Across Canada, plastic surgery includes several major types of procedures that can change, repair, or improve the face and body. Some procedures are known as cosmetic, meaning they are chosen to refine how a person looks. Others are reconstructive, which means they help repair form or function after injury, cancer, birth differences, burns, or medical conditions.
People across Canada consider plastic surgery for many different concerns. For some people, the goal is to look more refreshed. Some want to restore their body after pregnancy, weight loss, or aging. Others want help after trauma, skin cancer, breast cancer, or a congenital concern. A safe plan should be based on your anatomy, goals, health, lifestyle, and recovery time.
Use this guide to understand 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 explains what to think about before booking a consultation.
Understanding Cosmetic vs. Reconstructive Plastic Surgery
In general, plastic surgery is grouped into cosmetic surgery and reconstructive surgery.
Cosmetic Plastic Surgery
Cosmetic surgery is used to improve or refine appearance. Because cosmetic surgery is usually elective, it is planned by choice and is not normally medically required.
Patients often choose cosmetic surgery to help with:
- Supporting better facial harmony
- Helping the face or body look more refreshed
- Improving body contours
- Restoring fullness after weight loss, pregnancy, or aging
- Addressing concerns with the nose, eyelids, ears, lips, breasts, abdomen, arms, or thighs
- Improving the way clothing fits
- Supporting confidence with natural-looking changes
Across Canada, cosmetic plastic surgery is usually paid for by the patient. The total fee can depend on the procedure, surgeon, facility, anesthesia, follow-up visits, and location.
Reconstructive Plastic Surgery
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.
Reconstructive plastic surgery may include:
- Breast reconstruction following mastectomy
- Skin cancer reconstruction after a skin tumour is removed
- Cleft lip and palate surgery
- Reconstruction after burns
- Surgery for hand function or repair
- Scar treatment and revision
- Complex wound repair
- Facial trauma reconstruction
- Repair of congenital differences
Some reconstructive procedures may be covered by a provincial health plan when they are medically necessary. Cosmetic changes are usually not covered.
Common Facial Plastic Surgery Options
Facial plastic surgery may improve facial balance, soften signs of aging, and help restore a refreshed look. The goal is often not to look “different.” The best results often look natural and balanced.
Facelift Procedure (Rhytidectomy)
A facelift or rhytidectomy can improve loose tissue in the lower face and jawline. It can help with jowls, loose facial skin, and deeper folds around the mouth.
Common facelift concerns include:
- Jowls near the jawline
- Loose skin in the lower face
- Deeper smile lines
- Lowered cheek tissue
- Reduced definition from the jawline into the neck
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. Many patients combine facelift surgery with a neck lift, eyelid surgery, brow lift, or facial fat grafting.
Neck Lift Surgery for Jawline and Neck Definition
Loose skin, muscle bands, and fullness under the chin may be improved with a neck lift. The medical term for tightening the neck muscle is platysmaplasty.
Neck lift surgery can help improve:
- Visible neck bands
- Extra neck skin
- A soft or 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. A facelift and neck lift are often planned together because the face and neck commonly age as a unit.
Eyelid Surgery, Also Called Blepharoplasty
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
- Loose upper eyelid skin
- A tired or aged look
- Skin that sits on the eyelashes
- Visual field concerns in some medical situations
Lower eyelid surgery may help with:
- Bags under the eyes
- Puffiness beneath the eyes
- Loose skin under the eyes
- Shadowing beneath the lower lids
- Eyes that still look tired after 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 forehead lift, commonly called a brow lift, helps lift a low or heavy brow. This can help improve the upper eye area and ease a heavy forehead look.
Common brow lift concerns include:
- Brow descent
- Heavy upper lids from brow descent
- Lines across the forehead
- Frown lines in the glabella area
- A tired, sad, or stern look
A brow lift is different from eyelid surgery. Eyelid surgery addresses extra eyelid skin, while a brow lift changes the position of the eyebrows. Many patients need either one procedure or the other, while some benefit from both.
Nose Surgery Procedure (Rhinoplasty)
Rhinoplasty, commonly called a nose job, changes the shape, size, or structure of the nose. Depending on the patient, rhinoplasty can be cosmetic, functional, or a combination.
Common rhinoplasty concerns include:
- A nasal bridge bump
- A drooping nasal tip
- A broad or boxy tip
- A nose that looks crooked
- The size or projection of the nose
- Asymmetry in the nose
- Breathing problems related to nasal structure
Structural breathing issues may require work on the septum, the wall between the nostrils. The medical term for septum surgery is septoplasty. A cosmetic rhinoplasty is done for appearance, while functional nasal surgery is done to improve airflow.
Otoplasty for Prominent Ears
Otoplasty, commonly called ear surgery, can change the shape, position, or size of the ears. Otoplasty is often chosen for ears that stick out.
Otoplasty may help with:
- Noticeably prominent ears
- Asymmetry between the ears
- Prominent ear cartilage folds
- Ears that sit far from the head
- Stretched or uneven earlobes
Ear surgery can be considered for adults as well as children. For children, the timing depends on ear growth, 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. A lip lift can improve upper lip show without adding dermal filler.
Common lip lift concerns include:
- A lengthened upper lip area
- Upper teeth that show less when smiling
- A thin-looking upper lip
- Lip imbalance
- Aging in the lip and mouth area
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. A chin implant may be considered when the learn about it chin looks small compared with the nose or other facial features.
Facial implants may involve:
- Chin augmentation implants
- Cheek augmentation implants
- Jawline implants
Chin surgery may be planned with rhinoplasty when the nose and chin both influence profile balance.
Facial Volume Restoration With Fat Grafting
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.
Facial fat grafting may help with:
- Hollows in the cheeks
- Under-eye volume loss
- Volume changes caused by aging
- Soft tissue thinning
- 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
In Canada, breast surgery is one of the most common forms of cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery. Patients may want to increase breast volume, reduce breast size, lift the breasts, improve symmetry, or restore the breast after cancer surgery.
Breast Enlargement Surgery
Implants or fat transfer may be used in breast augmentation to increase breast size and improve shape. Breast implants may be saline or silicone gel. The right implant option is based on body type, breast tissue, goals, and professional surgical guidance.
Patients may consider breast augmentation for:
- Naturally smaller breast volume
- Volume loss after pregnancy
- Breast volume loss after weight change
- Uneven breast size or shape
- A fuller look in clothing
A common concern is whether breast augmentation will look too large or unnatural. Planning should account for chest width, skin quality, lifestyle, and future maintenance.
Breast Lift Procedure
A breast lift, also known as mastopexy, raises and reshapes breasts that have dropped. A breast lift does not mainly increase breast volume. The procedure focuses on improving breast position and shape.
A breast lift may address:
- Breast sagging
- Nipples that face downward
- Areola stretching
- Loose breast skin
- Post-pregnancy, breastfeeding, or weight-loss breast changes
Some patients choose a breast lift with implants for more upper breast fullness. 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 the breasts smaller, lighter, and more balanced.
Breast reduction surgery can help improve:
- Neck strain
- Shoulder pain
- Upper back pain
- Bra strap grooves
- Skin irritation under the breasts
- Exercise discomfort
- Clothing fit challenges
In Canada, breast reduction may be considered medically necessary for some patients. Coverage depends on provincial requirements, symptoms, and medical assessment.
Breast Implant Revision
Surgery to adjust or replace existing breast implants is called breast implant revision. It may be needed for cosmetic reasons or medical concerns.
Common reasons include:
- A change in preferred implant size
- Rupture of an implant
- Capsular contracture, where scar tissue around an implant becomes firm
- Breast implant movement
- Uneven breast appearance
- Breast changes over time after augmentation
- Choosing to remove implants
Some patients choose implant removal with a lift. Others choose new implants with a different size, shape, or placement.
Breast Reconstruction After Cancer Surgery
The breast may be rebuilt after mastectomy or lumpectomy with breast reconstruction. It may use implants, natural tissue, or a combination.
Breast reconstruction options may include:
- Implant-supported breast reconstruction
- Flap-based reconstruction
- Nipple-areola reconstruction
- Fat grafting
- Breast reconstruction revision for symmetry
The choice around breast reconstruction is personal. For some patients, reconstruction feels right. Others choose to stay flat. Either choice can be valid.
Gynecomastia Surgery
Gynecomastia surgery is used to reduce enlarged male breast tissue. It may include liposuction, gland removal, or both.
Common gynecomastia concerns include:
- Puffy nipples
- Fullness under the areola
- Chest tissue fullness
- Male chest asymmetry
- Self-consciousness at the beach, gym, or in fitted shirts
The right technique depends on whether the fullness comes from fat, gland tissue, loose skin, or a combination.
Plastic Surgery Procedures for Body Shape
Extra skin, stubborn fat, or loose tissue may be improved with body contouring surgery. Pregnancy, aging, and major weight loss are common reasons people consider body contouring.
Tummy Tuck Surgery, Also Called Abdominoplasty
A tummy tuck, also called abdominoplasty, removes extra abdominal skin and tightens the abdominal wall. A tummy tuck may include repair of separated abdominal muscles, known as diastasis recti.
A tummy tuck may address:
- Extra abdominal skin
- A lower belly overhang
- Stretch marks on skin below the belly button
- A weakened or separated abdominal wall
- Changes after pregnancy or weight loss
Abdominoplasty is used for contouring, not for major weight loss. It is usually best for patients near a stable weight who want to improve abdominal shape.
Liposuction
Localized fat can be removed with liposuction using a thin tube called a cannula. Liposuction is not a weight-loss method, it is a contouring procedure.
Liposuction may treat:
- Abdominal area
- Flank areas
- Hip area
- Inner or outer thighs
- Upper arm contours
- Back rolls
- Submental area and neck
- Male or female chest area
- Knee area
Good skin elasticity helps improve results. Liposuction alone may not be enough when the skin is loose. When skin laxity is significant, surgery to remove skin may be a better option.
Customized Mommy Makeover
A mommy makeover is a custom plan that treats body changes after pregnancy, breastfeeding, or weight change. This plan often brings together breast surgery and abdominal contouring.
Common mommy makeover procedures include:
- Abdominoplasty
- Surgical breast lifting
- A breast augmentation procedure
- Breast reduction
- Liposuction
- Fat grafting for contouring
Although the name suggests otherwise, the procedure is not only for mothers. It may be suitable for anyone with similar body changes. The best 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.
Common arm lift concerns include:
- Hanging upper arm skin
- Loose upper arm skin after weight loss
- Arm skin changes over time
- Trouble wearing sleeveless tops
- Skin rubbing and irritation
The main 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.
Thigh Lift Surgery
Loose thigh skin can be removed with a thigh lift. It is often considered after major weight loss.
Patients may consider a thigh lift for:
- Loose skin on the inner thighs
- Skin rubbing
- Trouble with pants fit
- Extra skin that feels heavy
- Changes after bariatric surgery or weight loss
There are different thigh lift patterns. The right option depends on how much skin needs to be removed and where the looseness is located.
Body Contouring Lift
A body lift improves lower-body contour by removing excess skin. It can improve the abdomen, hips, outer thighs, buttocks, and lower back.
A body lift may be considered after:
- Significant weight loss
- Bariatric weight-loss surgery
- Pregnancy-related skin looseness
- Aging changes with loose skin
This is a more involved surgery with a longer recovery. A stable weight and good overall health are important before body lift surgery.
Fat Transfer to the Body
Fat can be moved from one body area to another with fat grafting. Fat grafting can add natural volume or refine body contour.
Common areas for fat grafting include:
- Breasts
- Buttocks
- Hip contour
- Face
- Surface irregularities after surgery or injury
Fat grafting uses your own tissue, but not all transferred fat survives. Fat grafting results can evolve, so repeat treatment may be needed for some patients.
Skin and Scar Plastic Surgery Procedures
Plastic surgery also includes procedures that improve the skin surface, scars, and soft tissue.
Scar Improvement Treatment
Scar revision can improve the appearance or feel of a scar. Scar revision may not erase a scar, but it can improve scars that are raised, tight, wide, or noticeable.
Patients may consider scar revision for:
- Scarring after surgery
- Injury scars
- Burn-related scars
- Thick scars
- Restrictive scars
- Scars that restrict motion
Scar treatment can include surgery, copyright injections, laser treatment, silicone therapy, or several methods together.
Skin Lesion Removal Procedures
When careful closure is important, plastic surgeons may remove benign skin lesions, cysts, moles, and lumps. Some lesions require medical assessment to rule out skin cancer.
Removal may be considered for:
- A lesion that gets irritated
- Growth
- A lesion that bleeds
- Appearance concerns
- A need for diagnosis
- Physical comfort
Changing moles or suspicious skin lesions should be reviewed by a qualified medical professional.
Plastic Surgery After Skin Cancer
Reconstruction may be needed after skin cancer removal to close the area and restore appearance. Common areas include the face, nose, eyelids, ears, lips, scalp, and hands.
A skin cancer reconstruction plan may use:
- Direct closure
- Skin grafts
- Reconstruction with local flaps
- More complex reconstruction
Skin cancer reconstruction aims to support safe cancer removal while protecting function and appearance.
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.
Neuromodulator Injections
Selected facial muscles can be relaxed with BOTOX and other neuromodulators. Neuromodulators are commonly chosen for lines caused by facial movement.
BOTOX and neuromodulators may treat:
- Frown lines
- Forehead wrinkles
- Crow’s feet around the eyes
- Small nose wrinkles
- A dimpled chin appearance
- Selected neck bands
Results are temporary and usually require repeat treatments. Most patients want a softer, rested look rather than a frozen face.
Hyaluronic Acid Fillers
Dermal fillers restore or add volume. Dermal fillers often contain hyaluronic acid, which is a gel-like substance that supports and shapes soft tissue.
Patients may consider fillers for:
- Lip shape
- Midface fullness
- The chin
- Jawline
- Tear trough hollowing
- 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 Peel Treatments
A chemical peel applies a controlled solution to improve the surface layers of the skin.
Chemical peels may help with:
- Uneven tone
- A dull complexion
- Fine surface lines
- Sun-damaged skin
- Light acne marks
- Surface texture issues
The strength of a peel may be light, medium, or deeper depending on the goal. Healing time varies based on the peel depth and type.
Laser, IPL, and Radiofrequency Skin Treatments
Laser and energy-based treatments can improve skin tone, redness, texture, hair growth, scars, and signs of aging.
Common options may include:
- Laser resurfacing for texture
- Photofacial treatment with IPL
- Radiofrequency-based treatments
- Energy-based skin tightening
- Laser hair reduction
- Vascular laser for redness or broken vessels
Skin type, skin tone, and the concern being treated should guide the choice of treatment. This is especially important for patients with darker skin tones, where pigment changes can be a risk.
Dermabrasion vs. Microdermabrasion
Dermabrasion is a deeper skin resurfacing procedure that removes outer skin layers. Microdermabrasion is lighter and more superficial.
Dermabrasion and microdermabrasion may help with:
- Texture
- Light scarring
- Skin dullness
- An uneven skin surface
- Fine surface lines
Skin quality, goals, downtime, and risk tolerance help determine the right choice.
Choosing a Procedure That Fits Your Goals
Choosing the right procedure starts with the concern, not the procedure name. Many patients ask for one treatment and later learn that another option better matches their anatomy.
Common examples include:
- Extra eyelid skin, a low brow, or both may cause heavy upper lids.
- An undefined jawline may be caused by loose skin, neck muscle bands, fat, or the position of the chin.
- A full abdomen can be caused by fat, loose skin, muscle separation, or internal weight.
- Breasts that look flat may need lifting, added volume, fat grafting, or more than one procedure.
- A baggy under-eye look may be related to fat, hollowing, loose skin, or skin colour changes.
A helpful treatment plan should answer these three questions:
- What is the cause of the concern?
- What procedure addresses the cause most directly?
- What are the trade-offs of that option?
Every procedure has trade-offs, which may include scars, downtime, swelling, cost, maintenance, and possible complications.
Patient Concerns Before Plastic Surgery
It is common to have mixed feelings before plastic surgery. Patients may feel excited, but they may also feel nervous. It is normal to worry about safety, pain, scars, recovery, cost, and natural-looking results.
“Will Plastic Surgery Change My Face Too Much?”
This concern comes up often. Many patients want to look refreshed rather than changed. Natural-looking plastic surgery should respect your facial features, body frame, age, and personal style.
Plastic surgery should often improve balance rather than chase perfection.
“How Much Downtime Will I Need?”
The recovery period depends on which procedure is done. Little or no downtime may be needed after many non-surgical treatments. Larger surgeries, such as tummy tuck, body lift, or mommy makeover, require more planning.
Most patients should prepare for:
- Bruising and swelling
- Limits on activity
- Planned time away from work
- Appointments after surgery
- Post-surgery scar care
- Slow return to workouts
- Final results that develop over time
Healing is not instant. The appearance often improves over time as swelling settles.
“Will I Have Scars?”
Any procedure with an incision creates 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
- The type of procedure
- Where the incision is placed
- Pulling on the healing incision
- Whether you smoke
- Exposure to the sun
- Scar aftercare
Scars usually fade over time, but they do not disappear completely.
“How Safe Is Plastic Surgery?”
Every surgery has risk. Possible risks 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 medications
- Whether you smoke or use nicotine
- The procedure selected
- The surgery facility
- The planned anesthesia
- Surgeon training and experience
- Follow-up after surgery
A good consultation should explain benefits, risks, alternatives, and what is realistic.
What Canadians Should Know About Plastic Surgery
Across Canada, plastic surgery is overseen through licensing, provincial colleges, hospital systems, surgical facilities, and professional standards. Patients should know the difference between marketing terms 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.
Patients should ask:
- What plastic surgery certification do you hold?
- Are you licensed to practise medicine in this province?
- Do you perform this procedure often?
- Where is the procedure performed?
- Who is responsible for anesthesia care?
- What risks apply to my specific case?
- What is the plan if there is a complication?
- How many follow-up appointments are included?
- May I see before-and-after examples for similar procedures?
This is not about 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. Many factors affect pricing, including procedure complexity, surgeon experience, anesthesia, facility fees, implants or devices, garments, follow-up care, and location.
In major Canadian cities such as Vancouver, Toronto, Calgary, Edmonton, Ottawa, and Montreal, fees may be higher due to overhead and demand. Smaller markets may offer different pricing, but cost alone should not guide the decision.
A very low price may be a warning sign if safety, training, facility standards, or aftercare are being reduced.
Medical Tourism for Plastic Surgery
Travelling abroad for lower-cost plastic surgery is something some Canadians consider. This may seem appealing, but there are extra risks to think about.
Risks or challenges with medical tourism may include:
- Limited post-surgery follow-up
- Travel soon after surgery
- Risk of infection
- Different surgical standards
- Harder access to records
- Difficulty managing complications back in Canada
- Communication barriers
- Unexpected revision costs
Staying closer to home for surgery can help with follow-up, especially if swelling, healing problems, or complications need attention.
Preparing for a Plastic Surgery Consultation
During a consultation, you can learn what is possible, what is safe, and what results are realistic. A consultation should not feel rushed or pressured.
It helps to prepare before your consultation:
- List your main concerns before the visit.
- Bring details about prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, and supplements.
- Share your health and medical history honestly.
- Tell the truth about smoking, vaping, cannabis, and nicotine use.
- Photos may help explain your goals.
- Discuss recovery, scarring, risks, and other options.
- Ask what can realistically be achieved for your face or body.
A strong consultation includes clear discussion of treatment options. Sometimes the best advice is to wait, choose a smaller treatment, improve health first, or avoid surgery.
Is Plastic Surgery Right for You?
A good candidate is usually someone who is healthy, informed, and realistic. A good candidate understands that surgery may improve appearance, but it cannot create perfection or fix every life problem.
Plastic surgery may be appropriate if:
- You are medically well enough for surgery
- You have a specific concern
- You are at a stable weight for body contouring
- You are nicotine-free or can stop before and after surgery
- You understand healing takes time
- You accept the risks and trade-offs
- You want the procedure for yourself
- You have reasonable expectations
Surgery may need to wait if you are pregnant, planning major weight loss, using nicotine, managing an unstable medical condition, or feeling pressured by another person.
Combined Plastic Surgery Procedures
Certain procedures can be safely combined. Other surgeries may need to be done in stages. Doing more than one procedure at once may shorten total recovery, but it can increase surgery length and healing stress.
Common combinations include:
- Facelift and neck lift surgery
- Eyelid surgery with brow lift
- Rhinoplasty with chin surgery
- Breast lift plus volume enhancement
- Tummy tuck and liposuction
- Combined mommy makeover procedures
- Body lift plus thigh or arm contouring
- Facial surgery combined with fat grafting
Your health, procedure length, anesthesia, recovery support, and risk level all affect the safest plan.
Understanding Your Plastic Surgery Options in Canada
Across Canada, plastic surgery includes many procedures for cosmetic and reconstructive needs. Certain procedures are used to improve the face, breasts, or body. Reconstructive options may repair tissue after cancer, injury, burns, or medical conditions. Wrinkles, volume loss, skin texture, and early aging changes may also be improved with non-surgical treatments.
The right procedure is not always the most popular option. A good procedure choice fits the patient’s anatomy, goals, health, and comfort level.
A good 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.