Many plastic surgery procedures are designed to support, restore, or refine the face and body. When surgery is chosen mainly to improve 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.
Canadians may look into plastic surgery for many reasons. Some patients want a more rested appearance. For others, the goal is to restore body shape after pregnancy, weight loss, or aging. Some people seek care after trauma, skin cancer, breast cancer, or a congenital concern. A safe plan should be based on your anatomy, goals, health, lifestyle, and recovery time.
This page explains the main types of plastic surgery procedures in Canada, with sections on facial surgery, breast surgery, body contouring, reconstructive surgery, and non-surgical cosmetic treatments. It also reviews what to consider before booking a consultation.
The Difference Between Cosmetic and Reconstructive Plastic Surgery
The two main types of plastic surgery are usually cosmetic surgery and reconstructive surgery.
Cosmetic Plastic Surgery in Canada
Cosmetic plastic surgery deals with appearance-related goals. These procedures are usually elective, meaning they are chosen by the patient and are not medically required.
Common goals include:
- Creating better facial balance
- Helping the face or body look more refreshed
- Changing body proportions
- Restoring fullness after weight loss, pregnancy, or aging
- Refining the nose, eyelids, ears, lips, breasts, abdomen, arms, or thighs
- Making clothing feel or fit better
- Improving self-confidence while keeping results natural-looking
In Canada, most cosmetic procedures are paid for privately. Fees are affected by factors such as the procedure, surgeon, facility, anesthesia plan, follow-up care, and city or province.
Reconstructive Plastic Surgery Procedures
In reconstructive plastic surgery, the focus is on restoring form, function, or both. It may be used after cancer surgery, trauma, burns, infections, birth differences, or medical conditions.
Common types of reconstructive surgery include:
- Breast reconstruction after removal of breast tissue
- Skin cancer reconstruction after a skin tumour is removed
- Cleft lip and palate repair
- Surgical treatment for burn-related changes
- Hand reconstruction
- Scar improvement surgery
- Wound repair
- Repair after facial trauma
- Repair of congenital differences
Provincial health plans may cover some reconstructive procedures when they are medically necessary. Changes done only for cosmetic reasons are usually not covered.
Plastic Surgery Procedures for the Face
Facial procedures may be used to improve balance, soften aging changes, and restore a rested look. For many patients, the goal is not to look like another person. The best results often look natural and balanced.
Facelift Procedure (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.
A facelift may address:
- Jawline jowls
- Lower-face loose skin
- Deeper smile lines
- Cheek tissue that has dropped
- Poor definition between the face and neck
Many modern facelift techniques focus on deeper support layers under the skin. That deeper support can help create a smoother result that lasts longer and avoids a pulled look. A facelift is often combined with a neck lift, eyelid surgery, brow lift, or facial fat grafting.
Neck Lift Procedure (Platysmaplasty)
A neck lift improves loose skin, muscle bands, and fullness under the chin. Platysmaplasty is the medical term for tightening the neck muscle.
Patients may consider a neck lift for:
- Neck bands
- Loose skin on the neck
- Soft jawline definition
- Fullness under the chin
- A neck that looks loose or heavy
Skin and muscle tightening may both be needed in certain patients. For patients with extra fat but good skin tone, liposuction under the chin may help. Because the face and neck often age together, a facelift and neck lift may be planned together.
Eyelid Surgery (Blepharoplasty)
Eyelid surgery or blepharoplasty helps refresh the eyes by removing or repositioning extra skin, fat, or tissue around the eyelids.
Common upper eyelid concerns include:
- Heavy upper eyelids
- Extra eyelid skin
- An aged or fatigued look
- Upper eyelid skin that touches the lashes
- Vision blockage in certain medical cases
Patients may choose lower eyelid surgery for:
- Visible under-eye bags
- Puffy lower eyelids
- Loose skin under the eyes
- Hollow shadows under the eyes
- A tired look that does 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.
Forehead Lift and Brow Lift Surgery
A brow lift, also known as a forehead lift, raises a low or heavy brow. It can improve the upper eye area and reduce forehead heaviness.
A brow lift may address:
- A heavy, lowered brow
- Heavy upper eyelids caused by brow descent
- Lines across the forehead
- 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. Many patients need one or the other, and some benefit from both.
Nose Surgery Procedure (Rhinoplasty)
Rhinoplasty, commonly called a nose job, changes the shape, size, or structure of the nose. It can be cosmetic, functional, or both.
Common rhinoplasty concerns include:
- A dorsal hump on the nose
- A drooping nasal tip
- A boxy nasal tip
- A crooked nose
- Nasal size or projection
- Nose asymmetry
- 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, Also Called Ear Surgery
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.
Otoplasty may help with:
- Ears that stick out
- Asymmetry between the ears
- Overdeveloped ear cartilage folds
- Ears with too much projection
- Earlobe shape concerns
Both adults and children may choose or need otoplasty. For children, the timing depends on ear growth, maturity, and family goals.
Surgical Lip Lift
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.
A lip lift may address:
- Upper lip length that looks long
- Less visible upper teeth when smiling
- A less visible upper lip
- Uneven lip balance
- Aging changes around the mouth
Lip lift surgery differs from lip filler. Filler adds volume. A lip lift changes the position and shape of the upper lip.
Chin, Jawline, and Facial Implant Surgery
Facial implants may improve balance in the chin, cheeks, or jawline. Chin surgery is often used when the chin looks small compared with the nose or other facial features.
Common facial implant procedures include:
- Implants for the chin
- Surgical cheek implants
- Surgical jawline implants
For profile balance, chin surgery and rhinoplasty may be combined in select cases.
Facial Fat Transfer
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.
Facial fat grafting may help with:
- Sunken-looking cheeks
- Hollows beneath the eyes
- Lost facial volume due to aging
- Soft tissue volume loss
- Uneven facial fullness
Fat grafting may be used alone or combined with facelift surgery, eyelid surgery, or other facial procedures.
Breast Cosmetic and Reconstructive 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 augmentation increases breast size and shape using implants or fat transfer. Implants used for breast augmentation may be saline or silicone gel. The choice of implant depends on body type, breast tissue, goals, and surgeon guidance.
Breast augmentation may address:
- Naturally smaller breast volume
- Lost breast volume following pregnancy
- Volume loss after weight change
- Breasts that do not match well
- More fullness in bras or clothing
A common concern is whether breast augmentation will look too large or unnatural. A careful plan should consider chest width, skin quality, lifestyle, and long-term maintenance.
Mastopexy, or Breast Lift Surgery
Mastopexy, commonly called a breast lift, raises and reshapes breasts that sit lower than desired. It does not primarily add volume. Its main goal is better breast position and shape.
Breast lift surgery can help improve:
- Breast sagging
- Downward-pointing nipples
- Areola stretching
- Extra breast skin
- Breast changes after pregnancy, breastfeeding, or weight loss
Some patients choose a breast lift with implants for more upper breast fullness. Other patients prefer a lift without implants for a natural result.
Breast Reduction
Extra breast tissue, fat, and skin can be removed with breast reduction to create smaller, lighter, more balanced breasts.
Patients may consider breast reduction for:
- Pain in the neck
- Shoulder discomfort
- Back discomfort
- Grooves from bra straps
- Skin rubbing beneath the breasts
- Trouble exercising
- Trouble finding clothing that fits
Breast reduction may be viewed as medically necessary in Canada in certain cases. Whether coverage applies depends on the province, symptoms, and medical assessment.
Breast Implant Revision Procedure
Breast implant revision is surgery to adjust or replace existing breast implants. This surgery may address cosmetic concerns, medical concerns, or both.
Common breast implant revision concerns include:
- Changing breast implant size
- Implant rupture
- Capsular contracture, which is firm scar tissue around an implant
- Implant shifting
- Asymmetry between the breasts
- Breast changes over time after augmentation
- Breast implant removal
Some patients choose implant removal with a lift. New implants may be chosen with a changed size, shape, or position.
Breast Reconstruction After Cancer Surgery
Breast reconstruction restores breast shape after mastectomy or lumpectomy. Implants, natural tissue, or a mix of both may be used for breast reconstruction.
Breast reconstruction options may include:
- Implant-supported breast reconstruction
- Flap-based reconstruction
- Nipple-areola reconstruction
- Fat transfer as part of reconstruction
- Breast reconstruction revision for symmetry
This can be a deeply personal choice. Some patients want reconstruction. Other people prefer to remain flat. Both paths are valid and personal.
Male Chest Reduction Surgery
Gynecomastia surgery treats enlarged breast tissue in men. It may involve liposuction, gland removal, or both.
Male breast reduction can help improve:
- Puffy nipples
- Extra tissue under the areola
- Extra chest volume
- Male chest asymmetry
- Feeling self-conscious at the beach, gym, or in fitted shirts
The best technique depends on whether the fullness is caused by fat, gland tissue, loose skin, or a mix of these.
Body Contouring Plastic Surgery Procedures
Body contouring procedures can improve shape by removing extra skin, reducing stubborn fat, or tightening tissue. Body contouring is common after changes from pregnancy, aging, or major weight loss.
Tummy Tuck Surgery, Also Called Abdominoplasty
A tummy tuck or abdominoplasty removes loose abdominal skin and tightens the abdominal wall. It can also repair separated abdominal muscles, known as diastasis recti.
A tummy tuck may help with:
- Loose skin on the abdomen
- An overhang in the lower belly
- Lower abdominal skin with stretch marks
- Separated core muscles
- Stomach changes after pregnancy or weight loss
A tummy tuck is not meant to be a weight-loss procedure. It is usually best for patients near a stable weight who want to improve abdominal shape.
Fat Reduction With Liposuction
Liposuction removes localized fat using a thin tube called a cannula. It is used for body contouring rather than general weight loss.
Patients may consider liposuction for:
- The abdomen
- Love handles or flanks
- Outer hip area
- Thigh areas
- Upper arms
- The back
- The chin and neck
- Chest
- Fat around the knees
Good skin tone is important. Loose skin may limit what liposuction alone can achieve. In that case, skin removal surgery may be needed.
Mommy Makeover
A mommy makeover combines procedures to address body changes after pregnancy, breastfeeding, or weight change. Breast and abdominal procedures are often combined in a mommy makeover.
A mommy makeover can include:
- Abdominoplasty
- Mastopexy
- Breast implants or fat transfer augmentation
- A breast reduction procedure
- Fat reduction with liposuction
- Fat transfer for volume
The name “mommy makeover” can be misleading because similar body changes can affect many patients. It is for anyone with similar body changes. The best mommy makeover plan should consider health, goals, recovery time, and whether future pregnancy is expected.
Brachioplasty, or Arm Lift Surgery
An arm lift, also known as brachioplasty, removes loose skin from the upper arms.
Patients may consider an arm lift for:
- Hanging skin under the arms
- Loose upper arm skin after weight loss
- Arm skin changes over time
- Trouble feeling comfortable in sleeveless shirts
- Skin rubbing and irritation
Arm lift surgery leaves a scar along the inner or back part of the arm. Many patients feel the improved arm contour is worth the scar, but careful discussion is important.
Inner Thigh Lift
Thigh lift surgery improves thigh contour by removing loose skin. It is often chosen after major weight loss.
Common thigh lift concerns include:
- Extra inner thigh skin
- Skin rubbing
- Pants that do not fit well
- Heaviness from extra skin
- Changes after bariatric surgery or weight loss
There are several thigh lift patterns. The right option depends on how much skin needs to be removed and where the looseness is located.
Body Contouring Lift
Body lift surgery is used to remove loose skin around the lower body. A body lift can address the abdomen, hips, outer thighs, buttocks, and lower back.
A body lift may be considered after:
- Significant weight loss
- Bariatric weight-loss surgery
- Changes in body shape after pregnancy
- Major loose skin from aging
Body lift surgery is more extensive, so recovery is usually longer. The best candidates are usually in good health and at a stable weight.
Fat Grafting to the Body
Fat transfer, also called fat grafting, moves fat from one part of the body to another. It can be used to add natural volume or improve contour.
Fat grafting may be used in areas such as:
- Breast volume
- The buttocks
- Hip volume
- The face
- Contour irregularities after injury or surgery
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.
Procedures for Skin, Scars, and Surface Concerns
Plastic surgery also includes treatments for the skin surface, scars, and soft tissue.
Scar Treatment and Revision
The look or feel of a scar may be improved with scar revision. The scar will not usually disappear, but revision may make it flatter, softer, narrower, or less noticeable.
Scar revision may help with:
- Surgical scars
- Trauma scars
- Burn scars
- Thick scars
- Scars that feel tight
- Scars that limit movement
Treatment may include surgery, copyright injections, laser treatment, silicone therapy, or a combination.
Removal of Moles, Cysts, and Skin Lesions
When careful closure is important, plastic surgeons may remove benign skin lesions, cysts, moles, and lumps. Certain lesions should be checked medically to rule out skin cancer.
Common reasons for removal include:
- A lesion that gets irritated
- Growth or change
- Bleeding or crusting
- Cosmetic reasons
- Diagnostic testing
- Relief from discomfort
Changing moles or suspicious skin lesions should be reviewed by a qualified medical professional.
Reconstruction After Skin Cancer Removal
After skin cancer removal, reconstruction may be needed to close the area and restore appearance. Skin cancer reconstruction is often needed on the face, nose, eyelids, ears, lips, scalp, and hands.
Reconstruction after skin cancer may include:
- Direct closure
- Skin grafts
- Local flaps
- Complex reconstruction
The goal is to remove the cancer safely while preserving function and appearance as much as possible.
Common Non-Surgical Cosmetic Options
Not all cosmetic concerns require surgery. Early signs of aging, facial lines, volume loss, and skin quality concerns may be improved with non-surgical cosmetic treatments. These treatments usually have less downtime, but results are more temporary.
Neuromodulator Injections
Selected facial muscles can be relaxed with BOTOX and other neuromodulators. These treatments are often used to soften expression lines.
Common areas include:
- Frown lines between the brows
- Forehead expression lines
- Crow’s feet
- Small nose wrinkles
- Chin dimpling
- Neck muscle bands in some situations
Results are temporary and usually need repeat treatments. The goal is usually a softer, rested look, not a frozen face.
Hyaluronic Acid Fillers
Dermal filler treatments are used to restore or add soft tissue volume. They are often made with hyaluronic acid, a gel-like substance that shapes and supports soft tissue.
Dermal fillers may treat:
- Lip enhancement
- Midface fullness
- Chin projection
- Jawline contour
- Hollowing under the eyes
- Deeper smile lines
- Marionette folds
Good filler planning depends on the right product, careful injection technique, facial anatomy, and clear goals. A conservative plan matters because overfilling can create an unnatural look.
Chemical Peels
A chemical peel applies a controlled solution to improve the surface layers of the skin.
Common chemical peel concerns include:
- Skin tone irregularity
- A dull complexion
- Early fine lines
- Visible sun damage
- Mild acne marks
- Uneven texture
Peel strength can range from light to deeper treatments. Recovery depends on the type of peel.
Energy-Based Aesthetic Skin Treatments
Laser and energy-based procedures can address skin tone, redness, texture, unwanted hair growth, scars, and signs of aging.
Common options may include:
- Laser skin resurfacing
- IPL, or intense pulsed light
- Radiofrequency-based treatments
- Non-surgical skin tightening
- Laser-based hair reduction
- Vascular lasers for visible redness
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 Light Skin Resurfacing
Outer skin layers can be removed with dermabrasion, a deeper resurfacing procedure. Microdermabrasion treats the surface more gently and is not as deep.
Dermabrasion and microdermabrasion may help with:
- Texture
- Light scarring
- Skin dullness
- Uneven surface
- Fine lines
The right option depends on skin quality, goals, downtime, and risk tolerance.
How Patients Can Choose the Best Procedure
A good plastic surgery plan starts by identifying the concern instead of choosing a procedure name first. Sometimes patients come in wanting one treatment, but another procedure is a better match for their anatomy.
For example:
- Heavy upper lids can be caused by extra eyelid skin, a low brow, or both.
- Jawline softness may be related to skin laxity, neck bands, fat, or chin position.
- A full abdomen can be caused by fat, loose skin, muscle separation, or internal weight.
- 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 good treatment plan should answer three questions:
- What is behind the concern?
- Which procedure treats that cause best?
- What benefits and limits come with that procedure?
Trade-offs can include scars, recovery time, swelling, cost, maintenance, and possible complications.
What Patients Often Worry About Before Surgery
Before plastic surgery, many patients feel both excited and nervous. Feeling excited and anxious at the same time is common. Patients often have questions about safety, discomfort, scarring, healing, cost, and whether results will look natural.
“Will I Still Look Like Myself?”
This is one of the most common concerns. Many people want to look refreshed, not changed. 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?”
Recovery depends on the procedure. Non-surgical options often involve minimal downtime. More extensive surgeries like tummy tuck, body lift, and mommy makeover require a more detailed recovery plan.
In general, patients should plan for:
- Temporary swelling and bruising
- Restrictions on exercise or lifting
- Time away from work
- Follow-up appointments
- Scar management
- Slow return to workouts
- A result that improves as swelling settles
Surgical healing is gradual. Results often look better as weeks and months pass.
“Can Plastic Surgery Scars Be Hidden?”
Any procedure with an incision creates a scar. A good plan places scars as carefully as possible and supports healing.
Scar appearance may be affected by:
- Genetic healing patterns
- Natural skin tone
- Surgical procedure type
- Placement of the incision
- How much tension is on the wound
- Whether you smoke
- Sun exposure
- Following aftercare instructions
Scars usually fade over time, but they do not disappear completely.
“How Safe Is Plastic Surgery?”
No surgery is completely risk-free. Risks may include bleeding, infection, poor scarring, anesthesia problems, asymmetry, delayed healing, numbness, fluid buildup, and dissatisfaction with the result.
Safety depends on many factors, including:
- General health
- Medications you take
- Smoking or nicotine use
- The planned procedure
- The accredited surgical setting
- How anesthesia is managed
- The surgeon’s skill, training, and experience
- Follow-up after surgery
A careful consultation should review benefits, risks, alternatives, and realistic expectations.
Important Plastic Surgery Information for Canadian Patients
Across Canada, plastic surgery is overseen through 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
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 should ask:
- Do you have certification in plastic surgery?
- Are you licensed to practise in this province?
- Do you perform this procedure often?
- Which surgical facility will be used?
- Who provides anesthesia?
- What complications should I understand for my situation?
- What is the plan if there is a complication?
- How many follow-up appointments are included?
- Can I review examples of similar cases?
These questions are not meant to be difficult. It is about knowing what to expect before moving forward.
Cost of Cosmetic Surgery in Canada
Cosmetic surgery costs can vary widely across Canada. Pricing depends on 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 cities may have different pricing, but cost should not be the only factor.
A very low price can be a warning sign if it means corners are being cut on safety, training, facility standards, or aftercare.
Medical Tourism vs. Surgery in Canada
Some Canadians consider travelling outside the country for lower-cost surgery. This may seem appealing, but there are extra risks to think about.
Possible concerns with surgery abroad include:
- Limited follow-up care
- Travelling before healing is complete
- Risk of infection
- Different health care standards
- Difficulty accessing medical records
- Trouble getting complications treated after returning to Canada
- Difficulty communicating clearly
- Possible costs for corrective surgery
Having surgery closer to home may make follow-up easier, especially if swelling, healing concerns, or complications occur.
Preparing for a Plastic Surgery Consultation
A plastic surgery consultation helps clarify what is possible, safe, and realistic for your case. It should not feel rushed or high-pressure.
Before a consultation, consider preparing in these ways:
- Prepare a short list of your main concerns.
- Bring a list of medications and supplements.
- Prepare to discuss your medical history.
- Share whether you smoke, vape, use cannabis, or use nicotine.
- Bring photos if they help show your goals.
- Ask questions about recovery, scars, risks, and alternatives.
- Find out what result is realistic for your anatomy.
Your consultation should include a clear review of your options. A responsible plan may involve waiting, starting with a smaller treatment, improving health, or deciding against surgery.
Is Plastic Surgery Right for You?
The best candidates for plastic surgery are often 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 generally healthy
- You have a clear concern
- Your weight is stable if you are considering body surgery
- You can follow smoking and nicotine restrictions
- You understand what recovery involves
- You accept the risks and trade-offs
- The choice is based on your own goals
- Your goals are realistic
It may be better to delay surgery if pregnancy, major weight loss plans, nicotine use, unstable health, or outside pressure are present.
Combining Plastic Surgery Procedures
Combining procedures can be appropriate in selected cases. Other procedures should be staged. Combining procedures may reduce total recovery time, but it can also increase surgical time and healing demands.
Common combined surgery plans include:
- Facelift with neck lift
- Eyelid surgery with brow lift
- Combining rhinoplasty and chin surgery
- Combining breast lift and implants
- Tummy tuck and liposuction
- Breast and body procedures in a mommy makeover
- Body lift plus thigh or arm contouring
- Facial fat grafting as part of facial surgery
A safe combined plan should consider cosmetic and plastic surgery health, surgery length, anesthesia, recovery support, and risk.
Summary of Plastic Surgery Procedures in Canada
Plastic surgery in Canada includes a wide range of cosmetic and reconstructive procedures. Certain procedures are used to 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.
A responsible approach should be built around 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.