Many plastic surgery procedures are designed to improve, restore, or reshape the face and body. Cosmetic procedures are usually chosen to improve appearance. Other procedures are reconstructive, meaning they help repair 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 refreshed. Body changes from pregnancy, weight loss, or aging may lead some people to consider surgery. Some people seek care 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. The guide also explains important points to review before booking a consultation.
Cosmetic Plastic Surgery Compared With Reconstructive Plastic Surgery
In general, plastic surgery is grouped into cosmetic surgery and reconstructive surgery.
Cosmetic Plastic Surgery
The main focus of cosmetic plastic surgery is appearance. Most cosmetic procedures are elective, which means they are planned by choice rather than medical need.
Cosmetic plastic surgery may be used for goals such as:
- Creating better facial balance
- Helping the face or body look more refreshed
- Improving body shape
- Replacing volume lost after weight change or pregnancy
- Changing the shape of the nose, eyelids, ears, lips, breasts, abdomen, arms, or thighs
- Making clothing feel or fit better
- Creating natural-looking changes that may support confidence
Across Canada, cosmetic plastic surgery is usually paid for by the patient. Fees are affected by factors such as the procedure, surgeon, facility, anesthesia plan, follow-up care, and city or province.
Reconstructive Plastic Surgery
The goal of reconstructive plastic surgery is to help restore normal form and function. Patients may need reconstructive surgery after cancer surgery, trauma, burns, infections, birth differences, or medical conditions.
Common reconstructive procedures include:
- Breast reconstruction after removal of breast tissue
- Skin cancer reconstruction after skin cancer excision
- Cleft lip and palate repair
- Burn reconstruction
- Hand surgery
- Scar improvement surgery
- Repair of wounds
- Reconstruction after facial trauma
- Congenital reconstruction
When reconstructive procedures are medically necessary, some may be covered by a provincial health plan. Purely cosmetic changes are usually paid for privately.
Common Facial Plastic Surgery Options
Many facial plastic surgery procedures focus on balance, aging changes, and a refreshed appearance. In many cases, the goal is not a dramatic change. Strong results usually look natural, balanced, and personal to the patient.
Rhytidectomy, Commonly Called Facelift Surgery
Sagging in the lower face and jawline may be improved with a facelift, also called rhytidectomy. Patients may choose facelift surgery for jowls, loose facial skin, and deeper folds near the mouth.
Patients often consider facelift surgery for:
- Jawline jowls
- Skin laxity in the lower face
- Deep facial folds near the mouth
- Cheek tissue that has dropped
- Loss of definition between the face and neck
Modern facelift surgery often treats deeper support layers below the skin. This may create a smoother, longer-lasting result without a pulled appearance. A facelift is often combined with a neck lift, eyelid surgery, brow lift, or facial fat grafting.
Neck Lift Surgery (Platysmaplasty)
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.
Neck lift surgery can help improve:
- Prominent neck bands
- Loose skin on the neck
- An undefined jawline
- Under-chin fullness
- 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. In many cases, the face and neck age together, so a facelift and neck lift may be planned at the same time.
Eyelid Surgery, Also Called Blepharoplasty
Eyelid surgery, also called blepharoplasty, improves tired-looking eyes by removing or adjusting extra skin, fat, or tissue around the eyelids.
Upper eyelid surgery can address:
- Upper lids that feel heavy
- Loose upper eyelid skin
- A more tired or older eye appearance
- Extra skin that sits against the eyelashes
- Vision blockage in certain medical cases
Lower blepharoplasty may help with:
- Bags under the eyes
- Lower eyelid puffiness
- Loose lower eyelid skin
- Dark-looking shadows under the eyes
- Tired-looking eyes that do not improve with rest
Eyelid surgery is one of the most common facial procedures because small eye-area changes can make the face look more rested.
Forehead Lift and Brow Lift Surgery
A forehead lift, commonly called a brow lift, helps lift a low or heavy brow. It can improve the upper eye area and reduce forehead heaviness.
Brow lift surgery can improve:
- Brow descent
- Upper eyelid heaviness caused by a low brow
- Horizontal forehead lines
- Creases between the eyebrows
- A tired, sad, or stern look
A brow lift should not be confused with 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.
Cosmetic and Functional Rhinoplasty
Rhinoplasty, often called a nose job, changes the shape, size, or structure of the nose. It may be cosmetic, functional, or both.
Rhinoplasty may help with:
- A bump along the bridge of the nose
- Tip droop
- Tip width or boxiness
- A crooked nasal shape
- Overall nose size or projection
- Asymmetry in the nose
- Structural breathing concerns
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. Cosmetic rhinoplasty changes appearance, while functional nasal surgery focuses on airflow.
Otoplasty for Prominent Ears
Ear surgery, also called otoplasty, changes the shape, position, or size of the ears. Otoplasty is often chosen for ears that stick out.
Otoplasty may help with:
- Noticeably prominent ears
- Ear asymmetry
- Ear folds that look large
- Ears that sit far from the head
- Earlobe concerns
Otoplasty is common in adults and children. When otoplasty is considered for a child, timing is based on ear growth, maturity, and family goals.
Upper Lip Lift Surgery
The space between the upper lip and the nose can be shortened with a lip lift. This space is called the upper lip length. A lip lift can improve upper lip show without adding dermal filler.
A lip lift may address:
- A longer upper lip
- Limited upper tooth show when smiling
- A less visible upper lip
- Poor balance between the upper and lower lips
- Age-related changes around the mouth
Lip lift surgery differs from lip filler. Lip filler mainly adds fullness. The purpose of a lip lift is to change the upper lip position and shape rather than just add volume.
Chin, Jawline, and Facial Implant Surgery
Facial implants can 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.
Common facial implant procedures include:
- Implants for the chin
- Cheek implant surgery
- Surgical jawline implants
In some cases, chin surgery may be combined with rhinoplasty because the nose and chin affect facial balance in profile view.
Facial Volume Restoration With Fat Grafting
Facial fat transfer restores volume using a patient’s own fat. Fat is usually removed from areas such as the abdomen or thighs, processed, and placed into the face.
Facial fat grafting may address:
- Hollow cheeks
- Hollows beneath the eyes
- Age-related facial volume loss
- Thin facial soft tissue
- Imbalance in facial volume
Facial fat grafting can be performed by itself or with procedures such as facelift surgery, eyelid surgery, or other facial surgery.
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 surgery uses implants or fat transfer to increase breast size and shape. Breast augmentation may use either saline implants or silicone gel implants. Body type, breast tissue, personal goals, and surgeon guidance all help determine implant choice.
Patients may consider breast augmentation for:
- Naturally smaller breast volume
- Lost breast volume following pregnancy
- Volume loss after weight change
- Uneven breast size or shape
- Desire for more fullness in clothing
Patients often worry that breast augmentation may look too large or unnatural. A natural-looking plan should consider chest width, skin quality, lifestyle, and long-term maintenance.
Mastopexy, or Breast Lift Surgery
Breasts that have dropped can be raised and reshaped with a breast lift, also called mastopexy. It does not mainly add volume. A breast lift is designed to improve where the breasts sit and how they are shaped.
A breast lift may address:
- Lower breast position
- Downward-pointing nipples
- Stretched areolas
- Breast skin laxity
- Breast changes after pregnancy, breastfeeding, or weight loss
A lift and implants may be combined to improve position and add upper breast fullness. A lift without implants may be preferred by patients who do not want added implant volume.
Breast Reduction Surgery
Breast reduction removes excess breast tissue, fat, and skin to make the breasts smaller, lighter, and more balanced.
Breast reduction surgery can help improve:
- Neck strain
- Pain in the shoulders
- Back strain
- Grooves from bra straps
- Skin rubbing beneath the breasts
- Exercise discomfort
- Difficulty fitting bras or clothes
In Canada, breast reduction may be considered medically necessary in some cases. Whether coverage applies depends on the province, symptoms, and medical assessment.
Revision Breast Implant Surgery
Breast implant revision adjusts or replaces existing breast implants. This surgery may address cosmetic concerns, medical concerns, or both.
Patients may consider revision for:
- A desire to change implant size
- Rupture of an implant
- Firm scar tissue around an implant, called capsular contracture
- An implant that has moved out of position
- Breasts that look uneven
- Changes from aging after breast augmentation
- A desire for implant removal
A breast lift may be done when implants are removed. Some patients replace their implants with a different size, shape, or placement.
Breast Reconstruction Surgery
The breast may be rebuilt after mastectomy or lumpectomy with breast reconstruction. It may involve implants, natural tissue, or a combination.
Breast reconstruction may use:
- Implant breast reconstruction
- Flap-based reconstruction
- Nipple and areola restoration
- Fat grafting
- Surgery to refine breast symmetry
This can be a deeply personal choice. Some people prefer to have reconstruction. Others choose to stay flat. Both choices are valid.
Male Chest Reduction Surgery
Gynecomastia surgery treats enlarged breast tissue in men. Treatment may involve liposuction, gland tissue removal, or both.
Male breast reduction can help improve:
- Puffy nipples
- Extra tissue under the areola
- Chest tissue fullness
- Uneven male chest shape
- Self-consciousness in swimwear, gym settings, or fitted clothing
Treatment choice depends on whether fat, gland tissue, loose skin, or a mix of these is causing the fullness.
Types of Body Contouring Surgery
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.
Abdominoplasty, or Tummy Tuck Surgery
A tummy tuck, also called abdominoplasty, removes extra 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 address:
- Sagging abdominal skin
- A lower abdominal overhang
- Stretch-marked skin below the belly button
- Separated abdominal muscles
- Abdominal changes after pregnancy or weight loss
Abdominoplasty is used for contouring, not for major weight loss. It is best for patients who are near a stable weight and want to improve abdominal shape.
Liposuction
Liposuction surgery uses a thin tube called a cannula to remove localized fat. It is used for body contouring rather than general weight loss.
Patients may consider liposuction for:
- The abdomen
- Flanks, often called love handles
- Hips
- The thighs
- Upper arm area
- Back fullness
- Submental area and neck
- Chest area
- Knee area
Skin tone is an important factor. When loose skin is present, liposuction alone may not create the desired contour. Skin removal surgery may be needed if loose skin is the main concern.
Mommy Makeover
A mommy makeover combines procedures to address body changes after pregnancy, breastfeeding, or weight change. This plan often brings together breast surgery and abdominal contouring.
A mommy makeover can include:
- A tummy tuck procedure
- Surgical breast lifting
- Surgical breast enhancement
- Surgical breast size reduction
- Surgical fat removal
- Fat grafting
The name can be misleading because the procedure is not only for mothers. It is really a custom body contouring plan for patients with similar concerns. The best plan depends on health, goals, recovery time, and whether future pregnancy is planned.
Arm Lift Surgery, Also Called Brachioplasty
An arm lift or brachioplasty improves upper arm shape by removing loose skin.
An arm lift may address:
- Loose skin along the upper arms
- Loose skin after weight loss
- Upper arm changes from aging
- Trouble wearing sleeveless tops
- Skin rubbing and irritation
The improved arm shape comes with a scar along the inner or back portion of the arm. Because the scar is permanent, patients should carefully discuss whether the improved shape is worth it.
Thigh Lift
A thigh lift removes extra loose skin from the thighs. Many patients choose it after major weight loss.
Common thigh lift concerns include:
- Sagging skin on the inner thighs
- Skin friction between the thighs
- Poor clothing fit around the thighs
- Heaviness from extra skin
- Changes after bariatric surgery or weight loss
Different thigh lift incision patterns may be used. The best thigh lift pattern depends on skin amount and the location of the looseness.
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 chosen after:
- Large weight loss
- Bariatric weight-loss surgery
- Post-pregnancy body changes
- Aging-related lower-body skin looseness
Because it is a larger surgery, recovery takes more time. The best candidates are usually in good health and at a stable weight.
Body Contouring With Fat Transfer
Fat grafting transfers fat from one area of the body to another. Fat grafting can add natural volume or refine body contour.
Common treatment areas include:
- Breast contour
- Buttock contour
- Hip volume
- The face
- Contour irregularities after injury or surgery
Fat grafting uses your own tissue, but some transferred fat may not survive. Fat grafting results can evolve, so repeat treatment may be needed for some patients.
Plastic Surgery for Skin and Scars
Plastic surgeons may also treat scars, skin surface concerns, and soft tissue issues.
Scar Revision
Scar revision surgery is used to improve how a scar looks or feels. It may not erase the scar, but it can make it less raised, tight, wide, or noticeable.
Scar revision surgery can help improve:
- Surgery-related scars
- Scars from injury
- Burn-related scars
- Thick scars
- Restrictive scars
- Scars that restrict motion
Scar treatment can include surgery, copyright injections, laser treatment, silicone therapy, or several methods together.
Plastic Surgery for Moles, Cysts, and Skin Lesions
Plastic surgeons often remove benign skin lesions, cysts, moles, and lumps when a careful closure is important. Some lesions need medical assessment to rule out skin cancer.
Common reasons for removal include:
- Ongoing irritation
- Noticeable growth
- Recurrent bleeding
- Cosmetic reasons
- Medical diagnosis
- Comfort
Any changing mole or suspicious skin lesion should be assessed by a qualified medical professional.
Skin Cancer Repair and Reconstruction
Reconstruction may be needed after skin cancer removal to close the area and restore appearance. Skin cancer reconstruction is often needed on the face, nose, eyelids, ears, lips, scalp, and hands.
Common skin cancer reconstruction methods include:
- Closing the area directly
- Using a skin graft
- Local flaps
- More 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 every patient requires surgery. Non-surgical cosmetic treatments can help with early signs of aging, facial lines, volume loss, and skin quality. These treatments usually involve less downtime, but results are more temporary.
Wrinkle Relaxing Injections
Neuromodulators such as BOTOX reduce movement in selected facial muscles. Expression lines are a common reason for BOTOX and neuromodulator treatment.
Common treatment areas include:
- Lines between the eyebrows
- Forehead lines
- Lines at the outer corners of the eyes
- Nose bunny lines
- Peau d’orange chin texture
- Neck bands in some cases
Because results are temporary, repeat treatments are usually needed. The goal is usually a softer, rested look, not a frozen face.
Dermal Fillers
Dermal fillers can restore or add volume. Hyaluronic acid, a gel-like substance used to shape and support soft tissue, is common in dermal fillers.
Dermal fillers may treat:
- Lip volume
- Cheek contour
- Chin projection
- Jawline definition
- Under-eye volume loss
- Deeper smile lines
- Lines from the mouth corners toward the chin
Dermal filler results depend on product choice, injection technique, facial anatomy, and treatment goals. Overfilling can look unnatural, so conservative planning is important.
Chemical Peel Treatments
A chemical peel applies a controlled solution to improve the surface layers of the skin.
Chemical peel treatments can help improve:
- Uneven tone
- Dull-looking skin
- Fine surface lines
- Skin changes from sun exposure
- Mild marks from acne
- Texture concerns
Chemical peels can range from light treatments to deeper treatments. Downtime depends on how strong the peel is.
Laser, IPL, and Radiofrequency Skin Treatments
These treatments may improve concerns such as uneven tone, redness, texture, hair growth, scars, and visible aging.
Laser and energy-based options may include:
- Laser resurfacing for texture
- IPL skin treatment
- Radiofrequency-based treatments
- Skin tightening procedures
- Laser hair removal or reduction
- Vascular laser for redness or broken vessels
Skin type, skin tone, and the concern being treated should guide the choice of treatment. This is especially important for patients with darker skin tones, where pigment changes can be a risk.
Dermabrasion and Microdermabrasion
Dermabrasion removes outer skin layers as a deeper resurfacing treatment. Microdermabrasion is lighter and more superficial.
Common concerns include:
- Uneven texture
- Minor acne scarring
- Dull-looking skin
- An uneven skin surface
- Small fine lines
The right option depends on skin quality, goals, downtime, and risk tolerance.
Choosing a Procedure That Fits Your Goals
Choosing the right procedure starts with the concern, not the procedure name. Sometimes patients come in wanting one treatment, but another procedure is a better match for their anatomy.
This can happen in situations such as:
- 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 may 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.
- Fat pads, hollowing, skin laxity, or pigmentation may contribute to under-eye bags.
A helpful treatment plan should answer these three questions:
- What anatomy is causing the issue?
- Which procedure treats that cause best?
- What benefits and limits come with that procedure?
Every procedure has trade-offs, which may include scars, downtime, swelling, cost, maintenance, and possible complications.
Patient Concerns Before Plastic Surgery
It is common to have mixed feelings before plastic surgery. Excitement is common, but so are nerves. Many patients worry about safety, pain, scars, recovery, cost, and whether the outcome will look natural.
“Will I Still Look Like Myself?”
Many patients ask this question. 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.
For many patients, the goal is better balance, not a perfect or unrealistic look.
“How Long Is the Recovery?”
The recovery period depends on which procedure is done. Non-surgical treatments may require little or no downtime. Larger surgeries, such as tummy tuck, body lift, or mommy makeover, need more planning.
Patients should usually expect:
- Swelling or bruising
- Reduced activity
- Recovery time before returning to work
- Post-operative follow-up visits
- Scar care
- Slow return to workouts
- Gradual settling before final results are seen
Surgical healing is gradual. Many procedures improve over weeks and months.
“Can Plastic Surgery Scars Be Hidden?”
Any surgical cut leaves some type of scar. A good plan places cosmetic transformation scars as carefully as possible and supports healing.
Scar appearance may be affected by:
- Family scar tendencies
- Skin tone
- Which procedure is done
- Where the incision is placed
- Wound tension
- Smoking status
- How much sun the scar gets
- Post-surgery aftercare
Scars usually fade with time, but they do not disappear completely.
“Is Cosmetic Surgery Safe?”
All surgical procedures carry some risk. Risks may include bleeding, infection, poor scarring, anesthesia problems, asymmetry, delayed healing, numbness, fluid buildup, and dissatisfaction with the result.
Safety is influenced by:
- The patient’s health
- Prescription and non-prescription medications
- Smoking or nicotine use
- Which surgery is performed
- The surgical facility
- How anesthesia is managed
- The qualifications of the surgeon
- Your follow-up care
A good consultation should explain benefits, risks, alternatives, and what is realistic.
Canadian Plastic Surgery Considerations
Across Canada, plastic surgery is overseen through licensing, provincial colleges, hospital systems, surgical facilities, and professional standards. Patients should understand the difference between marketing terms and recognized medical training.
Choosing a Plastic Surgeon in Canada
Training and credentials should be a major part of choosing a plastic surgeon in Canada. Proper plastic surgery training includes medical training, surgical training, and specialty certification in plastic surgery.
Helpful questions include:
- Are you certified in plastic surgery?
- Are you licensed to perform surgery in this province?
- How much experience do you have with this procedure?
- Where will the procedure take place?
- Who provides anesthesia?
- What complications should I understand for my situation?
- What happens if I have 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 being informed.
Canadian Cosmetic Surgery Pricing
Fees for cosmetic plastic surgery in Canada can differ greatly. Pricing depends on procedure complexity, surgeon experience, anesthesia, facility fees, implants or devices, garments, follow-up care, and location.
Large Canadian cities, including Vancouver, Toronto, Calgary, Edmonton, Ottawa, and Montreal, may have higher fees because overhead and demand are higher. Costs may vary in smaller Canadian cities, but price should not outweigh safety, training, and follow-up care.
A very low price can be a warning sign if it means corners are being cut on safety, training, facility standards, or aftercare.
Choosing Surgery in Canada vs. Abroad
Lower-cost surgery outside Canada may appeal to some Canadians. This may seem appealing, but there are added risks to consider.
Risks or challenges with medical tourism may include:
- Less access to follow-up care
- Long travel after surgery
- Infection-related complications
- Medical standards that may differ
- Hard-to-get records
- Difficulty finding care for complications at home
- Communication barriers
- Additional costs if revision surgery is needed
When surgery is done closer to home, follow-up may be easier if concerns or complications occur.
Preparing for a Plastic Surgery Consultation
During a consultation, you can learn what is possible, what is safe, and what results are realistic. A consultation should not feel rushed or pressured.
It helps to prepare before your consultation:
- Write down your main concerns.
- Bring a list of medications and supplements.
- Tell the surgeon about your medical history.
- Do not hide smoking, vaping, cannabis, or nicotine use.
- Reference photos can be helpful if they explain your goals.
- Ask questions about recovery, scars, risks, and alternatives.
- Ask what result is realistic for your own body or face.
Your consultation should include a clear review of your options. In some cases, the best recommendation is to wait, choose a smaller treatment, improve health first, or avoid surgery.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Plastic Surgery?
A good candidate is usually someone who is healthy, informed, and realistic. They understand that surgery can improve appearance, but it cannot create perfection or solve every life concern.
Good candidate signs include:
- Your overall health is good
- You have a specific concern
- You are near a stable weight for body procedures
- You can avoid smoking and nicotine before and after surgery
- You understand what recovery involves
- You understand and accept the trade-offs
- Your decision is for you, not someone else
- Your expectations are realistic
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.
Procedure Combinations in Plastic Surgery
Combining procedures can be appropriate in selected cases. Others should be staged. Combined surgery can reduce overall downtime, but it can also increase surgical time and recovery demands.
Common combinations include:
- A facelift with a neck lift
- Blepharoplasty with brow lift
- Combining rhinoplasty and chin surgery
- Breast lift plus volume enhancement
- Abdominoplasty with liposuction
- Breast and body procedures in a mommy makeover
- Post-weight-loss contouring with body lift and limb contouring
- Facial fat grafting as part of facial surgery
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
Canadian plastic surgery includes both cosmetic and reconstructive procedures. Some improve the face, breasts, or body. Others help repair tissue after cancer, injury, burns, or medical conditions. Non-surgical treatments can also help with wrinkles, volume loss, skin texture, and early aging changes.
The right procedure is not always the most popular option. The best plan is based on anatomy, goals, health, and personal comfort.
The strongest treatment plan should focus on safety, natural-looking results, clear expectations, and proper follow-up care. Whether the procedure is eyelid surgery, rhinoplasty, breast augmentation, tummy tuck, liposuction, facelift surgery, or reconstructive plastic surgery, the first step is understanding what each option can and cannot do.