Types of Plastic Surgery Procedures in Canada

Across Canada, plastic surgery includes a wide range of procedures that can reshape, rebuild, or enhance the face and body. When surgery is chosen mainly to improve appearance, it is often called cosmetic surgery. Others are reconstructive, which means 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. For some people, the goal is to look more balanced. Some patients hope to restore their body after changes from pregnancy, weight loss, or aging. For some patients, the need is related to trauma, skin cancer, breast cancer, or a congenital concern. A safe plan should be based on your anatomy, goals, health, lifestyle, and recovery time.

This page explains the main types of plastic surgery procedures in Canada, with sections on facial surgery, breast surgery, body contouring, reconstructive surgery, and non-surgical cosmetic treatments. It also explains what to think about before booking a consultation.

Understanding Cosmetic vs. Reconstructive Plastic Surgery

The two main types of plastic surgery are usually cosmetic surgery and reconstructive surgery.

Cosmetic Plastic Surgery

Cosmetic plastic surgery focuses on appearance. Because cosmetic surgery is usually elective, it is planned by choice and is not normally medically required.

Common cosmetic goals may include:

Refining facial balance
Reducing signs of aging
Improving body contours
Improving volume changes after weight loss or pregnancy
Improving the nose, eyelids, ears, lips, breasts, abdomen, arms, or thighs
Supporting a better fit in clothing
Creating natural-looking changes that may support confidence

Cosmetic procedures in Canada are usually not covered by provincial health plans and are often paid for privately. Fees are affected by factors such as the procedure, surgeon, facility, anesthesia plan, follow-up care, and city or province.

Reconstructive Plastic Surgery in Canada

Reconstructive plastic surgery is focused on restoring 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 mastectomy
Skin cancer reconstruction after skin cancer excision
Cleft lip and palate reconstruction
Reconstruction after burns
Hand reconstruction
Scar treatment and revision
Surgical wound repair
Surgery for facial trauma repair
Congenital difference repair

When reconstructive procedures are medically necessary, some may be covered by a provincial health plan. Purely cosmetic changes are usually paid for privately.

Types of Facial Plastic Surgery

Plastic surgery for the face can help improve balance, reduce visible aging, and create a more refreshed appearance. The goal is usually not to look “different.” The best facial surgery results often look natural and balanced.

Facelift Surgery (Rhytidectomy)

A facelift, also called rhytidectomy, improves sagging in the lower face and jawline. This procedure may soften jowls, tighten loose facial skin, and improve deeper folds around the mouth.

A facelift may address:

Softness or jowling at the jawline
Loose skin in the lower face
Deep smile lines
Sagging cheek tissue
Poor definition between the face and neck

Modern facelift surgery often focuses 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 can be part of a larger facial rejuvenation plan that includes a neck lift, eyelid surgery, brow lift, or facial fat grafting.

Neck Lift Procedure (Platysmaplasty)

A neck lift can improve loose skin, muscle bands, and fullness under the chin. When the neck muscle is tightened, the procedure is called platysmaplasty.

Patients may consider a neck lift for:

Neck bands
Extra neck skin
Soft jawline definition
Under-chin fullness
A neck that looks loose or heavy

Skin and muscle tightening may both be needed in certain patients. Some patients may only need liposuction under the chin. The face and neck often change at the same time, so facelift and neck lift surgery may be combined.

Eyelid Surgery for Tired-Looking Eyes

Eyelid surgery, also called blepharoplasty, improves tired-looking eyes by removing or adjusting extra skin, fat, or tissue around the eyelids.

Upper eyelid surgery may help with:

Heaviness in the upper eyelids
Extra skin on the upper eyelids
Eyes that look tired or aged
Skin resting on the eyelashes
Vision concerns in select medical cases

Lower blepharoplasty may help with:

Lower eyelid bags
Puffiness beneath the eyes
Loose lower eyelid skin
Shadowing beneath the lower lids
Eyes that still look tired after rest

Eyelid surgery is one of the most common facial procedures because small changes around the eyes can make the whole face look more rested.

Forehead Lift and Brow Lift Surgery

A brow lift, also known as a forehead lift, raises a low or heavy brow. This can help improve the upper eye area and ease a heavy forehead look.

Common brow lift concerns include:

Drooping eyebrows
Upper eyelid heaviness caused by a low brow
Forehead wrinkles
Lines between the brows
A tired, sad, or stern expression

A brow lift is not the same as eyelid surgery. Eyelid surgery addresses extra eyelid skin, while a brow lift changes the position of the eyebrows. Some patients need only a brow lift or eyelid surgery, while others benefit from both procedures.

Cosmetic and Functional Rhinoplasty

The shape, size, or structure of the nose can be changed with rhinoplasty, often called a nose job. It can be cosmetic, functional, or both.

Nose surgery can address concerns such as:

A bump on the bridge
A lowered nose tip
A wide nasal tip
A crooked nose
Nasal size or projection
An uneven-looking nose
Airflow issues caused by nasal structure

When breathing is a concern, surgery may include work on the septum, the wall between the nostrils. The medical term for septum surgery is septoplasty. A cosmetic rhinoplasty is done for appearance, while functional nasal surgery is done to improve airflow.

Ear Surgery (Otoplasty)

Ear surgery or otoplasty is used to adjust ear shape, position, or size. This procedure is often used when the ears project away from the head.

Otoplasty may address:

Ears that sit far from the head
Uneven ears
Large cartilage folds in the ears
Ears that project away from the head
Earlobe concerns

Otoplasty is common in adults and children. For children, timing depends on ear growth, maturity, and family goals.

Lip Lift for Upper Lip Balance

The space between the upper lip and the nose can be shortened with a lip lift. The distance is called the upper lip length. The procedure may make the upper lip look more visible without adding filler.

Common lip lift concerns include:

Upper lip length that looks long
Less upper tooth visibility with a smile
Limited visible upper lip
Lip imbalance
Aging in the lip and mouth area

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.

Facial Implant Surgery for the Chin, Cheeks, and Jawline

Facial implants can improve balance in the chin, cheeks, or jawline. A chin implant may be considered when the chin looks small compared with the nose or other facial features.

Facial implants may involve:

Surgical chin implants
Cheek implant surgery
Jawline implant surgery

In some cases, chin surgery may be combined with rhinoplasty because the nose and chin affect facial balance in profile view.

Facial Fat Transfer

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 help with:

Loss of cheek fullness
Under-eye hollowing
Volume changes caused by aging
Soft tissue thinning
Facial imbalance

Facial fat grafting can be performed by itself or with procedures such as facelift surgery, eyelid surgery, or other facial surgery.

Breast Plastic Surgery Procedures

Many patients in Canada consider breast surgery for cosmetic or reconstructive reasons. Some patients want more volume, less size, a breast lift, better symmetry, or breast restoration after cancer surgery.

Breast Implants and Fat Transfer Augmentation

Breast augmentation improves breast size and shape using implants or fat transfer. Breast implants may be saline or silicone gel. Implant choice depends on body type, breast tissue, goals, and surgeon guidance.

Breast augmentation surgery can help improve:

Naturally small breasts
Pregnancy-related breast volume loss
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. A careful plan should consider chest width, skin quality, lifestyle, and long-term maintenance.

Breast Lift (Mastopexy)

A breast lift, also called mastopexy, raises and reshapes breasts that have dropped. A breast lift does not mainly increase breast volume. A breast lift is designed to improve where the breasts sit and how they are shaped.

A breast lift may help with:

Lower breast position
Nipple descent
Areola stretching
Stretched breast skin
Post-pregnancy, breastfeeding, or weight-loss breast changes

A breast lift may be combined with implants when more upper breast fullness is desired. A lift without implants may be preferred by patients who do not want added implant volume.

Reduction Mammoplasty

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 pain
Pain in the shoulders
Back strain
Bra strap grooves
Skin irritation under the breasts
Limited comfort during physical activity
Trouble finding clothing that fits

Some breast reduction procedures in Canada may be considered medically necessary. Coverage depends on provincial requirements, symptoms, and medical assessment.

Revision Breast Implant Surgery

Surgery to adjust or replace existing breast implants is called breast implant revision. Breast implant revision may be chosen for appearance-related reasons or medical issues.

Common breast implant revision concerns include:

A change in preferred implant size
An implant that has ruptured
Capsular contracture, which is firm scar tissue around an implant
An implant that has moved out of position
Uneven breast appearance
Breast changes over time after augmentation
No longer wanting breast implants

A breast lift may be done when implants are removed. Other patients prefer implant replacement with a new size, shape, or placement.

Breast Reconstruction Procedure

After mastectomy or lumpectomy, breast reconstruction can rebuild the breast. Breast reconstruction can use implants, natural tissue, or both.

Breast reconstruction may use:

Implant-based reconstruction
Reconstruction using tissue flaps
Nipple-areola reconstruction
Fat grafting for contour improvement
Revision surgery for symmetry

This can be a deeply personal choice. Some people prefer to have reconstruction. Others choose to stay flat. Both options are valid.

Gynecomastia Surgery

Gynecomastia surgery is used to reduce enlarged male breast tissue. Liposuction, gland removal, or a combination may be used.

Gynecomastia surgery may address:

Fullness around the nipples
Extra tissue under the areola
Extra chest volume
A chest that looks uneven
Self-consciousness 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.

Types of Body Contouring Surgery

Extra skin, stubborn fat, or loose tissue may be improved with body contouring surgery. It is often considered after pregnancy, aging, or major weight loss.

Tummy Tuck Surgery, Also Called Abdominoplasty

A tummy tuck, also called abdominoplasty, removes extra abdominal skin and tightens the abdominal wall. Separated abdominal muscles, called diastasis recti, can also be repaired during the procedure.

A tummy tuck may address:

Extra abdominal skin
A lower abdominal overhang
Stretch-marked lower belly skin
Diastasis recti
Changes after pregnancy or weight loss

A tummy tuck is not meant to be a weight-loss procedure. It is usually best for patients near a stable weight who want to improve abdominal shape.

Fat Reduction With Liposuction

Liposuction 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:

Belly area
Flanks, often called love handles
Outer hip area
The thighs
Upper arm area
Back contour areas
Chin and neck
Chest
Knee area

Skin tone is an important factor. If the skin is loose, liposuction alone may not be enough. Skin removal surgery may be needed if loose skin is the main concern.

Mommy Makeover Procedure

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 may include:

Abdominal contouring with tummy tuck
Breast lift
Breast implants or fat transfer augmentation
Surgical breast size reduction
Liposuction
Fat transfer for volume

The term can be misleading, since a mommy makeover is not only for mothers. It may be suitable for anyone with similar body changes. The best mommy makeover plan should consider health, goals, recovery time, and whether future pregnancy is expected.

Arm Lift (Brachioplasty)

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
Extra skin after major weight loss
Upper arm changes from aging
Trouble feeling comfortable in sleeveless shirts
Skin friction in the upper arms

A scar along the inner or back arm is the key trade-off with brachioplasty. Many patients feel the improved arm contour is worth the scar, but careful discussion is important.

Inner Thigh Lift

A thigh lift is used to remove loose skin and improve thigh shape. It is often chosen after major weight loss.

Thigh lift surgery can help improve:

Extra inner thigh skin
Skin friction between the thighs
Poor fit in pants
Heaviness in the thighs from loose skin
Thigh changes after weight loss or bariatric surgery

Thigh lift surgery can be done with different patterns. The right option depends on the amount of skin to remove and where the looseness is located.

Body Lift Surgery

A body lift removes loose skin around the lower body. It may improve the abdomen, hips, outer thighs, buttocks, and lower back.

A body lift may be considered after:

A major weight change
Surgery for weight loss
Pregnancy-related body changes
Aging with major skin laxity

A body lift is a larger procedure and usually has a longer recovery. Patients should be at a stable weight and in good overall health.

Body Contouring With Fat Transfer

Fat grafting transfers fat from one area of the body to another. It can be used to add natural volume or improve contour.

Common treatment areas include:

Breast contour
Buttock contour
Hip volume
Facial contour
Uneven contours 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, Scar, and Surface Procedures

Skin surface concerns, scars, and soft tissue problems may also be treated with plastic surgery.

Scar Revision Surgery

Scar revision can improve the appearance or feel of a scar. The scar will not usually disappear, but revision may make it flatter, softer, narrower, or less noticeable.

Patients may consider scar revision for:

Scars from surgery
Scars from injury
Burn-related scars
Thick scars
Scars that limit comfort
Scars that pull during movement

Treatment may involve surgery, copyright injections, laser treatment, silicone therapy, or a combination.

Plastic Surgery for Moles, Cysts, and Skin Lesions

When careful closure is important, plastic surgeons may remove benign skin lesions, cysts, moles, and lumps. Some lesions require medical assessment to rule out skin cancer.

Common reasons for removal include:

Skin irritation
A growing lesion
Bleeding or crusting
Cosmetic reasons
Pathology or diagnosis
Comfort

Any changing mole or suspicious skin lesion should be assessed by a qualified medical professional.

Plastic Surgery After Skin Cancer

When skin cancer is removed, plastic surgery reconstruction may help close the area and restore appearance. This is common on the face, nose, eyelids, ears, lips, scalp, and hands.

Skin cancer reconstruction may involve:

A direct closure
Skin grafts
Local tissue flaps
More complex reconstruction

The goal is safe cancer removal while preserving function and appearance as much as possible.

Common Non-Surgical Cosmetic Options

Not every patient needs surgery. For some patients, non-surgical treatments help soften early aging signs, facial lines, volume loss, and skin concerns. Non-surgical care often means less recovery time, but the results are usually temporary.

Wrinkle Relaxing Injections

BOTOX and other neuromodulators relax selected facial muscles. Neuromodulators are commonly chosen for lines caused by facial movement.

Common areas include:

Expression lines between the brows
Lines across the forehead
Crow’s feet around the eyes
Bunny lines on the nose
Peau d’orange chin texture
Neck muscle bands in some situations

The results do not last forever and usually need maintenance treatments. The goal is often a softer, rested look, not a frozen face.

Hyaluronic Acid Fillers

Dermal fillers can restore or add volume. They are often made with hyaluronic acid, a gel-like substance used to shape and support soft tissue.

Patients may consider fillers for:

Lip volume
Midface fullness
Chin shape
Jawline contour
Under-eye hollowing
Smile line folds
Mouth-corner lines

Product choice, technique, anatomy, and goals all affect filler results. Overfilling can look unnatural, so conservative planning is important.

Chemical Peel Treatments

Chemical peel treatment uses a controlled solution to refresh the outer skin layers.

Chemical peels may address:

Uneven tone
Tired-looking skin
Small fine lines
Sun damage
Mild acne marks
Texture concerns

Peel strength may range from light to deeper treatments. Downtime depends on how strong the peel is.

Energy-Based Aesthetic Skin Treatments

Laser and energy-based treatments can improve skin tone, redness, texture, hair growth, scars, and signs of aging.

Patients may consider options such as:

Skin laser resurfacing
Intense pulsed light (IPL)
Radiofrequency treatments
Energy-based skin tightening
Laser hair removal or reduction
Laser treatment for redness and broken vessels

These treatments should be matched to skin type, skin tone, and the concern being treated. Patients with darker skin tones need careful treatment planning because pigment changes can be a concern.

Dermabrasion and Microdermabrasion

A deeper resurfacing option called dermabrasion removes outer layers of skin. Compared with dermabrasion, microdermabrasion is lighter and more superficial.

Dermabrasion and microdermabrasion may help with:

Surface texture
Mild scarring
Dull-looking skin
Uneven skin feel
Mild lines

The best treatment depends on the patient’s skin quality, goals, available downtime, and comfort with risk.

Finding the Right Plastic Surgery Option

A good plastic surgery plan starts by identifying the concern instead of choosing a procedure name first. Many patients ask for one treatment and later learn that another option better matches their anatomy.

Examples include:

Upper lid heaviness may be related to eyelid skin, brow position, or both.
A soft jawline can come from 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 bags may be caused by fat pads, hollowing, skin laxity, or pigmentation.

The best plan usually starts with three questions:

What is the cause of the concern?
Which procedure treats that cause best?
What benefits and limits come with that procedure?

Patients should consider trade-offs such as scars, downtime, swelling, cost, maintenance, and possible complications.

Patient Concerns Before Plastic Surgery

Before plastic surgery, many patients feel both excited and nervous. It is normal to feel excited and nervous at the same time. Concerns about safety, pain, scars, recovery, cost, and natural results are very common.

“Will I Still Look Like Myself?”

This is a very common worry. Many people want to look refreshed, not changed. Natural-looking plastic surgery should respect your facial features, body frame, age, and personal style.

A healthy goal is often improved balance instead of perfection.

“When Can I Return to Normal Activities?”

The recovery period depends on which procedure is done. Non-surgical treatments may require little or no downtime. Procedures such as tummy tuck, body lift, or mommy makeover usually need more recovery planning.

In general, patients should plan for:

Post-surgery swelling and bruising
Limits on activity
Time away from work
Post-operative follow-up visits
Scar healing support
Careful return to exercise
A result that improves as swelling settles

Healing is not instant. The appearance often improves over time as swelling settles.

“How Noticeable Will Scars Be?”

A scar forms whenever an incision is made. The goal is not scar-free surgery, but careful scar placement and good healing.

Scar quality depends on:

How your body naturally scars
Pigment response in the skin
The type of procedure
Placement of the incision
Tension along the incision
Smoking or nicotine use
Exposure to the sun
How the scar is cared for

Scars usually fade with time, but they do not disappear completely.

“What Should I Know About Plastic Surgery Safety?”

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.

Surgical safety depends on several factors, including:

The patient’s health
Medication use
Smoking or nicotine use
The procedure selected
The surgery facility
The planned anesthesia
The surgeon’s training and experience
Follow-up after surgery

A good consultation should explain benefits, risks, alternatives, and what is realistic.

Important Plastic Surgery Information for Canadian Patients

Canadian plastic surgery is regulated through medical licensing, provincial colleges, hospital systems, surgical facilities, and professional standards. Patients should not rely only on marketing terms, because recognized medical training matters.

How to Choose a Qualified Plastic Surgeon

Proper training and credentials matter when researching plastic surgery in Canada. A plastic surgeon should have medical training, surgical training, and certification in the specialty of plastic surgery.

Patients may want to ask:

Do you have certification in plastic surgery?
Are you licensed to practise medicine in this province?
Do you perform this procedure often?
Which surgical facility will be used?
Who provides anesthesia?
What risks apply to my specific case?
What happens if I have a complication?
How many follow-up visits are included?
Can I see results from similar cases?

Asking questions is not being difficult. It is about being informed.

Canadian Cosmetic Surgery Pricing

Fees for cosmetic plastic surgery in Canada can differ greatly. The final cost may include procedure complexity, surgeon experience, anesthesia, facility fees, implants or devices, garments, follow-up care, and location.

In major Canadian cities such as Vancouver, Toronto, Calgary, Edmonton, Ottawa, and Montreal, fees may be higher due to overhead and demand. Costs may vary in smaller Canadian cities, but price should not outweigh safety, training, and follow-up care.

If a very low price means less attention to safety, training, facility standards, or aftercare, it can be a warning sign.

Medical Tourism for Plastic Surgery

Lower-cost surgery outside Canada may appeal to some Canadians. Lower cost may be appealing, but surgery abroad can come with extra risks.

Concerns with medical tourism may include:

Less access to follow-up care
Travel soon after surgery
Possible infection
Different health care standards
Challenges getting procedure records
Complications that are harder to manage back in Canada
Possible language barriers
Unexpected revision costs

Having surgery closer to home may make follow-up easier, especially if swelling, healing concerns, or complications occur.

Getting Ready for a Plastic Surgery Consultation

A consultation is your chance to learn what is possible, what is safe, and what is realistic. It should not feel rushed or pressured.

Before a consultation, consider preparing in these ways:

Make notes about your main concerns.
Take a list of all medications and supplements you use.
Be ready to share your medical history.
Be honest about smoking, vaping, cannabis use, and nicotine exposure.
Bring photos if they help explain your goals.
Ask about recovery, scars, risks, and alternatives.
Ask what can realistically be achieved for your face or body.

A strong consultation includes clear discussion of treatment options. Sometimes the best advice is to wait, choose a smaller treatment, improve health first, or avoid surgery.

Plastic Surgery Candidate Guidelines

The best candidates for plastic surgery are often healthy, informed, and realistic. Realistic patients understand that surgery can help appearance, but it cannot make life perfect or solve every issue.

Plastic surgery may be appropriate if:

You are medically well enough for surgery
Your goals are based on a clear concern
You are at a stable weight for body contouring
You are nicotine-free or can stop before and after surgery
You understand healing takes time
You understand the risks and can accept them
You are choosing the procedure for yourself
You have reasonable expectations

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.

Combining Plastic Surgery Procedures

Combining procedures can be appropriate in selected cases. Some procedures are safer when staged. Combining procedures may reduce total recovery time, but it may also increase surgical time and healing demands.

Common combined surgery plans include:

A facelift with a neck lift
Eyelid surgery with a brow lift
Nose surgery with chin surgery
Breast lift with breast augmentation
Abdominal contouring with tummy tuck and liposuction
Breast and body procedures in a mommy makeover
Body lift with thigh lift or arm lift
Facial surgery combined with fat grafting

The safest plan depends on health, procedure length, anesthesia, recovery support, and risk level.

Understanding Your Plastic Surgery Options in Canada

Plastic surgery in Canada includes a wide range of cosmetic and reconstructive procedures. Some improve the face, breasts, or body. Other procedures focus on repair 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 best procedure is not always the most popular one. A good procedure choice fits the patient’s anatomy, goals, health, and comfort level.

The strongest treatment plan should focus on safety, natural-looking results, clear expectations, and proper follow-up care. For procedures such as eyelid surgery, rhinoplasty, breast augmentation, tummy tuck, liposuction, facelift surgery, or reconstructive local cosmetic plastic surgery plastic surgery, the first step is education about benefits and limits.