Plastic surgery includes many treatments that can reshape, rebuild, or support the face and body. Cosmetic procedures are usually chosen to improve appearance. Reconstructive procedures are used to help repair form or function after concerns such as injury, cancer, birth differences, burns, or medical conditions.
Plastic surgery searches in Canada often come from many individual goals. Some people are looking for a more rested look. Some patients hope to restore their body after changes from pregnancy, weight loss, or aging. Other patients need help after trauma, skin cancer, breast cancer, or a congenital concern. Choosing the right procedure depends on anatomy, goals, health, lifestyle, and recovery needs.
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 covers key questions to consider before a plastic surgery 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 is focused on appearance. Because cosmetic surgery is usually elective, it is planned by choice and is not normally medically required.
Common goals include:
- Creating better facial balance
- Improving visible signs of aging
- Refining body shape
- Replacing volume lost after weight change or pregnancy
- Changing the shape of the nose, eyelids, ears, lips, breasts, abdomen, arms, or thighs
- Helping patients feel better in clothing
- Helping confidence through natural-looking improvements
Cosmetic procedures in Canada are usually not covered by provincial health plans and are often paid for privately. The total fee can depend on the procedure, surgeon, facility, anesthesia, follow-up visits, and location.
What Is Reconstructive Plastic Surgery?
Reconstructive plastic surgery is focused on restoring form and function. It may be used after cancer surgery, trauma, burns, infections, birth differences, or medical conditions.
Examples of reconstructive plastic surgery include:
- Breast reconstruction following mastectomy
- Skin cancer reconstruction following tumour removal
- Cleft lip and palate reconstruction
- Surgical treatment for burn-related changes
- Hand reconstruction
- Scar repair or revision
- Repair of wounds
- Surgery for facial trauma repair
- Repair of congenital differences
Provincial health plans may cover some reconstructive procedures when they are medically necessary. Changes done only for cosmetic reasons are usually not covered.
Facial Plastic Surgery Procedures
Many facial plastic surgery procedures focus on balance, aging changes, and a refreshed appearance. For many patients, the goal is not to look like another person. Strong results usually look natural, balanced, and personal to the patient.
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:
- Jowls along the jawline
- Sagging skin in the lower face
- Prominent smile lines
- Drooping cheek tissue
- A blurred face and neck transition
Modern facelift surgery often treats deeper support layers below the skin. That deeper support can help create a smoother result that lasts longer and avoids a pulled look. A facelift is often combined with a neck lift, eyelid surgery, brow lift, or facial fat grafting.
Platysmaplasty and Neck Lift Surgery
A neck lift improves loose skin, muscle bands, and fullness under the chin. Platysmaplasty is the medical term for tightening the neck muscle.
Neck lift surgery can help improve:
- Vertical neck bands
- Extra neck skin
- A soft or undefined jawline
- Fullness under the chin
- A hanging neck appearance
Some patients need skin and muscle tightening. Other patients may benefit from liposuction under the chin. In many cases, the face and neck age together, so a facelift and neck lift may be planned at the same time.
Blepharoplasty, or Eyelid Surgery
Eyelid surgery, also known as blepharoplasty, improves tired-looking eyes by removing or adjusting extra skin, fat, or tissue around the eyelids.
Upper blepharoplasty may help with:
- Heavy upper eyelids
- Redundant upper eyelid skin
- An aged or fatigued look
- Extra skin that sits against the eyelashes
- Vision blockage in certain medical cases
Common lower eyelid concerns include:
- Visible under-eye bags
- Lower eyelid puffiness
- Lower eyelid skin laxity
- Shadowing 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.
Brow Lift Surgery for a Heavy Brow
Brow lift surgery, or a forehead lift, is used to raise a low or heavy brow. This can help improve the upper eye area and ease a plastic surgeon heavy forehead look.
A brow lift may address:
- Eyebrows that sit too low
- Upper eyelid heaviness caused by a low brow
- Forehead lines
- Frown lines between the brows
- A tired, sad, or stern expression
Brow lift surgery and eyelid surgery are not the same procedure. Extra eyelid skin is treated with eyelid surgery, while eyebrow position is treated with a brow lift. A consultation can help decide whether eyelid surgery, a brow lift, or both is the better fit.
Rhinoplasty for Nose Shape and Breathing
The shape, size, or structure of the nose can be changed with rhinoplasty, often called a nose job. The procedure can address cosmetic goals, functional concerns, or both.
Rhinoplasty may address:
- A raised bridge bump
- A nasal tip that droops
- Tip width or boxiness
- A crooked nose
- The size or projection of the nose
- Uneven nasal shape
- Nasal breathing concerns linked to anatomy
For patients with breathing concerns, rhinoplasty may include work on the septum, which separates the nostrils. That procedure is known as septoplasty. Cosmetic rhinoplasty changes appearance, while functional nasal surgery focuses on airflow.
Ear Surgery Procedure (Otoplasty)
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.
Otoplasty may help with:
- Ears that sit far from the head
- Ear asymmetry
- Prominent ear cartilage folds
- Ears with too much projection
- Earlobe concerns
Otoplasty is common in adults and children. For younger patients, ear growth, maturity, and family goals help guide timing.
Lip Lift Procedure
A lip lift is designed to shorten the space between the upper lip and the nose. That space is often described as the upper lip length. The procedure may make the upper lip look more visible without adding filler.
Lip lift surgery can help improve:
- A long space between the nose and upper lip
- Less visible upper teeth when smiling
- An upper lip that looks thin
- Uneven lip balance
- Changes around the mouth from aging
A lip lift is not the same as lip filler. Filler adds volume. A lip lift changes the position and shape of the upper lip.
Facial Implants for Balance
Facial implants can improve balance in the chin, cheeks, or jawline. When the chin appears small in relation to the nose or other features, chin surgery may help.
Facial implant options may include:
- Surgical chin implants
- Implants for the cheeks
- Implants for the jawline
Chin surgery may be planned with rhinoplasty when the nose and chin both influence profile balance.
Facial Fat Transfer
A patient’s own fat can be used in facial fat grafting to restore volume. The process usually involves taking fat from the abdomen or thighs, processing it, and placing it into selected facial areas.
Fat grafting to the face can help improve:
- Hollow cheeks
- Tear trough hollowing
- Volume changes caused by aging
- Soft tissue thinning
- Imbalance in facial volume
Fat grafting can be used alone or with facelift surgery, eyelid surgery, or other facial procedures.
Types of Breast Plastic Surgery
Breast surgery is among the most common areas of cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery in Canada. Breast plastic surgery can address volume, size, position, symmetry, and reconstruction after cancer surgery.
Breast Augmentation in Canada
Implants or fat transfer may be used in breast augmentation to increase breast size and improve shape. Saline and silicone gel are common breast implant options. Choosing an implant depends on the patient’s body type, breast tissue, goals, and guidance from the surgeon.
Common breast augmentation goals include:
- A naturally small breast shape
- Pregnancy-related breast volume loss
- Lost breast volume after weight changes
- Breasts that do not match well
- Improved breast shape in fitted clothing
Patients often worry about looking too large or unnatural. A careful plan should consider chest width, skin quality, lifestyle, and long-term maintenance.
Mastopexy, or Breast Lift Surgery
A breast lift, also known as mastopexy, raises and reshapes breasts that have dropped. It does not mainly add volume. Instead, the goal is to improve breast position and shape.
A breast lift may address:
- Breast sagging
- Nipples that point downward
- Areola stretching
- Loose breast skin
- Changes after pregnancy, breastfeeding, or weight loss
For patients who want more fullness, implants may be added to a breast lift. Other patients prefer a lift without implants for a natural result.
Reduction Mammoplasty
Breast reduction surgery makes the breasts smaller and lighter by removing extra breast tissue, fat, and skin.
Common breast reduction concerns include:
- Pain in the neck
- Shoulder strain
- Pain in the back
- Bra strap grooves
- Under-breast skin irritation
- Limited comfort during physical activity
- Clothing fit challenges
In certain Canadian cases, breast reduction may qualify as medically necessary. Coverage depends on provincial rules, symptoms, and medical assessment.
Breast Implant Revision
Breast implant revision surgery is used to change, adjust, or replace current breast implants. It may be needed for cosmetic reasons or medical concerns.
Breast implant revision may be needed for:
- Changing breast implant size
- Rupture of an implant
- Capsular contracture, which means firm scar tissue around an implant
- Implant shifting
- Breast size or shape imbalance
- Changes from aging after breast augmentation
- Choosing to remove implants
Some patients choose to remove implants and have a lift. Other patients prefer implant replacement with a new size, shape, or placement.
Reconstructive Breast Surgery
The breast may be rebuilt after mastectomy or lumpectomy with breast reconstruction. Implants, natural tissue, or a mix of both may be used for breast reconstruction.
Breast reconstruction may involve:
- Breast reconstruction with implants
- Tissue flap reconstruction
- Reconstruction of the nipple and areola
- Breast fat grafting
- Revision surgery for symmetry
This is a deeply personal choice. Some patients want reconstruction. Some patients choose a flat closure instead. Both choices are valid.
Gynecomastia Surgery
Gynecomastia surgery is used to reduce enlarged male breast tissue. It may involve liposuction, gland removal, or both.
Common gynecomastia concerns include:
- Puffy-looking nipples
- Extra tissue under the areola
- A fuller male chest
- Male chest asymmetry
- 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.
Body Plastic Surgery Procedures
Extra skin, stubborn fat, or loose tissue may be improved with body contouring surgery. Many patients consider body contouring after pregnancy, aging, or major weight loss.
Abdominoplasty, or Tummy Tuck Surgery
A tummy tuck, also known as abdominoplasty, removes extra abdominal skin and tightens the abdominal wall. It can also repair separated abdominal muscles, which are known as diastasis recti.
Patients may consider a tummy tuck for:
- Sagging abdominal skin
- An overhang in the lower belly
- Stretch-marked skin below the belly button
- Diastasis recti
- Abdominal changes after pregnancy or weight loss
A tummy tuck is not a weight-loss procedure. It is usually best for patients near a stable weight who want to improve abdominal shape.
Liposuction Surgery
Liposuction removes localized fat using a thin tube called a cannula. Liposuction is not a weight-loss method, it is a contouring procedure.
Patients may consider liposuction for:
- Abdominal area
- Flanks, also called love handles
- Hip contours
- Inner or outer thighs
- Upper arms
- Back contour areas
- The chin and neck
- Male or female 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 Procedure
A mommy makeover is a custom plan that treats body changes after pregnancy, breastfeeding, or weight change. Breast and abdominal procedures are often combined in a mommy makeover.
A mommy makeover may include:
- A tummy tuck procedure
- Mastopexy
- Surgical breast enhancement
- A breast reduction procedure
- Surgical fat removal
- Body fat grafting
The term can be misleading, since a mommy makeover is not only for mothers. It is for anyone with similar body changes. A safe plan depends on the patient’s health, goals, recovery time, and plans for future pregnancy.
Arm Lift Surgery, Also Called Brachioplasty
Loose upper arm skin can be removed with an arm lift, also called brachioplasty.
Arm lift surgery can help improve:
- Hanging upper arm skin
- Loose upper arm skin after weight loss
- Age-related changes in the arms
- Difficulty wearing sleeveless tops
- Chafing from upper arm skin
The trade-off is 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
A thigh lift is used to remove loose skin and improve thigh shape. It is often chosen after major weight loss.
A thigh lift may address:
- Sagging skin on the inner thighs
- Skin friction between the thighs
- Difficulty fitting pants
- A heavy feeling from extra skin
- Post-weight-loss or post-bariatric thigh changes
Different thigh lift incision patterns may be used. The right option depends on the amount of skin to remove and where the looseness is located.
Body Lift
A body lift removes extra 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 considered after:
- Significant weight loss
- Weight-loss surgery
- Body changes related to pregnancy
- Aging changes with loose skin
A body lift is a larger procedure and usually has a longer recovery. A stable weight and good overall health are important before body lift surgery.
Fat Grafting to the Body
Fat transfer, also called fat grafting, moves fat from one part of the body to another. Fat grafting can add natural volume or refine body contour.
Fat grafting may be used in areas such as:
- Breast volume
- Buttock volume
- Hip shape
- Facial volume
- Contour changes after surgery or injury
Although fat grafting uses your own fat, not all transferred fat will survive. Fat grafting results can evolve, so repeat treatment may be needed for some patients.
Skin and Scar Plastic Surgery Procedures
Skin surface concerns, scars, and soft tissue problems may also be treated with plastic surgery.
Scar Revision
Scar revision surgery is used to improve how a scar looks or feels. Scar revision cannot guarantee an erased scar, but it may make the scar less raised, tight, wide, or visible.
Scar revision may help with:
- Surgery-related scars
- Scarring after an injury
- Burn-related scars
- Scars that feel thick
- Scars that feel tight
- Scars that pull during movement
Treatment may involve surgery, copyright injections, laser treatment, silicone therapy, or a combination.
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. Certain lesions should be checked medically to rule out skin cancer.
Common reasons for removal include:
- Ongoing irritation
- A growing lesion
- A lesion that bleeds
- Appearance concerns
- Diagnosis
- Comfort in daily life
A qualified medical professional should assess any changing mole or suspicious skin lesion.
Skin Cancer Reconstruction Procedures
Skin cancer reconstruction can help close the treated area and restore appearance after cancer removal. This is common on the face, nose, eyelids, ears, lips, scalp, and hands.
Reconstruction after skin cancer may include:
- A direct closure
- Using a skin graft
- A local flap
- More complex reconstruction
The goal is safe cancer removal while preserving function and appearance as much as possible.
Injectable and Skin Treatments
Not all cosmetic concerns require surgery. Early signs of aging, facial lines, volume loss, and skin quality concerns may be improved with non-surgical cosmetic treatments. Compared with surgery, non-surgical treatments often have less downtime but need maintenance.
Wrinkle Relaxing Injections
BOTOX and other neuromodulators relax selected facial muscles. Neuromodulators are commonly chosen for lines caused by facial movement.
Common areas include:
- Glabellar frown lines
- Horizontal forehead lines
- Eye-area smile lines
- Expression lines on the nose
- Peau d’orange chin texture
- Neck bands for some patients
Results are temporary and usually need repeat treatments. Treatment should often create a softer, more rested look instead of a frozen appearance.
Dermal Filler Treatments
Dermal fillers restore or add volume. Hyaluronic acid, a gel-like substance used to shape and support soft tissue, is common in dermal fillers.
Dermal filler treatment may involve:
- Lip shape
- Cheeks
- Chin
- Jawline
- Hollows beneath the eyes
- Lines from the nose to the mouth
- 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 Peels for Skin Texture and Tone
A chemical peel uses a controlled chemical solution to improve the outer layers of skin.
Chemical peels may help with:
- Skin tone irregularity
- A dull complexion
- Fine surface lines
- Photoaging
- Mild post-acne marks
- Texture concerns
Peel strength can range from light to deeper treatments. The type of peel affects recovery time.
Laser Skin Treatments and Energy-Based Procedures
Laser and energy-based treatments may improve skin tone, redness, texture, hair growth, scars, and signs of aging.
Laser and energy-based options may include:
- Laser skin resurfacing
- Photofacial treatment with IPL
- RF skin treatments
- Skin tightening treatments
- Laser-based hair reduction
- Vascular laser treatment for redness or broken vessels
Skin type, skin tone, and the concern being treated should guide the choice of treatment. Patients with darker skin tones need careful treatment planning because pigment changes can be a concern.
Microdermabrasion and Dermabrasion Treatments
Outer skin layers can be removed with dermabrasion, a deeper resurfacing procedure. Microdermabrasion is lighter and more surface-level.
Dermabrasion and microdermabrasion may help with:
- Rough texture
- Minor acne scarring
- Skin dullness
- An uneven skin surface
- Fine surface lines
Choosing between these treatments depends on skin quality, goals, recovery time, and risk tolerance.
How Patients Can Choose the Best Procedure
The right procedure should be chosen based on the concern, not just the procedure name. Many patients ask for one treatment and later learn that another option better matches their anatomy.
This can happen in situations such as:
- Heavy upper lids may 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 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.
- Under-eye concerns may come from fat pads, hollows, loose skin, or pigmentation.
A helpful treatment plan should answer these three questions:
- What is causing the concern?
- Which procedure best treats that cause?
- What are the trade-offs of that option?
Those trade-offs may include scars, downtime, swelling, cost, maintenance, and possible complications.
Common Patient Concerns Before Plastic Surgery
Most patients feel a mix of emotions before plastic surgery. Excitement is common, but so are nerves. Patients often have questions about safety, discomfort, scarring, healing, cost, and whether results will look natural.
“Will the Result Still Look Like Me?”
This is one of the most common concerns. Many people want to look refreshed, not changed. Good plastic surgery should respect the patient’s natural features, body frame, age, and style.
The goal is often to improve balance, not chase perfection.
“How Long Does Plastic Surgery Recovery Take?”
Downtime varies by procedure. Non-surgical treatments may need little or no downtime. Larger surgeries, such as tummy tuck, body lift, or mommy makeover, need more planning.
In general, recovery planning may include:
- Swelling and bruising
- Temporary activity restrictions
- Recovery time before returning to work
- Surgical follow-up care
- Care for scars
- A gradual return to exercise
- Gradual settling before final results are seen
Healing is not instant. The appearance often improves over time as swelling settles.
“Can Plastic Surgery Scars Be Hidden?”
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:
- Genetic healing patterns
- Skin colour and tone
- Which procedure is done
- Scar location
- Tension on the wound
- Smoking and vaping status
- UV exposure
- How the scar is cared for
A scar often becomes less noticeable over time, but it will not vanish completely.
“Is Cosmetic Surgery Safe?”
All surgery has risk. Risks may include bleeding, infection, poor scarring, anesthesia problems, asymmetry, delayed healing, numbness, fluid buildup, and dissatisfaction with the result.
Safety depends on many factors, including:
- Your overall health
- Your current medications
- Smoking or nicotine use
- The type of procedure
- The facility where surgery is done
- The anesthesia approach
- The training and experience of the surgeon
- Care after the procedure
Benefits, risks, alternatives, and realistic expectations should all be discussed during a consultation.
What Canadians Should Know About Plastic Surgery
In Canada, plastic surgery is regulated through medical licensing, provincial colleges, hospitals, surgical facilities, and professional standards. It is important to understand the difference between marketing language and recognized medical training.
How to Choose a Qualified Plastic Surgeon
If you are researching plastic surgery in Canada, look closely at training and credentials. A plastic surgeon should have medical training, surgical training, and certification in plastic surgery.
Important consultation questions include:
- Are you certified in plastic surgery?
- Are you licensed to practise in this province?
- Do you commonly perform this type of surgery?
- Where will the procedure take place?
- Who manages anesthesia during the procedure?
- What complications should I understand for my situation?
- What happens if a complication occurs?
- How often will I be seen after surgery?
- Can I see examples of similar cases?
This is not about challenging the surgeon. It is about being informed.
What Affects Plastic Surgery Fees in Canada
Plastic surgery pricing in Canada varies widely. The final cost may include procedure complexity, surgeon experience, anesthesia, facility fees, implants or devices, garments, follow-up care, and location.
Fees may be higher in major Canadian cities such as Vancouver, Toronto, Calgary, Edmonton, Ottawa, and Montreal due to overhead and demand. 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.
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.
Risks or challenges with medical tourism may include:
- Reduced follow-up access
- Flying or travelling soon after surgery
- Risk of infection
- Different medical standards
- Harder access to records
- Complications that are harder to manage back in Canada
- Communication barriers
- Cost of revision surgery
Staying closer to home for surgery can help with follow-up, especially if swelling, healing problems, or complications need attention.
What to Bring to a Plastic Surgery Consultation
Your consultation is the time to understand what can be done safely and realistically. The process should feel informative, not rushed or pressured.
It helps to prepare before your consultation:
- Prepare a short list of your main concerns.
- Prepare your medication and supplement list.
- Be ready to share your medical history.
- Tell the truth about smoking, vaping, cannabis, and nicotine use.
- Reference photos can be helpful if they explain your goals.
- Ask about recovery, scars, risks, and alternatives.
- Find out what result is realistic for your anatomy.
A helpful consultation should explain your options clearly. A responsible plan may involve waiting, starting with a smaller treatment, improving health, or deciding against surgery.
Who May Be a Good Candidate?
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 suitable candidate if:
- You are medically well enough for surgery
- You know what concern you want to address
- Your weight is stable for body surgery
- You do not smoke or can stop before and after surgery
- You understand what recovery involves
- You accept the risks, scars, and trade-offs
- The choice is based on your own goals
- Your expectations are realistic
A safer plan may involve waiting if you are pregnant, planning major weight loss, using nicotine, managing unstable health, or feeling pressured.
Combined Plastic Surgery Procedures
Combining procedures can be appropriate in selected cases. Other surgeries may need to be done in stages. Combined surgery can reduce overall downtime, but it can also increase surgical time and recovery demands.
Common procedure combinations include:
- Lower face and neck rejuvenation
- Eyelid surgery with a brow lift
- Rhinoplasty with chin surgery
- Mastopexy with augmentation
- Abdominal contouring with tummy tuck and liposuction
- A customized mommy makeover
- Body lift plus thigh or arm contouring
- Fat grafting with facial surgery
The safest plan depends on your health, procedure length, anesthesia, recovery support, and risk level.
Understanding Your Plastic Surgery Options in Canada
Canadian plastic surgery includes both cosmetic and reconstructive procedures. Some options are designed to refine facial, breast, or body shape. Some procedures restore tissue after cancer, injury, burns, or medical conditions. Non-surgical cosmetic options can help soften wrinkles, restore volume, improve texture, and address early aging changes.
The most popular procedure is not always the best fit. A good procedure choice fits the patient’s anatomy, goals, health, and comfort level.
A thoughtful plan should focus on safety, natural-looking results, clear expectations, and proper follow-up care. Whether you are considering eyelid surgery, rhinoplasty, breast augmentation, tummy tuck, liposuction, facelift surgery, or reconstructive plastic surgery, the first step is learning what each option can and cannot do.