Types of Plastic Surgery Procedures in Canada

Many plastic surgery procedures are designed to improve, repair, or reshape the face and body. Cosmetic procedures are usually chosen to enhance appearance. Other procedures are reconstructive, meaning they help restore form or function after injury, cancer, birth differences, burns, or medical conditions.

Canadians may look into plastic surgery for many reasons. For some people, the goal is to look more balanced. For others, the goal is to restore body shape after pregnancy, weight loss, or aging. Plastic surgery may also help after trauma, skin cancer, breast cancer, or a congenital concern. Choosing the right procedure depends on anatomy, goals, health, lifestyle, and recovery needs.

This page explains the main types of plastic surgery procedures in Canada, with sections on facial surgery, breast surgery, body contouring, reconstructive surgery, and non-surgical cosmetic treatments. It also covers key questions to consider before a plastic surgery consultation.

The Difference Between Cosmetic and Reconstructive Plastic Surgery

The two main types of plastic surgery are usually cosmetic surgery and reconstructive surgery.

Cosmetic Plastic Surgery

Cosmetic plastic surgery focuses on appearance. Elective cosmetic procedures are chosen by the patient and are not usually required for health reasons.

Patients often choose cosmetic surgery to help with:

Supporting better facial harmony
Improving visible signs of aging
Creating a more balanced body shape
Restoring volume after weight loss or pregnancy
Enhancing areas such as the nose, eyelids, ears, lips, breasts, abdomen, arms, or thighs
Helping clothing fit better
Improving confidence in a natural-looking way

Across Canada, cosmetic plastic surgery is usually paid for by the patient. Fees are affected by factors such as the procedure, surgeon, facility, anesthesia plan, follow-up care, and city or province.

Reconstructive Plastic Surgery

In reconstructive plastic surgery, the focus is on restoring form, function, or both. Reconstructive procedures may be recommended after cancer surgery, trauma, burns, infections, birth differences, or medical conditions.

Common examples include:

Breast reconstruction after breast cancer surgery
Skin cancer reconstruction after removal of a tumour
Cleft lip and palate surgery
Reconstruction after burns
Hand repair surgery
Surgical scar revision
Wound reconstruction
Facial injury reconstruction
Congenital reconstruction

Some reconstructive plastic surgery may qualify for provincial coverage if it is considered medically necessary. Changes done only for cosmetic reasons are usually not covered.

Types of Facial Plastic Surgery

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.” Strong results usually look natural, balanced, and personal to the patient.

Facelift Surgery, Also Called Rhytidectomy

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.

Common facelift concerns include:

Jowls near the jawline
Sagging skin in the lower face
Deeper folds around the mouth
Drooping cheek tissue
Reduced definition from the jawline into the neck

Many modern facelift techniques focus on deeper support layers under the skin. This may create a smoother, longer-lasting result without a pulled appearance. Depending on the patient, a facelift may be planned with a neck lift, eyelid surgery, brow lift, or facial fat grafting.

Neck Lift Surgery for Jawline and Neck Definition

A neck lift is used to improve neck skin laxity, muscle bands, and under-chin fullness. Tightening the neck muscle may be described medically as platysmaplasty.

Patients may consider a neck lift for:

Vertical neck bands
Sagging neck skin
A jawline that looks less defined
A heavy area under the chin
A hanging neck appearance

In some cases, the plan includes tightening both skin and muscle. Other patients may benefit from liposuction under the chin. The face and neck often change at the same time, so facelift and neck lift surgery may be combined.

Eyelid Surgery (Blepharoplasty)

Eyelid surgery, also called blepharoplasty, improves tired-looking eyes by removing or adjusting extra skin, fat, or tissue around the eyelids.

Upper blepharoplasty may help with:

Heavy upper eyelids
Excess eyelid skin
A tired-looking or aged appearance
Skin resting on the eyelashes
Functional vision concerns in some patients

Lower blepharoplasty may help with:

Bags under the eyes
Puffiness
Extra lower eyelid skin
Hollow shadows under the eyes
A tired appearance that does not improve with sleep

Blepharoplasty is common because even subtle changes around the eyes can make the face look more rested.

Brow Lift Procedure

A low or heavy brow may be raised with a brow lift, also called a forehead lift. A brow lift can make the upper eye area look more open and reduce forehead heaviness.

Common brow lift concerns include:

Eyebrows that sit too low
Brow-related upper eyelid heaviness
Forehead wrinkles
Vertical lines between the brows
A tired, sad, or stern expression

Although they can affect a similar area, a brow lift is not the same as eyelid surgery. Extra eyelid skin is treated with eyelid surgery, while eyebrow position is treated with a brow lift. A consultation can help decide whether eyelid surgery, a brow lift, or both is the better fit.

Nose Surgery (Rhinoplasty)

Rhinoplasty is nose surgery that can change nasal shape, size, or structure. The procedure can address cosmetic goals, functional concerns, or both.

Rhinoplasty may help with:

A bump along the bridge of the nose
A downward-pointing nasal tip
A wide nasal tip
Nasal crookedness
Nasal size or projection
Asymmetry in the nose
Airflow issues caused by nasal structure

Structural breathing issues may require 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.

Ear Surgery (Otoplasty)

Ear surgery, also called otoplasty, changes the shape, position, or size of the ears. This procedure is often used when the ears project away from the head.

Otoplasty may address:

Ears that stick out
Ears that do not match well
Large cartilage folds in the ears
Ears that sit far from the head
Earlobe appearance concerns

This procedure is performed for both adults and children. When otoplasty is considered for a child, timing is based on ear growth, maturity, and family goals.

Surgical Lip Lift

Lip lift surgery shortens the area between the upper lip and the base of the nose. This area is known as the upper lip length. The procedure may make the upper lip look more visible without adding filler.

A lip lift may address:

A long space between the nose and upper lip
Reduced tooth show in the upper smile
A thin upper lip appearance
Poor lip balance
Aging changes around the mouth

Lip lift surgery differs from lip filler. Lip filler mainly adds fullness. A lip lift improves the upper lip by changing its position and visible shape.

Chin and Jawline Implant Surgery

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
Implants for the cheeks
Jawline augmentation implants

For profile balance, chin surgery and rhinoplasty may be combined in select cases.

Facial Volume Restoration With Fat Grafting

Facial fat grafting uses a patient’s own fat to restore volume. Fat is usually taken from areas such as the abdomen or thighs, processed, and placed into the face.

Facial fat grafting may help with:

Sunken-looking cheeks
Under-eye volume loss
Lost facial volume due to aging
Soft tissue thinning
Imbalance in facial volume

Depending on the goal, fat grafting may be used alone or as part of a facelift, eyelid surgery, or other facial procedure.

Plastic Surgery Procedures for the Breasts

Breast surgery is one of 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 in Canada

Breast augmentation improves breast size and shape using implants or fat transfer. Breast implants may be filled with saline or silicone gel. The right implant option is based on body type, breast tissue, goals, and professional surgical guidance.

Common breast augmentation goals include:

A naturally small breast shape
Less breast fullness after pregnancy
Breast volume loss after weight change
Uneven breast size or shape
Improved breast shape in fitted clothing

Many people worry about looking too large, obvious, or unnatural after breast augmentation. A careful plan should consider chest width, skin quality, lifestyle, and long-term maintenance.

Breast Lift (Mastopexy)

Breasts that have dropped can be raised and reshaped with a breast lift, also called mastopexy. The main purpose is not to add volume. The procedure focuses on improving breast position and shape.

Common breast lift concerns include:

Breasts that sag
Nipples that sit low or point down
Areolas that have stretched
Stretched breast skin
Changes after pregnancy, breastfeeding, or weight loss

A breast lift may be combined with implants when more upper breast fullness is desired. Some patients choose a breast lift without implants for a more natural result.

Breast Reduction Surgery

Breast reduction surgery makes the breasts smaller and lighter by removing extra breast tissue, fat, and skin.

Common breast reduction concerns include:

Pain in the neck
Shoulder discomfort
Pain in the back
Bra strap marks
Rashes under the breasts
Limited comfort during physical activity
Clothing fit challenges

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 Revision

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:

Desire to change implant size
Rupture of an implant
Firm scar tissue around an implant, called capsular contracture
Implant position changes
Breast asymmetry
Natural aging changes after breast implants
Breast implant removal

Some patients choose to remove implants and have a lift. Others choose new implants with a different size, shape, or placement.

Breast Reconstruction Procedure

Breast reconstruction restores breast shape after mastectomy or lumpectomy. Breast reconstruction can use implants, natural tissue, or both.

Breast reconstruction options may include:

Implant-supported breast reconstruction
Natural tissue flap reconstruction
Reconstruction of the nipple and areola
Fat grafting for contour improvement
Revision surgery to improve symmetry

This can be a deeply personal choice. Many patients want breast reconstruction. Some patients choose a flat closure instead. Either choice can be valid.

Male Breast Reduction (Gynecomastia Surgery)

Gynecomastia surgery treats enlarged breast tissue in men. Treatment may involve liposuction, gland tissue removal, or both.

Common gynecomastia concerns include:

A puffy nipple appearance
Extra tissue beneath the areola
A fuller male chest
Uneven male chest shape
Feeling self-conscious at the beach, gym, or in fitted shirts

Treatment choice depends on whether fat, gland tissue, loose skin, or a mix of these is causing the fullness.

Common Body Contouring Options

Body contouring surgery improves shape by removing extra skin, reducing stubborn fat, or tightening tissue. It is often considered after pregnancy, aging, or major weight loss.

Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty)

A tummy tuck, also called abdominoplasty, 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:

Loose skin on the abdomen
A lower stomach apron
Lower abdominal skin with stretch marks
A weakened or separated abdominal wall
Body changes from pregnancy or weight loss

Tummy tuck surgery is not a general weight-loss procedure. It is best for patients who are near a stable weight and want to improve abdominal shape.

Liposuction for Body Contouring

Liposuction removes localized fat with a thin tube called a cannula. It is used for body contouring, not general weight loss.

Liposuction may be used on areas such as:

Abdominal area
Flanks, often called love handles
Hips
Thigh areas
Arm fullness
Back rolls
Chin and neck
Chest area
The knees

Skin tone is an important factor. If the skin is loose, liposuction by itself may not be enough. When skin laxity is significant, surgery to remove skin may be a better option.

Post-Pregnancy Body Contouring

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.

A customized mommy makeover may involve:

A tummy tuck procedure
A breast lift procedure
A breast augmentation procedure
Surgical breast size reduction
Fat reduction with liposuction
Fat transfer for volume

The name “mommy makeover” can be misleading because similar body changes can affect many patients. It is for anyone with similar body changes. The right plan depends on health, goals, recovery time, and whether future pregnancy is planned.

Upper Arm Lift Procedure

An arm lift, also called brachioplasty, removes loose skin from the upper arms.

Arm lift surgery can help improve:

Loose skin along the upper arms
Loose skin after weight loss
Aging changes in the arms
Feeling uncomfortable in sleeveless tops
Irritation from loose arm skin

The improved arm shape comes with a scar along the inner or back portion of the arm. Many patients feel the improved arm contour is worth the scar, but careful discussion is important.

Thigh Lift

Thigh lift surgery improves thigh contour by removing loose skin. Major weight local cosmetic plastic surgery loss is a common reason for thigh lift surgery.

A thigh lift may help with:

Inner thigh skin laxity
Thigh skin rubbing
Trouble with pants fit
Extra skin that feels heavy
Thigh changes after weight loss or bariatric surgery

Different thigh lift incision patterns may be used. A surgeon chooses the pattern based on how much loose skin is present and where it is located.

Lower Body Lift

A body lift removes extra loose skin around the lower body. It can improve the abdomen, hips, outer thighs, buttocks, and lower back.

Body lift surgery may be helpful after:

Significant weight loss
Bariatric weight-loss surgery
Post-pregnancy body changes
Aging-related lower-body skin looseness

Because it is a larger surgery, recovery takes more time. Patients should be at a stable weight and in good overall health.

Body Fat Grafting

Fat grafting transfers fat from one area of the body to another. The goal may be natural volume, smoother contour, or both.

Fat grafting may be used in areas such as:

Breasts
Buttock volume
Hip volume
Facial volume
Contour irregularities after injury or surgery

Fat grafting is natural in the sense that it uses your own tissue, but not all of the fat remains long term. Fat grafting results can evolve, so repeat treatment may be needed for some patients.

Plastic Surgery for Skin and Scars

Plastic surgery also includes treatments for the skin surface, scars, and soft tissue.

Scar Treatment and Revision

Scar revision can improve the appearance or feel of a scar. It may not remove the scar completely, but it can make it less raised, tight, wide, or noticeable.

Scar revision surgery can help improve:

Post-surgical scars
Injury scars
Scarring after burns
Thick scars
Scars that feel tight
Scars that restrict motion

Treatment may include surgery, copyright injections, laser treatment, silicone therapy, or a combination.

Plastic Surgery for Moles, Cysts, and Skin Lesions

Plastic surgery may be chosen for benign skin lesions, cysts, moles, and lumps when the closure should be as careful as possible. A medical assessment may be needed for some lesions to rule out skin cancer.

Removal may be done for:

Skin irritation
A growing lesion
Bleeding
Concern about how it looks
Medical diagnosis
Comfort

Any changing mole or suspicious skin lesion should be checked by a qualified medical professional.

Skin Cancer Reconstruction Procedures

Skin cancer reconstruction can help close the treated area and restore appearance after cancer removal. Reconstruction is especially common on visible or delicate areas such as the face, nose, eyelids, ears, lips, scalp, and hands.

Skin cancer reconstruction can involve:

A direct closure
Skin graft reconstruction
Reconstruction with local flaps
Advanced reconstructive techniques

The goal is to remove the cancer safely while preserving function and appearance as much as possible.

Non-Surgical Cosmetic Treatments

Not every patient requires 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 Cosmetic Treatments

Selected facial muscles can be relaxed with BOTOX and other neuromodulators. They are often used for expression lines.

Common treatment areas include:

Expression lines between the brows
Forehead lines
Lines at the outer corners of the eyes
Small nose wrinkles
Peau d’orange chin texture
Selected neck bands

Results are temporary and usually require repeat treatments. Most patients want a softer, rested look rather than a frozen face.

Injectable Dermal Fillers

Dermal fillers restore or add volume. They are often made with hyaluronic acid, a gel-like substance used to shape and support soft tissue.

Common filler areas include:

Lip volume
Midface fullness
Chin
Jawline
Under-eye hollowing
Smile lines
Mouth-corner lines

Filler results depend on product choice, injection technique, facial anatomy, and treatment goals. Overfilling may look unnatural, so conservative planning is important.

Chemical Peels

A chemical peel uses a controlled chemical solution to improve the outer layers of skin.

Chemical peels may address:

Uneven skin tone
Tired-looking skin
Fine surface lines
Photoaging
Light acne marks
Uneven texture

Peel strength may range from light to deeper treatments. Healing time varies based on the peel depth and type.

Laser Skin Treatments and Energy-Based Procedures

Laser and energy-based treatments can improve skin tone, redness, texture, hair growth, scars, and signs of aging.

Common treatment options may include:

Laser resurfacing for texture
IPL, or intense pulsed light
RF skin treatments
Non-surgical skin tightening
Laser hair removal or reduction
Laser treatment for small visible vessels

These treatments should be matched to skin type, skin tone, and the concern being treated. This is especially important for patients with darker skin tones because pigment changes can be a risk.

Microdermabrasion and Dermabrasion Treatments

A deeper resurfacing option called dermabrasion removes outer layers of skin. Compared with dermabrasion, microdermabrasion is lighter and more superficial.

These resurfacing treatments can improve:

Texture
Surface-level scars
Dullness
Uneven surface
Fine surface lines

Choosing between these treatments depends on skin quality, goals, recovery time, and risk tolerance.

Choosing the Right Plastic Surgery Procedure

The best place to start is the concern itself, not the name of a procedure. It is common for patients to ask about one procedure and discover that another option may better suit 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 belly can involve extra fat, loose skin, diastasis recti, or internal weight.
Breasts that look flat may need lifting, added volume, fat grafting, or more than one procedure.
Under-eye concerns may come from fat pads, hollows, loose skin, or pigmentation.

A strong treatment plan should answer three questions:

What is the cause of the concern?
Which treatment is most likely to correct the cause?
What trade-offs come with that option?

Those trade-offs may include scars, downtime, swelling, cost, maintenance, and possible complications.

Common Questions and Concerns Before Plastic Surgery

Mixed feelings are normal before a plastic surgery procedure. Excitement is common, but nervousness is common too. It is normal to worry about safety, pain, scars, recovery, cost, and natural-looking results.

“Will the Result Still Look Like Me?”

This concern comes up often. The goal for many people is to look refreshed while still looking like themselves. A natural result should match your facial features, body frame, age, and personal style.

The goal is often to improve balance, not chase perfection.

“What Is the Recovery Like?”

Recovery depends on the procedure. Non-surgical options often involve minimal downtime. Larger surgeries, such as tummy tuck, body lift, or mommy makeover, require more planning.

In general, recovery planning may include:

Bruising and swelling
Activity limits
Planned time away from work
Appointments after surgery
Scar management
A gradual return to exercise
Gradual settling before final results are seen

Healing takes time. The appearance often improves over time as swelling settles.

“What Should I Know About Plastic Surgery Scars?”

Any procedure with an incision creates a scar. The goal is careful scar placement and strong scar healing.

Scar quality depends on:

How your body naturally scars
Pigment response in the skin
The kind of surgery performed
Incision placement
How much tension is on the wound
Whether you smoke
How much sun the scar gets
Post-surgery aftercare

Scars tend to soften and fade, but they usually remain to some degree.

“What Are the Risks of Plastic Surgery?”

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.

Safety is influenced by:

Your medical condition
Medication use
Smoking or nicotine use
The procedure being done
The surgical facility
The planned anesthesia
Surgeon training and experience
Your follow-up care

Benefits, risks, alternatives, and realistic expectations should all be discussed during a consultation.

Plastic Surgery in Canada

Canadian plastic surgery is regulated through medical licensing, provincial colleges, hospital systems, surgical facilities, and professional standards. Understanding medical credentials is important because marketing terms can be confusing.

Choosing a Qualified Plastic Surgeon

If you are researching plastic surgery in Canada, look closely at training and credentials. Proper plastic surgery training includes medical training, surgical training, and specialty certification in plastic surgery.

Patients should ask:

Are you formally certified in the specialty of plastic surgery?
Do you hold a medical licence in this province?
Do you commonly perform this type of surgery?
Where is the procedure performed?
What type of anesthesia is used and who provides it?
What complications should I understand for my situation?
What happens if a complication occurs?
How many follow-up appointments are included?
Can I see results from similar cases?

This is not about challenging the surgeon. It is about knowing what to expect before moving forward.

Plastic Surgery Costs in Canada

Cosmetic surgery costs in Canada can vary widely. Pricing may depend on procedure complexity, surgeon experience, anesthesia, facility fees, implants or devices, garments, follow-up care, and location.

Overhead and demand may increase fees in major Canadian centres such as Vancouver, Toronto, Calgary, Edmonton, Ottawa, and Montreal. Smaller markets may offer different pricing, but cost alone should not guide the decision.

A very low price can be a warning sign if it means corners are being cut on safety, training, facility standards, or aftercare.

Medical Tourism vs. Surgery in Canada

Some Canadians think about travelling outside the country for lower-cost surgery. Although this may sound appealing, extra risks should be considered.

Possible concerns with surgery abroad include:

Limited follow-up care
Travel during early recovery
Infection risk
Different surgical standards
Less access to surgical records
Trouble getting complications treated after returning to Canada
Difficulty communicating clearly
Revision surgery costs

Staying closer to home for surgery can help with follow-up, especially if swelling, healing problems, or complications need attention.

What to Bring to a Plastic Surgery Consultation

A consultation gives you the chance to learn what is possible, safe, and realistic. A consultation should not feel rushed or pressured.

It helps to prepare before your consultation:

Prepare a short list of your main concerns.
Bring a list of your medications and supplements.
Prepare to discuss your medical history.
Do not hide smoking, vaping, cannabis, or nicotine use.
Reference photos can be helpful if they explain your goals.
Ask questions about recovery, scars, risks, and alternatives.
Ask what result is realistic for your body or face.

A good consultation should clearly discuss your options. In some cases, the best recommendation is to wait, choose a smaller treatment, improve health first, or avoid surgery.

Who Is a Good Candidate for Plastic Surgery?

Plastic surgery candidates should usually be 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 generally healthy
Your goals are based on a clear concern
You are near a stable weight for body procedures
You do not smoke, or you can stop before and after surgery
You know what to expect during recovery
You understand the risks and can accept them
You are not doing it because of pressure from another person
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.

Can Plastic Surgery Procedures Be Combined?

Some procedures can be combined safely. Some procedures are safer when staged. Doing more than one procedure at once may shorten total recovery, but it can increase surgery length and healing stress.

Common procedure combinations include:

A facelift with a neck lift
Eyelid surgery with brow lift
Rhinoplasty with chin surgery
Breast lift with augmentation
Abdominal contouring with tummy tuck and liposuction
Combined mommy makeover procedures
Combining body lift with arm or thigh surgery
Facial surgery combined with fat grafting

Your health, procedure length, anesthesia, recovery support, and risk level all affect the safest plan.

Summary of Plastic Surgery Procedures in Canada

In Canada, plastic surgery covers a wide range of cosmetic and reconstructive options. Some procedures improve the face, breasts, or body. Reconstructive options may 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 best procedure is not always the procedure people ask about first. The right option should match your anatomy, goals, health, and comfort level.

Every plastic surgery plan should put safety, natural-looking results, clear expectations, and proper follow-up care first. 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.