Types of Plastic Surgery Procedures in Canada

Many plastic surgery procedures are designed to improve, repair, or refine the face and body. When surgery is chosen mainly to improve appearance, it is often called cosmetic surgery. Reconstructive plastic surgery may be used after injury, cancer, birth differences, burns, or medical conditions to help rebuild form or function.

People across Canada consider plastic surgery for many different concerns. Some patients want a more refreshed appearance. Body changes from pregnancy, weight loss, or aging may lead some people to consider surgery. Others want help after trauma, skin cancer, breast cancer, or a congenital concern. The right procedure depends on your anatomy, goals, health, lifestyle, and recovery time.

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

Cosmetic Plastic Surgery vs. Reconstructive Plastic Surgery

Plastic surgery is often divided into two main categories, cosmetic surgery and reconstructive surgery.

Cosmetic Plastic Surgery in Canada

Cosmetic surgery is used to improve or refine appearance. Most cosmetic procedures are elective, which means they are planned by choice rather than medical need.

Common goals include:

Improving facial balance
Softening signs of aging
Refining body shape
Improving volume changes after weight loss or pregnancy
Improving the nose, eyelids, ears, lips, breasts, abdomen, arms, or thighs
Improving the way clothing fits
Improving confidence in a natural-looking way

In Canada, most cosmetic procedures are paid for privately. Costs may vary based on the procedure, surgeon, surgical facility, anesthesia, follow-up care, and location.

Reconstructive Plastic Surgery

Reconstructive surgery helps repair or restore form and function. This type of surgery may help after cancer surgery, trauma, burns, infections, birth differences, or other medical conditions.

Examples of reconstructive plastic surgery include:

Breast reconstruction after removal of breast tissue
Skin cancer reconstruction after a skin tumour is removed
Cleft lip and palate surgery
Reconstruction after burns
Hand reconstruction
Scar repair or revision
Wound repair
Facial trauma reconstruction
Correction of congenital concerns

Some reconstructive procedures may be covered by a provincial health plan when they are medically necessary. Purely cosmetic changes are usually paid for privately.

Types of Facial Plastic Surgery

Plastic surgery for the face can help improve balance, reduce visible aging, and create a more refreshed appearance. In many cases, the goal is not a dramatic change. The best results often look natural and balanced.

Facelift Surgery (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 along the jawline
Loose skin in the lower face
Deep facial folds near the mouth
Drooping cheek tissue
Less clear separation between the face and neck

Modern facelift surgery often treats deeper support layers below the skin. This may create a smoother, longer-lasting result without a pulled appearance. A facelift is often combined with a neck lift, eyelid surgery, brow lift, or facial fat grafting.

Neck Lift Surgery (Platysmaplasty)

Neck lift surgery may treat loose skin, visible muscle bands, and fullness below the chin. When the neck muscle is tightened, the procedure is called platysmaplasty.

A neck lift may address:

Neck bands
Loose neck skin
An undefined jawline
A heavy area under the chin
A loose “turkey neck” appearance

Some patients need skin and muscle tightening. 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, Also Called 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:

Heaviness in the upper eyelids
Redundant upper eyelid skin
Eyes that look tired or aged
Skin that sits on the eyelashes
Functional vision concerns in some patients

Lower blepharoplasty may help with:

Visible under-eye bags
Puffiness beneath the eyes
Lower eyelid skin laxity
Shadowing under the eyes
Eyes that still look tired after rest

Many patients choose eyelid surgery because small improvements around the eyes can make the whole face look more awake and rested.

Brow Lift, Also Called Forehead Lift

A brow lift, also called a forehead lift, raises a low or heavy brow. By lifting the brow, the procedure may improve the upper eyes and soften forehead heaviness.

A brow lift may help with:

Low or drooping eyebrows
Heavy upper eyelids caused by brow descent
Lines across the forehead
Vertical lines between the brows
A tired, sad, or stern look

Brow lift surgery and eyelid surgery are not the same procedure. 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)

The shape, size, or structure of the nose can be changed with rhinoplasty, often called a nose job. It can be cosmetic, functional, or both.

Rhinoplasty may address:

A bump along the bridge of the nose
A downward-pointing nasal tip
Tip width or boxiness
A nose that is not straight
Nose size or projection
Uneven nasal shape
Breathing issues related to structure

Structural breathing issues may require work on the septum, the wall between the nostrils. This is called septoplasty. A cosmetic rhinoplasty is done for appearance, while functional nasal surgery is done to improve airflow.

Ear Surgery (Otoplasty)

The shape, position, or size of the ears may be changed with ear surgery, also called otoplasty. It is commonly used to correct ears that stick out.

Otoplasty may address:

Prominent ears
Uneven ear shape or position
Large cartilage folds in the ears
Ears that sit far 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 Surgery

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 may make the upper lip look more visible without adding filler.

Patients may consider a lip lift for:

A longer upper lip
Reduced tooth show in the upper smile
A less visible upper lip
Lip imbalance
Age-related changes around the mouth

Lip lift surgery differs from lip filler. Filler adds volume. Lip lift surgery adjusts the position and shape of the upper lip.

Chin, Jawline, and Facial Implant Surgery

Facial implant surgery can refine the chin, cheeks, or jawline for better balance. Chin surgery may be used when the chin looks small compared with the nose or other facial features.

Facial implant surgery may include:

Implants for the chin
Surgical cheek implants
Jawline augmentation implants

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

Fat Grafting to the Face

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.

Fat grafting to the face can help improve:

Hollow cheeks
Hollows beneath the eyes
Facial volume loss from aging
Thin facial soft tissue
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.

Breast Cosmetic and Reconstructive Surgery

Cosmetic and reconstructive breast surgery are common parts of plastic surgery in Canada. 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

Breast augmentation surgery uses implants or fat transfer to increase breast size and shape. Breast implants may be saline or silicone gel. Implant choice depends on body type, breast tissue, goals, and surgeon guidance.

Breast augmentation may help with:

Small natural breast size
Pregnancy-related breast volume loss
Less breast fullness after weight change
Breast asymmetry
Desire for more fullness in clothing

Patients often worry that breast augmentation may look too large or unnatural. Planning should account for chest width, skin quality, lifestyle, and future maintenance.

Breast Lift Surgery, Also Called Mastopexy

A breast lift or mastopexy improves breast position and shape when the breasts have dropped. A breast lift does not mainly increase breast volume. Instead, it improves breast position and shape.

Breast lift surgery can help improve:

Lower breast position
Nipples that face downward
Enlarged or stretched areolas
Loose breast skin
Breast changes after pregnancy, breastfeeding, or weight changes

Some patients combine a breast lift with implants for more upper breast fullness. Others prefer a lift without implants for a natural result.

Reduction Mammoplasty

Extra breast tissue, fat, and skin can be removed with breast reduction to create smaller, lighter, more balanced breasts.

Patients may best plastic surgery consider breast reduction for:

Neck discomfort
Pain in the shoulders
Back strain
Shoulder grooves from bra straps
Skin rubbing beneath the breasts
Exercise discomfort
Trouble 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 adjusts or replaces existing breast implants. This surgery may address cosmetic concerns, medical concerns, or both.

Common reasons for breast implant revision include:

Changing breast implant size
An implant that has ruptured
Capsular contracture, which is firm scar tissue around an implant
Breast implant movement
Uneven breast appearance
Age-related changes after breast augmentation
Breast implant removal

Implant removal may be combined with a breast lift. Others choose new implants with a different size, shape, or placement.

Breast Reconstruction After Cancer Surgery

Breast reconstruction surgery helps rebuild the breast after mastectomy or lumpectomy. The procedure may be done with implants, natural tissue, or a combined approach.

The breast reconstruction process may involve:

Reconstruction using implants
Flap-based reconstruction
Nipple and areola reconstruction
Fat grafting for contour improvement
Revision surgery to improve symmetry

This can be a deeply personal choice. For some patients, reconstruction feels right. Others choose to stay flat. Both options are valid.

Male Breast Reduction Surgery

Gynecomastia surgery treats enlarged male breast tissue. It may involve liposuction, gland removal, or both.

Gynecomastia surgery may help with:

Puffy-looking nipples
Fullness under the areola
Chest fullness
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.

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.

Abdominoplasty, or Tummy Tuck Surgery

A tummy tuck or abdominoplasty removes loose abdominal skin and tightens the abdominal wall. Separated abdominal muscles, called diastasis recti, can also be repaired during the procedure.

A tummy tuck may address:

Sagging abdominal skin
A lower stomach apron
Stretch marks on skin below the belly button
Separated core muscles
Changes after pregnancy or weight loss

Tummy tuck surgery is not a general 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. Liposuction is not a weight-loss method, it is a contouring procedure.

Patients may consider liposuction for:

Stomach area
Flanks, also called love handles
Outer hip area
Thigh contours
Upper arms
Back fullness
Chin and neck
Chest area
Knee area

Skin tone is an important factor. When loose skin is present, liposuction alone may not create the desired contour. When skin laxity is significant, surgery to remove skin may be a better option.

Mommy Makeover Surgery

Body changes after pregnancy, breastfeeding, or weight change may be treated with a custom mommy makeover plan. It often combines breast and abdominal procedures.

Common mommy makeover procedures include:

Tummy tuck surgery
Mastopexy
Breast augmentation
Reduction mammoplasty
Liposuction
Fat grafting

The name “mommy makeover” can be misleading because similar body changes can affect many patients. 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.

Arm Lift Surgery, Also Called Brachioplasty

Brachioplasty, commonly called an arm lift, removes extra skin from the upper arms.

Arm lift surgery can help improve:

Loose skin along the upper arms
Weight-loss-related arm skin looseness
Upper arm changes from aging
Difficulty wearing sleeveless tops
Irritation from loose arm skin

A scar along the inner or back arm is the key trade-off with brachioplasty. Because the scar is permanent, patients should carefully discuss whether the improved shape is worth it.

Thigh Contouring Surgery

A thigh lift removes extra loose skin from the thighs. It is often chosen after major weight loss.

A thigh lift may help with:

Loose skin on the inner thighs
Skin friction between the thighs
Pants that do not fit well
Heaviness from extra skin
Changes after bariatric surgery or major weight loss

There are different thigh lift patterns. The best thigh lift pattern depends on skin amount and the location of the looseness.

Body Lift Surgery

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

Common reasons for body lift surgery include:

Substantial weight loss
Weight-loss surgery
Post-pregnancy body changes
Age-related skin laxity

Because it is a larger surgery, recovery takes more time. Before a body lift, patients should be healthy overall and close to a stable weight.

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.

Common treatment areas include:

Breast volume
The buttocks
Hip shape
The face
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.

Skin Lesion, Scar, and Surface Treatments

Plastic surgery also includes procedures that improve the skin surface, scars, and soft tissue.

Surgical Scar Revision

Scar revision can improve the appearance or feel of a scar. Scar revision cannot guarantee an erased scar, but it may make the scar less raised, tight, wide, or visible.

Common scar revision concerns include:

Post-surgical scars
Trauma scars
Burn scars
Thick scars
Tight scars
Scars that affect range of motion

A scar revision plan may use surgery, copyright injections, laser treatment, silicone therapy, or a mix of options.

Plastic Surgery for Moles, Cysts, and Skin Lesions

Benign skin lesions, cysts, moles, and lumps may be removed by plastic surgeons when a precise closure is needed. Some moles or lesions need proper medical review to make sure skin cancer is not present.

Removal may be considered for:

Irritation
A lesion that is getting larger
Bleeding or crusting
A cosmetic concern
Diagnosis
Comfort in daily life

A qualified medical professional should assess any changing mole or suspicious skin lesion.

Skin Cancer Repair and Reconstruction

Reconstruction may be needed after skin cancer removal to close the area and restore appearance. Skin cancer reconstruction is often needed on the face, nose, eyelids, ears, lips, scalp, and hands.

A skin cancer reconstruction plan may use:

A direct closure
Reconstruction with a skin graft
A local flap
More advanced reconstruction

The priority is safe cancer removal, with function and appearance preserved as much as possible.

Non-Surgical Aesthetic Procedures

Not all cosmetic concerns require surgery. Non-surgical cosmetic treatments can help with early signs of aging, facial lines, volume loss, and skin quality. Compared with surgery, non-surgical treatments often have less downtime but need maintenance.

BOTOX and Neuromodulators

Neuromodulators such as BOTOX reduce movement in selected facial muscles. They are commonly used for expression lines.

Patients may consider neuromodulators for:

Glabellar frown lines
Forehead wrinkles
Crow’s feet around the eyes
Nose bunny lines
Peau d’orange chin texture
Neck bands for some patients

Because results are temporary, repeat treatments are usually needed. A natural neuromodulator result should look softer and rested, not stiff or frozen.

Injectable Dermal Fillers

Dermal fillers may improve facial volume and contour. They are often made with hyaluronic acid, a gel-like substance that shapes and supports soft tissue.

Dermal filler treatment may involve:

Lip volume
Cheek volume
Chin
Jawline contour
Under-eye volume loss
Lines from the nose to the mouth
Lines from the mouth corners toward the chin

The result from filler depends on the product, injection technique, facial anatomy, and treatment goals. Overfilling may look unnatural, so conservative planning is important.

Chemical Peels for Skin Texture and Tone

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

Chemical peels may help with:

Uneven colour
Skin dullness
Early fine lines
Photoaging
Mild acne marks
Surface texture issues

Chemical peels can range from light treatments to deeper treatments. Recovery depends on the type of peel.

Laser and Energy Treatments for Skin

Skin tone, redness, texture, hair growth, scars, and aging changes may be treated with laser and energy-based treatments.

Patients may consider options such as:

Laser resurfacing for texture
IPL, or intense pulsed light
Radiofrequency-based treatments
Skin tightening procedures
Laser hair removal or 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 because pigment changes can be a risk.

Dermabrasion vs. Microdermabrasion

A deeper resurfacing option called dermabrasion removes outer layers of skin. Microdermabrasion is a lighter, more superficial treatment.

Patients may consider these treatments for:

Uneven texture
Light scarring
A dull complexion
Uneven surface
Fine surface lines

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

How Patients Can Choose the Best Procedure

Choosing the right procedure begins with the concern, not the procedure name. Sometimes patients come in wanting one treatment, but another procedure is a better match for their anatomy.

For example:

Upper lid heaviness may be related to eyelid skin, brow position, or both.
A soft jawline can come from loose skin, neck bands, fat, or chin position.
A full abdomen can be caused by fat, loose skin, muscle separation, or internal weight.
Flat-looking breasts may be improved with a lift, implants, fat grafting, or a combination.
A baggy under-eye look may be related to fat, hollowing, loose skin, or skin colour changes.

A good treatment plan should answer three questions:

What is behind the concern?
Which option is the best match for that cause?
What benefits and limits come with that procedure?

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

Plastic Surgery Fears and Questions

It is common to have mixed feelings before plastic surgery. It is normal to feel excited and nervous at the same time. Patients often have questions about safety, discomfort, scarring, healing, cost, and whether results will look natural.

“Will I Look Refreshed or Different?”

This concern comes up often. Many people want to look refreshed, not 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.

“When Can I Return to Normal Activities?”

The recovery period depends on which procedure is done. Some non-surgical treatments have little or no downtime. Larger surgeries, such as tummy tuck, body lift, or mommy makeover, require more planning.

In general, recovery planning may include:

Swelling and bruising
Restrictions on exercise or lifting
Time away from work
Follow-up appointments
Scar care
Gradual return to exercise
Results that take time to settle

Healing takes time. Results often look better as weeks and months pass.

“How Noticeable Will Scars Be?”

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

Many factors affect scar quality, including:

Genetic healing patterns
Natural skin tone
The type of procedure
Incision placement
Pulling on the healing incision
Whether you smoke
Exposure to the sun
Aftercare

Scars usually fade with time, but they do not disappear completely.

“What Are the Risks of Plastic Surgery?”

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.

Many factors affect plastic surgery safety, including:

General health
Prescription and non-prescription medications
Smoking or nicotine use
The procedure selected
The accredited surgical setting
The planned anesthesia
The training and experience of the surgeon
Your follow-up care

During consultation, patients should learn about benefits, risks, alternatives, and realistic expectations.

Plastic Surgery in Canada

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

How to Choose a Qualified Plastic Surgeon

When researching plastic surgery in Canada, look for proper training and credentials. A plastic surgeon should have medical training, surgical training, and certification in plastic surgery.

Before choosing a surgeon, patients can ask:

Are you formally certified in the specialty of plastic surgery?
Do you hold a medical licence in this province?
How much experience do you have with this procedure?
Where would my surgery be done?
What type of anesthesia is used and who provides it?
What complications should I understand for my situation?
How are complications handled?
How many follow-up appointments are included?
Can I see results from similar cases?

Asking questions is not being difficult. It is about protecting your health and making an informed decision.

What Affects Plastic Surgery Fees in Canada

Cosmetic surgery costs in Canada can vary widely. 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 cities may have different pricing, but cost should not be the only factor.

A bargain price is not always a good deal if it comes with weaker safety, training, facility standards, or aftercare.

Medical Tourism for Plastic Surgery

Some Canadians think about travelling outside the country for lower-cost surgery. Medical tourism can seem attractive, but it adds risks that should be reviewed.

Possible concerns with surgery abroad include:

Difficulty getting follow-up care
Flying or travelling soon after surgery
Infection-related complications
Different health care standards
Less access to surgical records
Trouble getting complications treated after returning to Canada
Language or translation issues
Unexpected revision costs

Having surgery closer to home may make follow-up easier, especially if swelling, healing concerns, or complications occur.

Preparing for a Plastic Surgery Consultation

During a consultation, you can learn what is possible, what is safe, and what results are realistic. It should not feel rushed or pressured.

You can prepare for the visit by doing the following:

Write down your main concerns.
Bring details about prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, and supplements.
Tell the surgeon about your medical history.
Do not hide smoking, vaping, cannabis, or nicotine use.
Photos may help explain your goals.
Review recovery, scars, risks, and alternative treatments.
Ask what result is realistic for your body or face.

A good consultation should include a clear discussion of options. In some cases, the best recommendation is to wait, choose a smaller treatment, improve health first, or avoid surgery.

Who May Be a Good Candidate?

A good candidate is usually someone who is healthy, informed, and realistic. Plastic surgery can improve appearance, but good candidates know it cannot create perfection or solve every concern.

Plastic surgery may be appropriate if:

Your overall health is good
Your goals are based on a clear concern
Your weight has been stable before body surgery
You can avoid smoking and nicotine before and after surgery
You know what to expect during recovery
You understand the risks and can accept them
The choice is based on your own goals
You understand what is realistic

A safer plan may involve waiting if you are pregnant, planning major weight loss, using nicotine, managing unstable health, or feeling pressured.

Combined Plastic Surgery Procedures

Combining procedures can be appropriate in selected cases. Others should be staged. Combined surgery can reduce overall downtime, but it can also increase surgical time and recovery demands.

Common combinations include:

Lower face and neck rejuvenation
Eyelid surgery with brow lift
Nose surgery with chin surgery
Breast lift plus volume enhancement
Abdominal contouring with tummy tuck and liposuction
A customized mommy makeover
Post-weight-loss contouring with body lift and limb contouring
Combining facial rejuvenation and fat grafting

A safe combined plan should consider health, surgery length, anesthesia, recovery support, and risk.

Summary of Plastic Surgery Procedures 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. Others repair tissue after cancer, injury, burns, or medical conditions. Non-surgical treatments may also help with wrinkles, volume loss, skin texture, and early aging changes.

A trending procedure is not always the right procedure. The best plan is based on anatomy, goals, health, and personal comfort.

A responsible approach should be built around 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.