Plastic surgery includes many procedures that can refine, repair, or improve the face and body. When surgery is chosen mainly to enhance appearance, it is often called cosmetic surgery. Reconstructive procedures are used to help repair form or function after concerns such as injury, cancer, birth differences, burns, or medical conditions.
In Canada, people search for plastic surgery for many personal reasons. Some want to look more rested. Others want to restore body shape after pregnancy, weight loss, or aging. Other patients need help after trauma, skin cancer, breast cancer, or a congenital concern. The best procedure depends on your anatomy, goals, health, lifestyle, and available recovery time.
This 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 explains what to think about before booking a consultation.
Cosmetic Plastic Surgery Compared With Reconstructive Plastic Surgery
Plastic surgery is commonly divided into two main categories, cosmetic surgery and reconstructive surgery.
Cosmetic Plastic Surgery
Cosmetic plastic surgery deals with appearance-related goals. 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:
- Supporting better facial harmony
- Improving visible signs of aging
- Creating a more balanced body shape
- Restoring fullness after weight loss, pregnancy, or aging
- Improving the nose, eyelids, ears, lips, breasts, abdomen, arms, or thighs
- Helping patients feel better in clothing
- Helping confidence through natural-looking improvements
Most cosmetic procedures in Canada are paid for privately. Pricing may change based on procedure complexity, surgeon experience, facility costs, anesthesia, follow-up care, and location.
Reconstructive 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 types of reconstructive surgery include:
- Breast reconstruction after a mastectomy
- Skin cancer reconstruction following tumour removal
- Repair of cleft lip and palate
- Surgical treatment for burn-related changes
- Reconstructive hand surgery
- Scar repair or revision
- Wound repair
- Surgery for facial trauma repair
- Correction of congenital concerns
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
Facial procedures may be used to improve balance, soften aging changes, and restore a rested look. Most patients do not want to look “different.” The best facial surgery results often look natural and balanced.
Facelift Surgery, Also Called Rhytidectomy
Facelift surgery, or rhytidectomy, is used to improve sagging 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
- Sagging skin in the lower face
- Deep facial folds near the mouth
- Drooping cheek tissue
- Poor definition between the face and neck
Today, facelift surgery often works on deeper support layers below the skin. This may create a smoother, longer-lasting result without a pulled appearance. Many patients combine facelift surgery with a neck lift, eyelid surgery, brow lift, or facial fat grafting.
Neck Lift Surgery, Also Called Platysmaplasty
A neck lift improves loose skin, muscle bands, and fullness under the chin. The medical term for tightening the neck muscle is platysmaplasty.
A neck lift may help with:
- Visible neck bands
- Loose skin on the neck
- Reduced jawline sharpness
- Submental fullness
- A “turkey neck” look
Some patients need skin and muscle tightening. Others may benefit from 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.
Eyelid Surgery (Blepharoplasty)
Eyelid surgery or blepharoplasty helps refresh the eyes by removing or repositioning extra skin, fat, or tissue around the eyelids.
Patients may choose upper eyelid surgery for:
- Heavy upper lids
- Extra skin on the upper eyelids
- A more tired or older eye appearance
- Skin resting on the eyelashes
- Functional vision concerns in some patients
Patients may choose lower eyelid surgery for:
- Under-eye bags
- Lower eyelid puffiness
- Lower eyelid skin laxity
- Dark-looking shadows under the eyes
- A tired look that does not improve with rest
Eyelid surgery is one of the most common facial procedures because small eye-area changes can make the face look more rested.
Brow Lift Surgery (Forehead Lift)
A low or heavy brow may be raised with a brow lift, also called a forehead lift. This can help improve the upper eye area and ease a heavy forehead look.
A brow lift may address:
- Drooping eyebrows
- Upper eyelid heaviness caused by a low brow
- Forehead wrinkles
- 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. Many patients need either one procedure or the other, while some benefit from both.
Nose Surgery (Rhinoplasty)
Rhinoplasty is nose surgery that can change nasal shape, size, or structure. Rhinoplasty may focus on appearance, breathing, or both.
Patients may consider rhinoplasty for:
- A raised bridge bump
- A lowered nose tip
- Tip width or boxiness
- A nose that looks crooked
- The size or projection of the nose
- Uneven nasal shape
- Nasal breathing concerns linked to anatomy
When breathing is a concern, surgery may include work on the septum, the wall between the nostrils. This part of surgery is called septoplasty. Cosmetic rhinoplasty changes appearance, while functional nasal surgery focuses on airflow.
Otoplasty, Also Called Ear Surgery
Ear surgery or otoplasty is used to adjust ear shape, position, or size. Otoplasty is often chosen for ears that stick out.
Otoplasty may help with:
- Ears that stick out
- Uneven ears
- Ear folds that look large
- Ears that project away from the head
- Concerns with the earlobes
This procedure is performed for both adults and children. For children, timing depends on ear growth, maturity, and family goals.
Lip Lift Procedure
A lip lift is designed to shorten the space between the upper lip and the nose. This area is known as the upper lip length. The procedure can make the upper lip look more visible without adding filler.
Lip lift surgery can help improve:
- A lengthened upper lip area
- Less upper tooth visibility with a smile
- A less visible upper lip
- Lip imbalance
- Mouth-area aging changes
A lip lift should not be confused with lip filler. Dermal filler increases volume. Lip lift surgery adjusts the position and shape of the upper lip.
Chin, Cheek, and Jawline Implants
Facial implants may improve balance in the chin, cheeks, or jawline. When the chin appears small in relation to the nose or other features, chin surgery may help.
Common facial implant procedures include:
- Chin implant surgery
- Implants for the cheeks
- Jawline augmentation implants
Chin surgery may be planned with rhinoplasty when the nose and chin both influence profile balance.
Fat Transfer for Facial Volume
Facial fat grafting uses the patient’s own fat to restore volume. The process usually involves taking fat from the abdomen or thighs, processing it, and placing it into selected facial areas.
Fat grafting to the face can help improve:
- Loss of cheek fullness
- Hollowing under the eyes
- Age-related facial volume loss
- Soft tissue thinning
- Imbalance in facial volume
Fat grafting can be used alone or with facelift surgery, eyelid surgery, or other facial procedures.
Breast Plastic Surgery Procedures
Many patients in Canada consider breast surgery for cosmetic or reconstructive reasons. Patients may want to increase breast volume, reduce breast size, lift the breasts, improve symmetry, or restore the breast after cancer surgery.
Breast Augmentation Surgery
Implants or fat transfer may be used in breast augmentation to increase breast size and improve shape. Breast implants may be filled with saline or silicone gel. The right implant option is based on body type, breast tissue, goals, and professional surgical guidance.
Patients may consider breast augmentation for:
- Naturally small breasts
- Volume loss after pregnancy
- Less breast fullness after weight change
- Uneven breast size or shape
- Improved breast shape in fitted clothing
A common concern is whether breast augmentation will look too large or unnatural. A careful surgical plan should consider chest width, skin quality, lifestyle, and long-term maintenance.
Breast Lift Surgery, Also Called Mastopexy
A breast lift or mastopexy improves breast position and shape when the breasts have dropped. It does not primarily add volume. The procedure focuses on improving breast position and shape.
Patients may consider a breast lift for:
- Breasts that sag
- Downward-pointing nipples
- Areolas that have stretched
- Loose skin on the breasts
- Post-pregnancy, breastfeeding, or weight-loss breast changes
Some patients choose a breast lift with implants for more upper breast fullness. Others prefer a lift without implants for a natural result.
Breast Reduction Procedure
Breast reduction removes excess breast tissue, fat, and skin to make the breasts smaller, lighter, and more balanced.
Breast reduction may help with:
- Pain in the neck
- Pain in the shoulders
- Back discomfort
- Grooves from bra straps
- Under-breast skin irritation
- Difficulty exercising
- Difficulty finding clothing that fits
Some breast reduction procedures in Canada may be considered medically necessary. Coverage depends on provincial requirements, symptoms, and medical assessment.
Breast Implant Revision Surgery
Breast implant revision surgery is used to change, adjust, or replace current breast implants. It may be done for cosmetic reasons or medical concerns.
Breast implant revision may be needed for:
- A desire to change implant size
- Breast implant rupture
- Capsular contracture, where scar tissue around an implant becomes firm
- Implant position changes
- Breast asymmetry
- Changes from aging after breast augmentation
- Choosing to remove implants
Some patients choose to remove implants and have a lift. New implants may be chosen with a changed size, shape, or position.
Breast Reconstruction
Breast reconstruction surgery helps rebuild the breast after mastectomy or lumpectomy. Breast reconstruction can use implants, natural tissue, or both.
Breast reconstruction may use:
- Implant breast reconstruction
- Reconstruction using tissue flaps
- Reconstruction of the nipple and areola
- Fat transfer as part of reconstruction
- Revision surgery for symmetry
Breast reconstruction is a very personal decision. Some patients choose reconstruction. Others choose to remain flat. Either choice can be valid.
Gynecomastia Surgery
Gynecomastia surgery is used to reduce enlarged male breast tissue. Liposuction, gland removal, or a combination may be used.
Male breast reduction can help improve:
- Fullness around the nipples
- Extra tissue beneath the areola
- Chest tissue fullness
- A chest that looks uneven
- Self-consciousness at the beach, gym, or in fitted shirts
The best technique depends on whether the fullness is caused by fat, gland tissue, loose skin, or a mix of these.
Common Body Contouring Options
Body contouring focuses on improving shape through skin removal, fat reduction, or tissue tightening. It is often considered after pregnancy, aging, or major weight loss.
Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty)
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:
- Sagging abdominal skin
- A hanging lower abdomen
- Stretch marks on skin below the belly button
- Abdominal muscle separation
- Loose abdominal tissue 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 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.
Liposuction can treat:
- Stomach area
- Flanks, also called love handles
- The hips
- Thigh contours
- Upper arms
- Back rolls
- Chin and neck
- Chest
- Fat around the knees
Good skin tone matters. Liposuction alone may not be enough when the skin is loose. In those cases, skin removal surgery may be needed.
Post-Pregnancy Body Contouring
A mommy makeover is a custom plan that treats body changes after pregnancy, breastfeeding, or weight change. It often combines breast and abdominal procedures.
A customized mommy makeover may involve:
- Abdominal contouring with tummy tuck
- Breast lift
- Breast augmentation surgery
- A breast reduction procedure
- Liposuction surgery
- Body fat grafting
Although the name suggests otherwise, the procedure is not only for mothers. It is really a custom body contouring plan for patients with similar concerns. Health, goals, recovery time, and future pregnancy plans all help guide the best approach.
Brachioplasty, or Arm Lift Surgery
An arm lift or brachioplasty improves upper arm shape by removing loose skin.
Common arm lift concerns include:
- Upper arm skin that hangs
- Weight-loss-related arm skin looseness
- Upper arm changes from aging
- Avoiding sleeveless clothing
- Skin rubbing or irritation
Arm lift surgery leaves a scar along the inner or back part of the arm. For many patients, the improved shape is worth the scar, but this should be discussed carefully.
Thigh Contouring Surgery
Thigh lift surgery improves thigh contour by removing loose skin. It is often chosen after major weight loss.
Patients may consider a thigh lift for:
- Extra inner thigh skin
- Skin rubbing
- Poor clothing fit around the thighs
- Thigh heaviness caused by extra skin
- Post-weight-loss or post-bariatric thigh changes
There are different thigh lift patterns. The best thigh lift pattern depends on skin amount and the location of the looseness.
Body Contouring Lift
A body lift removes extra loose skin around the lower body. A body lift can address the abdomen, hips, outer thighs, buttocks, and lower back.
A body lift may be chosen after:
- Substantial weight loss
- Surgery for weight loss
- Changes in body shape after pregnancy
- Aging changes with loose skin
This is a more involved surgery with a longer recovery. Patients should have a stable weight and good overall health.
Fat Transfer to the Body
Fat grafting transfers fat from one area of the body to another. The goal may be natural volume, smoother contour, or both.
Common treatment areas include:
- Breast shape
- The buttocks
- Hip shape
- The face
- Surface irregularities after surgery or injury
Your own tissue is used in fat grafting, but not every transferred fat cell survives. The result can shift over time, and some patients may need more than one session.
Procedures for Skin, Scars, and Surface Concerns
Plastic surgery also includes treatments for the skin surface, scars, and soft tissue.
Scar Improvement Treatment
Scar revision can improve the appearance or feel of a scar. The scar will not usually disappear, but revision may make it flatter, softer, narrower, or less noticeable.
Common scar revision concerns include:
- Scars from surgery
- Injury scars
- Burn injury scars
- Thickened scars
- Restrictive scars
- Scars that restrict motion
Scar treatment can include surgery, copyright injections, laser treatment, silicone therapy, or several methods together.
Mole, Cyst, and Skin Lesion Removal
When careful closure is important, plastic surgeons may remove benign skin lesions, cysts, moles, and lumps. Some lesions need medical assessment to rule out skin cancer.
Patients may seek removal for:
- A lesion that gets irritated
- A growing lesion
- Recurrent bleeding
- A cosmetic concern
- Diagnostic testing
- Comfort
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 area and restore appearance. Common areas include the face, nose, eyelids, ears, lips, scalp, and hands.
Reconstruction after skin cancer may include:
- Simple direct closure
- Skin grafts
- Local tissue flaps
- Advanced reconstructive techniques
The aim is to remove the cancer safely and preserve function and appearance as much as possible.
Common Non-Surgical Cosmetic Options
Not every patient requires surgery. Early signs of aging, facial lines, volume loss, and skin quality concerns may be improved with non-surgical cosmetic treatments. Non-surgical care often means less recovery time, but the results are usually temporary.
BOTOX and Neuromodulators
Selected facial muscles can be relaxed with BOTOX and other neuromodulators. They are often used for expression lines.
BOTOX and neuromodulators may treat:
- Lines between the eyebrows
- Lines across the forehead
- Outer eye wrinkles
- Lines on the sides of the nose
- Dimpling in the chin
- Neck bands in some cases
The results do not last forever and usually need maintenance treatments. A natural neuromodulator result should look softer and rested, not stiff or frozen.
Dermal Fillers
Volume can be restored or added with dermal fillers. They are often made with hyaluronic acid, a gel-like substance that shapes and supports soft tissue.
Common filler areas include:
- Lip volume
- Cheek volume
- Chin projection
- Jawline contour
- Tear trough hollowing
- Smile lines
- Marionette folds
Dermal filler results depend on product choice, injection technique, facial anatomy, and treatment goals. Overfilling can look unnatural, so conservative planning is important.
Medical Chemical Peels
Chemical peel treatment uses a controlled solution to refresh the outer skin layers.
Chemical peels may help with:
- Skin tone irregularity
- Dull-looking skin
- Early fine lines
- Photoaging
- Mild post-acne marks
- Uneven texture
Peel strength may range from light to deeper treatments. Recovery depends on peel type.
Laser and Energy Treatments for Skin
Laser and energy-based treatments may improve skin tone, redness, texture, hair growth, scars, and signs of aging.
Common options may include:
- Resurfacing laser treatment
- Intense pulsed light (IPL)
- Radiofrequency energy treatments
- Skin tightening procedures
- Hair reduction with laser
- Vascular laser for redness or broken 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.
Dermabrasion and Microdermabrasion
Outer skin layers can be removed with dermabrasion, a deeper resurfacing procedure. Compared with dermabrasion, microdermabrasion is lighter and more superficial.
These resurfacing treatments can improve:
- Texture
- Minor acne scarring
- Tired-looking skin
- Surface irregularity
- Fine surface lines
The right option depends on skin quality, goals, downtime, and risk tolerance.
Finding the Right Plastic Surgery Option
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:
- Extra eyelid skin, a low brow, or both may cause heavy upper lids.
- A soft jawline may be caused by loose skin, neck bands, fat, or chin position.
- A full abdomen may be caused by fat, loose skin, muscle separation, or internal weight.
- Flat-looking breasts may need a lift, implants, fat grafting, or a combination.
- Under-eye bags may be caused by fat pads, hollowing, skin laxity, or pigmentation.
A clear plastic surgery plan should answer three key questions:
- What is the cause of the concern?
- Which procedure best treats that cause?
- What benefits and limits come with that procedure?
Every procedure has trade-offs, which may include scars, downtime, swelling, cost, maintenance, and possible complications.
Common Questions and Concerns Before Plastic Surgery
Most patients have mixed feelings before plastic surgery. Excitement is common, but so are nerves. Many patients worry about safety, pain, scars, recovery, cost, and whether the outcome will look natural.
“Will Plastic Surgery Change My Face Too Much?”
This is a very common worry. Many patients want to look refreshed rather than changed. Natural-looking plastic surgery should respect your facial features, body frame, age, and personal style.
For many patients, the goal is better balance, not a perfect or unrealistic look.
“How Long Is the Recovery?”
Recovery time depends on the procedure. Some non-surgical treatments have little or no downtime. A tummy tuck, body lift, or mommy makeover is more involved and needs more planning.
In general, patients should plan for:
- Post-surgery swelling and bruising
- Restrictions on exercise or lifting
- Recovery time before returning to work
- Post-operative follow-up visits
- Post-surgery scar care
- Slow return to workouts
- Gradual settling before final results are seen
Recovery does not happen instantly. Results often look better as weeks and months pass.
“How Noticeable Will Scars Be?”
Surgery that involves an incision will create a scar. A good plan places scars as carefully as possible and supports healing.
Scar appearance may be affected by:
- Family scar tendencies
- Pigment response in the skin
- Which procedure is done
- The incision location
- How much tension is on the wound
- Nicotine exposure
- Sun protection during healing
- Aftercare
A scar often becomes less noticeable over time, but it will not vanish completely.
“What Should I Know About Plastic Surgery Safety?”
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.
Safety depends on many factors, including:
- Your health
- Medications you take
- Nicotine or smoking use
- The type of procedure
- The surgical facility
- How anesthesia is managed
- The surgeon’s training and experience
- Your follow-up care
Benefits, risks, alternatives, and realistic expectations should all be discussed during a consultation.
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 understand the difference between marketing terms and recognized medical training.
Choosing a Qualified Plastic Surgeon
Proper training and credentials matter when researching plastic surgery in Canada. A plastic surgeon should have medical training, surgical training, and certification in plastic surgery.
Patients may want to ask:
- Are you formally certified in the specialty of plastic surgery?
- Do you hold a medical licence in this province?
- Is this a procedure you perform regularly?
- Where will the procedure take place?
- Who manages anesthesia during the procedure?
- What complications should I understand for my situation?
- Who do I contact if I have a complication?
- How often will I be seen after surgery?
- Can I see results from similar cases?
Asking questions is not being difficult. It is about making an informed choice.
Canadian Cosmetic Surgery Pricing
Plastic surgery pricing in Canada varies widely. Many factors affect pricing, including 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.
Surgery Abroad vs. Plastic Surgery in Canada
Some Canadians consider travelling outside the country for lower-cost surgery. Medical tourism can seem attractive, but it adds risks that should be reviewed.
Medical tourism concerns may include:
- Difficulty getting follow-up care
- Travel soon after surgery
- Infection-related complications
- Different facility or safety standards
- Hard-to-get records
- Difficulty finding care for complications at home
- Language or translation issues
- Revision surgery costs
Surgery closer to home can make follow-up care easier if swelling, healing concerns, or complications happen.
Plastic Surgery Consultation Preparation
A plastic surgery consultation helps clarify what is possible, safe, and realistic for your case. You should not feel rushed or pressured during the consultation.
You can prepare for the visit by doing the following:
- Write down the main concerns you want to discuss.
- Prepare your medication and supplement list.
- Tell the surgeon about your medical history.
- Be honest about smoking, vaping, cannabis use, and nicotine exposure.
- Bring photos if they help explain your goals.
- Ask 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. 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?
Good candidates for plastic surgery are usually healthy, informed, and realistic. They understand surgery can improve appearance, but it cannot create perfection or solve every life concern.
Good candidate signs include:
- You have good general health
- Your goals are based on a clear 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
- The choice is based on your own goals
- Your expectations are realistic
You may need to postpone surgery if you are pregnant, planning major weight loss, using nicotine, managing an unstable medical condition, or feeling pressured by someone else.
Planning More Than One Plastic Surgery Procedure
Combining procedures can be appropriate in selected cases. 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:
- A facelift with a neck lift
- Blepharoplasty with brow lift
- Profile balancing with rhinoplasty and chin surgery
- Breast lift with augmentation
- Tummy tuck with liposuction
- Mommy makeover procedures
- Body lift with thigh or arm contouring
- Combining facial rejuvenation and fat grafting
The safest plan depends on health, procedure length, anesthesia, recovery support, and risk level.
Understanding Your Plastic Surgery Options in Canada
Canadian plastic surgery includes both cosmetic and reconstructive procedures. Some options are designed to modern cosmetic surgery refine facial, breast, or body shape. 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.
The most popular procedure is not always the best fit. A good procedure choice fits the patient’s anatomy, goals, health, and comfort level.
A thoughtful plan should focus on safety, natural-looking results, clear expectations, and proper follow-up care. Before choosing eyelid surgery, rhinoplasty, breast augmentation, tummy tuck, liposuction, facelift surgery, or reconstructive plastic surgery, it helps to understand what each option can and cannot do.