Plastic surgery includes many surgical options that can change, restore, or support the face and body. A procedure may be cosmetic when the main goal is to enhance appearance. Other procedures are reconstructive, meaning they help rebuild form or function after injury, cancer, birth differences, burns, or medical conditions.
People across Canada consider plastic surgery for many reasons. Some want to look more refreshed. Some want to restore their body 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.
Cosmetic Plastic Surgery vs. Reconstructive Plastic Surgery
The two main types of plastic surgery are usually cosmetic surgery and reconstructive surgery.
Cosmetic Plastic Surgery Procedures
Cosmetic plastic surgery is focused on appearance. These procedures are usually elective, meaning they are chosen by the patient and are not medically required.
Cosmetic plastic surgery may be used for goals such as:
- Creating a more balanced face
- Reducing signs of aging
- Refining body shape
- Improving volume changes after weight loss or pregnancy
- Addressing concerns with the nose, eyelids, ears, lips, breasts, abdomen, arms, or thighs
- Making clothing feel or fit better
- Creating natural-looking changes that may support confidence
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.
What Is Reconstructive Plastic Surgery?
Reconstructive plastic surgery is focused on restoring form and function. It may be used after cancer surgery, trauma, burns, infections, birth differences, or medical conditions.
Common examples include:
- Breast reconstruction after breast cancer surgery
- Skin cancer reconstruction following tumour removal
- Repair of cleft lip and palate
- Burn reconstruction
- Hand repair surgery
- Surgical scar revision
- Wound reconstruction
- Surgery for facial trauma repair
- Congenital difference repair
Provincial health plans may cover some reconstructive procedures when they are medically necessary. Cosmetic changes are usually not covered.
Plastic Surgery Procedures for the Face
Many facial plastic surgery procedures focus on balance, aging changes, and a refreshed appearance. The goal is often not to look “different.” The best results often look natural and balanced.
Facelift Procedure (Rhytidectomy)
A facelift, also called rhytidectomy, improves sagging in the lower face and jawline. A facelift can address jowls, loose facial skin, and deeper folds around the mouth.
Patients often consider facelift surgery for:
- Jawline jowls
- Sagging skin in the lower face
- Deeper smile lines
- Lowered cheek tissue
- A blurred face and neck transition
Today, facelift surgery often works on deeper support layers below the skin. This can create a smoother, longer-lasting result without a pulled look. A facelift may be combined with a neck lift, eyelid surgery, brow lift, or facial fat grafting.
Neck Lift Surgery for Jawline and Neck Definition
A neck lift improves loose skin, muscle bands, and fullness under the chin. Tightening the neck muscle may be described medically as platysmaplasty.
Patients may consider a neck lift for:
- Muscle bands in the neck
- Sagging neck skin
- A jawline that looks less defined
- Under-chin fullness
- A “turkey neck” appearance
For some people, both the skin and neck muscle need tightening. Some patients may only need liposuction under the chin. A facelift and neck lift are often planned together because the face and neck commonly age as a unit.
Blepharoplasty, or Eyelid Surgery
Eyelid surgery or blepharoplasty helps refresh the eyes by removing or repositioning extra skin, fat, or tissue around the eyelids.
Common upper eyelid concerns include:
- Heavy upper lids
- Extra eyelid skin
- An aged or fatigued look
- Eyelid skin that hangs over the lashes
- Vision concerns in select medical cases
Lower eyelid surgery may help with:
- Under-eye puffiness or bags
- Puffiness
- Lower eyelid skin laxity
- Hollow shadows under the eyes
- A tired appearance that does not improve with sleep
Because small changes around the eyes can refresh the whole face, eyelid surgery is one of the most common facial procedures.
Brow Lift Surgery for a Heavy Brow
A low or heavy brow may be raised with a brow lift, also called a forehead lift. It can improve the upper eye area and reduce forehead heaviness.
A brow lift may help with:
- Eyebrows that sit too low
- Heavy upper eyelids caused by brow descent
- Forehead wrinkles
- Frown lines between the brows
- An expression that looks tired, sad, or stern
A brow lift is different from 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. It can be cosmetic, functional, or both.
Common rhinoplasty concerns include:
- A nasal bridge bump
- A drooping nasal tip
- Tip width or boxiness
- A crooked nasal shape
- Nasal size or projection
- An uneven-looking nose
- Nasal breathing concerns linked to anatomy
When breathing is part of the concern, the procedure may include work on the septum, which is the wall between the nostrils. That procedure is known as septoplasty. Cosmetic rhinoplasty changes appearance, while functional nasal surgery focuses on airflow.
Cosmetic Ear Surgery
Ear surgery, also called otoplasty, changes the shape, position, or size of the ears. It is often used to correct ears that stick out.
Ear surgery can help improve:
- Noticeably prominent ears
- Asymmetry between the ears
- Overdeveloped ear cartilage folds
- Ears that sit far from the head
- Earlobe appearance concerns
Ear surgery can be considered for adults as well as children. For children, the timing depends on ear growth, maturity, and family goals.
Upper Lip Lift Surgery
A lip lift reduces the space between the upper lip and the nose. The distance is called the upper lip length. This surgery may reveal more of the upper lip without using filler.
A lip lift may address:
- A longer upper lip
- Reduced tooth show in the upper smile
- Limited visible upper lip
- Lip proportions that feel unbalanced
- Age-related changes around the mouth
A lip lift is not the same as lip filler. Dermal filler increases volume. A lip lift changes the position and shape of the upper lip.
Chin, Jawline, and Facial Implant Surgery
Facial implants can improve balance in the chin, cheeks, or jawline. Chin surgery can improve facial profile balance when the chin looks small compared with the nose or other features.
Facial implants may involve:
- Chin augmentation implants
- Surgical cheek implants
- Implants for the jawline
In some cases, chin surgery is combined with rhinoplasty because the nose and chin both affect facial balance in profile view.
Facial Volume Restoration With Fat Grafting
A patient’s own fat can be used in facial fat grafting to restore volume. The fat is often taken from the abdomen or thighs, prepared, and then placed into the face.
Facial fat grafting may help with:
- Cheek hollowing
- Tear trough hollowing
- Lost facial volume due to aging
- Soft tissue volume loss
- Reduced facial harmony
Fat grafting can support facial rejuvenation on its own or be combined with facelift surgery, eyelid surgery, or other facial procedures.
Breast Plastic Surgery Procedures
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 Implants and Fat Transfer Augmentation
Implants or fat transfer may be used in breast augmentation to increase breast size and improve shape. 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.
Breast augmentation may help with:
- Breasts that are naturally small
- Volume loss after pregnancy
- Breast volume loss after weight change
- Breast asymmetry
- More fullness in bras or clothing
Some patients feel nervous about results that may look too large or unnatural. Planning should account for chest width, skin quality, lifestyle, and future maintenance.
Mastopexy, or Breast Lift Surgery
A breast lift, also known as mastopexy, raises and reshapes breasts that have dropped. The main purpose is not to add volume. Its main goal is better breast position and shape.
Patients may consider a breast lift for:
- Breast sagging
- Nipples that point downward
- Stretched nipple-areola areas
- Breast skin laxity
- 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.
Reduction Mammoplasty
Breast reduction surgery makes the breasts smaller and lighter by removing extra breast tissue, fat, and skin.
Breast reduction surgery can help improve:
- Chronic neck pain
- Heavy shoulder pressure
- Back pain
- Indentations from bra straps
- Skin rubbing beneath the breasts
- Trouble exercising
- Difficulty fitting bras or clothes
Some breast reduction procedures in Canada may be considered medically necessary. Coverage depends on provincial rules, symptoms, and medical assessment.
Breast Implant Revision Surgery
Existing breast implants may be adjusted or replaced with breast implant revision. It may be needed for cosmetic reasons or medical concerns.
Common breast implant revision concerns include:
- A change in preferred implant size
- Implant rupture
- Capsular contracture, which is firm scar tissue around an implant
- Implant shifting
- Asymmetry between the breasts
- Breast changes over time after augmentation
- Choosing to remove implants
Implant removal may be combined with a breast lift. Other patients choose new implants with a different size, shape, or placement.
Breast Reconstruction After Cancer Surgery
The breast may be rebuilt after mastectomy or lumpectomy with breast reconstruction. It may use implants, natural tissue, or a combination.
Breast reconstruction options may include:
- Implant-supported breast reconstruction
- Tissue flap reconstruction
- Nipple-areola reconstruction
- Fat grafting for contour improvement
- Surgery to refine breast symmetry
This can be a deeply personal choice. Some patients choose reconstruction. Some patients choose a flat closure instead. Both paths are valid and personal.
Gynecomastia Surgery
Male breast reduction, also called gynecomastia surgery, treats enlarged male breast tissue. It may include liposuction, gland removal, or both.
Gynecomastia surgery may help with:
- Puffy-looking nipples
- Extra tissue beneath the areola
- A fuller male chest
- Uneven shape across the male chest
- Discomfort being shirtless, exercising, or wearing fitted shirts
The cause of fullness, whether fat, gland tissue, loose skin, or a mix, guides the best technique.
Plastic Surgery Procedures for Body Shape
Body contouring focuses on improving shape through skin removal, fat reduction, or tissue tightening. Body contouring is common after changes from pregnancy, aging, or major weight loss.
Tummy Tuck Surgery, Also Called Abdominoplasty
Extra abdominal skin and a weakened abdominal wall may be improved with a tummy tuck, also called abdominoplasty. It can also repair separated abdominal muscles, known as diastasis recti.
A tummy tuck may address:
- Loose abdominal skin
- A lower belly overhang
- Stretch-marked skin below the belly button
- Separated core muscles
- Abdominal changes after pregnancy or weight loss
Abdominoplasty is used for contouring, not for major weight loss. The best candidates are often near a stable weight and want better abdominal contour.
Fat Reduction With Liposuction
Liposuction removes localized fat with a thin tube called a cannula. It is used for body contouring, not general weight loss.
Liposuction may treat:
- Belly area
- Flanks, also called love handles
- Hip area
- Thigh contours
- Upper arm area
- The back
- Chin-neck contour
- Chest area
- The knees
Good skin tone is important. If the skin is loose, liposuction alone may not be enough. In that case, skin removal surgery may be needed.
Mommy Makeover
Body changes after pregnancy, breastfeeding, or weight change may be treated with a custom mommy makeover plan. This plan often brings together breast surgery and abdominal contouring.
A mommy makeover can include:
- Tummy tuck
- Mastopexy
- Surgical breast enhancement
- Breast reduction surgery
- Fat reduction with liposuction
- Body fat grafting
The term can be misleading, since a mommy makeover is not only for mothers. Anyone with similar changes may consider this type of plan. The best plan depends on health, goals, recovery time, and whether future pregnancy is planned.
Arm Lift Surgery, Also Called Brachioplasty
An arm lift, also known as brachioplasty, removes loose skin from the upper arms.
An arm lift may help with:
- Hanging skin under the arms
- Loose upper arm skin after weight loss
- Arm skin changes over time
- Avoiding sleeveless clothing
- Skin rubbing or irritation
The main trade-off is 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.
Inner Thigh Lift
Thigh lift surgery improves thigh contour by removing loose skin. It is often considered after major weight loss.
Common thigh lift concerns include:
- Loose inner thigh skin
- Chafing from loose thigh skin
- Poor clothing fit around the thighs
- Heaviness in the thighs from loose skin
- Changes after bariatric surgery or major weight loss
Different thigh lift incision patterns may be used. The right option depends on the amount of skin to remove and where the looseness is located.
Lower Body Lift
A body lift improves lower-body contour by removing excess skin. A body lift can address the abdomen, hips, outer thighs, buttocks, and lower back.
A body lift may be considered after:
- Major weight loss
- Bariatric weight-loss surgery
- Post-pregnancy body changes
- Major loose skin from aging
This is a more involved surgery with a longer recovery. The best candidates are usually in good health and at a stable weight.
Body Contouring With Fat Transfer
Fat transfer, also called fat grafting, moves fat from one part of the body to another. It can be used to add natural volume or improve contour.
Body fat grafting can involve:
- Breasts
- Buttock contour
- Hip shape
- Face
- Contour irregularities after surgery or injury
Fat grafting uses your own tissue, but some transferred fat may not survive. Because transferred fat can change over time, more than one session may be needed.
Plastic Surgery for Skin and Scars
Plastic surgery also includes treatments for the skin surface, scars, and soft tissue.
Scar Improvement Treatment
Scar revision surgery is used to improve how a scar looks or feels. The scar will not usually disappear, but revision may make it flatter, softer, narrower, or less noticeable.
Patients may consider scar revision for:
- Scarring after surgery
- Injury scars
- Burn injury scars
- Thickened 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
Benign skin lesions, cysts, moles, and lumps may be removed by plastic surgeons when a precise closure is needed. A medical assessment may be needed for some lesions to rule out skin cancer.
Removal may be done for:
- Skin irritation
- Growth or change
- Bleeding from the lesion
- Concern about how it looks
- Diagnosis
- Comfort in daily life
A qualified medical professional should assess any changing mole or suspicious skin lesion.
Skin Cancer Reconstruction
Reconstruction may be needed after skin cancer removal to close the area and restore appearance. Common areas include the face, nose, eyelids, ears, lips, scalp, and hands.
Skin cancer reconstruction may involve:
- Direct surgical closure
- Using a skin graft
- Local tissue flaps
- More complex reconstruction
The goal is safe cancer removal while preserving function and appearance as much as possible.
Common Non-Surgical Cosmetic Options
Not every patient needs surgery. For some patients, non-surgical treatments help soften early aging signs, facial lines, volume loss, and skin concerns. These treatments usually have less downtime, but results are more temporary.
Wrinkle Relaxing Injections
BOTOX and other neuromodulators relax selected facial muscles. Expression lines are a common reason for BOTOX and neuromodulator treatment.
Common neuromodulator treatment areas include:
- Frown lines between the brows
- Forehead wrinkles
- Crow’s feet
- Expression lines on the nose
- Chin dimpling
- Neck bands for some patients
The results do not last forever and usually need maintenance treatments. Most patients want a softer, rested look rather than a frozen face.
Facial Fillers
Dermal filler treatments are used to restore or add soft tissue volume. Dermal fillers often contain hyaluronic acid, which is a gel-like substance that supports and shapes soft tissue.
Dermal fillers may treat:
- Lips
- Midface fullness
- Chin
- The jawline
- Hollowing under the eyes
- Smile lines
- Marionette folds
Filler results depend on product choice, injection technique, facial anatomy, and treatment goals. Overfilling can look unnatural, so conservative planning is important.
Chemical Peel Treatments
Chemical peel treatment uses a controlled solution to refresh the outer skin layers.
Chemical peels may help with:
- Uneven colour
- Dull-looking skin
- Mild lines
- Photoaging
- Light acne marks
- Uneven texture
The strength of a peel may be light, medium, or deeper depending on the goal. Healing time varies based on the peel depth and type.
Laser and Energy Treatments for Skin
Laser and energy-based procedures can address skin tone, redness, texture, unwanted hair growth, scars, and signs of aging.
Patients may consider options such as:
- Laser resurfacing for texture
- IPL, or intense pulsed light
- Radiofrequency skin treatments
- Non-surgical skin tightening
- Laser hair removal or reduction
- Vascular lasers for visible redness
These treatments should be matched to skin type, skin tone, and the concern being treated. Patients with darker skin tones need careful treatment planning because pigment changes can be a concern.
Dermabrasion and Microdermabrasion
Dermabrasion is a deeper skin resurfacing procedure that removes outer skin layers. Microdermabrasion is a lighter, more superficial treatment.
Dermabrasion and microdermabrasion may help with:
- Skin texture
- Light scarring
- Tired-looking skin
- An uneven skin surface
- Small fine 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. A patient may request one procedure, then find out that a different option fits their anatomy better.
This can happen in situations such as:
- Upper lid heaviness may be related to eyelid skin, brow position, or both.
- 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.
- 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 clear plastic surgery plan should answer three key questions:
- What anatomy is causing the issue?
- Which treatment is most likely to correct the cause?
- What trade-offs should be expected with that choice?
Those trade-offs may include scars, downtime, swelling, cost, maintenance, and possible complications.
Patient Concerns Before Plastic Surgery
It is common to have mixed feelings before plastic surgery. It is normal to feel excited and nervous at the same time. It is normal to worry about safety, pain, scars, recovery, cost, and whether the result will look natural.
“Will I Still Look Like Myself?”
Many patients ask this question. Patients often want a rested look, not a changed identity. Natural-looking plastic surgery should respect facial features, body frame, age, and personal style.
Plastic surgery should often improve balance rather than chase perfection.
“What Is the Recovery Like?”
Healing time is different for every procedure. Little or no downtime may be needed after many non-surgical treatments. Procedures such as tummy tuck, body lift, or mommy makeover usually need more recovery planning.
In general, recovery planning may include:
- Swelling or bruising
- Temporary activity restrictions
- Time away from work
- Follow-up visits
- Scar healing support
- A gradual return to exercise
- Final results that take time to settle
Surgical healing is gradual. Results often look better as weeks and months pass.
“Will There Be Scars?”
Surgery that involves an incision will create a scar. The goal is to place scars as carefully as possible and help them heal well.
Scar appearance may be affected by:
- How your body naturally scars
- Skin colour and tone
- Which procedure is done
- Incision placement
- Tension along the incision
- Smoking and vaping status
- Sun exposure
- How the scar is cared for
Scars usually fade with time, but they do not disappear completely.
“What Should I Know About Plastic Surgery Safety?”
All surgical procedures cosmetic surgery options carry some risk. Plastic surgery risks may include bleeding, infection, poor scarring, anesthesia concerns, asymmetry, delayed healing, numbness, fluid buildup, and dissatisfaction.
Safety depends on many factors, including:
- General health
- Your medications
- Smoking or nicotine use
- The type of procedure
- The facility where surgery is done
- The type of anesthesia
- The surgeon’s skill, training, and experience
- Follow-up after surgery
A careful consultation should include benefits, risks, alternatives, and realistic expectations.
What Canadians Should Know About Plastic Surgery
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.
Plastic Surgeon Credentials in Canada
If you are researching plastic surgery in Canada, look closely at training and credentials. The surgeon should have medical training, surgical training, and certification in the specialty of plastic surgery.
Before choosing a surgeon, patients can ask:
- What plastic surgery certification do you hold?
- Are you licensed to perform surgery in this province?
- How often do you perform this procedure?
- Where is the procedure performed?
- Who is responsible for anesthesia care?
- What are my personal risks with this procedure?
- What is the plan if there is a complication?
- How many follow-up visits are included?
- Can I see results from similar cases?
This is not about being difficult. It is about knowing what to expect before moving forward.
Plastic Surgery Costs in Canada
Cosmetic surgery costs in Canada can vary widely. The final cost may include 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. Costs may vary in smaller Canadian cities, but price should not outweigh safety, training, and follow-up care.
If a very low price means less attention to safety, training, facility standards, or aftercare, it can be a warning sign.
Medical Tourism for Plastic Surgery
Some patients in Canada consider medical tourism to save money on surgery. Although this may sound appealing, extra risks should be considered.
Concerns with medical tourism may include:
- Less access to follow-up care
- Travelling before healing is complete
- Possible infection
- Different medical standards
- Difficulty accessing medical records
- Challenges managing post-surgery problems in Canada
- Communication barriers
- Possible costs for corrective surgery
Staying closer to home for surgery can help with follow-up, especially if swelling, healing problems, or complications need attention.
Preparing for a Plastic Surgery Consultation
A consultation is your chance to learn what is possible, what is safe, and what is realistic. It should not feel rushed or high-pressure.
Before the visit, preparation can help:
- List your main concerns before the visit.
- Take a list of all medications and supplements you use.
- Share your medical history.
- Share whether you smoke, vape, use cannabis, or use nicotine.
- Bring photos if they help show your goals.
- Ask about recovery, scars, risks, and alternatives.
- Ask what result is realistic for your body or face.
A good consultation should include a clear discussion of options. A responsible plan may involve waiting, starting with a smaller treatment, improving health, or deciding against surgery.
Who May Be a Good Candidate?
Plastic surgery candidates should usually be healthy, informed, and realistic. They understand surgery can improve appearance, but it cannot create perfection or solve every life concern.
Plastic surgery may be appropriate if:
- You are medically well enough for surgery
- You have a clear concern
- You are at a stable weight for body contouring
- You do not smoke, or you can stop before and after surgery
- You understand healing takes time
- You are comfortable with the risks and limits
- You are not doing it because of pressure from another person
- You have reasonable expectations
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.
Combined Plastic Surgery Procedures
Combining procedures can be appropriate in selected cases. Other procedures should be staged. Combining procedures may reduce total recovery time, but it can also increase surgical time and healing demands.
Common procedure combinations include:
- Facelift with neck lift
- Eyelid surgery with a brow lift
- Nose surgery with chin surgery
- Mastopexy with augmentation
- Abdominoplasty with liposuction
- Breast and body procedures in a mommy makeover
- Body lift with thigh lift or arm lift
- Facial surgery combined with fat grafting
A safe combined plan should consider health, surgery length, anesthesia, recovery support, and risk.
Summary of Plastic Surgery Procedures in Canada
Plastic surgery in Canada includes a wide range of cosmetic and reconstructive procedures. Many cosmetic procedures focus on the face, breasts, or body. Others help repair tissue after cancer, injury, burns, or medical conditions. Injectable and skin treatments may help with wrinkles, volume loss, texture concerns, and early signs of aging.
A trending procedure is not always the right procedure. The best choice is the one that fits your anatomy, goals, health, and comfort level.
A good plan should focus on safety, natural-looking results, clear expectations, and proper follow-up care. For procedures such as eyelid surgery, rhinoplasty, breast augmentation, tummy tuck, liposuction, facelift surgery, or reconstructive plastic surgery, the first step is education about benefits and limits.