Many plastic surgery procedures are designed to improve, rebuild, or reshape the face and body. Some procedures are cosmetic, which means they are chosen to improve appearance. Reconstructive plastic surgery may be used after injury, cancer, birth differences, burns, or medical conditions to help restore form or function.
In Canada, people search for plastic surgery for many reasons. For some people, the goal is to look more balanced. Body changes from pregnancy, weight loss, or aging may lead some people to consider surgery. 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 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. You will also learn what to think about before scheduling a consultation.
Understanding Cosmetic vs. Reconstructive Plastic Surgery
Most plastic surgery procedures fall into two broad groups, cosmetic surgery and reconstructive surgery.
Cosmetic Surgery
Cosmetic surgery is used to improve or refine appearance. Elective cosmetic procedures are chosen by the patient and are not usually required for health reasons.
Common cosmetic goals may include:
- Creating better facial balance
- Improving visible signs of aging
- Creating a more balanced body shape
- Restoring lost volume after pregnancy or weight loss
- Improving the nose, eyelids, ears, lips, breasts, abdomen, arms, or thighs
- Improving the way clothing fits
- Improving confidence in a natural-looking way
In Canada, most cosmetic procedures are paid for privately. Pricing may change based on procedure complexity, surgeon experience, facility costs, anesthesia, follow-up care, and location.
Reconstructive Plastic Surgery Procedures
Reconstructive plastic surgery is focused on restoring form and function. It may be needed after cancer surgery, trauma, burns, infections, birth differences, or medical conditions.
Common reconstructive procedures include:
- Breast reconstruction after mastectomy
- Skin cancer reconstruction after tumour removal
- Cleft lip or palate repair
- Reconstruction after burns
- Hand repair surgery
- Surgical scar revision
- Complex wound repair
- Repair after facial trauma
- Congenital difference repair
Some reconstructive procedures may be covered by a provincial health plan when they are medically necessary. Cosmetic changes are usually not covered.
Types of Facial Plastic Surgery
Facial procedures may be used to improve balance, soften aging changes, and restore a rested look. Most patients do not want to look “different.” Good facial plastic surgery should often look natural 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 may help with jowls, loose facial skin, and deeper folds around the mouth.
Patients often consider facelift surgery for:
- Softness or jowling at the jawline
- Sagging skin in the lower face
- Deeper smile lines
- Cheek tissue that has dropped
- A blurred face and neck transition
Many modern facelift techniques focus on deeper support layers under the skin. This can create a smoother, longer-lasting result without a pulled look. A facelift is often combined with a neck lift, eyelid surgery, brow lift, or facial fat grafting.
Neck Lift Surgery (Platysmaplasty)
A neck lift is used to improve neck skin laxity, muscle bands, and under-chin fullness. The clinical term for tightening the neck muscle is platysmaplasty.
Neck lift surgery can help improve:
- Vertical neck bands
- Loose neck skin
- Soft jawline definition
- Submental fullness
- A neck that looks loose or heavy
Skin and muscle tightening may both be needed in certain patients. Under-chin liposuction may be helpful for certain patients. Because the face and neck often age together, a facelift and neck lift may be planned together.
Blepharoplasty, or Eyelid Surgery
Tired-looking eyes may be improved with eyelid surgery, also called blepharoplasty, by adjusting extra skin, fat, or tissue around the eyelids.
Common upper eyelid concerns include:
- Heavy upper lids
- Extra eyelid skin
- A more tired or older eye appearance
- Skin that sits on the eyelashes
- Visual field concerns in some medical situations
Common lower eyelid concerns include:
- Under-eye bags
- Puffiness beneath the eyes
- Lower eyelid skin laxity
- Under-eye shadowing
- A tired look that does not improve with rest
Many patients choose eyelid surgery because small improvements around the eyes can make the whole face look more awake and rested.
Forehead Lift and Brow Lift Surgery
A brow lift, also called a forehead lift, raises a low or heavy brow. By lifting the brow, the procedure may improve the upper eyes and soften forehead heaviness.
A brow lift may help with:
- A heavy, lowered brow
- Heavy upper eyelids caused by brow descent
- Horizontal forehead lines
- Frown lines in the glabella area
- A tired, sad, or stern expression
A brow lift should not be confused with eyelid surgery. Extra eyelid skin is treated with eyelid surgery, while eyebrow position is treated with a brow lift. Many patients need one or the other, and some benefit from both.
Cosmetic and Functional Rhinoplasty
Rhinoplasty, commonly called a nose job, changes the shape, size, or structure of the nose. It may be cosmetic, functional, or both.
Nose surgery can address concerns such as:
- A nasal bridge bump
- Tip droop
- A wide nasal tip
- A crooked nose
- How far the nose projects
- An uneven-looking nose
- Structural breathing concerns
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. A cosmetic rhinoplasty changes appearance, while functional nasal surgery focuses on airflow.
Otoplasty for Prominent Ears
Ear surgery or otoplasty is used to adjust ear shape, position, or size. It is often used to correct ears that stick out.
Ear surgery can plastic surgery in canada help improve:
- Ears that sit far from the head
- Asymmetry between the ears
- Large cartilage folds in the ears
- Ears with too much projection
- Earlobe appearance concerns
Otoplasty is common in adults and children. For children, the timing depends on ear growth, maturity, and family goals.
Lip Lift for Upper Lip Balance
A lip lift reduces the space between the upper lip and the nose. Clinically, this measurement is often called the upper lip length. The procedure can make the upper lip look more visible without adding filler.
A lip lift may address:
- Upper lip length that looks long
- Limited upper tooth show when smiling
- A less visible upper lip
- Lip proportions that feel unbalanced
- Age-related changes around the mouth
A surgical lip lift and lip filler are different treatments. Filler is used to add volume. A lip lift improves the upper lip by changing its position and visible shape.
Facial Implants for Balance
Facial implants may improve balance in the chin, cheeks, or jawline. Chin surgery may be used when the chin looks small compared with the nose or other facial features.
Facial implant options may include:
- Chin implant surgery
- Cheek implant surgery
- Surgical jawline implants
In some cases, chin surgery is combined with rhinoplasty because the nose and chin both affect facial balance in profile view.
Facial Fat Grafting
Facial fat grafting uses a patient’s own fat to restore volume. Areas such as the abdomen or thighs are often used as the fat source before the fat is processed and placed into the face.
Fat grafting to the face can help improve:
- Hollow cheeks
- Tear trough hollowing
- Age-related facial volume loss
- Thin facial soft tissue
- Reduced facial harmony
Fat grafting may be used alone or combined with facelift surgery, eyelid surgery, or other facial procedures.
Types of Breast Plastic Surgery
Cosmetic and reconstructive breast surgery are common parts of plastic surgery in Canada. 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 surgery uses implants or fat transfer to increase breast size and shape. Saline and silicone gel are common breast implant options. The right implant option is based on body type, breast tissue, goals, and professional surgical guidance.
Patients may consider breast augmentation for:
- Breasts that are naturally small
- Less breast fullness after pregnancy
- Lost breast volume after weight changes
- Asymmetry between the breasts
- A desire for more breast fullness in clothing
Patients often worry that breast augmentation may look too large or unnatural. A careful plan should consider chest width, skin quality, lifestyle, and long-term maintenance.
Breast Lift Surgery, Also Called Mastopexy
A breast lift, also called mastopexy, raises and reshapes breasts that have dropped. It does not mainly add volume. Its main goal is better breast position and shape.
A breast lift may help with:
- Lower breast position
- Nipples that face downward
- Areola stretching
- Loose breast skin
- Post-pregnancy, breastfeeding, or weight-loss breast changes
A lift and implants may be combined to improve position and add upper breast fullness. Some patients choose a breast lift without implants for a more natural result.
Breast Reduction Surgery
Breast reduction removes excess breast tissue, fat, and skin to make the breasts smaller, lighter, and more balanced.
Breast reduction may help with:
- Chronic neck pain
- Pain in the shoulders
- Back pain
- Shoulder grooves from bra straps
- Skin irritation under the breasts
- Difficulty exercising
- Problems with clothing fit
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 Replacement or Removal
Breast implant revision surgery is used to change, adjust, or replace current breast implants. It may be done for cosmetic reasons or medical concerns.
Common reasons for breast implant revision include:
- Wanting smaller or larger implants
- Implant rupture
- Firm scar tissue around an implant, called capsular contracture
- An implant that has moved out of position
- Breast size or shape imbalance
- Age-related changes after breast augmentation
- No longer wanting breast implants
Some patients benefit from implant removal together with a breast lift. New implants may be chosen with a changed size, shape, or position.
Reconstructive Breast Surgery
Breast reconstruction surgery helps rebuild the breast after mastectomy or lumpectomy. The procedure may be done with implants, natural tissue, or a combined approach.
Breast reconstruction may use:
- Implant breast reconstruction
- Reconstruction using tissue flaps
- Nipple and areola reconstruction
- Fat grafting for contour improvement
- Revision surgery for symmetry
This can be a deeply personal choice. Some people prefer to have reconstruction. Other people prefer to remain flat. Both decisions deserve respect.
Gynecomastia Surgery
Enlarged male breast tissue may be treated with gynecomastia surgery. Liposuction, gland removal, or a combination may be used.
Patients may consider gynecomastia surgery for:
- A puffy nipple appearance
- Firm tissue beneath the nipple-areola area
- A fuller male chest
- An uneven male chest shape
- Concern about the chest in fitted shirts, at the gym, or at the beach
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
Extra skin, stubborn fat, or loose tissue may be improved with body contouring surgery. It is common after pregnancy, aging, or major weight loss.
Abdominoplasty for Abdominal Contouring
A tummy tuck, also known as abdominoplasty, removes extra abdominal skin and tightens the abdominal wall. The procedure may also repair diastasis recti, which means separated abdominal muscles.
Tummy tuck surgery can help improve:
- Loose abdominal skin
- A lower stomach apron
- Stretch-marked skin under the belly button
- Diastasis recti
- Loose abdominal tissue after pregnancy or weight loss
A tummy tuck should not be viewed as weight-loss surgery. The best candidates are often near a stable weight and want better abdominal contour.
Liposuction for Body Contouring
Liposuction removes localized fat with a thin tube called a cannula. It is used for body contouring rather than general weight loss.
Common liposuction areas include:
- Abdomen
- Love handles or flanks
- Hip area
- Thigh contours
- Upper arm area
- Back rolls
- Chin-neck contour
- Chest fullness
- Knee area
Good skin elasticity helps improve results. Liposuction alone may not be enough when the skin is loose. A skin-tightening or skin removal procedure may be needed in that situation.
Mommy Makeover Surgery
Body changes after pregnancy, breastfeeding, or weight change may be treated with a custom mommy makeover plan. It often combines breast and abdominal procedures.
Common mommy makeover procedures include:
- Tummy tuck
- Breast lift surgery
- Breast augmentation
- Surgical breast size reduction
- Liposuction
- Fat transfer
The name can be misleading because the procedure is not only for mothers. It is for anyone with similar body changes. The right plan depends on health, goals, recovery time, and whether future pregnancy is planned.
Brachioplasty, or Arm Lift Surgery
An arm lift, also called brachioplasty, removes loose skin from the upper arms.
Arm lift surgery can help improve:
- Loose hanging skin on the upper arms
- 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. The scar may be worthwhile for patients who want better arm shape, but it should be reviewed carefully.
Thigh Lift Surgery
A thigh lift removes loose skin from the thighs. It is often chosen after major weight loss.
A thigh lift may address:
- Sagging skin on the inner thighs
- Skin friction between the thighs
- Pants that do not fit well
- Heaviness from extra skin
- Loose thigh skin after bariatric surgery or weight loss
Several surgical patterns are available for thigh lift surgery. A surgeon chooses the pattern based on how much loose skin is present and where it is located.
Body Lift Surgery
Body lift surgery is used to remove loose skin around the lower body. It may improve the abdomen, hips, outer thighs, buttocks, and lower back.
Patients may consider a body lift after:
- Large weight loss
- Bariatric surgery
- Pregnancy-related skin looseness
- Aging with major skin laxity
This is a more involved surgery with a longer recovery. Patients should have a stable weight and good overall health.
Fat Grafting for Body Contouring
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.
Patients may consider fat grafting for:
- Breast volume
- Buttock volume
- Hip volume
- Facial soft tissue
- Uneven contours after surgery or injury
Although fat grafting uses your own fat, not all transferred fat will survive. Results may change over time, and more than one session may be needed.
Skin, Scar, and Surface Procedures
Plastic surgery also includes treatments for the skin surface, scars, and soft tissue.
Scar Revision Surgery
Scar revision surgery is used to improve how a scar looks or feels. It may not erase the scar, but it can make it less raised, tight, wide, or noticeable.
Common scar revision concerns include:
- Post-surgical scars
- Scarring after an injury
- Scarring after burns
- Raised or thick scars
- Tight or pulling scars
- Scars that restrict motion
Depending on the scar, treatment may include surgery, copyright injections, laser treatment, silicone therapy, or combined care.
Removal of Moles, Cysts, and Skin Lesions
Plastic surgeons often remove benign skin lesions, cysts, moles, and lumps when careful closure matters. A medical assessment may be needed for some lesions to rule out skin cancer.
Patients may seek removal for:
- Irritation
- Growth
- Bleeding from the lesion
- Concern about how it looks
- Diagnosis
- Relief from discomfort
Changing moles or suspicious skin lesions should be reviewed by a qualified medical professional.
Skin Cancer Repair and Reconstruction
After skin cancer removal, reconstruction may be needed to close the wound and restore appearance. This is common in areas such as the face, nose, eyelids, ears, lips, scalp, and hands.
Skin cancer reconstruction can involve:
- A direct closure
- Using a skin graft
- Moving nearby tissue with a local flap
- A more complex repair
The goal is to remove the cancer safely while preserving function and appearance as much as possible.
Non-Surgical Aesthetic Procedures
Not all cosmetic concerns require surgery. For some patients, non-surgical treatments help soften early aging signs, facial lines, volume loss, and skin concerns. Compared with surgery, non-surgical treatments often have less downtime but need maintenance.
BOTOX and Other Neuromodulators
Neuromodulators such as BOTOX reduce movement in selected facial muscles. Neuromodulators are commonly chosen for lines caused by facial movement.
BOTOX and neuromodulators may treat:
- Frown lines between the brows
- Forehead lines
- Crow’s feet
- Bunny lines on the nose
- Chin texture from muscle movement
- Neck muscle bands in some situations
Results are temporary and usually need repeat treatments. The goal is often a softer, rested look, not a frozen face.
Hyaluronic Acid Fillers
Dermal fillers may improve facial volume and contour. Dermal fillers often contain hyaluronic acid, which is a gel-like substance that supports and shapes soft tissue.
Fillers may treat:
- Lip volume
- Cheek volume
- Chin projection
- Lower-face contour
- Hollowing under the eyes
- Deeper smile lines
- Mouth-corner lines
The result from filler depends on the product, injection technique, facial anatomy, and treatment goals. Overfilling can look unnatural, so conservative planning is important.
Chemical Peels for Skin Texture and Tone
The outer layers of skin can be improved with a chemical peel using a controlled solution.
Chemical peels may address:
- Patchy skin tone
- Dull-looking skin
- Mild lines
- Visible sun damage
- Mild post-acne marks
- Surface texture issues
Peel strength may range from light to deeper treatments. The type of peel affects recovery time.
Laser and Energy-Based Skin Treatments
These treatments may improve concerns such as uneven tone, redness, texture, hair growth, scars, and visible aging.
Common examples include:
- Skin laser resurfacing
- Photofacial treatment with IPL
- Radiofrequency-based treatments
- Treatments for mild skin laxity
- Laser hair reduction
- Vascular laser for redness or broken vessels
These treatments should be matched to the patient’s skin type, skin tone, and concern. For patients with darker skin tones, this is especially important because pigment changes can occur.
Skin Resurfacing With Dermabrasion and Microdermabrasion
Outer skin layers can be removed with dermabrasion, a deeper resurfacing procedure. Microdermabrasion is lighter and more superficial.
Common concerns include:
- Uneven texture
- Mild scarring
- Dullness
- Surface irregularity
- Fine lines
The best treatment depends on the patient’s skin quality, goals, available downtime, and comfort with risk.
How Patients Can Choose the Best Procedure
Choosing the right procedure starts with the concern, not the procedure name. It is common for patients to ask about one procedure and discover that another option may better suit their anatomy.
For instance:
- Extra eyelid skin, a low brow, or both may cause heavy upper lids.
- A soft jawline can come from loose skin, neck bands, fat, or chin position.
- Fat, loose skin, muscle separation, or internal weight may cause abdominal fullness.
- Flat-looking breasts may be improved with a lift, implants, fat grafting, or a combination.
- A baggy under-eye look may be related to fat, hollowing, loose skin, or skin colour changes.
A clear plastic surgery plan should answer three key questions:
- What is creating the concern?
- Which procedure treats that cause best?
- What must be accepted with that option?
Trade-offs can include scars, recovery time, swelling, cost, maintenance, and possible complications.
Common Patient Concerns Before Plastic Surgery
Mixed feelings are normal before a plastic surgery procedure. Excitement is common, but so are nerves. It is normal to worry about safety, pain, scars, recovery, cost, and natural-looking results.
“Will I Still Look Like Myself?”
This is one of the most common patient concerns. Patients often want a rested look, not a changed identity. Natural-looking plastic surgery should respect facial features, body frame, age, and personal style.
For many patients, the goal is better balance, not a perfect or unrealistic look.
“How Much Downtime Will I Need?”
Recovery depends on the procedure. Non-surgical treatments may require little or no downtime. More extensive surgeries like tummy tuck, body lift, and mommy makeover require a more detailed recovery plan.
Most patients should prepare for:
- Post-surgery swelling and bruising
- Restrictions on exercise or lifting
- Recovery time before returning to work
- Follow-up appointments
- Care for scars
- A staged return to physical activity
- Final results that develop over time
Recovery does not happen instantly. Results often look better as weeks and months pass.
“Can Plastic Surgery Scars Be Hidden?”
A scar forms whenever an incision is made. The goal is careful scar placement and strong scar healing.
Scar appearance may be affected by:
- How your body naturally scars
- Natural skin tone
- Which procedure is done
- Incision placement
- Pulling on the healing incision
- Smoking and vaping status
- Sun exposure
- Aftercare
Scars usually fade with time, but they do not disappear completely.
“What Should I Know About Plastic Surgery Safety?”
Every surgery has risk. Complications can include bleeding, infection, poor scarring, anesthesia problems, asymmetry, delayed healing, numbness, fluid buildup, or disappointment with the result.
Safety is influenced by:
- Your medical condition
- Medications you take
- Smoking, vaping, or nicotine exposure
- Which surgery is performed
- The facility where surgery is done
- The type of anesthesia
- Surgeon training and experience
- Your follow-up care
A good consultation should explain benefits, risks, alternatives, and what is realistic.
Plastic Surgery in Canada
Plastic surgery in Canada is guided by medical licensing, provincial colleges, hospital systems, surgical facilities, and professional standards. Understanding medical credentials is important because marketing terms can be confusing.
Choosing a Plastic Surgeon in Canada
When researching plastic surgery in Canada, look for proper training and credentials. The surgeon should have medical training, surgical training, and certification in the specialty of plastic surgery.
Patients should ask:
- Are you certified as a plastic surgeon?
- Are you licensed to perform surgery in this province?
- How much experience do you have with this procedure?
- Where would my surgery be done?
- Who provides anesthesia?
- Which risks are most relevant to me?
- What happens if I have a complication?
- What follow-up care is included?
- Can I see results from similar cases?
This is not about challenging the surgeon. It is about making an informed choice.
Cosmetic Surgery Costs in Canada
Cosmetic surgery costs can vary widely across Canada. Many factors affect pricing, including 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 cities may have different pricing, but cost should not be the only factor.
A bargain price is not always a good deal if it comes with weaker safety, training, facility standards, or aftercare.
Medical Tourism Compared With Plastic Surgery in Canada
Lower-cost surgery outside Canada may appeal to some Canadians. Lower cost may be appealing, but surgery abroad can come with extra risks.
Possible concerns with surgery abroad include:
- Limited post-surgery follow-up
- Long travel after surgery
- Infection-related complications
- Different medical standards
- Harder access to records
- Complications that are harder to manage back in Canada
- Language barriers
- Cost of revision surgery
When surgery is done closer to home, follow-up may be easier if concerns or complications occur.
Preparing for 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.
Before your visit, it helps to prepare:
- Prepare a short list of your main concerns.
- Bring a list of medications and supplements.
- Share your health and medical history honestly.
- Tell the truth about smoking, vaping, cannabis, and nicotine use.
- Bring photos if they help explain your goals.
- Ask questions about recovery, scars, risks, and alternatives.
- Ask what result is realistic for your body or face.
Your consultation should include a clear review of your options. Sometimes the best advice is to wait, choose a smaller treatment, improve health first, or avoid surgery altogether.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Plastic Surgery?
Plastic surgery candidates should usually be 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 suitable candidate if:
- You are in good general health
- You have a specific concern
- Your weight is stable if you are considering body surgery
- You can avoid smoking and nicotine before and after surgery
- You understand healing takes time
- You understand and accept the trade-offs
- Your decision is for you, not someone else
- 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.
Planning More Than One Plastic Surgery Procedure
Certain procedures can be safely combined. Some procedures are safer when staged. Combining procedures may reduce total recovery time, but it may also increase surgical time and healing demands.
Examples of combined procedures include:
- Facelift and neck lift surgery
- Blepharoplasty with brow lift
- Nose surgery with chin surgery
- Breast lift with breast augmentation
- Combining tummy tuck and liposuction
- Mommy makeover procedures
- Body lift with thigh or arm contouring
- Fat grafting with facial surgery
A safe combined plan should consider health, surgery length, anesthesia, recovery support, and risk.
Summary of Plastic Surgery Procedures in Canada
Across Canada, plastic surgery includes many procedures for cosmetic and reconstructive needs. Many cosmetic procedures focus on the face, breasts, or body. Some procedures restore tissue after cancer, injury, burns, or medical conditions. Non-surgical treatments can also help with wrinkles, volume loss, skin texture, and early aging changes.
A trending procedure is not always the right procedure. 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. 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.