Types of Plastic Surgery Procedures in Canada

Plastic surgery includes many treatments that can change, rebuild, or support the face and body. A procedure may be cosmetic when the main goal is to enhance appearance. Others are reconstructive, which means they help repair form or function after injury, cancer, birth differences, burns, or medical conditions.

People across Canada consider plastic surgery for many personal goals. Many patients simply want to look more refreshed. Body changes from pregnancy, weight loss, or aging may lead some people to consider surgery. 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 reviews what to consider before booking a consultation.

Cosmetic Plastic Surgery vs. Reconstructive Plastic Surgery

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

Cosmetic Plastic Surgery Procedures

Cosmetic surgery is used to improve or refine appearance. These procedures are usually elective, which means they are planned by choice and are not medically required.

Common reasons for cosmetic plastic surgery include:

Creating a more balanced face
Reducing signs of aging
Changing body proportions
Improving volume changes after weight loss or pregnancy
Changing the shape of the nose, eyelids, ears, lips, breasts, abdomen, arms, or thighs
Supporting a better fit in clothing
Improving confidence in a natural-looking way

Across Canada, cosmetic plastic surgery is usually paid for by the patient. Pricing may change based on procedure complexity, surgeon experience, facility costs, anesthesia, follow-up care, and location.

Reconstructive Surgery

Reconstructive plastic surgery focuses on restoring normal form and function. This type of surgery may help after cancer surgery, trauma, burns, infections, birth differences, or other medical conditions.

Common reconstructive procedures include:

Breast reconstruction after a mastectomy
Skin cancer reconstruction after removal of a tumour
Cleft lip and palate reconstruction
Burn reconstruction
Hand repair surgery
Scar revision
Complex wound repair
Reconstruction after facial trauma
Repair of congenital differences

Some reconstructive procedures may be covered by a provincial health plan when they are medically necessary. Changes done only for cosmetic reasons are usually not covered.

Facial Cosmetic Surgery Procedures

Facial plastic surgery can improve facial balance, soften signs of aging, and restore a refreshed look. For many patients, the goal is not to look like another person. The best facial surgery results often look natural and balanced.

Facelift Surgery (Rhytidectomy)

A facelift or rhytidectomy can improve loose tissue 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
Prominent smile lines
Drooping cheek tissue
A blurred face and neck transition

Modern facelift surgery often focuses on deeper support layers under the skin. That deeper support can help create a smoother result that lasts longer and avoids a pulled look. Many patients combine facelift surgery with a neck lift, eyelid surgery, brow lift, or facial fat grafting.

Platysmaplasty and Neck Lift Surgery

Loose skin, muscle bands, and fullness under the chin may be improved with a neck lift. The clinical term for tightening the neck muscle is platysmaplasty.

A neck lift may help with:

Neck bands
Sagging neck skin
A jawline that looks less defined
Fullness below the chin
A “turkey neck” look

In some cases, the plan includes tightening both skin and muscle. Others may benefit from liposuction under the chin. Since aging often affects both the face and neck, a facelift and neck lift may be done in one plan.

Upper and Lower Eyelid Surgery

Blepharoplasty, commonly called eyelid surgery, can improve tired-looking eyes by removing or adjusting extra eyelid skin, fat, or tissue.

Upper blepharoplasty may help with:

Upper lids that feel heavy
Excess eyelid skin
A tired or aged look
Skin resting on the eyelashes
Vision concerns in select medical cases

Common lower eyelid concerns include:

Under-eye bags
Under-eye swelling or fullness
Lower eyelid skin laxity
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.

Forehead Lift and Brow Lift Surgery

A forehead lift, commonly called a brow lift, helps lift a low or heavy brow. This can help improve the upper eye area and ease a heavy forehead look.

Common brow lift concerns include:

Brow descent
Brow-related upper eyelid heaviness
Forehead lines
Lines between the brows
A heavy expression that seems tired or stern

A brow lift should not be confused with eyelid surgery. A brow lift focuses on eyebrow position, while eyelid surgery focuses on extra eyelid skin. Depending on anatomy, a patient may need one procedure, the other, or both.

Rhinoplasty for Nose Shape and Breathing

A nose job, medically known as rhinoplasty, changes the shape, size, or structure of the nose. It can be cosmetic, functional, or both.

Patients may consider rhinoplasty for:

A dorsal hump on the nose
A drooping nasal tip
A boxy nasal tip
A crooked nose
How far the nose projects
Nasal asymmetry
Structural breathing concerns

Structural breathing issues may require work on the septum, the wall between the nostrils. The medical term for septum surgery is septoplasty. Appearance is the focus of cosmetic rhinoplasty, while airflow is the focus of functional nasal surgery.

Ear Surgery Procedure (Otoplasty)

Otoplasty, commonly called ear surgery, can change the shape, position, or size of the ears. Otoplasty is often chosen for ears that stick out.

Ear surgery can help improve:

Prominent ears
Uneven ear shape or position
Large ear cartilage folds
Ears that project away from the head
Earlobe appearance concerns

Both adults and children may choose or need otoplasty. In children, timing depends on ear development, maturity, and family goals.

Lip Lift for Upper Lip Balance

Lip lift surgery shortens the area between the upper lip and the base of the nose. That space is often described as the upper lip length. This surgery may reveal more of the upper lip without using filler.

Common lip lift concerns include:

A longer upper lip
Less upper tooth visibility with a smile
An upper lip that looks thin
Uneven lip balance
Mouth-area aging changes

A surgical lip lift and lip filler are different treatments. Filler is used to add volume. A lip lift changes upper lip position and shape.

Chin and Jawline Implant Surgery

Implants can be used to improve facial balance in the chin, cheeks, or jawline. When the chin appears small in relation to the nose or other features, chin surgery may help.

Facial implant options may include:

Chin implants
Surgical cheek implants
Surgical jawline implants

In some cases, chin surgery may be combined with rhinoplasty because the nose and chin affect facial balance in profile view.

Facial Fat Grafting

With facial fat grafting, fat from the patient’s own body is used to restore facial 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
Volume changes caused by aging
Soft tissue volume loss
Facial volume imbalance

Fat grafting may be used alone or combined with facelift surgery, eyelid surgery, or other facial procedures.

Breast Cosmetic and Reconstructive Surgery

Breast surgery is one of 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 Implants and Fat Transfer Augmentation

Implants or fat advanced cosmetic plastic surgery 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 choice of implant depends on body type, breast tissue, goals, and surgeon guidance.

Breast augmentation may help with:

Small natural breast size
Breast volume loss after pregnancy
Volume loss after weight change
Asymmetry between the breasts
More fullness in bras or clothing

Some patients feel nervous about results that may look too large or unnatural. Chest width, skin quality, lifestyle, and long-term maintenance should all be part of the plan.

Breast Lift (Mastopexy)

A breast lift, also known as mastopexy, raises and reshapes breasts that have dropped. It does not mainly add volume. A breast lift is designed to improve where the breasts sit and how they are shaped.

A breast lift may help with:

Breasts that sag
Nipples that sit low or point down
Enlarged or stretched areolas
Breast skin laxity
Post-pregnancy, breastfeeding, or weight-loss breast changes

A lift and implants may be combined to improve position and add upper breast fullness. A lift without implants may be preferred by patients who do not want added implant volume.

Breast Reduction for Comfort and Shape

Breast reduction removes excess breast tissue, fat, and skin to make the breasts smaller, lighter, and more balanced.

Common breast reduction concerns include:

Neck discomfort
Heavy shoulder pressure
Back strain
Grooves from bra straps
Skin irritation under the breasts
Problems staying active
Trouble finding clothing that fits

Some breast reduction procedures in Canada may be considered medically necessary. Coverage depends on provincial rules, symptoms, and medical assessment.

Revision Breast Implant Surgery

Breast implant revision adjusts or replaces existing breast implants. It may be done for cosmetic reasons or medical concerns.

Common breast implant revision concerns include:

A change in preferred implant size
A ruptured implant
Firm scar tissue around an implant, called capsular contracture
An implant that has shifted
Uneven breast appearance
Age-related changes after breast augmentation
A desire for implant removal

Some patients choose to remove implants and have a lift. New implants may be chosen with a changed size, shape, or position.

Breast Reconstruction Procedure

Breast reconstruction rebuilds the breast after mastectomy or lumpectomy. Breast reconstruction can use implants, natural tissue, or both.

The breast reconstruction process may involve:

Reconstruction using implants
Breast reconstruction with natural tissue flaps
Nipple and areola reconstruction
Fat transfer as part of reconstruction
Surgery to refine breast symmetry

Breast reconstruction is a very personal decision. Some patients choose reconstruction. Others choose to remain flat. Both paths are valid and personal.

Male Breast Reduction (Gynecomastia Surgery)

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

Common gynecomastia concerns include:

Fullness around the nipples
Gland tissue under the areola
Chest fullness
Uneven male chest shape
Discomfort being shirtless, exercising, or wearing fitted shirts

The best technique depends on whether the fullness is caused by fat, gland tissue, loose skin, or a mix of these.

Body Contouring Plastic Surgery Procedures

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

Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty)

Extra abdominal skin and a weakened abdominal wall may be improved with a tummy tuck, also called abdominoplasty. A tummy tuck may include repair of separated abdominal muscles, known as diastasis recti.

Tummy tuck surgery can help improve:

Abdominal skin laxity
A lower abdominal overhang
Lower abdominal skin with stretch marks
Diastasis recti
Stomach changes after pregnancy or weight loss

A tummy tuck is not a weight-loss procedure. It is usually best for patients near a stable weight who want to improve abdominal shape.

Liposuction for Body Contouring

Localized fat can be removed with liposuction using a thin tube called a cannula. The goal is contouring, not general weight loss.

Liposuction may be used on areas such as:

The abdomen
Flank areas
Hips
Thigh contours
Upper arm area
Back fullness
The chin and neck
Chest fullness
Inner knee area

Firm, elastic skin is important. When loose skin is present, liposuction alone may not create the desired contour. In those cases, skin removal surgery may be needed.

Mommy Makeover Surgery

A mommy makeover combines procedures to address body changes after pregnancy, breastfeeding, or weight change. Breast and abdominal procedures are often combined in a mommy makeover.

A mommy makeover can include:

Abdominoplasty
A breast lift procedure
Breast augmentation
Breast reduction surgery
Fat reduction with liposuction
Fat transfer for volume

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

Arm Lift for Loose Upper Arm Skin

An arm lift or brachioplasty improves upper arm shape by removing loose skin.

Common arm lift concerns include:

Hanging upper arm skin
Loose upper arm skin after weight loss
Aging-related arm laxity
Trouble feeling comfortable in sleeveless shirts
Skin rubbing or irritation

The improved arm shape comes with a scar along the inner or back portion of the arm. The scar may be worthwhile for patients who want better arm shape, but it should be reviewed carefully.

Thigh Lift Surgery

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

A thigh lift may address:

Loose skin on the inner thighs
Skin rubbing
Pants that do not fit well
Extra skin that feels heavy
Changes after bariatric surgery or weight loss

Thigh lift surgery can be done with different patterns. A surgeon chooses the pattern based on how much loose skin is present and where it is located.

Body Lift Surgery

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

Body lift surgery may be helpful after:

Substantial weight loss
Surgery for weight loss
Pregnancy-related skin looseness
Age-related skin laxity

Body lift surgery is more extensive, so recovery is usually longer. Patients should have a stable weight and good overall health.

Fat Grafting to the Body

With fat grafting, fat is removed from one area and placed in another. This procedure may improve contour or add volume using the patient’s own fat.

Body fat grafting can involve:

The breasts
The buttocks
Hip contour
Face
Contour changes after surgery or injury

Your own tissue is used in fat grafting, but not every transferred fat cell survives. Results can change over time, and more than one session may be needed.

Procedures for Skin, Scars, and Surface Concerns

Skin surface concerns, scars, and soft tissue problems may also be treated with plastic surgery.

Surgical Scar Revision

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.

Scar revision surgery can help improve:

Post-surgical scars
Injury scars
Burn injury scars
Scars that feel thick
Scars that limit comfort
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

Benign skin lesions, cysts, moles, and lumps may be removed by plastic surgeons when a precise closure is needed. Certain lesions should be checked medically to rule out skin cancer.

Skin lesion removal may be done for:

Irritation
Growth
Bleeding from the lesion
Cosmetic reasons
Diagnostic testing
Comfort in daily life

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

Skin Cancer Repair and Reconstruction

After skin cancer removal, reconstruction may be needed to close the wound and restore appearance. This is common on the face, nose, eyelids, ears, lips, scalp, and hands.

A skin cancer reconstruction plan may use:

Closing the area directly
A skin graft
Local flaps
More complex reconstruction

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

Non-Surgical Cosmetic Treatments

Not every patient needs surgery. Non-surgical cosmetic treatments can help with early signs of aging, facial lines, volume loss, and skin quality. Non-surgical care often means less recovery time, but the results are usually temporary.

Neuromodulator Injections

BOTOX and other neuromodulators work by relaxing selected facial muscles. They are often used for expression lines.

Common neuromodulator treatment areas include:

Expression lines between the brows
Forehead lines
Crow’s feet around the eyes
Bunny lines on the nose
Peau d’orange chin texture
Selected neck bands

Neuromodulator results are temporary, so maintenance appointments are often part of the plan. The goal is usually a softer, rested look, not a frozen face.

Dermal Fillers

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

Common filler areas include:

Lip volume
The cheeks
The chin
Jawline contour
Hollowing under the eyes
Smile lines
Marionette lines

Dermal filler results depend on product choice, injection technique, facial anatomy, and treatment goals. Too much filler can look unnatural, which makes conservative planning important.

Medical Chemical Peels

Chemical peel treatment uses a controlled solution to refresh the outer skin layers.

Chemical peels may address:

Uneven colour
A dull complexion
Mild lines
Sun damage
Mild acne marks
Surface texture issues

Peels come in different strengths, from light to deeper options. Healing time varies based on the peel depth and type.

Laser and Energy-Based Skin Treatments

Laser and energy-based procedures can address skin tone, redness, texture, unwanted hair growth, scars, and signs of aging.

Common treatment options may include:

Resurfacing laser treatment
Intense pulsed light (IPL)
Radiofrequency skin treatments
Treatments for mild skin laxity
Hair reduction with laser
Vascular lasers for visible redness

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 vs. Microdermabrasion

Dermabrasion is a deeper skin resurfacing procedure that removes outer skin layers. Microdermabrasion is lighter and more surface-level.

Dermabrasion and microdermabrasion may help with:

Skin texture
Mild scarring
Tired-looking skin
Uneven skin feel
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 starts with the concern, not the procedure name. A patient may request one procedure, then find out that a different option fits their anatomy better.

For instance:

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 belly can involve extra fat, loose skin, diastasis recti, or internal weight.
A flat breast appearance may require a lift, implants, fat grafting, or combined treatment.
Under-eye bags can be caused by fat pads, hollowing, skin laxity, or pigmentation.

A strong treatment plan should answer three questions:

What is the cause of the concern?
What procedure addresses the cause most directly?
What benefits and limits come with that procedure?

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

Patient Concerns Before Plastic Surgery

Mixed feelings are normal before a plastic surgery procedure. Patients may feel excited, but they may also feel nervous. Patients often have questions about safety, discomfort, scarring, healing, cost, and whether results will look natural.

“Will I Look Natural After Surgery?”

Many patients ask this question. 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.

“How Long Is the Recovery?”

Recovery depends on the procedure. Non-surgical treatments may require little or no downtime. Procedures such as tummy tuck, body lift, or mommy makeover usually need more recovery planning.

Plastic surgery recovery often involves:

Swelling and bruising
Activity limits
Planned time away from work
Follow-up visits
Post-surgery scar care
Careful return to exercise
Final results that develop over time

Surgical healing is gradual. Many procedures look better over weeks and months.

“What Should I Know About Plastic Surgery Scars?”

Any surgery that uses an incision creates a scar. The goal is not scar-free surgery, but careful scar placement and good healing.

The final scar can depend on:

Your genetics
Your skin tone
Which procedure is done
The incision location
Tension along the incision
Smoking and vaping status
How much sun the scar gets
Aftercare

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

“Is Cosmetic Surgery Safe?”

All surgical procedures carry some risk. 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
Prescription and non-prescription medications
Use of tobacco or nicotine
The procedure being done
The facility where surgery is done
The anesthesia approach
The surgeon’s skill, training, and experience
Follow-up after surgery

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

Canadian Plastic Surgery Considerations

In Canada, plastic surgery is regulated through medical licensing, provincial colleges, hospitals, surgical facilities, and professional standards. Patients should not rely only on marketing terms, because recognized medical training matters.

Finding a Qualified Plastic Surgeon

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:

Do you have certification in plastic surgery?
Are you licensed to practise medicine in this province?
Is this a procedure you perform regularly?
What facility will be used for the procedure?
What type of anesthesia is used and who provides it?
What are the risks for my specific case?
What happens if I have a complication?
How many follow-up appointments are included?
Can I review examples of similar cases?

This is not about being demanding. It is about knowing what to expect before moving forward.

Cosmetic Surgery Costs in Canada

Cosmetic surgery costs can vary widely across Canada. Procedure complexity, surgeon experience, anesthesia, facility fees, implants or devices, garments, follow-up care, and location can all affect price.

Large Canadian cities, including Vancouver, Toronto, Calgary, Edmonton, Ottawa, and Montreal, may have higher fees because overhead and demand are higher. Smaller cities may have different fees, but cost should not be the only factor.

Low pricing can be concerning when it reflects shortcuts in safety, training, facility standards, or aftercare.

Medical Tourism vs. Surgery in Canada

Some patients in Canada consider medical tourism to save money on surgery. Although this may sound appealing, extra risks should be considered.

Medical tourism concerns may include:

Reduced follow-up access
Travel soon after surgery
Higher concern about infection
Medical standards that may differ
Hard-to-get records
Challenges managing post-surgery problems in Canada
Communication barriers
Revision surgery costs

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. A consultation should not feel rushed or pressured.

Before the visit, preparation can help:

Make notes about your main concerns.
Take a list of all medications and supplements you use.
Share your medical history.
Be honest about smoking, vaping, cannabis, and nicotine use.
If photos make your goals clearer, bring them to the consultation.
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. 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?

The best candidates for plastic surgery are often healthy, informed, and realistic. They understand surgery can improve appearance, but it cannot create perfection or solve every life concern.

You may be a good candidate if:

You are in good general health
You can explain a clear concern
Your weight is stable for body surgery
You do not smoke, or you can stop before and after surgery
You understand healing takes time
You understand the risks and can accept them
You are not doing it because of pressure from another person
You understand what is realistic

Surgery may need to wait if you are pregnant, planning major weight loss, using nicotine, managing an unstable medical condition, or feeling pressured by another person.

Combining Plastic Surgery Procedures

Some procedures may be combined safely. Some procedures are safer when staged. A combined plan may save recovery time, but it also needs careful planning because surgery time and healing demands may increase.

Plastic surgery procedures that are often combined include:

Facelift and neck lift surgery
Eyelid surgery with brow lift
Nose surgery with chin surgery
Breast lift plus volume enhancement
Combining tummy tuck and liposuction
Mommy makeover surgery combinations
Combining body lift with arm or thigh surgery
Facial fat grafting as part of facial surgery

The right approach depends on the patient’s health, how long the procedure takes, anesthesia, recovery support, and overall risk.

Understanding Your Plastic Surgery Options in Canada

Plastic surgery in Canada includes a wide range of cosmetic and reconstructive procedures. Some procedures improve the face, breasts, or body. Other procedures focus on repair after cancer, injury, burns, or medical conditions. Non-surgical treatments can also help with wrinkles, volume loss, skin texture, and early aging changes.

The best procedure is not always the procedure people ask about first. It is the one that fits your anatomy, goals, health, and comfort level.

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