Across Canada, plastic surgery includes several major types of procedures that can change, restore, or improve the face and body. Some procedures are cosmetic, which means they are chosen to improve appearance. Other procedures are reconstructive, meaning they help restore form or function after injury, cancer, birth differences, burns, or medical conditions.
Plastic surgery searches in Canada often come from many different needs. For some people, the goal is to look more rested. 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.
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 vs. Reconstructive Plastic Surgery
In general, plastic surgery is grouped into cosmetic surgery and reconstructive surgery.
What Is Cosmetic Plastic Surgery?
Cosmetic plastic surgery is focused on appearance. Because cosmetic surgery is usually elective, it is planned by choice and is not normally medically required.
Common goals include:
- Creating a more balanced face
- Reducing age-related changes
- Creating a more balanced body shape
- Improving volume changes after weight loss or pregnancy
- Changing the shape of the nose, eyelids, ears, lips, breasts, abdomen, arms, or thighs
- Helping clothing fit better
- Supporting confidence with natural-looking changes
Most cosmetic procedures in Canada are paid for privately. Pricing may change based on procedure complexity, surgeon experience, facility costs, anesthesia, follow-up care, and location.
Reconstructive Plastic Surgery in Canada
Reconstructive surgery helps repair or restore form and function. Patients may need reconstructive surgery 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 skin cancer excision
- Cleft lip and palate surgery
- Burn injury reconstruction
- Hand surgery
- Scar improvement surgery
- Wound repair
- Facial trauma reconstruction
- Surgery for congenital differences
When reconstructive procedures are medically necessary, some may be covered by a provincial health plan. Purely cosmetic changes are usually paid for privately.
Plastic Surgery Procedures for the Face
Facial plastic surgery may improve facial balance, soften signs of aging, and help restore a refreshed look. The goal is often not to look “different.” The most pleasing results are often natural-looking and balanced.
Facelift Surgery, Also Called Rhytidectomy
A facelift, also known as rhytidectomy, improves sagging in the lower face and jawline. Patients may choose facelift surgery for jowls, loose facial skin, and deeper folds near the mouth.
Common facelift concerns include:
- Jowls along the jawline
- Sagging skin in the lower face
- Deep smile lines
- Sagging cheek tissue
- Poor definition between the face and neck
Modern facelift surgery often treats deeper support layers below the skin. This approach may help produce a smoother, longer-lasting result without making the face look pulled. Many patients combine facelift surgery with a neck lift, eyelid surgery, brow lift, or facial fat grafting.
Neck Lift Surgery, Also Called Platysmaplasty
A neck lift is used to improve neck skin laxity, muscle bands, and under-chin fullness. Tightening the neck muscle may be described medically as platysmaplasty.
Common reasons for neck lift surgery include:
- Prominent neck bands
- Loose neck skin
- An undefined jawline
- Fullness below the chin
- A “turkey neck” look
For some people, both the skin and neck muscle need tightening. For patients with extra fat but good skin tone, liposuction under the chin may help. Since aging often affects both the face and neck, a facelift and neck lift may be done in one plan.
Eyelid Surgery (Blepharoplasty)
Eyelid surgery, also known as 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
- Extra eyelid skin
- A more tired or older eye appearance
- Extra skin that sits against the eyelashes
- Vision concerns in some medical cases
Patients may choose lower eyelid surgery for:
- Under-eye bags
- Lower eyelid puffiness
- Extra lower eyelid skin
- Shadowing 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, Also Called 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.
Common brow lift concerns include:
- Brow descent
- A heavy upper eyelid look caused by brow position
- Forehead wrinkles
- Vertical lines between the brows
- A heavy expression that seems tired or stern
A brow lift should not be confused with eyelid surgery. The eyelids and brows are different structures, so eyelid surgery treats extra eyelid skin and a brow lift treats brow position. 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. It may be cosmetic, functional, or both.
Patients may consider rhinoplasty for:
- A raised bridge bump
- A downward-pointing nasal tip
- Tip width or boxiness
- Nasal crookedness
- Nasal size or projection
- Uneven nasal shape
- Nasal breathing concerns linked to anatomy
For patients with breathing concerns, rhinoplasty may include work on the septum, which separates the nostrils. This is called septoplasty. A cosmetic rhinoplasty changes appearance, while functional nasal surgery focuses on airflow.
Ear Surgery Procedure (Otoplasty)
Ear surgery or otoplasty is used to adjust ear shape, position, or size. Otoplasty is often chosen for ears that stick out.
Otoplasty may address:
- Ears that stick out
- Uneven ears
- Large cartilage folds in the ears
- Ears positioned far from the head
- Stretched or uneven earlobes
This procedure is performed for both adults and children. For children, timing depends on ear growth, maturity, and family goals.
Lip Lift Procedure
The space between the upper lip and the nose can be shortened with a lip lift. This area is known as the upper lip length. By changing lip position, a lip lift can make the upper lip more visible without adding volume with filler.
Patients may consider a lip lift for:
- A long space between the nose and upper lip
- Limited upper tooth show when smiling
- A thin-looking upper lip
- Poor balance between the upper and lower lips
- Aging in the lip and mouth area
A lip lift is not the same as lip filler. Dermal filler increases volume. Lip lift surgery adjusts the position and shape of the upper lip.
Facial Implants for Balance
Facial implants may improve balance in the chin, cheeks, or jawline. Chin surgery may be used when the chin looks small compared with the nose or other facial features.
Facial implant options may include:
- Chin implants
- Implants for the cheeks
- Jawline implant surgery
Because the nose and chin affect how the face looks from the side, chin surgery may sometimes be combined with rhinoplasty.
Facial Fat Transfer
A patient’s own fat can be used in facial fat grafting to restore volume. The fat is often taken from the abdomen or thighs, prepared, and then placed into the face.
Fat grafting to the face can help improve:
- Loss of cheek fullness
- Tear trough hollowing
- Facial volume loss from aging
- Soft tissue thinning
- Imbalance in facial volume
Fat grafting may be used alone or combined with facelift surgery, eyelid surgery, or other facial procedures.
Plastic Surgery Procedures for the Breasts
Breast surgery is among the most common areas of cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery in Canada. Patients may want to increase breast volume, reduce breast size, lift the breasts, improve symmetry, or restore the breast after cancer surgery.
Breast Implants and Fat Transfer Augmentation
Breast augmentation increases breast size and shape using implants or fat transfer. Breast implants may be saline or silicone gel. Choosing an implant depends on the patient’s body type, breast tissue, goals, and guidance from the surgeon.
Common breast augmentation goals include:
- Small natural breast size
- Volume loss after pregnancy
- Less breast fullness after weight change
- Breast size or shape imbalance
- A fuller look in clothing
Patients often worry about looking too large or unnatural. A careful plan should consider chest width, skin quality, lifestyle, and long-term maintenance.
Mastopexy, or Breast Lift Surgery
A breast lift, also called mastopexy, raises and reshapes breasts that have dropped. The main purpose is not to add volume. Instead, it improves breast position and shape.
A breast lift may address:
- Lower breast position
- Nipples that sit low or point down
- Enlarged or stretched areolas
- Loose skin on the breasts
- Changes after pregnancy, breastfeeding, or weight loss
A lift and implants may be combined to improve position and add upper breast fullness. For a natural result without added implant volume, some patients choose a breast lift alone.
Reduction Mammoplasty
Breast reduction removes extra breast tissue, fat, and skin to make the breasts smaller, lighter, and more balanced.
Breast reduction may help with:
- Neck strain
- Shoulder pain
- Back pain
- Grooves from bra straps
- Skin rubbing beneath the breasts
- Limited comfort during physical activity
- Trouble finding clothing that fits
In Canada, breast reduction may be considered medically necessary in some cases. Provincial rules, symptoms, and medical assessment all affect coverage.
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.
Breast implant revision may be needed for:
- Wanting smaller or larger implants
- An implant that has ruptured
- Firm scar tissue around an implant, called capsular contracture
- Implant shifting
- Breast size or shape imbalance
- Breast changes over time after augmentation
- Breast implant removal
Some patients choose to remove implants and have a lift. Some patients replace their implants with a different size, shape, or placement.
Breast Reconstruction Surgery
Breast reconstruction restores breast shape after mastectomy or lumpectomy. The procedure may be done with implants, natural tissue, or a combined approach.
Breast reconstruction may involve:
- Implant-based reconstruction
- Reconstruction using tissue flaps
- Nipple-areola reconstruction
- Fat transfer to the breast
- Surgery to refine breast symmetry
Choosing reconstruction is deeply personal. Many patients want breast reconstruction. Others choose to stay flat. Either choice can be valid.
Male Chest Reduction Surgery
Gynecomastia surgery is used to reduce enlarged male breast tissue. It may involve liposuction, gland removal, or both.
Common gynecomastia concerns include:
- Puffy-looking nipples
- Fullness under the areola
- Extra chest volume
- An uneven male chest shape
- Feeling self-conscious at the beach, gym, or in fitted shirts
A surgeon chooses the technique based on whether the chest fullness is due to fat, gland tissue, loose skin, or more than one factor.
Common Body Contouring Options
Body contouring focuses on improving shape through skin removal, fat reduction, or tissue tightening. It is often considered after pregnancy, aging, or major weight loss.
Abdominoplasty, or Tummy Tuck Surgery
A tummy tuck or abdominoplasty removes loose abdominal skin and tightens the abdominal wall. A tummy tuck may include repair of separated abdominal muscles, known as diastasis recti.
A tummy tuck may help with:
- Extra abdominal skin
- A hanging lower abdomen
- Stretch-marked skin under the belly button
- Separated core muscles
- Body changes from 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.
Liposuction Surgery
Liposuction removes localized fat with a thin tube called a cannula. Liposuction is not a weight-loss method, it is a contouring procedure.
Common liposuction areas include:
- Belly area
- Love handles or flanks
- Hip contours
- Inner or outer thighs
- The upper arms
- Back
- Chin-neck contour
- Male or female chest area
- Fat around the knees
Good skin tone matters. If the skin is loose, liposuction alone may not be enough. Skin removal surgery may be needed if loose skin is the main concern.
Mommy Makeover Procedure
Body changes after pregnancy, breastfeeding, or weight change may be treated with a custom mommy makeover plan. A mommy makeover commonly includes surgery for the breasts and abdomen.
Mommy makeover options may include:
- Abdominal contouring with tummy tuck
- A breast lift procedure
- A breast augmentation procedure
- Breast reduction surgery
- Liposuction
- Fat grafting
Although the name suggests otherwise, the procedure is not only for 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.
Arm Lift for Loose Upper Arm Skin
Brachioplasty, commonly called an arm lift, removes extra skin from the upper arms.
An arm lift may help with:
- Loose hanging skin on the upper arms
- Skin laxity after weight loss
- Arm skin changes over time
- Difficulty wearing sleeveless tops
- Chafing from upper arm skin
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.
Thigh Lift Procedure
A thigh lift removes loose skin from the thighs. It is often chosen after major weight loss.
A thigh lift may help with:
- Loose inner thigh skin
- Rubbing in the inner thighs
- Trouble with pants fit
- A heavy feeling from extra skin
- Post-weight-loss or post-bariatric thigh changes
Different thigh lift incision patterns may be used. The best thigh lift pattern depends on skin amount and the location of the looseness.
Body Lift After Weight Loss
A body lift improves lower-body contour by removing excess skin. Body lift surgery can reshape the abdomen, hips, outer thighs, buttocks, and lower back.
Common reasons for body lift surgery include:
- Significant weight loss
- Surgery for weight loss
- Pregnancy-related skin looseness
- Aging with major skin laxity
Body lift surgery is more extensive, so recovery is usually longer. A stable weight and good overall health are important before body lift surgery.
Fat Transfer to the Body
With fat grafting, fat is removed from one area and placed in another. This procedure may improve contour or add volume using the patient’s own fat.
Fat grafting may be used in areas such as:
- Breast volume
- The buttocks
- Hips
- Facial contour
- Surface irregularities after surgery or injury
Fat grafting uses your own tissue, but not all transferred fat survives. 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.
Surgical Scar Revision
A scar that is raised, tight, wide, or noticeable may be improved with scar revision. It may not remove the scar completely, but it can make it less raised, tight, wide, or noticeable.
Scar revision may help with:
- Post-surgical scars
- Injury scars
- Burn injury scars
- Bulky scars
- Restrictive scars
- Scars that affect range of motion
Scar treatment can include surgery, copyright injections, laser treatment, silicone therapy, or several methods together.
Plastic Surgery for Moles, Cysts, and Skin Lesions
Benign skin lesions, cysts, moles, and lumps may be removed by plastic surgeons when a precise closure is needed. Some lesions need medical assessment to rule out skin cancer.
Removal may be done for:
- Irritation
- Growth or change
- A lesion that bleeds
- Concern about how it looks
- Pathology or diagnosis
- Comfort
A qualified medical professional should assess any changing mole or suspicious skin lesion.
Plastic Surgery After Skin Cancer
When skin cancer is removed, plastic surgery reconstruction may help close the area and restore appearance. This is common on the face, nose, eyelids, ears, lips, scalp, and hands.
Skin cancer reconstruction can involve:
- A direct closure
- Reconstruction with a skin graft
- Moving nearby tissue with a local flap
- Advanced reconstructive techniques
The goal is to remove the cancer safely while preserving function and appearance as much as possible.
Non-Surgical Cosmetic Procedures
Not every patient needs surgery. Non-surgical options can address early aging changes, facial lines, lost volume, and skin quality. Non-surgical care often means less recovery time, but the results are usually temporary.
Neuromodulator Injections
BOTOX and other neuromodulators relax selected facial muscles. They are commonly used for expression lines.
Common neuromodulator treatment areas include:
- Glabellar frown lines
- Horizontal forehead lines
- Lines at the outer corners of the eyes
- Bunny lines on the nose
- A dimpled chin appearance
- Mild neck bands in certain cases
Because results are temporary, repeat treatments are usually needed. Treatment should often create a softer, more rested look instead of a frozen appearance.
Dermal Filler Treatments
Volume can be restored or added with dermal fillers. They are often made with hyaluronic acid, a gel-like substance that shapes and supports soft tissue.
Common filler areas include:
- Lip shape
- Cheek contour
- Chin
- Jawline contour
- Tear trough hollowing
- Smile line folds
- Lines below the corners of the mouth
Filler results depend on product choice, injection technique, facial anatomy, and treatment goals. To avoid an overfilled look, filler treatment should be planned carefully and conservatively.
Chemical Peels
A chemical peel uses a controlled cosmetic plastic surgery treatments solution to improve the outer layers of skin.
Chemical peel treatments can help improve:
- Skin tone irregularity
- A dull complexion
- Fine surface lines
- Visible sun damage
- Acne-related marks
- Surface texture issues
The strength of a peel may be light, medium, or deeper depending on the goal. Recovery depends on the type of peel.
Laser Skin Treatments and Energy-Based Procedures
Laser and energy-based treatments may improve skin tone, redness, texture, hair growth, scars, and signs of aging.
Patients may consider options such as:
- Skin laser resurfacing
- Photofacial treatment with IPL
- RF skin treatments
- Skin tightening treatments
- Laser-based hair reduction
- Laser treatment for small visible vessels
These treatments should be matched to the patient’s skin type, skin tone, and concern. Patients with darker skin tones need careful treatment planning because pigment changes can be a concern.
Dermabrasion and Light Skin Resurfacing
Dermabrasion removes outer skin layers as a deeper resurfacing treatment. Microdermabrasion is lighter and more surface-level.
Dermabrasion and microdermabrasion may help with:
- Rough texture
- Mild scarring
- Tired-looking skin
- An uneven skin surface
- Small fine lines
The right option depends on skin quality, goals, downtime, and risk tolerance.
How to Choose the Right Plastic Surgery Procedure
The best place to start is the concern itself, not the name of a procedure. A patient may request one procedure, then find out that a different option fits their anatomy better.
Common examples include:
- Extra eyelid skin, a low brow, or both may cause heavy upper lids.
- Jawline softness may be related to skin laxity, neck bands, fat, or chin position.
- 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.
- A baggy under-eye look may be related to fat, hollowing, loose skin, or skin colour changes.
A strong treatment plan should answer three questions:
- What anatomy is causing the issue?
- Which option is the best match for that cause?
- What trade-offs come with that option?
Patients should consider trade-offs such as scars, downtime, swelling, cost, maintenance, and possible complications.
Patient Concerns Before Plastic Surgery
It is common to have mixed feelings before plastic surgery. Feeling excited and anxious at the same time is common. It is normal to worry about safety, pain, scars, recovery, cost, and whether the result will look natural.
“Will the Result Still Look Like Me?”
This is a very common worry. The goal for many people is to look refreshed while still looking like themselves. Natural-looking plastic surgery should respect your facial features, body frame, age, and personal style.
For many patients, the goal is better balance, not a perfect or unrealistic look.
“How Much Downtime Will I Need?”
Recovery time depends on the procedure. Non-surgical options often involve minimal downtime. Procedures such as tummy tuck, body lift, or mommy makeover usually need more recovery planning.
Plastic surgery recovery often involves:
- Bruising and swelling
- Limits on activity
- Time off work
- Surgical follow-up care
- Scar care
- Slow return to workouts
- Gradual settling before final results are seen
The body needs time to heal. Many procedures improve over weeks and months.
“Will There Be Scars?”
Surgery that involves an incision will create a scar. A good plan places scars as carefully as possible and supports healing.
Scar healing depends on:
- How your body naturally scars
- Skin colour and tone
- The kind of surgery performed
- Where the incision is placed
- How much tension is on the wound
- Smoking or nicotine use
- How much sun the scar gets
- Following aftercare instructions
Scars tend to soften and fade, but they usually remain to some degree.
“What Are the Risks of Plastic Surgery?”
No surgery is completely risk-free. 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 overall health
- Prescription and non-prescription medications
- Use of tobacco or nicotine
- The planned procedure
- The surgery facility
- The type of anesthesia
- Surgeon training and experience
- Care after the procedure
A careful consultation should include benefits, risks, alternatives, and realistic expectations.
Canadian Plastic Surgery Considerations
Canadian plastic surgery is regulated through medical licensing, provincial colleges, hospital systems, surgical facilities, and professional standards. It is important to understand the difference between marketing language and recognized medical training.
Choosing a Qualified Plastic Surgeon
Proper training and credentials matter when researching plastic surgery in Canada. The surgeon should have medical training, surgical training, and certification in the specialty of plastic surgery.
Before choosing a surgeon, patients can ask:
- Are you certified as a plastic surgeon?
- Are you licensed to perform surgery in this province?
- Do you commonly perform this type of surgery?
- Which surgical facility will be used?
- Who will provide the anesthesia?
- What risks apply to my specific case?
- What is the plan if there is a complication?
- How often will I be seen after surgery?
- Can I see examples of similar cases?
This is not about being difficult. It is about making an informed choice.
Cost of Cosmetic Surgery 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 due to overhead and demand. Pricing may be different in smaller cities, but the lowest cost should not be the main deciding factor.
If a very low price means less attention to safety, training, facility standards, or aftercare, it can be a warning sign.
Surgery Abroad vs. Plastic 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.
Patients should think about medical tourism concerns such as:
- Limited follow-up care
- Long travel after surgery
- Higher concern about infection
- Different medical standards
- Difficulty accessing medical records
- Challenges managing post-surgery problems in Canada
- Language or translation issues
- Revision surgery costs
Having surgery closer to home can make follow-up easier, especially if swelling, healing concerns, or complications occur.
Getting Ready for a Plastic Surgery Consultation
Your consultation is the time to understand what can be done safely and realistically. A consultation should not feel rushed or pressured.
Before your visit, it helps to prepare:
- List your main concerns before the visit.
- Bring a list of medications and supplements.
- Tell the surgeon about your medical history.
- Share whether you smoke, vape, use cannabis, or use nicotine.
- If photos make your goals clearer, bring them to the consultation.
- Review recovery, scars, risks, and alternative treatments.
- Ask what result is realistic for your body or face.
A helpful consultation should explain your options clearly. Sometimes the best advice is to wait, choose a smaller treatment, improve health first, or avoid surgery altogether.
Is Plastic Surgery Right for You?
Plastic surgery candidates should usually be healthy, informed, and realistic. Plastic surgery can improve appearance, but good candidates know it cannot create perfection or solve every concern.
Plastic surgery may be appropriate if:
- You are medically well enough for surgery
- Your goals are based on a clear concern
- Your weight has been stable before body surgery
- You do not smoke or can stop before and after surgery
- You understand healing takes time
- You accept the risks, scars, and trade-offs
- You want 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.
Can Plastic Surgery Procedures Be Combined?
Some procedures can be combined safely. Other procedures should be staged. A combined plan may save recovery time, but it also needs careful planning because surgery time and healing demands may increase.
Common procedure combinations include:
- Combining facelift and neck lift
- Blepharoplasty with brow lift
- Nose surgery with chin surgery
- Breast lift with augmentation
- Tummy tuck and liposuction
- A customized mommy makeover
- Body lift with thigh or arm contouring
- 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 on Types of Plastic Surgery Procedures 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. 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 most popular procedure is not always the best fit. It is the one that fits 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. 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.