Plastic surgery is a broad field with surgical options that can refine, rebuild, or adjust areas of the face and body. Cosmetic procedures are usually chosen to improve appearance. Other procedures are reconstructive, meaning they help rebuild form or function after injury, cancer, birth differences, burns, or medical conditions.
Canadians may look into plastic surgery for many reasons. Some patients want a more rested appearance. Some want to restore their body after pregnancy, weight loss, or aging. Other patients need help after trauma, skin cancer, breast cancer, or a congenital concern. Choosing the right procedure depends on anatomy, goals, health, lifestyle, and recovery needs.
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 reviews what to consider before booking a consultation.
Cosmetic and Reconstructive Plastic Surgery
Plastic surgery is often divided into two main categories, cosmetic surgery and reconstructive surgery.
Cosmetic Plastic Surgery Procedures
Cosmetic plastic surgery focuses on appearance. Most cosmetic procedures are elective, which means they are planned by choice rather than medical need.
Common reasons for cosmetic plastic surgery include:
- Improving facial balance
- Helping the face or body look more refreshed
- Creating a more balanced body shape
- Improving volume changes after weight loss or pregnancy
- Refining the nose, eyelids, ears, lips, breasts, abdomen, arms, or thighs
- Improving the way clothing fits
- Supporting confidence with natural-looking changes
In Canada, most cosmetic procedures are paid for privately. Pricing may change based on procedure complexity, surgeon experience, facility costs, anesthesia, follow-up care, and location.
Reconstructive Plastic Surgery
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.
Common types of reconstructive surgery include:
- Breast reconstruction after mastectomy
- Skin cancer reconstruction after removal of a tumour
- Cleft lip and palate repair
- Burn reconstruction
- Hand surgery
- Scar improvement surgery
- Complex wound repair
- Surgery for facial trauma repair
- Congenital reconstruction
In Canada, some medically necessary reconstructive procedures may be covered by provincial health plans. Cosmetic procedures are usually not covered.
Facial Cosmetic Surgery Procedures
Facial procedures may be used to improve balance, soften aging changes, and restore a rested look. The goal is usually not to look “different.” The best results often look natural and balanced.
Facelift Surgery (Rhytidectomy)
Sagging in the lower face and jawline may be improved with a facelift, also called rhytidectomy. It can help with jowls, loose facial skin, and deeper folds around the mouth.
Facelift surgery can address concerns such as:
- Jowls near the jawline
- Loose lower facial skin
- Deep smile lines
- Descent of cheek tissue
- Loss of definition between the face and neck
Modern facelift surgery often focuses on deeper support layers under 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 clinical term for tightening the neck muscle is platysmaplasty.
A neck facial rejuvenation lift may address:
- Muscle bands in the neck
- Neck skin laxity
- Reduced jawline sharpness
- Fullness under the chin
- A loose “turkey neck” appearance
Skin and muscle tightening may both be needed in certain patients. Some patients may only need liposuction under the chin. Because the face and neck often age together, a facelift and neck lift may be planned together.
Upper and Lower Eyelid Surgery
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:
- A weighted upper eyelid look
- Extra eyelid skin
- A tired-looking or aged appearance
- Eyelid skin that hangs over the lashes
- Vision concerns in select medical cases
Lower eyelid surgery can address:
- Visible under-eye bags
- Under-eye swelling or fullness
- 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 eye-area changes can make the face look more rested.
Brow Lift Surgery (Forehead Lift)
A brow lift, also called 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.
Patients may consider a brow lift for:
- Drooping eyebrows
- A heavy upper eyelid look caused by brow position
- Forehead lines
- Lines between the brows
- An expression that looks tired, sad, or stern
Although they can affect a similar area, a brow lift is not the same as eyelid surgery. Eyelid surgery addresses extra eyelid skin, while a brow lift changes the position of the eyebrows. Many patients need one or the other, and some benefit from both.
Nose Surgery (Rhinoplasty)
A nose job, medically known as rhinoplasty, 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 raised bridge bump
- A lowered nose tip
- A broad or boxy tip
- A nose that looks crooked
- How far the nose projects
- Asymmetry in the nose
- Breathing problems related to nasal structure
For patients with breathing concerns, rhinoplasty may include work on the septum, which separates the nostrils. This part of surgery is called septoplasty. Appearance is the focus of cosmetic rhinoplasty, while airflow is the focus of functional nasal surgery.
Ear Surgery (Otoplasty)
Ear surgery or otoplasty is used to adjust ear shape, position, or size. It is commonly used to correct ears that stick out.
Patients may consider otoplasty for:
- Prominent ears
- Uneven ear shape or position
- Ear folds that look large
- Ears that sit far from the head
- Earlobe concerns
Both adults and children may choose or need otoplasty. When otoplasty is considered for a child, timing is based on ear growth, maturity, and family goals.
Lip Lift Procedure
A lip lift shortens the space between the upper lip and the nose. That space is often described as the upper lip length. The procedure can make the upper lip look more visible without adding filler.
Common lip lift concerns include:
- A longer upper lip
- Less upper tooth visibility with a smile
- A less visible upper lip
- Poor balance between the upper and lower lips
- Age-related changes around the mouth
A lip lift is not the same as lip filler. Filler adds volume. The purpose of a lip lift is to change the upper lip position and shape rather than just add volume.
Chin, Jawline, and Facial Implant Surgery
Facial implant surgery can refine the chin, cheeks, or jawline for better balance. A chin implant may be considered when the chin looks small compared with the nose or other facial features.
Facial implant surgery may include:
- Chin implant surgery
- Cheek implant surgery
- Implants for the jawline
For profile balance, chin surgery and rhinoplasty may be combined in select cases.
Facial Volume Restoration With Fat Grafting
Facial fat grafting uses the patient’s own fat to restore volume. Areas such as the abdomen or thighs are often used as the fat source before the fat is processed and placed into the face.
Common facial fat grafting concerns include:
- Loss of cheek fullness
- Hollows beneath the eyes
- Volume changes caused by aging
- Loss of soft tissue fullness
- Uneven facial fullness
Fat grafting can be used alone or with facelift surgery, eyelid surgery, or other facial procedures.
Breast Plastic Surgery Procedures
Breast surgery is among the most common areas of cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery in Canada. Patients may want to increase volume, reduce size, lift the breasts, improve symmetry, or restore the breast after cancer surgery.
Breast Augmentation Surgery
Breast augmentation increases breast size and shape using implants or fat transfer. Breast augmentation may use either saline implants or silicone gel implants. The right implant option is based on body type, breast tissue, goals, and professional surgical guidance.
Common breast augmentation goals include:
- Naturally small breasts
- Volume loss after pregnancy
- Weight-related breast volume loss
- Breasts that do not match well
- A desire for more breast fullness in clothing
Many people worry about looking too large, obvious, or unnatural after breast augmentation. A careful surgical plan should consider chest width, skin quality, lifestyle, and long-term maintenance.
Mastopexy, or Breast Lift Surgery
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.
A breast lift may address:
- Breasts that sag
- Nipple descent
- Enlarged or stretched areolas
- Extra breast skin
- Breast changes after pregnancy, breastfeeding, or weight loss
Some patients choose a breast lift with implants for more upper breast fullness. Other patients prefer a lift without implants for a natural result.
Breast Reduction
To reduce breast size and weight, breast reduction removes extra tissue, fat, and skin.
Breast reduction may help with:
- Neck pain
- Heavy shoulder pressure
- Upper back pain
- Grooves from bra straps
- Skin irritation under the breasts
- Limited comfort during physical activity
- Difficulty finding clothing that fits
Breast reduction may be viewed as medically necessary in Canada in certain 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. Patients may need it for cosmetic goals or medical concerns.
Patients may consider revision for:
- Changing breast implant size
- A ruptured implant
- Capsular contracture, where scar tissue around an implant becomes firm
- Implant shifting
- Breast asymmetry
- Aging changes after breast augmentation
- Choosing to remove implants
Implant removal may be combined with a breast lift. New implants may be chosen with a changed size, shape, or position.
Breast Reconstruction Procedure
Breast reconstruction restores breast shape after mastectomy or lumpectomy. Implants, natural tissue, or a mix of both may be used for breast reconstruction.
The breast reconstruction process may involve:
- Implant-supported breast reconstruction
- Flap-based reconstruction
- Reconstruction of the nipple and areola
- Fat grafting for contour improvement
- Breast reconstruction revision for symmetry
This can be a deeply personal choice. Some patients want reconstruction. Others choose to stay flat. Both choices are valid.
Gynecomastia Surgery
Gynecomastia surgery treats enlarged breast tissue in men. It may include liposuction, gland removal, or both.
Common gynecomastia concerns include:
- Puffy-looking nipples
- Firm tissue beneath the nipple-areola area
- A fuller male chest
- Uneven male chest shape
- Discomfort being shirtless, exercising, or wearing fitted shirts
Treatment choice depends on whether fat, gland tissue, loose skin, or a mix of these is causing the fullness.
Body Plastic Surgery Procedures
Body contouring focuses on improving shape through skin removal, fat reduction, or tissue tightening. Many patients consider body contouring after pregnancy, aging, or major weight loss.
Tummy Tuck Surgery, Also Called 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:
- Loose skin on the abdomen
- A lower abdominal overhang
- Stretch-marked lower belly skin
- A weakened or separated abdominal wall
- Abdominal changes after pregnancy or weight loss
A tummy tuck is not meant to be a weight-loss procedure. A tummy tuck is most suitable for patients at a stable weight who want a flatter, better-shaped abdomen.
Liposuction for Body Contouring
Liposuction removes localized fat using a thin tube called a cannula. It is used for body contouring rather than general weight loss.
Common liposuction areas include:
- Belly area
- Side waist areas, often called love handles
- Hips
- Thigh areas
- Arm fullness
- Back rolls
- Under the chin and neck
- The chest
- Knee area
Skin tone is an important factor. If the skin is loose, liposuction by itself may not be enough. A skin-tightening or skin removal procedure may be needed in that situation.
Mommy Makeover
A mommy makeover is a customized plan for body changes after pregnancy, breastfeeding, or weight change. Breast and abdominal procedures are often combined in a mommy makeover.
A mommy makeover may include:
- Tummy tuck surgery
- A breast lift procedure
- Breast implants or fat transfer augmentation
- Breast reduction
- Fat reduction with liposuction
- Fat grafting
The term can be misleading, since a mommy makeover is not only for mothers. It may be suitable for anyone with similar body changes. The right plan depends on health, goals, recovery time, and whether future pregnancy is planned.
Arm Lift Surgery, Also Called Brachioplasty
Brachioplasty, commonly called an arm lift, removes extra skin from the upper arms.
An arm lift may address:
- Loose skin along the upper arms
- Weight-loss-related arm skin looseness
- Upper arm changes from aging
- Feeling uncomfortable in sleeveless tops
- Skin friction in the upper arms
The improved arm shape comes with a scar along the inner or back portion of the arm. Because the scar is permanent, patients should carefully discuss whether the improved shape is worth it.
Thigh Lift Surgery
A thigh lift is used to remove loose skin and improve thigh shape. Thigh lift surgery is common after significant weight loss.
A thigh lift may help with:
- Inner thigh skin laxity
- Skin friction between the thighs
- Poor fit in pants
- Extra skin that feels heavy
- Post-weight-loss or post-bariatric thigh changes
Thigh lift surgery can be done with different patterns. The right option depends on the amount of skin to remove and where the looseness is located.
Body Lift
Loose skin around the lower body can be removed with a body lift. A body lift can address the abdomen, hips, outer thighs, buttocks, and lower back.
A body lift may be considered after:
- A major weight change
- Post-bariatric body changes
- Changes in body shape after pregnancy
- Aging changes with loose skin
This is a more involved surgery with a longer recovery. Before a body lift, patients should be healthy overall and close to a stable weight.
Fat Grafting to the Body
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.
Patients may consider fat grafting for:
- The breasts
- Buttock volume
- Hip shape
- Facial volume
- Uneven contours after surgery or injury
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.
Procedures for Skin, Scars, and Surface Concerns
Plastic surgery also includes treatments for the skin surface, scars, and soft tissue.
Scar Revision Surgery
Scar revision surgery is used to improve how a scar looks or feels. It may not erase the scar, but it can make it less raised, tight, wide, or noticeable.
Patients may consider scar revision for:
- Scars from surgery
- Injury-related scars
- Burn injury scars
- Thick scars
- Tight or pulling scars
- Scars that affect range of motion
Treatment may involve surgery, copyright injections, laser treatment, silicone therapy, or a combination.
Removal of Moles, Cysts, and Skin Lesions
Plastic surgeons often remove benign skin lesions, cysts, moles, and lumps when careful closure matters. Some lesions require medical assessment to rule out skin cancer.
Removal may be done for:
- A lesion that gets irritated
- Growth
- Bleeding from the lesion
- A cosmetic concern
- A need for diagnosis
- Improved comfort
A qualified medical professional should assess any changing mole or suspicious skin lesion.
Plastic Surgery After Skin Cancer
Reconstruction may be needed after skin cancer removal to close the area and restore appearance. Reconstruction is especially common on visible or delicate areas such as the face, nose, eyelids, ears, lips, scalp, and hands.
Reconstruction after skin cancer may include:
- Direct surgical closure
- Skin grafts
- Local tissue flaps
- More complex reconstruction
Skin cancer reconstruction aims to support safe cancer removal while protecting function and appearance.
Non-Surgical Cosmetic Treatments
Not all cosmetic concerns require surgery. For some patients, non-surgical treatments help soften early aging signs, facial lines, volume loss, and skin concerns. Most non-surgical treatments have less downtime, but the results do not last as long as surgery.
BOTOX Cosmetic Treatments
BOTOX and other neuromodulators relax selected facial muscles. They are often used for expression lines.
Patients may consider neuromodulators for:
- Glabellar frown lines
- Forehead wrinkles
- Crow’s feet around the eyes
- Small nose wrinkles
- A dimpled chin appearance
- Neck bands in some cases
The results do not last forever and usually need maintenance treatments. The goal is usually a softer, rested look, not a frozen face.
Facial Fillers
Dermal filler treatments are used to restore or add soft tissue volume. Many dermal fillers are made with hyaluronic acid, a gel-like substance used to shape and support soft tissue.
Dermal filler treatment may involve:
- Lip volume
- Cheeks
- Chin projection
- The jawline
- Hollowing under the eyes
- Smile lines
- Lines below the corners of the mouth
Product choice, technique, anatomy, and goals all affect filler results. To avoid an overfilled look, filler treatment should be planned carefully and conservatively.
Skin Peels
A chemical peel uses a controlled solution to improve the outer layers of skin.
Common chemical peel concerns include:
- Uneven tone
- Dull skin
- Fine surface lines
- Skin changes from sun exposure
- Acne-related marks
- Surface texture issues
Chemical peels can range from light treatments to deeper treatments. Recovery depends on peel type.
Laser and Energy-Based Skin Treatments
Skin tone, redness, texture, hair growth, scars, and aging changes may be treated with laser and energy-based treatments.
Common options may include:
- Laser resurfacing
- IPL skin treatment
- Radiofrequency skin treatments
- Treatments for mild skin laxity
- Laser treatment for unwanted hair
- Vascular laser for redness or broken vessels
The right laser or energy treatment depends on skin type, skin tone, and the concern. This is especially important for patients with darker skin tones because pigment changes can be a risk.
Dermabrasion vs. Microdermabrasion
Outer skin layers can be removed with dermabrasion, a deeper resurfacing procedure. Compared with dermabrasion, microdermabrasion is lighter and more superficial.
These treatments may help with:
- Skin texture
- Surface-level scars
- Dull-looking skin
- Uneven surface
- Small fine lines
The right option depends on skin quality, goals, downtime, and risk tolerance.
How Patients Can Choose the Best Procedure
A good plastic surgery plan starts by identifying the concern instead of choosing a procedure name first. Many patients come in asking for one treatment, then learn that another option better matches their anatomy.
Common examples include:
- Upper lid heaviness may be related to eyelid skin, brow position, or both.
- Loose skin, neck bands, fat, or chin position may cause a soft jawline.
- Abdominal fullness may come from fat, loose skin, separated muscles, or internal weight.
- A flat breast shape may be treated with a breast lift, breast augmentation, fat grafting, or a combined plan.
- Under-eye bags may be caused by fat pads, hollowing, skin laxity, or pigmentation.
A good treatment plan should answer three questions:
- What is behind the concern?
- Which procedure treats that cause best?
- What are the trade-offs of that option?
Every procedure has trade-offs, which may include scars, downtime, swelling, cost, maintenance, and possible complications.
Plastic Surgery Fears and Questions
Most patients have mixed feelings before plastic surgery. It is normal to feel excited and nervous at the same time. Concerns about safety, pain, scars, recovery, cost, and natural results are very common.
“Will I Look Refreshed or Different?”
This is one of the most common concerns. Many patients want to look refreshed rather than changed. Plastic surgery that looks natural should fit the patient’s facial features, body frame, age, and personal style.
The goal is often to improve balance, not chase perfection.
“When Can I Return to Normal Activities?”
Recovery depends on the procedure. 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.
Patients should usually expect:
- Swelling and bruising
- Activity limits
- Time away from work
- Follow-up appointments
- Scar care
- A gradual return to exercise
- Final results that take time to settle
The body needs time to heal. Many procedures look better over weeks and months.
“Will I Have Scars?”
Any surgery that uses an incision creates a scar. A good plan places scars as carefully as possible and supports healing.
Scar quality depends on:
- Genetics
- Your skin tone
- The kind of surgery performed
- Where the incision is placed
- Tension on the wound
- Nicotine exposure
- Exposure to the sun
- Scar aftercare
Most scars fade with time, but they do not fully disappear.
“Is Plastic Surgery Safe?”
Every operation has possible risks. Risks may include bleeding, infection, poor scarring, anesthesia problems, asymmetry, delayed healing, numbness, fluid buildup, and dissatisfaction with the result.
Surgical safety depends on several factors, including:
- Your health
- Your current medications
- Smoking, vaping, or nicotine exposure
- Which surgery is performed
- Where the procedure takes place
- The type of anesthesia
- The surgeon’s training and experience
- Your aftercare and follow-up
A careful consultation should review benefits, risks, alternatives, and realistic expectations.
Plastic Surgery in Canada
Canadian plastic surgery is regulated through medical licensing, provincial colleges, hospital systems, surgical facilities, and professional standards. Patients should know the difference between marketing terms and recognized medical training.
Choosing a Qualified Plastic Surgeon
When researching plastic surgery in Canada, look for proper training and credentials. Proper plastic surgery training includes medical training, surgical training, and specialty certification in plastic surgery.
Patients may want to ask:
- Are you formally certified in the specialty of plastic surgery?
- Are you licensed to practise medicine in this province?
- Is this a procedure you perform regularly?
- Where would my surgery be done?
- What type of anesthesia is used and who provides it?
- What complications should I understand for my situation?
- What is the plan if there is a complication?
- What follow-up care is included?
- Do you have examples of patients with similar concerns?
These questions are not meant to be difficult. It is about knowing what to expect before moving forward.
What Affects Plastic Surgery Fees in Canada
Plastic surgery pricing in Canada varies widely. Pricing depends 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 may be a warning sign if safety, training, facility standards, or aftercare are being reduced.
Medical Tourism Compared With Plastic Surgery in Canada
Travelling abroad for lower-cost plastic surgery is something some Canadians consider. This may seem appealing, but there are extra risks to think about.
Possible concerns with surgery abroad include:
- Limited post-surgery follow-up
- Travelling before healing is complete
- Infection risk
- Different medical standards
- Difficulty accessing medical records
- Difficulty managing complications back in Canada
- Possible language barriers
- Possible costs for corrective surgery
Having surgery closer to home can make follow-up easier, especially if swelling, healing concerns, or complications occur.
How to Prepare for 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.
Before your visit, it helps to prepare:
- Prepare a short list of your main concerns.
- Bring details about prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, and supplements.
- Share your health and medical history honestly.
- Be honest about smoking, vaping, cannabis use, and nicotine exposure.
- 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 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
The best candidates for plastic surgery are often healthy, informed, and realistic. A good candidate understands that surgery may improve appearance, but it cannot create perfection or fix every life problem.
Good candidate signs include:
- You are medically well enough for surgery
- You know what concern you want to address
- Your weight is stable for body surgery
- You can avoid smoking and nicotine before and after surgery
- You understand what recovery involves
- You accept the risks and trade-offs
- You are not doing it because of pressure from another person
- Your expectations are realistic
You may need to delay 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. Other surgeries may need to be done in stages. A combined plan may save recovery time, but it also needs careful planning because surgery time and healing demands may increase.
Examples of combined procedures include:
- Combining facelift and neck lift
- Eyelid surgery with brow lift
- Combining rhinoplasty and chin surgery
- Breast lift with augmentation
- Tummy tuck and liposuction
- Combined mommy makeover procedures
- Combining body lift with arm or thigh surgery
- Facial surgery combined with fat grafting
A safe combined plan should consider health, surgery length, anesthesia, recovery support, and risk.
Understanding Your Plastic Surgery Options in Canada
In Canada, plastic surgery covers a wide range of cosmetic and reconstructive options. Many cosmetic procedures focus on the face, breasts, or body. Others help repair 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. It is the one that fits your anatomy, goals, health, and comfort level.
A thoughtful plan should focus on safety, natural-looking results, clear expectations, and proper follow-up care. Whether the procedure is eyelid surgery, rhinoplasty, breast augmentation, tummy tuck, liposuction, facelift surgery, or reconstructive plastic surgery, the first step is understanding what each option can and cannot do.