal tip
A crooked nasal shape
Nasal size or projection
Uneven nasal shape
Structural breathing concerns

Structural breathing issues may require work on the septum, the wall between the nostrils. The medical term for septum surgery is septoplasty. A cosmetic rhinoplasty changes appearance, while functional nasal surgery focuses on airflow.

Otoplasty for Prominent Ears

Otoplasty, commonly called ear surgery, can change the shape, position, or size of the ears. It is often used to correct ears that stick out.

Ear surgery can help improve:

Ears that stick out
Uneven ears
Large ear cartilage folds
Ears that stand out from the head
Stretched or uneven earlobes

This procedure is common for adults and children. For children, timing depends on ear growth, maturity, and family goals.

Lip Lift Procedure

A lip lift shortens the space between the upper lip and the nose. Clinically, this measurement is often called the upper lip length. The procedure may make the upper Cosmetic North lip look more visible without adding filler.

Lip lift surgery can help improve:

A lengthened upper lip area
Upper teeth that show less when smiling
An upper lip that looks thin
Lip imbalance
Age-related changes around the mouth

A surgical lip lift and lip filler are different treatments. Dermal filler increases volume. A lip lift changes upper lip position and shape.

Chin, Jawline, and Facial Implant Surgery

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.

Facial implant surgery may include:

Implants for the chin
Surgical cheek implants
Implants for the jawline

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 transfer restores volume using a patient’s own fat. Fat is usually removed from areas such as the abdomen or thighs, processed, and placed into the face.

Common facial fat grafting concerns include:

Hollow cheeks
Hollows beneath the eyes
Volume loss after aging
Soft tissue volume loss
Facial volume imbalance

Fat grafting can be used alone or 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. Breast plastic surgery can address volume, size, position, symmetry, and reconstruction after cancer surgery.

Breast Enlargement Surgery

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.

Patients may consider breast augmentation for:

Breasts that are naturally small
Breast volume loss after pregnancy
Less breast fullness after weight change
Breasts that do not match well
Desire for more fullness in clothing

A common concern is whether breast augmentation will look too large or unnatural. A natural-looking plan should consider chest width, skin quality, lifestyle, and long-term maintenance.

Breast Lift Surgery, Also Called Mastopexy

A breast lift or mastopexy improves breast position and shape when the breasts 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.

Common breast lift concerns include:

Lower breast position
Downward-pointing nipples
Stretched nipple-areola areas
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. Other patients prefer a lift without implants for a natural result.

Breast Reduction

Breast reduction surgery makes the breasts smaller and lighter by removing extra breast tissue, fat, and skin.

Common breast reduction concerns include:

Neck strain
Shoulder discomfort
Pain in the back
Shoulder grooves from bra straps
Skin rubbing beneath the breasts
Problems staying active
Trouble finding clothing that fits

Some breast reduction procedures in Canada may be considered medically necessary. Health plan coverage is based on provincial rules, patient symptoms, and medical assessment.

Breast Implant Replacement or Removal

Existing breast implants may be adjusted or replaced with breast implant revision. It may be done for cosmetic reasons or medical concerns.

Patients may consider revision for:

Wanting smaller or larger implants
Breast implant rupture
Firm scar tissue around an implant, called capsular contracture
Implant shifting
Uneven breast appearance
Breast changes over time after augmentation
No longer wanting breast implants

Some patients benefit from implant removal together with a breast lift. Some patients replace their 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 involve:

Implant-based reconstruction
Tissue flap reconstruction
Nipple and areola reconstruction
Fat transfer to the breast
Surgery to refine breast symmetry

Breast reconstruction is a very personal decision. Some patients want reconstruction. Others choose to stay flat. Both options are valid.

Male Chest Reduction Surgery

Enlarged male breast tissue may be treated with gynecomastia surgery. It may involve liposuction, gland removal, or both.

Patients may consider gynecomastia surgery for:

A puffy nipple appearance
Extra tissue under the areola
A fuller male chest
Male chest asymmetry
Self-consciousness at the beach, gym, or in fitted shirts

The right technique depends on whether the fullness comes from fat, gland tissue, loose skin, or a combination.

Body Plastic Surgery Procedures

Body contouring procedures can improve shape by removing extra skin, reducing stubborn fat, or tightening tissue. Pregnancy, aging, and major weight loss are common reasons people consider body contouring.

Tummy Tuck Procedure

A tummy tuck, also known as abdominoplasty, removes extra abdominal skin and tightens the abdominal wall. It can also repair separated abdominal muscles, known as diastasis recti.

Tummy tuck surgery can help improve:

Loose abdominal skin
A hanging lower abdomen
Stretch-marked lower belly skin
Separated core muscles
Abdominal changes after pregnancy or weight loss

A tummy tuck is not a weight-loss procedure. Patients usually do best when they are close to a stable weight and want to improve abdominal shape.

Liposuction

Liposuction surgery uses a thin tube called a cannula to remove localized fat. It is used for body contouring, not general weight loss.

Liposuction may treat:

Abdominal area
Side waist areas, often called love handles
Hips
The thighs
Upper arm contours
Back contour areas
Chin and neck
Chest area
Fat around the knees

Good skin tone is important. When loose skin is present, liposuction alone may not create the desired contour. Skin removal surgery may be needed if loose skin is the main concern.

Mommy Makeover Procedure

A mommy makeover combines procedures to address body changes after pregnancy, breastfeeding, or weight change. This plan often brings together breast surgery and abdominal contouring.

A mommy makeover can include:

Tummy tuck
Mastopexy
A breast augmentation procedure
Breast reduction
Body contouring with liposuction
Fat transfer

The name “mommy makeover” can be misleading because similar body changes can affect many patients. The procedure can apply to anyone with similar body concerns. The best mommy makeover plan should consider health, goals, recovery time, and whether future pregnancy is expected.

Arm Lift for Loose Upper Arm Skin

Brachioplasty, commonly called an arm lift, removes extra skin from the upper arms.

Common arm lift concerns include:

Upper arm skin that hangs
Extra skin after major weight loss
Aging changes in the arms
Difficulty wearing sleeveless tops
Skin rubbing and irritation

The trade-off is 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 Surgery

A thigh lift is used to remove loose skin and improve thigh shape. Many patients choose it after major weight loss.

A thigh lift may help with:

Extra inner thigh skin
Thigh skin rubbing
Trouble with pants fit
Thigh heaviness caused by extra skin
Changes after bariatric surgery or major weight loss

Thigh lift surgery can be done with different patterns. The right option depends on how much skin needs to be removed and where the looseness is located.

Lower Body Lift

Loose skin around the lower body can be removed with a body lift. Body lift surgery can reshape the abdomen, hips, outer thighs, buttocks, and lower back.

A body lift may be chosen after:

Large weight loss
Weight-loss surgery
Changes in body shape after pregnancy
Age-related skin laxity

This is a more involved surgery with a longer recovery. A stable weight and good overall health are important before body lift surgery.

Fat Grafting 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 treatment areas include:

Breast shape
Buttock shape
The hips
Facial contour
Contour irregularities after injury or surgery

Fat grafting uses your own tissue, but some transferred fat may not survive. Fat grafting results can evolve, so repeat treatment may be needed for some patients.

Plastic Surgery for Skin and Scars

Beyond face, breast, and body surgery, plastic surgery may include skin, scar, and soft tissue procedures.

Scar Treatment and 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.

Patients may consider scar revision for:

Surgery-related scars
Scars from injury
Scarring after burns
Thick scars
Scars that limit comfort
Movement-limiting scars

Treatment may include surgery, copyright injections, laser treatment, silicone therapy, or a combination.

Plastic Surgery for 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. Certain lesions should be checked medically to rule out skin cancer.

Patients may seek removal for:

Irritation
Growth or change
Bleeding
Appearance concerns
Diagnostic testing
Improved comfort

Changing moles or suspicious skin lesions should be reviewed by a qualified medical professional.

Plastic Surgery After Skin Cancer

After skin cancer removal, reconstruction may be needed to close the area and restore appearance. Common areas include the face, nose, eyelids, ears, lips, scalp, and hands.

A skin cancer reconstruction plan may use:

Closing the area directly
Reconstruction with a skin graft
Reconstruction with local flaps
A more complex repair

The aim is to remove the cancer safely and preserve function and appearance as much as possible.

Injectable and Skin Treatments

Surgery is not needed for every patient. 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.

BOTOX and Neuromodulators

Neuromodulators such as BOTOX reduce movement in selected facial muscles. These treatments are often used to soften expression lines.

Patients may consider neuromodulators for:

Frown lines between the brows
Forehead lines
Eye-area smile lines
Bunny lines on the nose
Chin dimpling
Neck bands in some cases

Results are temporary and usually require repeat treatments. The goal is usually a softer, rested look, not a frozen face.

Injectable Dermal Fillers

Dermal fillers may improve facial volume and contour. They are often made with hyaluronic acid, a gel-like substance that shapes and supports soft tissue.

Common filler areas include:

Lip enhancement
Midface fullness
Chin projection
Jawline definition
Hollows beneath the eyes
Smile line folds
Mouth-corner lines

Filler results depend on product choice, injection technique, facial anatomy, and treatment goals. Overfilling can 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.

Chemical peel treatments can help improve:

Uneven colour
A dull complexion
Mild lines
Visible sun damage
Mild acne marks
Surface texture issues

Chemical peels can range from light treatments to deeper treatments. The type of peel affects recovery time.

Energy-Based Aesthetic Skin Treatments

Skin tone, redness, texture, hair growth, scars, and aging changes may be treated with laser and energy-based treatments.

Common examples include:

Laser skin resurfacing
IPL, or intense pulsed light
RF skin treatments
Skin tightening treatments
Hair reduction with laser
Laser treatment for redness and broken 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

Outer skin layers can be removed with dermabrasion, a deeper resurfacing procedure. Microdermabrasion is lighter and more surface-level.

These treatments may help with:

Skin texture
Mild scarring
A dull complexion
An uneven skin surface
Small fine lines

The right option depends on skin quality, goals, downtime, and risk tolerance.

Choosing the Right Plastic Surgery Procedure

The best place to start is the concern itself, not the name of a procedure. Many patients come in asking for one treatment, then learn that another option better matches their anatomy.

Common examples include:

A heavy upper eyelid look may come from extra eyelid skin, brow descent, 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 need 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 behind the concern?
What procedure addresses the cause most directly?
What must be accepted with that option?

Every procedure has trade-offs, which may include scars, downtime, swelling, cost, maintenance, and possible complications.

Common Patient Concerns Before Plastic Surgery

It is common to have mixed feelings before plastic surgery. It is normal to feel excited and nervous at the same time. Patients often have questions about safety, discomfort, scarring, healing, cost, and whether results will look natural.

“Will I Look Refreshed or Different?”

This is a very common worry. The goal for many people is to look refreshed while still looking like themselves. Plastic surgery that looks natural should fit the patient’s facial features, body frame, age, and personal style.

The goal is often to improve balance, not chase perfection.

“How Long Is the Recovery?”

Downtime varies by procedure. Non-surgical treatments may require little or no downtime. A tummy tuck, body lift, or mommy makeover is more involved and needs more planning.

Patients should usually expect:

Temporary swelling and bruising
Limits on activity
Time away from work
Surgical follow-up care
Scar care
A gradual return to exercise
Results that take time to settle

Healing takes time. For many procedures, results continue to refine over weeks and months.

“Will I Have Scars?”

Any procedure with an incision creates a scar. The goal is not scar-free surgery, but careful scar placement and good healing.

Scar healing depends on:

Your genetics
Skin tone
Which procedure is done
Placement of the incision
Pulling on the healing incision
Smoking and vaping status
UV exposure
How the scar is cared for

Most scars fade with time, but they do not fully disappear.

“How Safe Is Plastic Surgery?”

Every operation has possible risks. Complications can include bleeding, infection, poor scarring, anesthesia problems, asymmetry, delayed healing, numbness, fluid buildup, or disappointment with the result.

Safety is influenced by:

Your medical condition
Medication use
Smoking, vaping, or nicotine exposure
The procedure being done
The accredited surgical setting
The type of anesthesia
The training and experience of the surgeon
Care after the procedure

Benefits, risks, alternatives, and realistic expectations should all be discussed during a consultation.

Important Plastic Surgery Information for Canadian Patients

In Canada, plastic surgery is regulated through medical licensing, provincial colleges, hospitals, surgical facilities, and professional standards. It is important to understand the difference between marketing language and recognized medical training.

Finding a Qualified Plastic Surgeon

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 the specialty of plastic surgery.

Patients may want to ask:

Do you have certification in plastic surgery?
Are you licensed to practise in this province?
How much experience do you have with this procedure?
Where will the procedure take place?
Who will provide the anesthesia?
What complications should I understand for my situation?
Who do I contact if I have a complication?
How many follow-up visits are included?
Can I see results from similar cases?

Asking questions is not being difficult. It is about knowing what to expect before moving forward.

Cosmetic Surgery Costs in Canada

Plastic surgery pricing in Canada varies 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. Costs may vary in smaller Canadian cities, but price should not outweigh safety, training, and follow-up care.

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 Canadians think about travelling outside the country for lower-cost surgery. This may seem appealing, but there are added risks to consider.

Possible concerns with surgery abroad include:

Reduced follow-up access
Travel during early recovery
Risk of infection
Different surgical standards
Less access to surgical records
Difficulty managing complications back in Canada
Difficulty communicating clearly
Unexpected revision costs

Having surgery closer to home can make follow-up easier, especially if swelling, healing concerns, or complications occur.

What to Bring to a Plastic Surgery Consultation

Your consultation is the time to understand what can be done safely and realistically. The process should feel informative, not rushed or pressured.

You can prepare for the visit by doing the following:

Write down the main concerns you want to discuss.
Bring a list of your medications and supplements.
Tell the surgeon about your medical history.
Do not hide smoking, vaping, cannabis, or nicotine use.
Bring photos if they help show your goals.
Make sure you ask about recovery time, scars, risks, and alternatives.
Ask what result is realistic for your body or face.

A good consultation should clearly discuss your options. Sometimes the best advice is to wait, choose a smaller treatment, improve health first, or avoid surgery altogether.

Plastic Surgery Candidate Guidelines

The best candidates for plastic surgery are often 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:

You are in good general health
You know what concern you want to address
You are near a stable weight for body procedures
You do not smoke, or you can stop before and after surgery
You understand the recovery process
You accept the risks, scars, and trade-offs
Your decision is for you, not someone else
You have realistic goals

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.

Procedure Combinations in Plastic Surgery

It may be safe to combine some procedures. Other surgeries may need to be done in stages. Combining procedures may reduce total recovery time, but it can also increase surgical time and healing demands.

Common procedure combinations include:

Combining facelift and neck lift
Eyelid surgery with brow lift
Rhinoplasty with chin surgery
Mastopexy with augmentation
Abdominoplasty with liposuction
Mommy makeover procedures
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.

Understanding Your Plastic Surgery Options in Canada

Across Canada, plastic surgery includes many procedures for cosmetic and reconstructive needs. Some options are designed to refine facial, breast, or body shape. Others repair tissue after cancer, injury, burns, or medical conditions. Injectable and skin treatments may help with wrinkles, volume loss, texture concerns, and early signs of aging.

A trending procedure is not always the right procedure. The best choice is the one that fits your anatomy, goals, health, and comfort level.

A good plan should focus on safety, natural-looking results, clear expectations, and proper follow-up care. If you are considering eyelid surgery, rhinoplasty, breast augmentation, tummy tuck, liposuction, facelift surgery, or reconstructive plastic surgery, start by learning what each option can and cannot do.