Plastic surgery includes many treatments that can reshape, restore, or improve the face and body. Some procedures are cosmetic, which means they are chosen to refine appearance. Others are reconstructive, which means they help repair form or function after injury, cancer, birth differences, burns, or medical conditions.
There are many concerns why people in Canada search for plastic surgery. Many patients simply want to look more refreshed. 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 reviews what to consider 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 Surgery
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:
- Creating better facial balance
- Helping the face or body look more refreshed
- Improving body contours
- Restoring fullness after weight loss, pregnancy, or aging
- Addressing concerns with 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 surgery procedures in Canada are private-pay services. Pricing may change based on procedure complexity, surgeon experience, facility costs, anesthesia, follow-up care, and location.
Reconstructive Plastic Surgery
Reconstructive plastic surgery is focused on restoring form and function. Reconstructive procedures may be recommended after cancer surgery, trauma, burns, infections, birth differences, or medical conditions.
Common reconstructive procedures include:
- Breast reconstruction after a mastectomy
- Skin cancer reconstruction after removal of a tumour
- Cleft lip and palate reconstruction
- Burn injury reconstruction
- Surgery for hand function or repair
- Scar revision
- Wound reconstruction
- Repair after facial trauma
- Repair of congenital differences
In Canada, some medically necessary reconstructive procedures may be covered by provincial health plans. Cosmetic changes are usually not covered.
Types of Facial Plastic Surgery
Facial plastic surgery can improve facial balance, soften signs of aging, and restore a refreshed look. For many patients, the goal is not to look like another person. Good facial plastic surgery should often look natural and balanced.
Facelift Surgery, Also Called Rhytidectomy
A facelift, also known as rhytidectomy, improves sagging in the lower face and jawline. It may help with jowls, loose facial skin, and deeper folds around the mouth.
A facelift may address:
- Jowls along the jawline
- Loose lower facial skin
- Deeper folds around the mouth
- Sagging cheek tissue
- Poor definition between the face and neck
Modern facelift surgery often focuses on deeper support layers under the skin. This can create a smoother, longer-lasting result without a pulled look. A facelift can be part of a larger facial rejuvenation plan that includes a neck lift, eyelid surgery, brow lift, or facial fat grafting.
Platysmaplasty and Neck Lift Surgery
Loose skin, muscle bands, and fullness under the chin may be improved with a neck lift. The medical term for tightening the neck muscle is platysmaplasty.
Patients may consider a neck lift for:
- Visible neck bands
- Neck skin laxity
- A jawline that looks less defined
- Under-chin fullness
- A “turkey neck” appearance
Some patients benefit from both skin and muscle tightening. For patients with extra fat but good skin tone, liposuction under the chin may help. In many cases, the face and neck age together, so a facelift and neck lift may be planned at the same time.
Eyelid Surgery (Blepharoplasty)
Eyelid surgery, also called blepharoplasty, improves tired-looking eyes by removing or adjusting extra skin, fat, or tissue around the eyelids.
Patients may choose upper eyelid surgery for:
- Heaviness in the upper eyelids
- Loose upper eyelid skin
- A tired-looking or aged appearance
- Skin that sits on the eyelashes
- Functional vision concerns in some patients
Lower blepharoplasty may help with:
- Visible under-eye bags
- Under-eye swelling or fullness
- Lower eyelid skin laxity
- Dark-looking shadows under the eyes
- A fatigued look that remains after sleep
Because small changes around the eyes can refresh the whole face, eyelid surgery is one of the most common facial procedures.
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.
A brow lift may address:
- A heavy, lowered brow
- Heavy upper eyelids caused by brow descent
- Forehead lines
- Frown lines in the glabella area
- A tired, sad, or stern expression
A brow lift is different from eyelid surgery. Eyelid surgery treats extra eyelid skin, while a brow lift treats the position of the eyebrows. Depending on anatomy, a patient may need one procedure, the other, or both.
Nose Surgery (Rhinoplasty)
Rhinoplasty, commonly called a nose job, changes the shape, size, or structure of the nose. The procedure can address cosmetic goals, functional concerns, or both.
Nose surgery can address concerns such as:
- A bump along the bridge of the nose
- A downward-pointing nasal tip
- A boxy nasal tip
- A nose that looks crooked
- Overall nose size or projection
- An uneven-looking nose
- Breathing issues related to structure
If breathing is part of the problem, the septum, which is the wall between the nostrils, may need treatment. This part of surgery is called septoplasty. A cosmetic rhinoplasty is done for appearance, while functional nasal surgery is done to improve airflow.
Cosmetic 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.
Patients may consider otoplasty for:
- Ears that stick out
- Uneven ear shape or position
- Ear folds that look large
- Ears that stand out from the head
- Earlobe shape concerns
This procedure is common for adults and children. For children, timing depends on ear growth, maturity, and family goals.
Lip Lift Surgery
Lip lift surgery shortens the area between the upper lip and the base of the nose. This space is called the upper lip length. A lip lift can improve upper lip show without adding dermal filler.
A lip lift may help with:
- A long upper lip
- Less visible upper teeth when smiling
- An upper lip that looks thin
- Poor lip balance
- Aging in the lip and mouth area
A lip lift is different from lip filler. Lip filler adds volume. A lip lift changes the position and shape of the upper lip.
Chin, Cheek, and Jawline Implants
Implants can be used to improve facial balance in the chin, cheeks, or jawline. Chin surgery can improve facial profile balance when the chin looks small compared with the nose or other features.
Common facial implant procedures include:
- Chin implant surgery
- 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.
Facial Fat Grafting
With facial fat grafting, fat from the patient’s own body is used to restore facial volume. Fat is usually taken from areas such as the abdomen or thighs, processed, and placed into the face.
Common facial fat grafting concerns include:
- Hollows in the cheeks
- Under-eye hollowing
- Volume changes caused by aging
- Soft tissue thinning
- Uneven facial fullness
Fat grafting may be used alone or combined with facelift surgery, eyelid surgery, or other facial procedures.
Plastic Surgery Procedures for the Breasts
Many patients in Canada consider breast surgery for cosmetic or reconstructive reasons. Breast plastic surgery can address volume, size, position, symmetry, and reconstruction 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 filled with 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
- Breast volume loss 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. Chest width, skin quality, lifestyle, and long-term maintenance should all be part of the plan.
Breast Lift (Mastopexy)
A breast lift or mastopexy improves breast position and shape when the breasts have dropped. It does not mainly add volume. A breast lift is designed to improve where the breasts sit and how they are shaped.
Common breast lift concerns include:
- Sagging breasts
- Nipple descent
- Stretched nipple-areola areas
- Breast skin laxity
- Changes after pregnancy, breastfeeding, or weight loss
Some patients choose a breast lift with implants for more upper breast fullness. Some patients choose a breast lift without implants for a more natural result.
Breast Reduction Procedure
Breast reduction removes excess breast tissue, fat, and skin to make the breasts smaller, lighter, and more balanced.
Common breast reduction concerns include:
- Pain in the neck
- Shoulder pain
- Back pain
- Indentations from bra straps
- Irritated skin under the breasts
- Trouble exercising
- Trouble finding clothing that fits
In certain Canadian cases, breast reduction may qualify as medically necessary. Coverage depends on provincial requirements, symptoms, and medical assessment.
Breast Implant Revision
Breast implant revision is surgery to adjust or replace existing breast implants. Patients may need it for cosmetic goals or medical concerns.
Common reasons for breast implant revision include:
- A change in preferred implant size
- A ruptured implant
- Firm scar tissue around an implant, called capsular contracture
- Implant position changes
- Breast asymmetry
- Age-related changes after breast augmentation
- A desire for implant removal
Some patients choose to remove implants and have a lift. Other patients choose new implants with a different size, shape, or placement.
Breast Reconstruction Procedure
Breast reconstruction rebuilds the breast after mastectomy or lumpectomy. The procedure may be done with implants, natural tissue, or a combined approach.
Types of breast reconstruction may include:
- Implant breast reconstruction
- Reconstruction using tissue flaps
- Reconstruction of the nipple and areola
- Fat transfer to the breast
- Revision surgery to improve symmetry
Choosing reconstruction is deeply personal. Some people prefer to have reconstruction. Some patients decide not to rebuild the breast and remain flat. Both options are valid.
Gynecomastia Surgery for Male Breast Reduction
Gynecomastia surgery treats enlarged breast tissue in men. Liposuction, gland removal, or a combination may be used.
Patients may consider gynecomastia surgery for:
- Fullness around the nipples
- Extra tissue under the areola
- Chest tissue fullness
- An uneven male chest shape
- Self-consciousness at the beach, gym, or in fitted shirts
Treatment choice depends on whether fat, gland tissue, loose skin, or a mix of these is causing the fullness.
Plastic Surgery Procedures for Body Shape
Body contouring focuses on improving shape through skin removal, fat reduction, or tissue tightening. Body contouring is common after changes from pregnancy, aging, or major weight loss.
Abdominoplasty for Abdominal Contouring
Abdominoplasty, commonly called a tummy tuck, removes extra abdominal skin and tightens the abdominal wall. A tummy tuck may include repair of separated abdominal muscles, known as diastasis recti.
Tummy tuck surgery can help improve:
- Abdominal skin laxity
- A lower belly overhang
- Lower abdominal skin with stretch marks
- Separated core muscles
- Abdominal changes after pregnancy or weight loss
A tummy tuck should not be viewed as weight-loss surgery. A tummy tuck is most suitable for patients at a stable weight who want a flatter, better-shaped abdomen.
Fat Reduction With Liposuction
Liposuction surgery uses a thin tube called a cannula to remove localized fat. It is used for body contouring rather than general weight loss.
Liposuction may be used on areas such as:
- Stomach area
- Side waist areas, often called love handles
- Hip contours
- Thighs
- Upper arm contours
- Back rolls
- Under the chin and neck
- Male or female chest area
- The knees
Good skin tone matters. When loose skin is present, liposuction alone may not create the desired contour. In those cases, skin removal surgery may be needed.
Mommy Makeover Procedure
A mommy makeover is a custom plan that treats body changes after pregnancy, breastfeeding, or weight change. It often includes both breast and abdominal procedures.
Common mommy makeover procedures include:
- Abdominoplasty
- Breast lift surgery
- Breast implants or fat transfer augmentation
- Reduction mammoplasty
- Body contouring with liposuction
- Body fat grafting
The name “mommy makeover” can be misleading because similar body changes can affect many patients. It is for anyone with similar body changes. The right plan depends on health, goals, recovery time, and whether future pregnancy is planned.
Upper Arm Lift Procedure
Brachioplasty, commonly called an arm lift, removes extra skin from the upper arms.
An arm lift may help with:
- Hanging upper arm skin
- Skin laxity after weight loss
- Aging-related arm laxity
- Feeling uncomfortable in sleeveless tops
- Skin rubbing and irritation
The main 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 Contouring Surgery
Loose thigh skin can be removed with a thigh lift. It is often considered after major weight loss.
Patients may consider a thigh lift for:
- Inner thigh skin laxity
- Chafing from loose thigh skin
- Pants that do not fit well
- Extra skin that feels heavy
- Changes after bariatric surgery or major weight loss
Several surgical patterns are available for thigh lift surgery. The right option depends on how much skin needs to be removed and where the looseness is located.
Body Contouring Lift
A body lift removes extra loose skin around the lower body. Body lift surgery can reshape the abdomen, hips, outer thighs, buttocks, and lower back.
A body lift may be considered after:
- Large weight loss
- Post-bariatric body changes
- Changes in body shape after pregnancy
- Major loose skin from aging
This is a more involved surgery with a longer recovery. Before a body lift, patients should be healthy overall and close to a stable weight.
Fat Transfer to the Body
Fat transfer, also called fat grafting, moves fat from one part of the body to another. It may be used to add natural volume or improve contour.
Common areas for fat grafting include:
- Breast shape
- Buttock shape
- The hips
- Face
- Uneven contours after surgery or injury
Fat grafting uses your own tissue, but some transferred fat may not survive. The result can shift over time, and some patients may need more than one session.
Skin, Scar, and Surface Procedures
Plastic surgeons may also treat scars, skin surface concerns, and soft tissue issues.
Scar Revision Surgery
Scar revision improves the look or feel of a scar. Scar revision cannot guarantee an erased scar, but it may make the scar less raised, tight, wide, or visible.
Scar revision surgery can help improve:
- Scarring after surgery
- Scarring after an injury
- Scars from burns
- Thickened scars
- Scars that limit comfort
- Scars that affect range of motion
Treatment may include surgery, copyright injections, laser treatment, silicone therapy, or a combination.
Removal of Moles, Cysts, and Skin Lesions
Plastic surgeons often remove benign skin lesions, cysts, moles, and lumps when careful closure matters. Some moles or lesions need proper medical review to make sure skin cancer is not present.
Patients may seek removal for:
- Skin irritation
- Noticeable growth
- Bleeding from the lesion
- Appearance concerns
- Pathology or diagnosis
- Comfort
A qualified medical professional should assess any changing mole or suspicious skin lesion.
Reconstruction After Skin Cancer Removal
After skin cancer removal, reconstruction may be needed to close the area and restore appearance. Cosmetic North This is common in areas such as the face, nose, eyelids, ears, lips, scalp, and hands.
Skin cancer reconstruction can involve:
- Direct surgical closure
- Skin graft reconstruction
- A local flap
- Complex reconstruction
The aim is to remove the cancer safely and preserve function and appearance as much as possible.
Common Non-Surgical Cosmetic Options
Surgery is not needed for every patient. Non-surgical cosmetic treatments may help with early signs of aging, facial lines, volume loss, and skin quality. Most non-surgical treatments have less downtime, but the results do not last as long as surgery.
BOTOX Cosmetic Treatments
Neuromodulators such as BOTOX reduce movement in selected facial muscles. These treatments are often used to soften expression lines.
BOTOX and neuromodulators may treat:
- Frown lines
- Forehead expression lines
- Lines at the outer corners of the eyes
- Expression lines on the nose
- Peau d’orange chin texture
- Neck muscle bands in some situations
Results are temporary and usually require repeat treatments. The goal is usually a softer, rested look, not a frozen face.
Dermal Filler Treatments
Dermal fillers restore or add volume. They are often made with hyaluronic acid, a gel-like substance used to shape and support soft tissue.
Common filler areas include:
- Lip enhancement
- Cheeks
- The chin
- Jawline
- Under-eye hollowing
- Deeper smile lines
- Mouth-corner lines
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.
Skin Peels
The outer layers of skin can be improved with a chemical peel using a controlled solution.
Chemical peels may address:
- Uneven skin tone
- Tired-looking skin
- Fine surface lines
- Skin changes from sun exposure
- Mild acne marks
- Surface texture issues
The strength of a peel may be light, medium, or deeper depending on the goal. Downtime depends on how strong the peel is.
Energy-Based Aesthetic Skin Treatments
Laser and energy-based procedures can address skin tone, redness, texture, unwanted hair growth, scars, and signs of aging.
Patients may consider options such as:
- Skin laser resurfacing
- Intense pulsed light (IPL)
- Radiofrequency treatments
- Skin tightening treatments
- Laser treatment for unwanted hair
- Vascular laser for redness or broken 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.
Microdermabrasion and Dermabrasion Treatments
Outer skin layers can be removed with dermabrasion, a deeper resurfacing procedure. Microdermabrasion treats the surface more gently and is not as deep.
Common concerns include:
- Uneven texture
- Surface-level scars
- Dullness
- Rough or uneven skin
- Early fine lines
The right choice depends on skin quality, goals, downtime, and risk tolerance.
Choosing the Right Plastic Surgery Procedure
Choosing the right procedure begins with the concern, not the procedure name. A patient may request one procedure, then find out that a different option fits their anatomy better.
For example:
- Heavy upper lids can be caused by extra eyelid skin, a low brow, or both.
- A soft jawline may be caused by loose skin, neck bands, fat, or chin position.
- 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.
- A baggy under-eye look may be related to fat, hollowing, loose skin, or skin colour changes.
The best plan usually starts with three questions:
- What anatomy is causing the issue?
- Which treatment is most likely to correct the cause?
- What trade-offs should be expected with that choice?
Every procedure has trade-offs, which 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. It is normal to worry about safety, pain, scars, recovery, cost, and natural-looking results.
“Will I Look Natural After Surgery?”
This concern comes up often. Most people want to look like a refreshed version of themselves, not like someone else. Good plastic surgery should respect the patient’s natural features, body frame, age, and style.
The goal is usually to improve balance, not chase perfection.
“What Is the Recovery Like?”
Healing time is different for every procedure. Non-surgical treatments may need little or no downtime. Larger surgeries, such as tummy tuck, body lift, or mommy makeover, need more planning.
Most patients should prepare for:
- Bruising and swelling
- Restrictions on exercise or lifting
- Time away from work
- Post-operative follow-up visits
- Scar healing support
- A staged return to physical activity
- Gradual settling before final results are seen
Healing takes time. The appearance often improves over time as swelling settles.
“Will There Be Scars?”
Any surgical cut leaves some type of scar. The goal is careful scar placement and strong scar healing.
Scar healing depends on:
- Family scar tendencies
- Your skin tone
- Procedure type
- Scar location
- How much tension is on the wound
- Smoking or nicotine use
- Sun protection during healing
- Scar aftercare
Most scars fade with time, but they do not fully disappear.
“What Are the Risks of Plastic Surgery?”
All surgery has risk. Complications can include bleeding, infection, poor scarring, anesthesia problems, asymmetry, delayed healing, numbness, fluid buildup, or disappointment with the result.
Safety depends on many factors, including:
- Your health
- Your current medications
- Whether you smoke or use nicotine
- The planned procedure
- The surgery facility
- The anesthesia plan
- The training and experience of the surgeon
- Your follow-up care
Benefits, risks, alternatives, and realistic expectations should all be discussed during a consultation.
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
When researching plastic surgery in Canada, look for proper training and credentials. A plastic surgeon should have medical training, surgical training, and certification in the specialty of plastic surgery.
Before choosing a surgeon, patients can ask:
- Do you have certification in plastic surgery?
- Are you licensed to practise in this province?
- How often do you perform this procedure?
- Where would my surgery be done?
- Who provides anesthesia?
- What are the risks for my specific case?
- What happens if a complication occurs?
- What does post-operative follow-up include?
- Can I see examples of similar cases?
This is not about being difficult. It is about understanding your options.
Cosmetic Surgery Costs 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.
Overhead and demand may increase fees in major Canadian centres such as Vancouver, Toronto, Calgary, Edmonton, Ottawa, and Montreal. Pricing may be different in smaller cities, but the lowest cost should not be the main deciding factor.
A very low price may be a warning sign if safety, training, facility standards, or aftercare are being reduced.
Choosing Surgery in Canada vs. Abroad
Travelling abroad for lower-cost plastic surgery is something some Canadians consider. Although this may sound appealing, extra risks should be considered.
Concerns with medical tourism may include:
- Limited post-surgery follow-up
- Travelling before healing is complete
- Infection risk
- Different medical standards
- Challenges getting procedure records
- Challenges managing post-surgery problems in Canada
- Language barriers
- Cost of revision surgery
Having surgery closer to home may make follow-up easier, especially if swelling, healing concerns, or complications occur.
What to Bring to a Plastic Surgery Consultation
During a consultation, you can learn what is possible, what is safe, and what results are realistic. You should not feel rushed or pressured during the consultation.
Before the visit, preparation can help:
- List your main concerns before the visit.
- Bring a list of medications and supplements.
- Share your health and medical history honestly.
- Tell the truth about smoking, vaping, cannabis, and nicotine use.
- If photos make your goals clearer, bring them to the consultation.
- Make sure you ask about recovery time, scars, risks, and alternatives.
- 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.
Good Candidates for Plastic Surgery
Good candidates for plastic surgery are usually healthy, informed, and realistic. A good candidate understands that surgery may improve appearance, but it cannot create perfection or fix every life problem.
Plastic surgery may be appropriate if:
- Your overall health is good
- You can explain a clear concern
- You are at a stable weight for body contouring
- You do not smoke or can stop before and after surgery
- You know what to expect during recovery
- You understand the risks and can accept them
- You are not doing it because of pressure from another person
- You have reasonable expectations
It may be better to delay surgery if pregnancy, major weight loss plans, nicotine use, unstable health, or outside pressure are present.
Planning More Than One Plastic Surgery Procedure
Some procedures may be combined safely. Others should be staged. Combined surgery can reduce overall downtime, but it can also increase surgical time and recovery demands.
Common procedure combinations include:
- A facelift with a neck lift
- Blepharoplasty with brow lift
- Nose surgery with chin surgery
- Mastopexy with augmentation
- Abdominal contouring with tummy tuck and liposuction
- Mommy makeover surgery combinations
- Body lift with thigh lift or arm lift
- Combining facial rejuvenation and fat grafting
A safe combined plan should consider health, surgery length, anesthesia, recovery support, and risk.
Final Thoughts on Types of Plastic Surgery Procedures in Canada
Across Canada, plastic surgery includes many procedures for cosmetic and reconstructive needs. Some procedures improve the face, breasts, or body. Reconstructive options may 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.
The most popular procedure is not always the best fit. The best plan is based on anatomy, goals, health, and personal comfort.
Every plastic surgery plan should put safety, natural-looking results, clear expectations, and proper follow-up care first. 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.