Many plastic surgery procedures are designed to enhance, restore, or refine the face and body. A procedure may be cosmetic when the main goal is to refine appearance. Reconstructive procedures are used to help restore form or function after concerns such as injury, cancer, birth differences, burns, or medical conditions.
There are many goals why people in Canada search for plastic surgery. Many patients simply want to look more rested. Body changes from pregnancy, weight loss, or aging may lead some people to consider surgery. Others want help after trauma, skin cancer, breast cancer, or a congenital concern. The right procedure depends 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 reviews what to consider before booking a consultation.
Cosmetic and Reconstructive Plastic Surgery
In general, plastic surgery is grouped into cosmetic surgery and reconstructive surgery.
Cosmetic Plastic Surgery in Canada
Cosmetic plastic surgery focuses on appearance. These procedures are usually elective, which means they are planned by choice and are not medically required.
Cosmetic plastic surgery may be used for goals such as:
- Improving facial balance
- Helping the face or body look more refreshed
- Improving body shape
- Replacing volume lost after weight change or pregnancy
- Addressing concerns with the nose, eyelids, ears, lips, breasts, abdomen, arms, or thighs
- Making clothing feel or fit better
- Helping confidence through natural-looking improvements
In Canada, most cosmetic procedures are paid for privately. The total fee can depend on the procedure, surgeon, facility, anesthesia, follow-up visits, and location.
Reconstructive Surgery
In reconstructive plastic surgery, the focus is on restoring form, function, or both. Patients may need reconstructive surgery after cancer surgery, trauma, burns, infections, birth differences, or medical conditions.
Examples of reconstructive plastic surgery include:
- Breast reconstruction following mastectomy
- Skin cancer reconstruction after a skin tumour is removed
- Repair of cleft lip and palate
- Reconstruction after burns
- Reconstructive hand surgery
- Surgical scar revision
- Surgical wound repair
- Facial trauma reconstruction
- Congenital reconstruction
Some reconstructive plastic surgery may qualify for provincial coverage if it is considered medically necessary. Cosmetic changes are usually not covered.
Types of Facial Plastic Surgery
Many facial plastic surgery procedures focus on balance, aging changes, and a refreshed appearance. Most patients do not want to look “different.” Good facial plastic surgery should often look natural and balanced.
Facelift Surgery (Rhytidectomy)
A facelift or rhytidectomy can improve loose tissue in the lower face and jawline. Patients may choose facelift surgery for jowls, loose facial skin, and deeper folds near the mouth.
Patients often consider facelift surgery for:
- Softness or jowling at the jawline
- Skin laxity in the lower face
- Deeper folds around the mouth
- Lowered cheek tissue
- Loss of definition between the face and neck
Today, facelift surgery often works on deeper support layers below 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)
Neck lift surgery may treat loose skin, visible muscle bands, and fullness below the chin. Platysmaplasty is the medical term for tightening the neck muscle.
Patients may consider a neck lift for:
- Neck bands
- Loose skin on the neck
- An undefined jawline
- A heavy area under the chin
- A hanging neck appearance
In some cases, the plan includes tightening both skin and muscle. Some patients may only need 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 or blepharoplasty helps refresh the eyes by removing or repositioning extra skin, fat, or tissue around the eyelids.
Upper eyelid surgery may help with:
- Upper lids that feel heavy
- Extra eyelid skin
- Eyes that look tired or aged
- Extra skin that sits against the eyelashes
- Vision concerns in select medical cases
Lower eyelid surgery can address:
- Under-eye puffiness or bags
- Lower eyelid puffiness
- Loose lower eyelid skin
- Dark-looking shadows under the eyes
- A tired appearance that does not improve with sleep
Eyelid surgery is one of the most common facial procedures because small changes around the eyes can make the whole face look more rested.
Brow Lift Surgery for a Heavy Brow
A brow lift, also known as a forehead lift, raises a low or heavy brow. A brow lift can make the upper eye area look more open and reduce forehead heaviness.
A brow lift may help with:
- Eyebrows that sit too low
- A heavy upper eyelid look caused by brow position
- Horizontal forehead lines
- Frown lines in the glabella area
- A facial expression that appears tired, sad, or serious
Brow lift surgery and eyelid surgery are not the same procedure. Eyelid surgery treats extra eyelid skin, while a brow lift treats the position of the eyebrows. Many patients need either one procedure or the other, while some benefit from both.
Rhinoplasty, Also Called Nose Surgery
A nose job, medically known as rhinoplasty, changes the shape, size, or structure of the nose. The procedure can address cosmetic goals, functional concerns, or both.
Common rhinoplasty concerns include:
- A bump on the bridge
- A downward-pointing nasal tip
- A wide nasal tip
- A nose that is not straight
- Nasal size or projection
- An uneven-looking nose
- Breathing issues related to structure
When breathing is part of the concern, the procedure may include work on the septum, which is the wall between the nostrils. That procedure is known as septoplasty. Cosmetic rhinoplasty changes appearance, while functional nasal surgery focuses on airflow.
Ear Surgery Procedure (Otoplasty)
The shape, position, or size of the ears may be changed with ear surgery, also called otoplasty. Prominent ears that stick out may be improved with otoplasty.
Common otoplasty concerns include:
- Ears that stick out
- Ears that do not match well
- Large cartilage folds in the ears
- Ears with too much projection
- Stretched or uneven earlobes
This procedure is performed for both adults and children. In children, timing depends on ear development, maturity, and family goals.
Surgical Lip Lift
A lip lift shortens the space between the upper lip and the nose. This space is called the upper lip length. The procedure may make the upper lip look more visible without adding filler.
Patients may consider a lip lift for:
- Upper lip length that looks long
- Limited upper tooth show when smiling
- A thin-looking upper lip
- Lip proportions that feel unbalanced
- Mouth-area aging changes
A lip lift is not the same as lip filler. Dermal filler increases 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. Chin surgery is often used when the chin looks small compared with the nose or other facial features.
Facial implant surgery may include:
- Chin implant surgery
- Cheek implant surgery
- Jawline implant surgery
Because the nose and chin affect how the face looks from the side, chin surgery may sometimes be combined with rhinoplasty.
Facial Fat Grafting
A patient’s own fat can be used in facial fat grafting to restore volume. Fat is usually taken from areas such as the abdomen or thighs, processed, and placed into the face.
Fat grafting to the face can help improve:
- Loss of cheek fullness
- Under-eye volume loss
- Age-related facial volume loss
- Soft tissue thinning
- Imbalance in facial volume
Fat grafting can support facial rejuvenation on its own or be combined with facelift surgery, eyelid surgery, or other facial procedures.
Common Breast Surgery Options
Breast surgery is among the most common areas of cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery in Canada. Breast procedures may increase volume, reduce size, lift the breasts, improve symmetry, or restore breast shape after cancer surgery.
Breast Augmentation
Breast augmentation surgery uses implants or fat transfer to increase breast size and shape. Saline and silicone gel are common breast implant options. Implant choice depends on body type, breast tissue, goals, and surgeon guidance.
Breast augmentation may address:
- Naturally smaller breast volume
- Pregnancy-related breast volume loss
- Lost breast volume after weight changes
- Breast size or shape imbalance
- A fuller look in clothing
Some patients feel nervous about results that may look too large or unnatural. A careful surgical plan should consider chest width, skin quality, lifestyle, and long-term maintenance.
Breast Lift for Sagging Breasts
Mastopexy, commonly called a breast lift, raises and reshapes breasts that sit lower than desired. A breast lift does not mainly increase breast volume. Instead, the goal is to improve breast position and shape.
A breast lift may help with:
- Breasts that sag
- Nipples that point downward
- Stretched nipple-areola areas
- Extra breast skin
- Breast changes after pregnancy, breastfeeding, or weight changes
A breast lift may be combined with implants when more upper breast fullness is desired. A lift without implants may be preferred by patients who do not want added implant volume.
Breast Reduction
Extra breast tissue, fat, and skin can be removed with breast reduction to create smaller, lighter, more balanced breasts.
Breast reduction may address:
- Pain in the neck
- Shoulder strain
- Back pain
- Bra strap grooves
- Irritated skin under the breasts
- Problems staying active
- Difficulty fitting bras or clothes
In Canada, breast reduction may be considered medically necessary in some cases. Health plan coverage is based on provincial rules, patient symptoms, and medical assessment.
Breast Implant Replacement or Removal
Breast implant revision surgery is used to change, adjust, or replace current breast implants. Breast implant revision may be chosen for appearance-related reasons or medical issues.
Common reasons for breast implant revision include:
- Desire to change implant size
- Breast implant rupture
- Capsular contracture, which means firm scar tissue around an implant
- Implant position changes
- Breast size or shape imbalance
- Age-related changes after breast augmentation
- Desire to remove implants
Implant removal may be combined with a breast lift. Others choose new implants with a different size, shape, or placement.
Reconstructive Breast Surgery
Breast reconstruction surgery helps rebuild the breast after mastectomy or lumpectomy. It may involve implants, natural tissue, or a combination.
The breast reconstruction process may involve:
- Reconstruction using implants
- Flap-based reconstruction
- Nipple and areola reconstruction
- Fat grafting
- Revision surgery for symmetry
The choice around breast reconstruction is personal. Some people prefer to have reconstruction. Other people prefer to remain flat. Either choice can be valid.
Male Breast Reduction Surgery
Gynecomastia surgery treats enlarged male breast tissue. It may include liposuction, gland removal, or both.
Gynecomastia surgery may help with:
- Puffy nipples
- Extra tissue beneath the areola
- A fuller male chest
- Male chest asymmetry
- Self-consciousness in swimwear, gym settings, or fitted clothing
A surgeon chooses the technique based on whether the chest fullness is due to fat, gland tissue, loose skin, or more than one factor.
Plastic Surgery Procedures for Body Shape
Body contouring procedures can improve shape by removing extra skin, reducing stubborn fat, or tightening tissue. Pregnancy, aging, and major weight loss are common reasons people consider body contouring.
Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty)
A tummy tuck, also known as abdominoplasty, removes extra abdominal skin and tightens the abdominal wall. It can also repair separated abdominal muscles, known as diastasis recti.
A tummy tuck may help with:
- Abdominal skin laxity
- A lower stomach apron
- Lower abdominal skin with stretch marks
- A weakened or separated abdominal wall
- Loose abdominal tissue after pregnancy or weight loss
Tummy tuck surgery is not a general weight-loss procedure. Patients usually do best when they are close to a stable weight and want to improve abdominal shape.
Surgical Liposuction
A cannula, which is a thin tube, is used in liposuction to remove localized fat. Liposuction is meant for body contouring, not overall weight loss.
Liposuction can treat:
- Stomach area
- Flanks, often called love handles
- Outer hip area
- Thigh areas
- The upper arms
- Back
- Under the chin and neck
- The chest
- Inner knee area
Good skin tone matters. If the skin is loose, liposuction by itself may not be enough. In that case, skin removal surgery may be needed.
Mommy Makeover Procedure
A mommy makeover is tailored to the patient and may treat changes from pregnancy, breastfeeding, or weight change. Breast and abdominal procedures are often combined in a mommy makeover.
Mommy makeover options may include:
- Abdominoplasty
- A breast lift procedure
- Breast augmentation surgery
- Reduction mammoplasty
- Liposuction surgery
- Fat grafting for contouring
The name can be misleading because the procedure is not only for mothers. Anyone with similar changes may consider this type of plan. The best mommy makeover plan should consider health, goals, recovery time, and whether future pregnancy is expected.
Arm Lift for Loose Upper Arm Skin
An arm lift, also called brachioplasty, removes loose skin from the upper arms.
Common arm lift concerns include:
- Hanging skin under the arms
- Extra skin after major weight loss
- Aging-related arm laxity
- 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.
Inner Thigh Lift
A thigh lift removes extra loose skin from the thighs. Thigh lift surgery is common after significant weight loss.
A thigh lift may address:
- Inner thigh skin laxity
- Thigh skin rubbing
- Pants that do not fit well
- Thigh heaviness caused by extra skin
- Changes after bariatric surgery or major weight loss
There are several thigh lift patterns. The right option depends on how much skin needs to be removed and where the looseness is located.
Body Lift Surgery
A body lift removes extra loose skin around the lower body. It can improve the abdomen, hips, outer thighs, buttocks, and lower back.
A body lift may be chosen after:
- A major weight change
- Bariatric surgery
- Pregnancy-related body changes
- Aging-related lower-body skin looseness
This is a more involved surgery with a longer recovery. The best candidates are usually in good health and at a stable weight.
Body Contouring With Fat Transfer
Fat transfer, also called fat grafting, moves fat from one part of the body to another. This procedure may improve contour or add volume using the patient’s own fat.
Common treatment areas include:
- Breast volume
- Buttock contour
- Hip contour
- Face
- Contour irregularities after injury or surgery
Your own tissue is used in fat grafting, but not every transferred fat cell survives. Results may change over time, and more than one session may be needed.
Skin, Scar, and Surface Procedures
Plastic surgeons may also treat scars, skin surface concerns, and soft tissue issues.
Scar Improvement Treatment
Scar revision improves the look or feel of a scar. 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
- Injury scars
- Burn scars
- Scars that feel thick
- Scars that limit comfort
- Movement-limiting scars
A scar revision plan may use surgery, copyright injections, laser treatment, silicone therapy, or a mix of options.
Skin Lesion, Mole, and Cyst Removal
Plastic surgeons often remove benign skin lesions, cysts, moles, and lumps when a careful closure is important. Some moles or lesions need proper medical review to make sure skin cancer is not present.
Patients may seek removal for:
- Ongoing irritation
- Noticeable growth
- A lesion that bleeds
- Cosmetic reasons
- Medical diagnosis
- Physical comfort
If a mole changes or a skin lesion looks suspicious, it should be assessed by a qualified medical professional.
Reconstruction After Skin Cancer Removal
Skin cancer reconstruction can help close the treated area and restore appearance after cancer removal. Skin cancer reconstruction is often needed on the face, nose, eyelids, ears, lips, scalp, and hands.
Skin cancer reconstruction may involve:
- Closing the area directly
- Reconstruction with a skin graft
- Reconstruction with local flaps
- More advanced reconstruction
Skin cancer reconstruction aims to support safe cancer removal while protecting function and appearance.
Non-Surgical Aesthetic Procedures
Not every patient needs surgery. Non-surgical options can address early aging changes, facial lines, lost volume, and skin quality. Compared with surgery, non-surgical treatments often have less downtime but need maintenance.
BOTOX and Other Neuromodulators
BOTOX and similar neuromodulators are used to relax targeted facial muscles. They are commonly used for expression lines.
Patients may consider neuromodulators for:
- Frown lines between the brows
- Horizontal forehead lines
- Crow’s feet around the eyes
- Nose bunny lines
- Peau d’orange chin texture
- Neck bands for some patients
Because results are temporary, repeat treatments are usually needed. Most patients want a softer, rested look rather than a frozen face.
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.
Fillers may treat:
- Lip enhancement
- Midface fullness
- The chin
- Jawline definition
- Hollows beneath the eyes
- Deeper smile lines
- Lines below the corners of the mouth
Product choice, technique, anatomy, and goals all affect filler results. Too much filler can look unnatural, which makes conservative planning 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 help with:
- Uneven colour
- Skin dullness
- Early fine lines
- Photoaging
- Mild marks from acne
- Uneven texture
Peels come in different strengths, from light to deeper options. Recovery depends on the type of peel.
Laser and Energy-Based Skin Treatments
These treatments may improve concerns such as uneven tone, redness, texture, hair growth, scars, and visible aging.
Common options may include:
- Laser resurfacing
- Intense pulsed light (IPL)
- Radiofrequency-based treatments
- Treatments for mild skin laxity
- Laser-based hair reduction
- Vascular laser treatment for redness or broken vessels
A safe plan should match the treatment to skin type, skin tone, and the specific 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 a lighter, more superficial treatment.
Patients may consider these treatments for:
- Uneven texture
- Mild scarring
- Skin dullness
- Uneven skin feel
- Small fine lines
Skin quality, goals, downtime, and risk tolerance help determine the right choice.
How Patients Can Choose the Best Procedure
The best place to start is the concern itself, not the name of a procedure. Many patients come in asking for one treatment, then learn that another option better matches their anatomy.
Common examples include:
- Heavy upper lids may be caused by extra eyelid skin, a low brow, or both.
- Loose skin, neck bands, fat, or chin position may cause a soft jawline.
- Fat, loose skin, muscle separation, or internal weight may cause abdominal fullness.
- A flat breast appearance may require a lift, implants, fat grafting, or combined treatment.
- Fat pads, hollowing, skin laxity, or pigmentation may contribute to under-eye bags.
A strong treatment plan should answer three questions:
- What is creating the concern?
- What procedure addresses the cause most directly?
- What are the trade-offs of that option?
Patients should consider trade-offs such as scars, downtime, swelling, cost, maintenance, and possible complications.
Plastic Surgery Fears and Questions
Before plastic surgery, many patients feel both excited and nervous. Feeling excited and anxious at the same time is common. Many patients worry about safety, pain, scars, recovery, cost, and whether the outcome will look elective plastic surgery natural.
“Will I Look Refreshed or Different?”
This is one of the most common patient concerns. Many people want to look refreshed, not changed. 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?”
The recovery period depends on which procedure is done. Some non-surgical treatments have little or no downtime. Procedures such as tummy tuck, body lift, or mommy makeover usually need more recovery planning.
Plastic surgery recovery often involves:
- Temporary swelling and bruising
- Restrictions on exercise or lifting
- Time off work
- Appointments after surgery
- Post-surgery scar care
- Careful return to exercise
- Gradual settling before final results are seen
Surgical healing is gradual. The appearance often improves over time as swelling settles.
“Will I Have Scars?”
Any surgery that uses an incision creates a scar. The goal is to place scars as carefully as possible and help them heal well.
Scar healing depends on:
- Genetics
- Your skin tone
- Which procedure is done
- Placement of the incision
- Pulling on the healing incision
- Smoking status
- How much sun the scar gets
- Aftercare
Most scars fade with time, but they do not fully disappear.
“Is Cosmetic Surgery Safe?”
Every operation has possible risks. Complications can include bleeding, infection, poor scarring, anesthesia problems, asymmetry, delayed healing, numbness, fluid buildup, or disappointment with the result.
Many factors affect plastic surgery safety, including:
- Your health
- Medication use
- Smoking or nicotine use
- Which surgery is performed
- The facility where surgery is done
- The type of anesthesia
- The surgeon’s training and experience
- Your aftercare and follow-up
Benefits, risks, alternatives, and realistic expectations should all be discussed during a consultation.
Plastic Surgery in Canada, What Patients Should Know
Canadian plastic surgery is regulated through 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.
Finding a Qualified Plastic Surgeon
Training and credentials should be a major part of choosing a plastic surgeon in Canada. A plastic surgeon should have medical training, surgical training, and certification in plastic surgery.
Patients should ask:
- What plastic surgery certification do you hold?
- Are you licensed to perform surgery in this province?
- Is this a procedure you perform regularly?
- Where will the procedure take place?
- What type of anesthesia is used and who provides it?
- What are the risks for my specific case?
- How are complications handled?
- How often will I be seen after surgery?
- Do you have examples of patients with similar concerns?
This is not about challenging the surgeon. It is about knowing what to expect before moving forward.
Canadian Cosmetic Surgery Pricing
The cost of cosmetic surgery in Canada can vary a lot. Pricing may depend on 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 because of 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.
Choosing Surgery in Canada vs. Abroad
Some Canadians think about travelling outside the country for lower-cost surgery. This may seem appealing, but there are added risks to consider.
Medical tourism concerns may include:
- Limited follow-up care
- Travelling before healing is complete
- Higher concern about infection
- Different health care standards
- Less access to surgical records
- Difficulty managing complications back in Canada
- Communication barriers
- Unexpected revision costs
Surgery closer to home can make follow-up care easier if swelling, healing concerns, or complications happen.
Plastic Surgery Consultation Preparation
A consultation is your chance to learn what is possible, what is safe, and what is realistic. A consultation should not feel rushed or pressured.
Before your visit, it helps to prepare:
- Make notes about your main concerns.
- 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.
- Review recovery, scars, risks, and alternative treatments.
- Ask what result is realistic for your body or face.
A good consultation should include a clear discussion of options. The right advice may be to delay surgery, choose a smaller treatment, improve health first, or avoid surgery.
Plastic Surgery Candidate Guidelines
A good candidate is usually someone who is healthy, informed, and realistic. They understand that surgery can improve appearance, but it cannot create perfection or solve every life concern.
You may be ready for plastic surgery if:
- You are in good general health
- You know what concern you want to address
- You are at a stable weight for body contouring
- You do not smoke, or you can stop before and after surgery
- You understand healing takes time
- You are comfortable with the risks and limits
- Your decision is for you, not someone else
- Your expectations are realistic
It may be better to delay surgery if pregnancy, major weight loss plans, nicotine use, unstable health, or outside pressure are present.
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 may also increase surgical time and healing demands.
Plastic surgery procedures that are often combined include:
- Lower face and neck rejuvenation
- Eyelid surgery with a brow lift
- Rhinoplasty with chin surgery
- Mastopexy with augmentation
- Combining tummy tuck and liposuction
- A customized mommy makeover
- Combining body lift with arm or thigh surgery
- Facial surgery with fat grafting
A safe combined plan should consider health, surgery length, anesthesia, recovery support, and risk.
A Final Word on Canadian Plastic Surgery Procedures
Canadian plastic surgery includes both cosmetic and reconstructive procedures. Certain procedures are used to 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.
A trending procedure is not always the right procedure. It is the one that fits your anatomy, goals, health, and comfort level.
A responsible approach should be built around 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.