Across Canada, plastic surgery includes many different procedures that can change, rebuild, or improve the face and body. Cosmetic procedures are usually chosen to refine appearance. When plastic surgery helps repair form or function after injury, cancer, birth differences, burns, or medical conditions, it is called reconstructive surgery.
Canadians may look into plastic surgery for many goals. Some patients want a more refreshed appearance. Body changes from pregnancy, weight loss, or aging may lead some people to consider surgery. For some patients, the need is related to trauma, skin cancer, breast cancer, or a congenital concern. Your anatomy, goals, health, lifestyle, and recovery time all help guide the right procedure.
This guide explains the main types of plastic surgery procedures in Canada, including facial surgery, breast surgery, body contouring, reconstructive surgery, and non-surgical cosmetic treatments. You will also learn what to think about before scheduling a consultation.
Cosmetic Plastic Surgery Compared With Reconstructive Plastic Surgery
Most plastic surgery procedures fall into two broad groups, cosmetic surgery and reconstructive surgery.
Cosmetic Plastic Surgery in Canada
The main focus of cosmetic plastic surgery is appearance. Because cosmetic surgery is usually elective, it is planned by choice and is not normally medically required.
Common reasons for cosmetic plastic surgery include:
- Creating better facial balance
- Reducing age-related changes
- Improving body shape
- Restoring volume after weight loss or pregnancy
- Improving the nose, eyelids, ears, lips, breasts, abdomen, arms, or thighs
- Supporting a better fit in clothing
- Improving self-confidence while keeping results natural-looking
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 Procedures
Reconstructive surgery helps repair or restore form and function. It may be needed after cancer surgery, trauma, burns, infections, birth differences, or medical conditions.
Common reconstructive procedures include:
- Breast reconstruction following mastectomy
- Skin cancer reconstruction after tumour removal
- Cleft lip and palate reconstruction
- Burn reconstruction
- Hand surgery
- Scar treatment and revision
- Wound repair
- Facial injury reconstruction
- Congenital difference repair
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 plastic surgery may improve facial balance, soften signs of aging, and help restore a refreshed look. For many patients, the goal is not to look like another person. The most pleasing results are often natural-looking and balanced.
Facelift Surgery, Also Called Rhytidectomy
A facelift or rhytidectomy can improve loose tissue in the lower face and jawline. A facelift can address jowls, loose facial skin, and deeper folds around the mouth.
Patients often consider facelift surgery for:
- Sagging jowls along the jawline
- Loose lower facial skin
- Prominent smile lines
- Sagging cheek tissue
- Poor definition between the face and neck
A modern facelift commonly addresses the deeper support layers beneath the skin. This approach may help produce a smoother, longer-lasting result without making the face look pulled. A facelift may be combined with 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. When the neck muscle is tightened, the procedure is called platysmaplasty.
Neck lift surgery can help improve:
- Muscle bands in the neck
- Loose neck skin
- Reduced jawline sharpness
- Under-chin fullness
- A “turkey neck” look
In some cases, the plan includes tightening both skin and muscle. Others may benefit from liposuction under the chin. A facelift and neck lift are often planned together because the face and neck commonly age as a unit.
Upper and Lower Eyelid Surgery
Eyelid surgery or blepharoplasty helps refresh the eyes by removing or repositioning extra skin, fat, or tissue around the eyelids.
Upper eyelid surgery can address:
- Upper lids that feel heavy
- Extra skin on the upper eyelids
- An aged or fatigued look
- Upper eyelid skin that touches the lashes
- Functional vision concerns in some patients
Lower eyelid surgery can address:
- Lower eyelid bags
- Under-eye swelling or fullness
- Extra lower eyelid skin
- Shadowing beneath the lower lids
- A tired appearance that does not improve with sleep
Eyelid surgery is one of the most common facial procedures because small eye-area changes can make the face look more rested.
Brow Lift Surgery for a Heavy Brow
A brow lift, also called a forehead lift, raises a low or heavy brow. This can help improve the upper eye area and ease a heavy forehead look.
A brow lift may address:
- Low or drooping eyebrows
- Heavy upper eyelids caused by brow descent
- Forehead wrinkles
- Creases between the eyebrows
- A heavy expression that seems tired or stern
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.
Nose Surgery (Rhinoplasty)
A nose job, medically known as rhinoplasty, changes the shape, size, or structure of the nose. It may be cosmetic, functional, or both.
Rhinoplasty may help with:
- A bump on the bridge
- A lowered nose tip
- Tip width or boxiness
- A nose that is not straight
- Overall nose size or projection
- Uneven nasal shape
- Breathing problems related to nasal structure
When breathing is part of the concern, the procedure may include work on the septum, which is the wall between the nostrils. Surgery on the septum is called septoplasty. Cosmetic rhinoplasty refines how the nose looks, while functional nasal surgery focuses on breathing and airflow.
Cosmetic Ear Surgery
Ear surgery or otoplasty is used to adjust ear shape, position, or size. Prominent ears that stick out may be improved with otoplasty.
Otoplasty may address:
- Protruding ears
- Uneven ear shape or position
- Ear folds that look large
- Ears that stand out from the head
- Earlobe appearance concerns
Both adults and children may choose or need otoplasty. For children, timing depends on ear growth, maturity, and family goals.
Surgical Lip Lift
A lip lift shortens the space between the upper lip and the nose. The distance is called the upper lip length. This surgery may reveal more of the upper lip without using filler.
Common lip lift concerns include:
- A long space between the nose and upper lip
- Less visible upper teeth when smiling
- A less visible upper lip
- Lip proportions that feel unbalanced
- Changes around the mouth from aging
Lip lift surgery differs from lip filler. Filler is used to add volume. A lip lift changes the position and shape of the upper lip.
Chin, Jawline, and Facial Implant Surgery
Implants can be used to improve facial 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 implants may involve:
- Chin implants
- Cheek implants
- Jawline implants
Chin surgery may be planned with rhinoplasty when the nose and chin both influence profile balance.
Facial Volume Restoration With Fat Grafting
Facial fat grafting uses the patient’s own fat to restore volume. The fat is often taken from the abdomen or thighs, prepared, and then placed into the face.
Common facial fat grafting concerns include:
- Sunken-looking cheeks
- Hollowing under the eyes
- Facial volume loss from aging
- Thin facial soft tissue
- Reduced facial harmony
Fat grafting can support facial rejuvenation on its own or be combined with facelift surgery, eyelid surgery, or other facial procedures.
Types of Breast Plastic 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 Augmentation in Canada
Breast augmentation increases breast size and shape using implants or fat transfer. Breast implants may be saline or silicone gel. The choice of implant depends on body type, breast tissue, goals, and surgeon guidance.
Common breast augmentation goals include:
- A naturally small breast shape
- Less breast fullness after pregnancy
- Volume loss after weight change
- Breast size or shape imbalance
- Improved breast shape in fitted clothing
Patients often worry about looking too large or unnatural. A careful surgical plan should consider chest width, skin quality, lifestyle, and long-term maintenance.
Breast Lift Surgery, Also Called Mastopexy
A breast lift or mastopexy improves breast position and shape when the breasts have dropped. It does not primarily add volume. Instead, it improves breast position and shape.
A breast lift may address:
- Lower breast position
- Downward-pointing nipples
- Stretched nipple-areola areas
- Extra breast skin
- Breast changes after pregnancy, breastfeeding, or weight changes
A breast lift may be combined with implants when more upper breast fullness is desired. Others prefer a lift without implants for a natural result.
Breast Reduction
Breast reduction surgery makes the breasts smaller and lighter by removing extra breast tissue, fat, and skin.
Breast reduction may address:
- Neck pain
- Heavy shoulder pressure
- Back strain
- Shoulder grooves from bra straps
- Rashes under the breasts
- Problems staying active
- 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 Surgery
Breast implant revision is surgery to adjust or replace existing breast implants. Patients may need it for cosmetic goals or medical concerns.
Common breast implant revision concerns include:
- Desire to change implant size
- Implant rupture
- Firm scar tissue around an implant, called capsular contracture
- Breast implant movement
- Breasts that look uneven
- Natural aging changes after breast implants
- 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
Breast reconstruction rebuilds the breast after mastectomy or lumpectomy. Implants, natural tissue, or a mix of both may be used for breast reconstruction.
Breast reconstruction may use:
- Implant-supported breast reconstruction
- Flap-based reconstruction
- Rebuilding the nipple and areola
- Breast fat grafting
- Revision surgery to improve symmetry
The choice around breast reconstruction is personal. For some patients, reconstruction feels right. Other people prefer to remain flat. Both paths are valid and personal.
Male Breast Reduction (Gynecomastia Surgery)
Gynecomastia surgery is used to reduce enlarged male breast tissue. Treatment may involve liposuction, gland tissue removal, or both.
Male breast reduction can help improve:
- Puffy nipples
- Extra tissue under the areola
- Extra chest volume
- An uneven male chest shape
- Discomfort being shirtless, exercising, or wearing fitted shirts
Treatment choice depends on whether fat, gland tissue, loose skin, or a mix of these is causing the fullness.
Body Plastic Surgery Procedures
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.
Tummy Tuck Procedure
Extra abdominal skin and a weakened abdominal wall may be improved with a tummy tuck, also called abdominoplasty. It can also repair separated abdominal muscles, which are known as diastasis recti.
A tummy tuck may address:
- Sagging abdominal skin
- A lower abdominal overhang
- Stretch marks on 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. Patients usually do best when they are close to a stable weight and want to improve abdominal shape.
Liposuction
Liposuction removes localized fat using a thin tube called a cannula. It is used for body contouring rather than general weight loss.
Liposuction may be used on areas such as:
- Abdominal area
- Love handles or flanks
- The hips
- Thighs
- Upper arm contours
- Back fullness
- Under the chin and neck
- The chest
- Knee area
Skin tone is an important factor. If the skin is loose, liposuction by itself may not be enough. In that case, skin removal surgery may be needed.
Post-Pregnancy Body Contouring
Body changes after pregnancy, breastfeeding, or weight change may be treated with a custom mommy makeover plan. A mommy makeover commonly includes surgery for the breasts and abdomen.
A mommy makeover may include:
- Tummy tuck
- Surgical breast lifting
- Surgical breast enhancement
- Breast reduction
- Surgical fat removal
- Body fat grafting
The name can be misleading because the procedure is not limited to mothers. Anyone with similar changes may consider this type of plan. 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 or brachioplasty improves upper arm shape by removing loose skin.
An arm lift may address:
- Hanging skin under the arms
- Loose skin after weight loss
- Aging changes in the arms
- Trouble feeling comfortable in sleeveless shirts
- Skin friction in the upper arms
The improved arm shape comes with a scar along the inner or back portion of the arm. For many patients, better shape is worth the scar, but this should be discussed carefully.
Thigh Contouring Surgery
A thigh lift removes loose skin from the thighs. Major weight loss is a common reason for thigh lift surgery.
A thigh lift may help with:
- Loose inner thigh skin
- Chafing from loose thigh skin
- Trouble with pants fit
- Heaviness in the thighs from loose skin
- Post-weight-loss or post-bariatric thigh changes
Different thigh lift incision patterns may be used. How much skin needs removal and where the looseness sits will guide the best option.
Body Lift After Weight Loss
A body lift removes loose skin around the lower body. The procedure may improve several areas, including the abdomen, hips, outer thighs, buttocks, and lower back.
Patients may consider a body lift after:
- Substantial weight loss
- Bariatric surgery
- Body changes related to pregnancy
- Major loose skin from aging
This is a more involved surgery with a longer recovery. The best candidates are usually in good health and at a stable weight.
Fat Transfer to the Body
Fat transfer, also called fat grafting, moves fat from one part of the body to another. The goal may be natural volume, smoother contour, or both.
Body fat grafting can involve:
- Breast contour
- Buttock volume
- Hip volume
- The face
- Contour changes after surgery or injury
Fat grafting uses your own tissue, but not all transferred fat survives. Because transferred fat can change over time, more than one session may be needed.
Skin and Scar Plastic Surgery Procedures
Plastic surgeons may also treat scars, skin surface concerns, and soft tissue issues.
Scar Revision
Scar revision can improve the appearance or feel of a scar. Scar revision may not erase a scar, but it can improve scars that are raised, tight, wide, or noticeable.
Scar revision may address:
- Scarring after surgery
- Scarring after an injury
- Burn scars
- Raised or thick scars
- Restrictive scars
- Movement-limiting scars
Treatment may involve surgery, copyright injections, laser treatment, silicone therapy, or a combination.
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. Certain lesions should be checked medically to rule out skin cancer.
Removal may be done for:
- Irritation
- Growth
- Bleeding
- Cosmetic concern
- A need for diagnosis
- Improved comfort
Changing moles or suspicious skin lesions should be reviewed by a qualified medical professional.
Skin Cancer Reconstruction
When skin cancer is removed, plastic surgery reconstruction may help close the area and restore appearance. Reconstruction is especially common on visible or delicate areas such as the face, nose, eyelids, ears, lips, scalp, and hands.
Common skin cancer reconstruction methods include:
- Direct surgical closure
- A skin graft
- Local flaps
- Advanced reconstructive techniques
Skin cancer reconstruction aims to support safe cancer removal while protecting function and appearance.
Injectable and Skin Treatments
Not all cosmetic concerns require surgery. Non-surgical options can address early aging changes, facial lines, lost volume, and skin quality. Most non-surgical treatments have less downtime, but the results do not last as long as surgery.
Wrinkle Relaxing Injections
Neuromodulators such as BOTOX reduce movement in selected facial muscles. They are commonly used for expression lines.
Common neuromodulator treatment areas include:
- Lines between the eyebrows
- Lines across the forehead
- Lines at the outer corners of the eyes
- Small nose wrinkles
- Chin dimpling
- Mild neck bands in certain cases
Neuromodulator results are temporary, so maintenance appointments are often part of the plan. Most patients want a softer, rested look rather than a frozen face.
Hyaluronic Acid Fillers
Dermal fillers restore or add volume. Hyaluronic acid, a gel-like substance cosmetic plastic surgery near me used to shape and support soft tissue, is common in dermal fillers.
Dermal filler treatment may involve:
- Lips
- Cheeks
- Chin
- Jawline definition
- Tear trough hollowing
- Nasolabial folds
- Mouth-corner lines
Dermal filler results depend on product choice, injection technique, facial anatomy, and treatment goals. Overfilling may look unnatural, so conservative planning is important.
Chemical Peels
Chemical peel treatment uses a controlled solution to refresh the outer skin layers.
Chemical peels may address:
- Uneven tone
- A dull complexion
- Fine lines
- Photoaging
- Mild post-acne marks
- Skin texture concerns
Chemical peels can range from light treatments to deeper treatments. Healing time varies based on the peel depth and type.
Laser and Energy Treatments for Skin
Laser and energy-based treatments can improve skin tone, redness, texture, hair growth, scars, and signs of aging.
Common examples include:
- Skin laser resurfacing
- Intense pulsed light treatment
- Radiofrequency treatments
- Skin tightening procedures
- Laser hair removal or reduction
- Laser treatment for small visible vessels
These treatments should be matched to the patient’s skin type, skin tone, and concern. Patients with darker skin tones need careful treatment planning because pigment changes can be a concern.
Dermabrasion and Microdermabrasion
Dermabrasion is a deeper resurfacing procedure that removes outer skin layers. Compared with dermabrasion, microdermabrasion is lighter and more superficial.
These treatments may help with:
- Uneven texture
- Light scarring
- Dullness
- Surface irregularity
- Small fine lines
Choosing between these treatments depends on skin quality, goals, recovery time, and risk tolerance.
Choosing the Right Plastic Surgery Procedure
Choosing the right procedure begins with the concern, not the procedure name. Many patients come in asking for one treatment, then learn that another option better matches their anatomy.
This can happen in situations such as:
- Heavy upper lids can be caused by extra eyelid skin, a low brow, or both.
- A soft jawline can come from loose skin, neck bands, fat, or chin position.
- A full belly can involve extra fat, loose skin, diastasis recti, or internal weight.
- Flat-looking breasts may be improved with a lift, implants, fat grafting, or a combination.
- Fat pads, hollowing, skin laxity, or pigmentation may contribute to under-eye bags.
A clear plastic surgery plan should answer three key questions:
- What anatomy is causing the issue?
- Which procedure best treats that cause?
- What trade-offs come with that option?
These trade-offs may include scars, downtime, swelling, cost, maintenance, and possible complications.
Common Questions and Concerns Before Plastic Surgery
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 whether the result will look natural.
“Will I Still Look Like Myself?”
This is one of the most common patient concerns. Many people want to look refreshed, not changed. A natural result should match your facial features, body frame, age, and personal style.
For many patients, the goal is better balance, not a perfect or unrealistic look.
“How Long Is the Recovery?”
Recovery time depends on the procedure. Little or no downtime may be needed after many non-surgical treatments. Larger surgeries, such as tummy tuck, body lift, or mommy makeover, require more planning.
In general, patients should plan for:
- Swelling or bruising
- Reduced activity
- Recovery time before returning to work
- Post-operative follow-up visits
- Scar care
- Careful return to exercise
- Final results that take time to settle
Healing takes time. For many procedures, results continue to refine over weeks and months.
“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.
Many factors affect scar quality, including:
- How your body naturally scars
- Skin tone
- Procedure type
- Incision placement
- Tension on the wound
- Smoking or nicotine use
- UV exposure
- How the scar is cared for
Scars tend to soften and fade, but they usually remain to some degree.
“Is Cosmetic Surgery Safe?”
All surgical procedures carry some risk. Plastic surgery risks may include bleeding, infection, poor scarring, anesthesia concerns, asymmetry, delayed healing, numbness, fluid buildup, and dissatisfaction.
Safety depends on many factors, including:
- General health
- Medications you take
- Use of tobacco or nicotine
- The type of procedure
- The accredited surgical setting
- The anesthesia approach
- The training and experience of the surgeon
- Your follow-up care
Benefits, risks, alternatives, and realistic expectations should all be discussed during a consultation.
Important Plastic Surgery Information for Canadian Patients
Across Canada, plastic surgery is overseen through licensing, provincial colleges, hospital systems, surgical facilities, and professional standards. Patients should know the difference between marketing terms and recognized medical training.
Choosing a Plastic Surgeon in Canada
Proper training and credentials matter when researching plastic surgery in Canada. A plastic surgeon should have medical training, surgical training, and certification in plastic surgery.
Helpful questions include:
- Are you certified 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?
- What are the risks for my specific case?
- What happens if I have a complication?
- What does post-operative follow-up include?
- Do you have examples of patients with similar concerns?
This is not about being demanding. It is about being informed.
Cosmetic Surgery Costs in Canada
The cost of cosmetic surgery in Canada can vary a lot. 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. Pricing may be different in smaller cities, but the lowest cost should not be the main deciding factor.
A bargain price is not always a good deal if it comes with weaker safety, training, facility standards, or aftercare.
Medical Tourism vs. Surgery in Canada
Some patients in Canada consider medical tourism to save money on surgery. Although this may sound appealing, extra risks should be considered.
Possible concerns with surgery abroad include:
- Limited post-surgery follow-up
- Travelling before healing is complete
- Infection-related complications
- Different health care standards
- Harder access to records
- Challenges managing post-surgery problems in Canada
- Communication barriers
- Unexpected revision costs
Staying closer to home for surgery can help with follow-up, especially if swelling, healing problems, or complications need attention.
Preparing for a Plastic Surgery Consultation
During a consultation, you can learn what is possible, what is safe, and what results are realistic. The process should feel informative, not rushed or pressured.
Before your visit, it helps to prepare:
- List your main concerns before the visit.
- Bring a list of your medications and supplements.
- Tell the surgeon about your medical history.
- Share whether you smoke, vape, use cannabis, or use nicotine.
- Reference photos can be helpful if they explain your goals.
- Discuss recovery, scarring, risks, and other options.
- Ask what result is realistic for your body or face.
A good consultation should clearly discuss your options. Sometimes the best advice is to wait, choose a smaller treatment, improve health first, or avoid surgery altogether.
Plastic Surgery Candidate Guidelines
A good candidate is usually someone who is healthy, informed, and realistic. Plastic surgery can improve appearance, but good candidates know it cannot create perfection or solve every concern.
You may be a good candidate if:
- You are medically well enough for surgery
- Your goals are based on a clear concern
- Your weight is stable for body surgery
- You can avoid smoking and nicotine before and after surgery
- You are prepared for the recovery process
- You accept the risks and trade-offs
- You want the procedure for yourself
- Your goals are realistic
You may need to postpone surgery if you are pregnant, planning major weight loss, using nicotine, managing an unstable medical condition, or feeling pressured by someone else.
Can Plastic Surgery Procedures Be Combined?
It may be safe to combine some procedures. Some procedures are safer when staged. 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:
- Combining facelift and neck lift
- Blepharoplasty with brow lift
- Rhinoplasty with chin surgery
- Breast lift plus volume enhancement
- Combining tummy tuck and liposuction
- Mommy makeover procedures
- Combining body lift with arm or thigh surgery
- Facial surgery combined with fat grafting
Your health, procedure length, anesthesia, recovery support, and risk level all affect the safest plan.
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. Non-surgical treatments may also help with wrinkles, volume loss, skin texture, and early aging changes.
The best procedure is not always the procedure people ask about first. A good procedure choice fits the patient’s anatomy, goals, health, and comfort level.
Every plastic surgery plan should put safety, natural-looking results, clear expectations, and proper follow-up care first. Before choosing eyelid surgery, rhinoplasty, breast augmentation, tummy tuck, liposuction, facelift surgery, or reconstructive plastic surgery, it helps to understand what each option can and cannot do.