Many plastic surgery procedures are designed to enhance, rebuild, or change the face and body. Some procedures are cosmetic, which means they are chosen to refine appearance. Other procedures are reconstructive, meaning they help rebuild form or function after injury, cancer, birth differences, burns, or medical conditions.
There are many goals why people in Canada search for plastic surgery. Many patients simply want to look more like themselves. Some patients hope to restore their body after changes from pregnancy, weight loss, or aging. Some people seek care after trauma, skin cancer, breast cancer, or a congenital concern. The best procedure depends on your anatomy, goals, health, lifestyle, and available recovery time.
Below, you will find a clear overview of the main types of plastic surgery procedures in Canada, from facial surgery and breast surgery to body contouring, reconstructive surgery, and non-surgical cosmetic treatments. It also explains what to think about before booking a consultation.
Cosmetic and Reconstructive Plastic Surgery
The two main types of plastic surgery are usually 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 reasons for cosmetic plastic surgery include:
- Refining facial balance
- Softening signs of aging
- Improving body contours
- Restoring volume after weight loss or pregnancy
- Enhancing areas such as the nose, eyelids, ears, lips, breasts, abdomen, arms, or thighs
- Helping clothing fit better
- Improving confidence in a natural-looking way
In Canada, most cosmetic procedures are paid for privately. Pricing may change based on procedure complexity, surgeon experience, facility costs, anesthesia, follow-up care, and location.
What Is Reconstructive Plastic Surgery?
Reconstructive plastic surgery focuses on restoring normal 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 removal of a tumour
- Cleft lip and palate reconstruction
- Burn scar reconstruction
- Surgery for hand function or repair
- Scar repair or revision
- Complex wound repair
- Facial injury reconstruction
- Correction of congenital concerns
Some reconstructive procedures may be covered by a provincial health plan when they are medically necessary. Cosmetic procedures are usually not covered.
Types of Facial Plastic Surgery
Facial procedures may be used to improve balance, soften aging changes, and restore a rested look. Most patients do not want to look “different.” The best results often look natural and balanced.
Rhytidectomy, Commonly Called Facelift Surgery
Facelift surgery, or rhytidectomy, is used to improve sagging in the lower face and jawline. Patients may choose facelift surgery for jowls, loose facial skin, and deeper folds near the mouth.
A facelift may help with:
- Sagging jowls along the jawline
- Sagging skin in the lower face
- Deeper folds around the mouth
- Lowered cheek tissue
- Reduced definition from the jawline into the neck
Many modern facelift techniques focus on deeper support layers under the skin. This approach may help produce a smoother, longer-lasting result without making the face look pulled. 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. When the neck muscle is tightened, the procedure is called platysmaplasty.
A neck lift may address:
- Muscle bands in the neck
- Neck skin laxity
- An undefined jawline
- Under-chin fullness
- A hanging neck appearance
Some patients need skin and muscle tightening. Some patients may only need liposuction under the chin. Since aging often affects both the face and neck, a facelift and neck lift may be done in one plan.
Eyelid Surgery, Also Called Blepharoplasty
Tired-looking eyes may be improved with eyelid surgery, also called blepharoplasty, by adjusting extra skin, fat, or tissue around the eyelids.
Common upper eyelid concerns include:
- Heavy upper eyelids
- Loose upper eyelid skin
- Eyes that look tired or aged
- Eyelid skin that hangs over the lashes
- Visual field concerns in some medical situations
Common lower eyelid concerns include:
- Bags under the eyes
- Under-eye swelling or fullness
- Extra lower eyelid skin
- Under-eye shadowing
- Tired-looking eyes that do not improve with rest
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 can improve the upper eye area and reduce forehead heaviness.
A brow lift may help with:
- A heavy, lowered brow
- A heavy upper eyelid look caused by brow position
- Forehead lines
- Frown lines between the brows
- A heavy expression that seems tired or stern
Although they can affect a similar area, a brow lift is not the same as eyelid surgery. A brow lift focuses on eyebrow position, while eyelid surgery focuses on extra eyelid skin. Depending on anatomy, a patient may need one procedure, the other, or both.
Rhinoplasty for Nose Shape and Breathing
Rhinoplasty is nose surgery that can change nasal shape, size, or structure. It can be cosmetic, functional, or both.
Nose surgery can address concerns such as:
- A nasal bridge bump
- A nasal tip that droops
- A wide nasal tip
- Nasal crookedness
- Nose size or projection
- Nasal asymmetry
- Structural breathing concerns
When breathing is a concern, surgery may include work on the septum, the wall between the nostrils. This part of surgery is called septoplasty. Cosmetic rhinoplasty changes appearance, while functional nasal surgery focuses on airflow.
Otoplasty, Also Called Ear Surgery
Ear surgery, also known as otoplasty, changes the shape, position, or size of the ears. It is often used to correct ears that stick out.
Ear surgery can help improve:
- Protruding ears
- Uneven ear shape or position
- Overdeveloped ear cartilage folds
- Ears with too much projection
- Concerns with the earlobes
This procedure is performed for both 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. The procedure may make the upper lip look more visible without adding filler.
A lip lift may address:
- A lengthened upper lip area
- Reduced tooth show in the upper smile
- A thin upper lip appearance
- Poor balance between the upper and lower lips
- Changes around the mouth from aging
A lip lift is different from lip filler. Dermal filler increases volume. A lip lift changes upper lip position and shape.
Facial Implants for Balance
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.
Facial implant surgery may include:
- Implants for the chin
- Cheek implant surgery
- Jawline implant surgery
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 taken from areas such as the abdomen or thighs, processed, and placed into the face.
Patients may consider facial fat grafting for:
- Hollow cheeks
- Tear trough hollowing
- Volume changes caused by aging
- Loss of soft tissue fullness
- Facial volume imbalance
Depending on the goal, fat grafting may be used alone or as part of a facelift, eyelid surgery, or other facial procedure.
Types of Breast Plastic Surgery
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 Augmentation
Breast augmentation increases breast size and shape using implants or fat transfer. Breast implants may be filled with saline or silicone gel. Body type, breast tissue, personal goals, and surgeon guidance plastic and cosmetic surgery all help determine implant choice.
Common breast augmentation goals include:
- A naturally small breast shape
- Volume loss after pregnancy
- Breast volume loss after weight change
- Breast size or shape imbalance
- Desire for more fullness in clothing
Patients often worry that breast augmentation may look too large or unnatural. A careful plan should consider chest width, skin quality, lifestyle, and long-term maintenance.
Breast Lift Surgery, Also Called Mastopexy
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.
Patients may consider a breast lift for:
- Dropped breasts
- Nipples that point downward
- Stretched nipple-areola areas
- Stretched breast skin
- Post-pregnancy, breastfeeding, or weight-loss breast changes
A lift and implants may be combined to improve position and add upper breast fullness. Some patients choose a breast lift without implants for a more natural result.
Breast Reduction for Comfort and Shape
To reduce breast size and weight, breast reduction removes extra tissue, fat, and skin.
Patients may consider breast reduction for:
- Neck discomfort
- Shoulder discomfort
- Back pain
- Bra strap grooves
- Rashes under the breasts
- Difficulty exercising
- Clothing fit challenges
In certain Canadian cases, breast reduction may qualify as medically necessary. Health plan coverage is based on provincial rules, patient symptoms, and medical assessment.
Breast Implant Revision Surgery
Existing breast implants may be adjusted or replaced with breast implant revision. Breast implant revision may be chosen for appearance-related reasons or medical issues.
Patients may consider revision for:
- Wanting smaller or larger implants
- A ruptured implant
- Firm scar tissue around an implant, called capsular contracture
- Implant shifting
- Uneven breast appearance
- Changes from aging after breast augmentation
- Choosing to remove implants
Some patients choose implant removal with a lift. Other patients choose new implants with a different size, shape, or placement.
Breast Reconstruction Procedure
Breast reconstruction surgery helps rebuild the breast after mastectomy or lumpectomy. It may use implants, natural tissue, or a combination.
Types of breast reconstruction may include:
- Implant breast reconstruction
- Breast reconstruction with natural tissue flaps
- Nipple-areola reconstruction
- Breast fat grafting
- Symmetry-focused revision surgery
The choice around breast reconstruction is personal. For some patients, reconstruction feels right. Others choose to stay flat. Either choice can be valid.
Male Breast Reduction Surgery
Gynecomastia surgery treats enlarged breast tissue in men. Liposuction, gland removal, or a combination may be used.
Common gynecomastia concerns include:
- Puffy nipples
- Gland tissue under the areola
- Chest fullness
- Uneven shape across the male chest
- Feeling self-conscious at the beach, gym, or in fitted shirts
The cause of fullness, whether fat, gland tissue, loose skin, or a mix, guides the best technique.
Body Plastic Surgery Procedures
Extra skin, stubborn fat, or loose tissue may be improved with body contouring surgery. Body contouring is common after changes from pregnancy, aging, or major weight loss.
Abdominoplasty for Abdominal Contouring
A tummy tuck, also called abdominoplasty, removes extra abdominal skin and tightens the abdominal wall. The procedure may also repair diastasis recti, which means separated abdominal muscles.
Tummy tuck surgery can help improve:
- Extra abdominal skin
- A lower belly overhang
- Stretch-marked skin under the belly button
- Separated core muscles
- Stomach changes after pregnancy or weight loss
A tummy tuck is not meant to be a weight-loss procedure. Patients usually do best when they are close to a stable weight and want to improve abdominal shape.
Liposuction for Body Contouring
Liposuction surgery uses a thin tube called a cannula to remove localized fat. It is used for body contouring, not general weight loss.
Patients may consider liposuction for:
- Abdomen
- Flanks, also called love handles
- Hip contours
- The thighs
- Upper arm contours
- Back contour areas
- Chin-neck contour
- Chest area
- The knees
Good skin tone is important. Liposuction alone may not be enough when the skin is loose. When skin laxity is significant, surgery to remove skin may be a better option.
Customized Mommy Makeover
A mommy makeover combines procedures to address body changes after pregnancy, breastfeeding, or weight change. A mommy makeover commonly includes surgery for the breasts and abdomen.
A mommy makeover can include:
- Tummy tuck
- A breast lift procedure
- Breast augmentation surgery
- Reduction mammoplasty
- Liposuction surgery
- Fat transfer
The term can be misleading, since a mommy makeover is not only for mothers. 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.
Arm lift surgery can help improve:
- Hanging skin under the arms
- Weight-loss-related arm skin looseness
- Arm skin changes over time
- Avoiding sleeveless clothing
- Skin rubbing or 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.
Thigh Lift Surgery
A thigh lift is used to remove loose skin and improve thigh shape. Thigh lift surgery is common after significant weight loss.
Patients may consider a thigh lift for:
- Loose skin on the inner thighs
- Chafing from loose thigh skin
- Poor fit in pants
- Thigh heaviness caused by extra skin
- Thigh changes after weight loss or bariatric surgery
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.
Body Lift After Weight Loss
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 chosen after:
- Substantial weight loss
- Post-bariatric body changes
- Pregnancy-related skin looseness
- Age-related skin laxity
This is a more involved surgery with a longer recovery. Patients should be at a stable weight and in good overall health.
Fat Grafting for Body Contouring
With fat grafting, fat is removed from one area and placed in another. It can be used to add natural volume or improve contour.
Common areas for fat grafting include:
- Breasts
- Buttock contour
- Hip contour
- Facial volume
- Uneven contours after surgery or injury
Fat grafting uses your own tissue, but not all transferred fat survives. Results may change over time, and more than one session may be needed.
Skin Lesion, Scar, and Surface Treatments
Plastic surgeons may also treat scars, skin surface concerns, and soft tissue issues.
Scar Improvement Treatment
The look or feel of a scar may be improved with scar revision. It may not erase the scar, but it can make it less raised, tight, wide, or noticeable.
Scar revision may help with:
- Surgical scars
- Scarring after an injury
- Burn scars
- Raised or thick scars
- Restrictive scars
- Scars that limit movement
Scar treatment can include surgery, copyright injections, laser treatment, silicone therapy, or several methods together.
Removal of Moles, Cysts, and Skin Lesions
Plastic surgery may be chosen for benign skin lesions, cysts, moles, and lumps when the closure should be as careful as possible. Some moles or lesions need proper medical review to make sure skin cancer is not present.
Skin lesion removal may be done for:
- Skin irritation
- Growth
- Recurrent bleeding
- A cosmetic concern
- Diagnosis
- Improved comfort
Any changing mole or suspicious skin lesion should be checked by a qualified medical professional.
Skin Cancer Reconstruction Procedures
After skin cancer removal, reconstruction may be needed to close the wound and restore appearance. This is common on the face, nose, eyelids, ears, lips, scalp, and hands.
Reconstruction after skin cancer may include:
- Direct surgical closure
- A skin graft
- Local tissue flaps
- A more complex repair
The goal is to remove the cancer safely while preserving function and appearance as much as possible.
Non-Surgical Cosmetic Procedures
Some patients can meet their goals without surgery. Non-surgical options can address early aging changes, facial lines, lost volume, and skin quality. These treatments usually have less downtime, but results are more temporary.
BOTOX and Other Neuromodulators
Selected facial muscles can be relaxed with BOTOX and other neuromodulators. Expression lines are a common reason for BOTOX and neuromodulator treatment.
BOTOX and neuromodulators may treat:
- Frown lines between the brows
- Forehead wrinkles
- Outer eye wrinkles
- Nose bunny lines
- Dimpling in the chin
- Neck muscle bands in some situations
The results do not last forever and usually need maintenance treatments. Most patients want a softer, rested look rather than a frozen face.
Injectable Dermal Fillers
Dermal fillers restore or add volume. Hyaluronic acid, a gel-like substance used to shape and support soft tissue, is common in dermal fillers.
Common filler areas include:
- Lip enhancement
- Cheek volume
- Chin projection
- Jawline contour
- Under-eye hollowing
- Nasolabial folds
- Lines from the mouth corners toward the chin
Product choice, technique, anatomy, and goals all affect filler results. Too much filler can look unnatural, which makes conservative planning important.
Chemical Peels for Skin Texture and Tone
Chemical peel treatment uses a controlled solution to refresh the outer skin layers.
Chemical peels may address:
- Uneven colour
- Tired-looking skin
- Fine surface lines
- Skin changes from sun exposure
- Light acne 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, IPL, and Radiofrequency 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:
- Laser resurfacing for texture
- IPL, or intense pulsed light
- Radiofrequency skin treatments
- Skin tightening treatments
- Laser hair reduction
- Vascular laser treatment for redness or broken vessels
The right laser or energy treatment depends on skin type, skin tone, and the concern. This is especially important for patients with darker skin tones, where pigment changes can be a risk.
Dermabrasion vs. Microdermabrasion
Dermabrasion removes outer skin layers as a deeper resurfacing treatment. Microdermabrasion is lighter and more superficial.
Patients may consider these treatments for:
- Uneven texture
- Light scarring
- Dullness
- Rough or uneven skin
- Mild lines
The best treatment depends on the patient’s skin quality, goals, available downtime, and comfort with risk.
Choosing the Right Plastic Surgery 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.
Common examples include:
- 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.
- A full abdomen may be caused by fat, loose skin, muscle separation, or internal weight.
- A flat breast appearance may require a lift, implants, fat grafting, or combined treatment.
- Under-eye concerns may come from fat pads, hollows, loose skin, or pigmentation.
A strong treatment plan should answer three questions:
- What is causing the concern?
- What procedure addresses the cause most directly?
- What trade-offs come with that option?
Every procedure has trade-offs, which may include scars, downtime, swelling, cost, maintenance, and possible complications.
Patient Concerns Before Plastic Surgery
Before plastic surgery, many patients feel both excited and nervous. Excitement is common, but nervousness is common too. It is normal to worry about safety, pain, scars, recovery, cost, and natural-looking results.
“Will the Result Still Look Like Me?”
This is a very common worry. 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 Much Downtime Will I Need?”
Healing time is different for every procedure. Non-surgical treatments may require little or no downtime. More extensive surgeries like tummy tuck, body lift, and mommy makeover require a more detailed recovery plan.
Plastic surgery recovery often involves:
- Post-surgery swelling and bruising
- Reduced activity
- Time off work
- Follow-up appointments
- Care for scars
- A gradual return to exercise
- Gradual settling before final results are seen
The body needs time to heal. The appearance often improves over time as swelling settles.
“Will There Be Scars?”
Any procedure with an incision creates a scar. The goal is not scar-free surgery, but careful scar placement and good healing.
Many factors affect scar quality, including:
- Family scar tendencies
- Pigment response in the skin
- The type of procedure
- Incision placement
- Tension on the wound
- Smoking and vaping status
- Sun protection during healing
- Scar aftercare
Scars tend to soften and fade, but they usually remain to some degree.
“What Are the Risks of Plastic Surgery?”
Every operation has possible risks. Patients should understand possible risks such as bleeding, infection, poor scarring, anesthesia issues, asymmetry, delayed healing, numbness, fluid buildup, and dissatisfaction.
Safety is influenced by:
- Your overall health
- Prescription and non-prescription medications
- Smoking or nicotine use
- The procedure selected
- Where the procedure takes place
- The planned anesthesia
- The surgeon’s skill, training, and experience
- Your post-operative care
During consultation, patients should learn about benefits, risks, alternatives, and realistic expectations.
What Canadians Should Know About Plastic Surgery
In Canada, plastic surgery is regulated through medical licensing, provincial colleges, hospital systems, surgical facilities, and professional standards. Patients should understand the difference between marketing terms and recognized medical training.
Choosing a 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.
Important consultation questions include:
- Do you have certification in plastic surgery?
- Are you licensed by the provincial medical college?
- How much experience do you have with this procedure?
- What facility will be used for the procedure?
- Who provides anesthesia?
- Which risks are most relevant to me?
- What is the plan if there is a complication?
- What does post-operative follow-up include?
- Can I see results from similar cases?
Asking questions is not being difficult. It is about understanding your options.
What Affects Plastic Surgery Fees in Canada
Plastic surgery pricing in Canada varies widely. Procedure complexity, surgeon experience, anesthesia, facility fees, implants or devices, garments, follow-up care, and location can all affect price.
Large Canadian cities, including Vancouver, Toronto, Calgary, Edmonton, Ottawa, and Montreal, may have higher fees because overhead and demand are higher. Smaller markets may offer different pricing, but cost alone should not guide the decision.
A very low price can be a warning sign if it means corners are being cut on safety, training, facility standards, or aftercare.
Surgery Abroad vs. Plastic Surgery in Canada
Travelling abroad for lower-cost plastic surgery is something some Canadians consider. This may seem appealing, but there are extra risks to think about.
Medical tourism concerns may include:
- Reduced follow-up access
- Travel during early recovery
- Infection risk
- Different facility or safety standards
- Hard-to-get records
- Challenges managing post-surgery problems in Canada
- Possible language barriers
- Additional costs if revision surgery is needed
Staying closer to home for surgery can help with follow-up, especially if swelling, healing problems, or complications need attention.
Plastic Surgery Consultation Preparation
A consultation is your chance to learn what is possible, what is safe, and what is realistic. A consultation should not feel rushed or pressured.
Before your visit, it helps to prepare:
- Make notes about your main concerns.
- Take a list of all medications and supplements you use.
- Share your health and medical history honestly.
- Do not hide smoking, vaping, cannabis, or nicotine use.
- Photos may help explain your goals.
- Review recovery, scars, risks, and alternative treatments.
- Ask what result is realistic for your body or face.
Your consultation should include a clear review of your options. The right advice may be to delay surgery, choose a smaller treatment, improve health first, or avoid surgery.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Plastic Surgery?
Plastic surgery candidates should usually be 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 good candidate if:
- You have good general health
- Your goals are based on a clear concern
- You are near a stable weight for body procedures
- You can avoid smoking and nicotine before and after surgery
- You know what to expect during recovery
- You accept the risks, scars, and trade-offs
- Your decision is for you, not someone else
- You understand what is realistic
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.
Combining Plastic Surgery Procedures
Some procedures may be combined safely. Other surgeries may need to be done in stages. Doing more than one procedure at once may shorten total recovery, but it can increase surgery length and healing stress.
Examples of combined procedures include:
- A facelift with a neck lift
- Blepharoplasty with brow lift
- Rhinoplasty with chin surgery
- Combining breast lift and implants
- Combining tummy tuck and liposuction
- Mommy makeover surgery combinations
- Combining body lift with arm or thigh surgery
- 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.
A Final Word on Canadian Plastic Surgery Procedures
Plastic surgery in Canada includes many cosmetic and reconstructive procedures. Some procedures improve the face, breasts, or body. Others help repair tissue 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 most popular one. 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. For procedures such as eyelid surgery, rhinoplasty, breast augmentation, tummy tuck, liposuction, facelift surgery, or reconstructive plastic surgery, the first step is education about benefits and limits.