Plastic surgery includes many surgical options that can change, restore, or improve the face and body. When surgery is chosen mainly to improve appearance, it is often called cosmetic surgery. Other procedures are reconstructive, meaning they help rebuild form or function after injury, cancer, birth differences, burns, or medical conditions.
In Canada, people search for plastic surgery for many personal reasons. Many patients simply want to look more like themselves. Others want to restore body shape after pregnancy, weight loss, or aging. Other patients need help after trauma, skin cancer, breast cancer, or a congenital concern. The best procedure depends on your anatomy, goals, health, lifestyle, and available recovery time.
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. It also reviews what to consider before booking a consultation.
Cosmetic Plastic Surgery vs. Reconstructive Plastic Surgery
Plastic surgery is commonly divided into two main categories, cosmetic surgery and reconstructive surgery.
What Is Cosmetic Plastic Surgery?
Cosmetic plastic surgery focuses on appearance. Most cosmetic procedures are elective, which means they are planned by choice rather than medical need.
Common goals include:
- Supporting better facial harmony
- Reducing signs of aging
- Improving body shape
- Improving volume changes after weight loss or pregnancy
- Changing the shape of the nose, eyelids, ears, lips, breasts, abdomen, arms, or thighs
- Making clothing feel or fit better
- Helping confidence through natural-looking improvements
Across Canada, cosmetic plastic surgery is usually paid for by the patient. Fees can vary based on the procedure, surgeon, facility, anesthesia, follow-up care, and location.
Reconstructive Surgery
Reconstructive surgery helps repair or restore form and function. This type of surgery may help after cancer surgery, trauma, burns, infections, birth differences, or other medical conditions.
Reconstructive plastic surgery may include:
- Breast reconstruction after breast cancer surgery
- Skin cancer reconstruction after tumour removal
- Cleft lip or palate repair
- Reconstruction after burns
- Surgery for hand function or repair
- Scar revision
- Complex wound repair
- Surgery for facial trauma repair
- Congenital reconstruction
Some reconstructive plastic surgery may qualify for provincial coverage if it is considered medically necessary. Procedures done only to improve appearance are usually not covered.
Types of Facial Plastic Surgery
Facial plastic surgery can improve facial balance, soften signs of aging, and 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 for the Lower Face
Sagging in the lower face and jawline may be improved with a facelift, also called rhytidectomy. It can help with jowls, loose facial skin, and deeper folds around the mouth.
A facelift may address:
- Sagging jowls along the jawline
- Loose lower facial skin
- Deep facial folds near the mouth
- Drooping cheek tissue
- A blurred face and neck transition
A modern facelift commonly addresses the deeper support layers beneath the skin. By supporting deeper tissues, the result may look smoother, more natural, and longer-lasting. A facelift is often combined with 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. The medical term for tightening the neck muscle is platysmaplasty.
Neck lift surgery can help improve:
- Prominent neck bands
- Extra neck skin
- Soft jawline definition
- Under-chin fullness
- A “turkey neck” look
In some cases, the plan includes tightening both skin and muscle. Some patients may only need 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, also called blepharoplasty, improves tired-looking eyes by removing or adjusting extra skin, fat, or tissue around the eyelids.
Patients may choose upper eyelid surgery for:
- A weighted upper eyelid look
- Excess eyelid skin
- An aged or fatigued look
- Extra skin that sits against the eyelashes
- Vision concerns in some medical cases
Lower eyelid surgery can address:
- Bags under the eyes
- Lower eyelid puffiness
- Lower eyelid skin laxity
- Shadowing beneath the lower lids
- A tired look that does not improve with rest
Because small changes around the eyes can refresh the whole face, eyelid surgery is one of the most common facial procedures.
Brow Lift, Also Called Forehead Lift
A brow lift, also called a forehead lift, raises a low or heavy brow. It can improve the upper eye area and reduce forehead heaviness.
Brow lift surgery can improve:
- Drooping eyebrows
- Brow-related upper eyelid heaviness
- Forehead creases
- Creases between the eyebrows
- A tired, sad, or stern expression
Although they can affect a similar area, 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.
Nose Surgery Procedure (Rhinoplasty)
Rhinoplasty, often called a nose job, changes the shape, size, or structure of the nose. It may be cosmetic, functional, or both.
Common rhinoplasty concerns include:
- A bump on the bridge
- Tip droop
- A wide nasal tip
- A crooked nasal shape
- The size or projection of the nose
- An uneven-looking nose
- Structural breathing concerns
When breathing is a concern, surgery may include work on the septum, the wall between the nostrils. This part of surgery is called septoplasty. Cosmetic rhinoplasty changes appearance, while functional nasal surgery focuses on airflow.
Otoplasty, Also Called Ear Surgery
Ear surgery or otoplasty is used to adjust ear shape, position, or size. Prominent ears that stick out may be improved with otoplasty.
Otoplasty may help with:
- Prominent ears
- Asymmetry between the ears
- Prominent ear cartilage folds
- Ears that project away from the head
- Earlobe concerns
This procedure is performed for both adults and children. For children, the timing depends on ear growth, maturity, and family goals.
Surgical Lip Lift
A lip lift reduces the space between the upper lip and the nose. This space is called the upper lip length. A lip lift can improve upper lip show without adding dermal filler.
Patients may consider a lip lift for:
- A longer upper lip
- Less upper tooth visibility with a smile
- A thin upper lip appearance
- Lip proportions that feel unbalanced
- Aging in the lip and mouth area
A surgical lip lift and lip filler are different treatments. Lip filler adds volume. The purpose of a lip lift is to change the upper lip position and shape rather than just add volume.
Facial Implant Surgery for the Chin, Cheeks, and Jawline
Facial implants can improve balance in the chin, cheeks, or jawline. Chin surgery can improve facial profile balance when the chin looks small compared with the nose or other features.
Facial implants may involve:
- Chin implant surgery
- Implants for the cheeks
- Surgical jawline implants
For profile balance, chin surgery and rhinoplasty may be combined in select cases.
Facial Volume Restoration With Fat Grafting
A patient’s own fat can be used in facial fat grafting to restore volume. Fat is usually removed from areas such as the abdomen or thighs, processed, and placed into the face.
Fat grafting to the face can help improve:
- Hollow cheeks
- Hollowing under the eyes
- Facial volume loss from aging
- Loss of soft tissue fullness
- Facial imbalance
Depending on the goal, fat grafting may be used alone or as part of a facelift, eyelid surgery, or other facial procedure.
Types of Breast Plastic Surgery
Many patients in Canada consider breast surgery for cosmetic or reconstructive reasons. Patients may want to increase breast volume, reduce breast size, lift the breasts, improve symmetry, or restore the breast after cancer surgery.
Breast Augmentation
Implants or fat transfer may be used in breast augmentation to increase breast size and improve shape. Breast implants may be filled with saline or silicone gel. Implant choice depends on body type, breast tissue, goals, and surgeon guidance.
Breast augmentation may address:
- Breasts that are naturally small
- Volume loss after pregnancy
- Volume loss after weight change
- Breast size or shape imbalance
- A desire for more breast fullness in clothing
A common concern is whether breast augmentation will look too large or unnatural. Chest width, skin quality, lifestyle, and long-term maintenance should all be part of the plan.
Mastopexy, or Breast Lift Surgery
A breast lift, also known as mastopexy, raises and reshapes breasts that have dropped. The main purpose is not to add volume. Instead, the goal is to improve breast position and shape.
Breast lift surgery can help improve:
- Lower breast position
- Downward-pointing nipples
- Enlarged or stretched areolas
- Breast skin laxity
- Breast changes after pregnancy, breastfeeding, or weight 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.
Breast Reduction Surgery
Breast reduction removes extra breast tissue, fat, and skin to make local cosmetic plastic surgery the breasts smaller, lighter, and more balanced.
Breast reduction may help with:
- Neck strain
- Shoulder pain
- Pain in the back
- Bra strap grooves
- Skin irritation under the breasts
- Difficulty exercising
- Clothing fit challenges
Some breast reduction procedures in Canada may be considered medically necessary. Coverage depends on provincial requirements, symptoms, and medical assessment.
Revision Breast Implant Surgery
Existing breast implants may be adjusted or replaced with breast implant revision. This surgery may address cosmetic concerns, medical concerns, or both.
Patients may consider revision for:
- A change in preferred implant size
- Breast implant rupture
- Capsular contracture, where scar tissue around an implant becomes firm
- Implant position changes
- Breast size or shape imbalance
- Changes from aging after breast augmentation
- Breast implant removal
Some patients choose implant removal with a lift. Other patients prefer implant replacement with a new size, shape, or placement.
Reconstructive Breast Surgery
Breast reconstruction rebuilds the breast after mastectomy or lumpectomy. It may involve implants, natural tissue, or a combination.
Breast reconstruction may involve:
- Implant-supported breast reconstruction
- Flap-based reconstruction
- Nipple and areola reconstruction
- Breast fat grafting
- Breast reconstruction revision for symmetry
Choosing reconstruction is deeply personal. Many patients want breast reconstruction. Other people prefer to remain flat. Either choice can be valid.
Male Breast Reduction Surgery
Male breast reduction, also called gynecomastia surgery, treats enlarged male breast tissue. Treatment may involve liposuction, gland tissue removal, or both.
Gynecomastia surgery may help with:
- Puffy-looking nipples
- Firm tissue beneath the nipple-areola area
- Extra chest volume
- Uneven male chest shape
- Self-consciousness at the beach, gym, or in fitted shirts
The best technique depends on whether the fullness is caused by fat, gland tissue, loose skin, or a mix of these.
Body Plastic Surgery Procedures
Body contouring focuses on improving shape through skin removal, fat reduction, or tissue tightening. Many patients consider body contouring after pregnancy, aging, or major weight loss.
Tummy Tuck Surgery, Also Called Abdominoplasty
Abdominoplasty, commonly called a tummy tuck, removes extra abdominal skin and tightens the abdominal wall. It can also repair separated abdominal muscles, which are known as diastasis recti.
A tummy tuck may address:
- Sagging abdominal skin
- An overhang in the lower belly
- Lower abdominal skin with stretch marks
- Abdominal muscle separation
- Stomach changes after pregnancy or weight loss
A tummy tuck is not a weight-loss procedure. A tummy tuck is most suitable for patients at a stable weight who want a flatter, better-shaped abdomen.
Surgical Liposuction
Liposuction removes localized fat with a thin tube called a cannula. Liposuction is meant for body contouring, not overall weight loss.
Liposuction may treat:
- Abdomen
- Love handles or flanks
- The hips
- The thighs
- The upper arms
- Back rolls
- Submental area and neck
- Chest
- The knees
Firm, elastic skin is important. Liposuction alone may not be enough when the skin is loose. Skin removal surgery may be needed if loose skin is the main concern.
Mommy Makeover
A mommy makeover is a custom plan that treats body changes after pregnancy, breastfeeding, or weight change. It often includes both breast and abdominal procedures.
Common mommy makeover procedures include:
- Tummy tuck
- Breast lift
- A breast augmentation procedure
- Breast reduction
- Liposuction
- Fat transfer
Although the name suggests otherwise, the procedure is not only for mothers. It is for anyone with similar body changes. The best plan depends on health, goals, recovery time, and whether future pregnancy is planned.
Arm Lift for Loose Upper Arm Skin
An arm lift or brachioplasty improves upper arm shape by removing loose skin.
Patients may consider an arm lift for:
- Loose hanging skin on the upper arms
- Loose skin after weight loss
- Arm skin changes over time
- Feeling uncomfortable in sleeveless tops
- Irritation from loose arm skin
The trade-off is a scar along the inner or back part of the arm. For many patients, better shape is worth the scar, but this should be discussed carefully.
Inner Thigh Lift
A thigh lift is used to remove loose skin and improve thigh shape. Major weight loss is a common reason for thigh lift surgery.
A thigh lift may address:
- Loose skin on the inner thighs
- Chafing from loose thigh skin
- Pants that do not fit well
- Heaviness in the thighs from loose skin
- Loose thigh skin after bariatric surgery or weight loss
Several surgical patterns are available for thigh lift surgery. How much skin needs removal and where the looseness sits will guide the best option.
Lower Body Lift
Loose skin around the lower body can be removed with a body lift. A body lift can address the abdomen, hips, outer thighs, buttocks, and lower back.
Common reasons for body lift surgery include:
- Substantial weight loss
- Bariatric surgery
- Changes in body shape after pregnancy
- Age-related skin laxity
Body lift surgery is more extensive, so recovery is usually longer. Patients should have a stable weight and good overall health.
Fat Grafting to the Body
With fat grafting, fat is removed from one area and placed in another. This procedure may improve contour or add volume using the patient’s own fat.
Patients may consider fat grafting for:
- Breast volume
- Buttock contour
- Hip shape
- Facial contour
- Surface irregularities after surgery or injury
Fat grafting uses your own tissue, but not all transferred fat survives. The result can shift over time, and some patients may need more than one session.
Skin and Scar Plastic Surgery Procedures
Beyond face, breast, and body surgery, plastic surgery may include skin, scar, and soft tissue procedures.
Surgical Scar Revision
A scar that is raised, tight, wide, or noticeable may be improved with scar revision. Scar revision may not erase a scar, but it can improve scars that are raised, tight, wide, or noticeable.
Scar revision may help with:
- Post-surgical scars
- Scars from injury
- Burn injury scars
- Thick scars
- Tight scars
- Scars that affect range of motion
Scar treatment can include surgery, copyright injections, laser treatment, silicone therapy, or several methods together.
Mole, Cyst, and Skin Lesion Removal
Plastic surgeons often remove benign skin lesions, cysts, moles, and lumps when careful closure matters. Some lesions need medical assessment to rule out skin cancer.
Removal may be considered for:
- Irritation
- A lesion that is getting larger
- Bleeding or crusting
- Appearance concerns
- Diagnosis
- Physical comfort
Any changing mole or suspicious skin lesion should be assessed by a qualified medical professional.
Reconstruction After Skin Cancer Removal
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:
- A direct closure
- Skin grafts
- Moving nearby tissue with a local flap
- More advanced reconstruction
The goal is safe cancer removal 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. Non-surgical care often means less recovery time, but the results are usually temporary.
Neuromodulator Injections
Neuromodulators such as BOTOX reduce movement in selected facial muscles. Expression lines are a common reason for BOTOX and neuromodulator treatment.
Common neuromodulator treatment areas include:
- Frown lines between the brows
- Lines across the forehead
- Lines at the outer corners of the eyes
- Nose bunny lines
- Dimpling in the chin
- Selected neck bands
Results are temporary and usually require repeat treatments. A natural neuromodulator result should look softer and rested, not stiff or frozen.
Facial 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.
Common filler areas include:
- Lip shape
- Cheek volume
- Chin shape
- Jawline
- Tear trough hollowing
- Smile lines
- Lines below the corners of the mouth
Filler results depend on product choice, injection technique, facial anatomy, and treatment goals. A conservative plan matters because overfilling can create an unnatural look.
Chemical Peels
A chemical peel uses a controlled solution to improve the outer layers of skin.
Patients may consider chemical peels for:
- Uneven tone
- Dull-looking skin
- Small fine lines
- Sun-damaged skin
- Mild post-acne marks
- Skin texture concerns
Peel strength may range from light to deeper treatments. Recovery depends on peel type.
Laser, IPL, and Radiofrequency Skin Treatments
Laser and energy-based procedures can address skin tone, redness, texture, unwanted hair growth, scars, and signs of aging.
Common examples include:
- Laser resurfacing
- Photofacial treatment with IPL
- Radiofrequency treatments
- Skin tightening procedures
- Laser hair removal or reduction
- Laser treatment for redness and broken vessels
A safe plan should match the treatment to skin type, skin tone, and the specific concern. Careful selection matters for darker skin tones, where unwanted pigment changes may be a risk.
Dermabrasion and Microdermabrasion
Dermabrasion is a deeper resurfacing procedure that removes outer skin layers. Microdermabrasion is lighter and more superficial.
These treatments may help with:
- Texture
- Surface-level scars
- Skin dullness
- Uneven surface
- Small fine lines
The right choice depends on skin quality, goals, downtime, and risk tolerance.
How Patients Can Choose the Best Procedure
A good plastic surgery plan starts by identifying the concern instead of choosing a procedure name first. Many patients come in asking for one treatment, then learn that another option better matches their anatomy.
Common examples include:
- A heavy upper eyelid look may come from extra eyelid skin, brow descent, or both.
- Jawline softness may be related to skin laxity, neck bands, fat, or chin position.
- A full abdomen can be caused by fat, loose skin, muscle separation, or internal weight.
- A flat breast shape may be treated with a breast lift, breast augmentation, fat grafting, or a combined plan.
- Under-eye bags may be caused by fat pads, hollowing, skin laxity, or pigmentation.
The best plan usually starts with three questions:
- What anatomy is causing the issue?
- Which treatment is most likely to correct the cause?
- What are the trade-offs of that option?
Patients should consider trade-offs such as scars, downtime, swelling, cost, maintenance, and possible complications.
Common Questions and Concerns Before Plastic Surgery
It is common to have mixed feelings before plastic surgery. Patients may feel excited, but they may also feel nervous. Many patients worry about safety, pain, scars, recovery, cost, and whether the outcome will look natural.
“Will Plastic Surgery Change My Face Too Much?”
This is one of the most common patient concerns. 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 Much Downtime Will I Need?”
Healing time is different for every procedure. Little or no downtime may be needed after many non-surgical treatments. Procedures such as tummy tuck, body lift, or mommy makeover usually need more recovery planning.
In general, recovery planning may include:
- Bruising and swelling
- Limits on activity
- Recovery time before returning to work
- Post-operative follow-up visits
- Post-surgery scar care
- Careful return to exercise
- Final results that take time to settle
Surgical healing is gradual. For many procedures, results continue to refine over weeks and months.
“What Should I Know About Plastic Surgery Scars?”
Surgery that involves an incision will create a scar. A good plan places scars as carefully as possible and supports healing.
The final scar can depend on:
- How your body naturally scars
- Natural skin tone
- Which procedure is done
- Incision placement
- Wound tension
- Nicotine exposure
- Sun exposure
- Scar aftercare
Most scars fade with time, but they do not fully disappear.
“What Should I Know About Plastic Surgery Safety?”
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.
A safe procedure depends on factors such as:
- The patient’s health
- Your current medications
- Smoking, vaping, or nicotine exposure
- Which surgery is performed
- The accredited surgical setting
- The type of anesthesia
- The surgeon’s skill, training, and experience
- Follow-up after surgery
During consultation, patients should learn about benefits, risks, alternatives, and realistic expectations.
Plastic Surgery in Canada
Plastic surgery in Canada is guided by medical licensing, provincial colleges, hospital systems, surgical facilities, and professional standards. It is important to understand the difference between marketing language and recognized medical training.
Choosing a Plastic Surgeon in Canada
When researching plastic surgery in Canada, patients should look for proper training and credentials. A plastic surgeon should have medical training, surgical training, and certification in the specialty of plastic surgery.
Important consultation questions include:
- Are you formally certified in the specialty of plastic surgery?
- Are you licensed to practise medicine in this province?
- Do you perform this procedure often?
- Where is the procedure performed?
- Who will provide the anesthesia?
- What are my personal risks with this procedure?
- Who do I contact if I have a complication?
- What follow-up care is included?
- Can I see examples of similar cases?
Asking questions is not being difficult. It is about protecting your health and making an informed decision.
Cost of Cosmetic Surgery in Canada
Fees for cosmetic plastic surgery in Canada can differ greatly. Procedure complexity, surgeon experience, anesthesia, facility fees, implants or devices, garments, follow-up care, and location can all affect price.
In major Canadian cities such as Vancouver, Toronto, Calgary, Edmonton, Ottawa, and Montreal, fees may be higher because of overhead and demand. 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.
Medical Tourism for Plastic Surgery
Some patients in Canada consider medical tourism to save money on surgery. This may seem appealing, but there are added risks to consider.
Concerns with medical tourism may include:
- Less access to follow-up care
- Travelling before healing is complete
- Possible infection
- Different medical standards
- Hard-to-get records
- Difficulty managing complications back in Canada
- Possible language barriers
- Additional costs if revision surgery is needed
Surgery closer to home can make follow-up care easier if swelling, healing concerns, or complications happen.
Preparing for a Plastic Surgery Consultation
A consultation gives you the chance to learn what is possible, safe, and realistic. It should not feel rushed or high-pressure.
Before the visit, preparation can help:
- Write down the main concerns you want to discuss.
- Take a list of all medications and supplements you use.
- Be ready to share your medical history.
- Do not hide smoking, vaping, cannabis, or nicotine use.
- Reference photos can be helpful if they explain your goals.
- Make sure you ask about recovery time, scars, risks, and alternatives.
- Ask what result is realistic for your own body or face.
A helpful consultation should explain your options clearly. The right advice may be to delay surgery, choose a smaller treatment, improve health first, or avoid surgery.
Good Candidates for Plastic Surgery
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.
Good candidate signs include:
- You are in good general health
- You have a clear concern
- Your weight is stable if you are considering body surgery
- You do not smoke, or you can stop before and after surgery
- You are prepared for the recovery process
- You are comfortable with the risks and limits
- The choice is based on your own goals
- Your goals are realistic
You may need to delay surgery if you are pregnant, planning major weight loss, using nicotine, managing an unstable medical condition, or feeling pressured by someone else.
Procedure Combinations in Plastic Surgery
Combining procedures can be appropriate in selected cases. Others should be staged. Combining procedures may reduce total recovery time, but it can also increase surgical time and healing demands.
Common procedure combinations include:
- Lower face and neck rejuvenation
- Combining eyelid surgery and brow lift
- Rhinoplasty with chin surgery
- Breast lift with breast augmentation
- Abdominoplasty with liposuction
- Breast and body procedures in a mommy makeover
- Combining body lift with arm or thigh surgery
- Facial surgery combined with fat grafting
The safest plan depends on health, procedure length, anesthesia, recovery support, and risk level.
Final Thoughts on Types of Plastic Surgery Procedures in Canada
Canadian plastic surgery includes both cosmetic and reconstructive procedures. Some options are designed to refine facial, breast, or body shape. Others help repair 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 right procedure is not always the most popular option. The best plan is based on anatomy, goals, health, and personal comfort.
A responsible approach should be built around safety, natural-looking results, clear expectations, and proper follow-up care. If you are considering eyelid surgery, rhinoplasty, breast augmentation, tummy tuck, liposuction, facelift surgery, or reconstructive plastic surgery, start by learning what each option can and cannot do.