Types of Plastic Surgery Procedures in Canada

In Canada, plastic surgery covers many procedures that may reshape, restore, or enhance the face and body. A procedure may be cosmetic when the main goal is to refine appearance. Others are reconstructive, which means they help rebuild form or function after injury, cancer, birth differences, burns, or medical conditions.

There are many goals why people in Canada search for plastic surgery. For some people, the goal is to look more rested. Some patients hope to restore their body after changes from pregnancy, weight loss, or aging. For some patients, the need is related to 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. You will also learn what to think about before scheduling a consultation.

Cosmetic Plastic Surgery vs. Reconstructive Plastic Surgery

Most plastic surgery procedures fall into two broad groups, cosmetic surgery and reconstructive surgery.

Cosmetic Plastic Surgery

The main focus of cosmetic plastic surgery is appearance. Elective cosmetic procedures are chosen by the patient and are not usually required for health reasons.

Cosmetic plastic surgery may be used for goals such as:

Creating better facial balance
Reducing age-related changes
Improving body contours
Replacing volume lost after weight change or pregnancy
Improving the nose, eyelids, ears, lips, breasts, abdomen, arms, or thighs
Helping clothing fit better
Improving confidence in a natural-looking way

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

Reconstructive Surgery

The goal of reconstructive plastic surgery is to help restore normal form and function. Reconstructive procedures may be recommended after cancer surgery, trauma, burns, infections, birth differences, or medical conditions.

Common reconstructive procedures include:

Breast reconstruction after a mastectomy
Skin cancer reconstruction after tumour removal
Cleft lip and palate surgery
Burn reconstruction
Hand reconstruction
Scar revision
Repair of wounds
Facial trauma reconstruction
Repair of congenital differences

Provincial health plans may cover some reconstructive procedures when they are medically necessary. Cosmetic procedures are usually not covered.

Common Facial Plastic Surgery Options

Many facial plastic surgery procedures focus on balance, aging changes, and a refreshed appearance. In many cases, the goal is not a dramatic change. 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. This procedure may soften jowls, tighten loose facial skin, and improve deeper folds around the mouth.

Patients often consider facelift surgery for:

Sagging jowls along the jawline
Lower-face loose skin
Prominent smile lines
Drooping cheek tissue
Poor definition between the face and neck

Many modern facelift techniques focus 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 for Jawline and Neck Definition

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

A neck lift may address:

Visible neck bands
Extra neck skin
A soft or undefined jawline
Fullness under the chin
A neck that looks loose or heavy

Skin and muscle tightening may both be needed in certain patients. Under-chin liposuction may be helpful for certain patients. In many cases, the face and neck age together, so a facelift and neck lift may be planned at the same time.

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 eyelid surgery may help with:

Heaviness in the upper eyelids
Loose upper eyelid skin
A tired or aged look
Skin resting on the eyelashes
Vision blockage in certain medical cases

Lower eyelid surgery may help with:

Bags under the eyes
Lower eyelid puffiness
Loose lower eyelid skin
Shadowing under the eyes
Tired-looking eyes that do not improve with rest

Blepharoplasty is common because even subtle changes around the eyes can make the face look more rested.

Brow Lift Surgery (Forehead Lift)

A low or heavy brow may be raised with a brow lift, also called a forehead lift. A brow lift can make the upper eye area look more open and reduce forehead heaviness.

Patients may consider a brow lift for:

Eyebrows that sit too low
Heavy upper lids from brow descent
Forehead creases
Frown lines in the glabella area
A facial expression that appears tired, sad, or serious

A brow lift is different from eyelid surgery. The eyelids and brows are different structures, so eyelid surgery treats extra eyelid skin and a brow lift treats brow position. Some patients need only a brow lift or eyelid surgery, while others benefit from both procedures.

Rhinoplasty, Also Called Nose Surgery

Rhinoplasty, commonly called a nose job, changes the shape, size, or structure of the nose. It may be cosmetic, functional, or both.

Nose surgery can address concerns such as:

A nasal bridge bump
A downward-pointing nasal tip
A broad or boxy tip
A nose that is not straight
Nasal size or projection
Asymmetry in the nose
Airflow issues caused by nasal structure

When breathing is part of the concern, the procedure may include work on the septum, which is the wall between the nostrils. This is called septoplasty. Appearance is the focus of cosmetic rhinoplasty, while airflow is the focus of functional nasal surgery.

Otoplasty, Also Called Ear Surgery

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

Otoplasty may help with:

Prominent ears
Uneven ear shape or position
Large cartilage folds in the ears
Ears positioned far from the head
Earlobe appearance concerns

Both adults and children may choose or need otoplasty. For younger patients, ear growth, maturity, and family goals help guide timing.

Lip Lift Surgery

The space between the upper lip and the nose can be shortened with a lip lift. That space is often described as the upper lip length. The procedure may make the upper lip look more visible without adding filler.

Common lip lift concerns include:

A long upper lip
Limited upper tooth show when smiling
An upper lip that looks thin
Lip proportions that feel unbalanced
Age-related changes around the mouth

A surgical lip lift and lip filler are different treatments. Filler is used to add volume. Lip lift surgery adjusts the position and shape of the upper lip.

Chin, Jawline, and Facial Implant Surgery

Facial implants may improve balance in the chin, cheeks, or jawline. When the chin appears small in relation to the nose or other features, chin surgery may help.

Common facial implant procedures include:

Chin implant surgery
Implants for the cheeks
Jawline augmentation implants

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

Fat Grafting to the Face

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.

Fat grafting to the face can help improve:

Loss of cheek fullness
Hollows beneath the eyes
Facial volume loss from aging
Thin facial soft tissue
Facial imbalance

Facial fat grafting can be performed by itself or with procedures such as facelift surgery, eyelid surgery, or other facial surgery.

Types of Breast Plastic Surgery

Cosmetic and reconstructive breast surgery are common parts of plastic surgery in Canada. Some patients want more volume, less size, a breast lift, better symmetry, or breast restoration after cancer surgery.

Breast Augmentation in Canada

Breast augmentation increases breast size and shape using implants or fat transfer. Saline and silicone gel are common breast implant options. Choosing an implant depends on the patient’s body type, breast tissue, goals, and guidance from the surgeon.

Breast augmentation surgery can help improve:

Breasts that are naturally small
Less breast fullness after pregnancy
Lost breast volume after weight changes
Asymmetry between the breasts
A fuller look in clothing

Patients often worry about looking too large or unnatural. A natural-looking plan should consider chest width, skin quality, lifestyle, and long-term maintenance.

Breast Lift (Mastopexy)

Mastopexy, commonly called a breast lift, raises and reshapes breasts that sit lower than desired. A breast lift does not mainly increase breast volume. Its main goal is better breast position and shape.

Common breast lift concerns include:

Lower breast position
Nipples that point downward
Areola stretching
Loose breast skin
Changes after pregnancy, breastfeeding, or weight loss

For patients who want more fullness, implants may be added to a breast lift. A lift without implants may be preferred by patients who do not want added implant volume.

Breast Reduction

To reduce breast size and weight, breast reduction removes extra tissue, fat, and skin.

Breast reduction may address:

Chronic neck pain
Shoulder strain
Back discomfort
Grooves from bra straps
Skin irritation under the breasts
Problems staying active
Problems with clothing fit

In Canada, breast reduction may be considered medically necessary for some patients. Provincial rules, symptoms, and medical assessment all affect coverage.

Breast Implant Replacement or Removal

Breast implant revision is surgery to adjust or replace existing breast implants. It may be done for cosmetic reasons or medical concerns.

Patients may consider revision for:

A desire to change implant size
Breast implant rupture
Capsular contracture, which means firm scar tissue around an implant
An implant that has moved out of position
Uneven breast appearance
Changes from aging after breast augmentation
No longer wanting breast implants

Some patients choose to remove implants and have a lift. Other patients choose new implants with a different size, shape, or placement.

Breast Reconstruction

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

Types of breast reconstruction may include:

Implant breast reconstruction
Natural tissue flap reconstruction
Nipple-areola reconstruction
Fat grafting for contour improvement
Surgery to refine breast symmetry

Breast reconstruction is a very personal decision. Some patients choose reconstruction. Other people prefer to remain flat. Both decisions deserve respect.

Male Breast Reduction Surgery

Gynecomastia surgery treats enlarged male breast tissue. The procedure may use liposuction, gland removal, or both methods.

Patients may consider gynecomastia surgery for:

Puffy-looking nipples
Fullness under the areola
Chest tissue fullness
Uneven male chest shape
Self-consciousness in swimwear, gym settings, or fitted clothing

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

Types of Body Contouring Surgery

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

Tummy Tuck Procedure

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

Tummy tuck surgery can help improve:

Loose abdominal skin
A lower stomach apron
Stretch-marked skin under the belly button
Separated core muscles
Abdominal changes after pregnancy or weight loss

A tummy tuck is not a weight-loss procedure. Patients usually do best when they are close to a stable weight and want to improve abdominal shape.

Liposuction

Liposuction surgery uses a thin tube called a cannula to remove localized fat. It is used for body contouring, not general weight loss.

Patients may consider liposuction for:

Belly area
Side waist areas, often called love handles
Hips
Thigh areas
Upper arm area
Back fullness
The chin and neck
Chest area
Knee area

Good skin tone matters. If the skin is loose, liposuction alone may not be enough. When skin laxity is significant, surgery to remove skin may be a better option.

Mommy Makeover

A mommy makeover is tailored to the patient and may treat changes from pregnancy, breastfeeding, or weight change. A mommy makeover commonly includes surgery for the breasts and abdomen.

Mommy makeover options may include:

A tummy tuck procedure
Breast lift surgery
Breast augmentation
Surgical breast size reduction
Liposuction
Fat grafting

The name can be misleading because the procedure is not only for mothers. It may be suitable for anyone with similar body changes. The best mommy makeover plan should consider health, goals, recovery time, and whether future pregnancy is expected.

Brachioplasty, or Arm Lift Surgery

An arm lift, also called brachioplasty, removes loose skin from the upper arms.

Common arm lift concerns include:

Hanging skin under the arms
Skin laxity after weight loss
Aging-related arm laxity
Trouble feeling comfortable in sleeveless shirts
Skin friction in the upper arms

The main trade-off is a scar along the inner or back part of the arm. Because the scar is permanent, patients should carefully discuss whether the improved shape is worth it.

Thigh Contouring Surgery

Loose thigh skin can be removed with a thigh lift. It is often considered after major weight loss.

A thigh lift may address:

Sagging skin on the inner thighs
Skin friction between the thighs
Pants that do not fit well
A heavy feeling from extra skin
Post-weight-loss or post-bariatric thigh changes

There are several thigh lift patterns. The right option depends on how much skin needs to be removed and where the looseness is located.

Body Lift Surgery

A body lift improves lower-body contour by removing excess skin. The procedure may improve several areas, including the abdomen, hips, outer thighs, buttocks, and lower back.

A body lift may be chosen after:

Significant weight loss
Surgery for weight loss
Changes in body shape after pregnancy
Aging changes with loose skin

A body lift is a larger procedure and usually has a longer recovery. Before a body lift, patients should be healthy overall and close to a stable weight.

Body Fat Grafting

Fat transfer, also called fat grafting, moves fat from one part of the body to another. Fat grafting can add natural volume or refine body contour.

Patients may consider fat grafting for:

Breasts
The buttocks
The hips
Facial soft tissue
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. Because transferred fat can change over time, more than one session may be needed.

Procedures for Skin, Scars, and Surface Concerns

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

Surgical Scar Revision

Scar revision improves the look or feel of a scar. It may not remove the scar completely, but it can make it less raised, tight, wide, or noticeable.

Scar revision may address:

Scars from surgery
Injury-related scars
Burn scars
Bulky scars
Restrictive scars
Scars that affect range of motion

Scar treatment can include surgery, copyright plastic surgery treatments injections, laser treatment, silicone therapy, or several methods together.

Skin Lesion, Mole, and Cyst Removal

Plastic surgery may be chosen for benign skin lesions, cysts, moles, and lumps when the closure should be as careful as possible. Some moles or lesions need proper medical review to make sure skin cancer is not present.

Common reasons for removal include:

Ongoing irritation
Growth
Recurrent bleeding
A cosmetic concern
A need for diagnosis
Comfort

If a mole changes or a skin lesion looks suspicious, it should be assessed by a qualified medical professional.

Plastic Surgery After Skin Cancer

When skin cancer is removed, plastic surgery reconstruction may help close the area and restore appearance. Common areas include the face, nose, eyelids, ears, lips, scalp, and hands.

A skin cancer reconstruction plan may use:

Direct surgical closure
Skin graft reconstruction
Moving nearby tissue with a local flap
Complex reconstruction

Skin cancer reconstruction aims to support safe cancer removal while protecting function and appearance.

Non-Surgical Cosmetic Procedures

Some patients can meet their goals without surgery. Non-surgical options can address early aging changes, facial lines, lost volume, and skin quality. These treatments usually involve less downtime, but results are more temporary.

BOTOX and Neuromodulators

BOTOX and other neuromodulators work by relaxing selected facial muscles. Neuromodulators are commonly chosen for lines caused by facial movement.

Common areas include:

Lines between the eyebrows
Lines across the forehead
Lines at the outer corners of the eyes
Expression lines on the nose
Dimpling in the chin
Neck bands for some patients

Because results are temporary, repeat treatments are usually needed. Most patients want a softer, rested look rather than a frozen face.

Injectable Dermal Fillers

Dermal fillers can restore or add volume. They are often made with hyaluronic acid, a gel-like substance that shapes and supports soft tissue.

Dermal fillers may treat:

The lips
Cheek contour
The chin
Jawline
Hollows beneath the eyes
Lines from the nose to the mouth
Marionette folds

Product choice, technique, anatomy, and goals all affect filler results. Overfilling may look unnatural, so conservative planning is important.

Chemical Peels

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

Chemical peel treatments can help improve:

Patchy skin tone
Dull skin
Mild lines
Visible sun damage
Light acne marks
Skin texture concerns

Peel strength may range from light to deeper treatments. Downtime depends on how strong the peel is.

Laser, IPL, and Radiofrequency Skin Treatments

Laser and energy-based treatments can improve skin tone, redness, texture, hair growth, scars, and signs of aging.

Patients may consider options such as:

Laser resurfacing for texture
IPL, or intense pulsed light
Radiofrequency-based treatments
Skin tightening treatments
Laser treatment for unwanted hair
Vascular laser treatment for redness or broken vessels

Skin type, skin tone, and the concern being treated should guide the choice of treatment. For patients with darker skin tones, this is especially important because pigment changes can occur.

Skin Resurfacing With Dermabrasion and Microdermabrasion

Dermabrasion is a deeper skin resurfacing procedure that removes outer skin layers. Microdermabrasion treats the surface more gently and is not as deep.

Patients may consider these treatments for:

Skin texture
Mild scars
Dull-looking skin
An uneven skin surface
Early fine lines

Skin quality, goals, downtime, and risk tolerance help determine the right choice.

How Patients Can Choose the Best Procedure

Choosing the right procedure starts with the concern, not the procedure name. Many patients ask for one treatment and later learn that another option better matches their anatomy.

Examples include:

A heavy upper eyelid look may come from extra eyelid skin, brow descent, or both.
An undefined jawline may be caused by loose skin, neck muscle bands, fat, or the position of the chin.
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.
Under-eye concerns may come from fat pads, hollows, loose skin, or pigmentation.

A helpful treatment plan should answer these three questions:

What is the cause of the concern?
Which option is the best match for that cause?
What are the trade-offs of that option?

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

Common Patient Concerns Before Plastic Surgery

Mixed feelings are normal before a plastic surgery procedure. Excitement is common, but nervousness is common too. It is normal to worry about safety, pain, scars, recovery, cost, and natural-looking results.

“Will Plastic Surgery Change My Face Too Much?”

This is one of the most common patient concerns. Many people want to look refreshed, not changed. Natural-looking plastic surgery should respect your facial features, body frame, age, and personal style.

A healthy goal is often improved balance instead of perfection.

“How Long Is the Recovery?”

The recovery period depends on which procedure is done. Non-surgical treatments may require 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 or bruising
Activity limits
Time away from work
Follow-up visits
Scar care
Slow return to workouts
Results that take time to settle

Surgical healing is gradual. Many procedures improve over weeks and months.

“Will I Have 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:

Genetic healing patterns
Pigment response in the skin
Which procedure is done
The incision location
Pulling on the healing incision
Smoking status
Exposure to the sun
How the scar is cared for

Scars tend to soften and fade, but they usually remain to some degree.

“What Should I Know About Plastic Surgery Safety?”

All surgery has risk. Possible risks include bleeding, infection, poor scarring, anesthesia problems, asymmetry, delayed healing, numbness, fluid buildup, and dissatisfaction with the result.

Safety depends on many factors, including:

Your health
Your medications
Use of tobacco or nicotine
The procedure selected
The facility where surgery is done
The anesthesia plan
Surgeon training and experience
Care after the procedure

During consultation, patients should learn about 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. Patients should not rely only on marketing terms, because recognized medical training matters.

Plastic Surgeon Credentials in Canada

Proper training and credentials matter when researching plastic surgery in Canada. A plastic surgeon should have medical training, surgical training, and certification in the specialty of plastic surgery.

Helpful questions include:

Are you certified as a plastic surgeon?
Are you licensed to perform surgery in this province?
How much experience do you have with this procedure?
Where would my surgery be done?
Who will provide the anesthesia?
What are my personal risks with this procedure?
What happens if a complication occurs?
What does post-operative follow-up include?
Do you have examples of patients with similar concerns?

This is not about challenging the surgeon. It is about understanding your options.

Plastic Surgery Costs in Canada

Fees for cosmetic plastic surgery in Canada can differ greatly. The final cost may include 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.

If a very low price means less attention to safety, training, facility standards, or aftercare, it can be a warning sign.

Choosing Surgery in Canada vs. Abroad

Travelling abroad for lower-cost plastic surgery is something some Canadians consider. Although this may sound appealing, extra risks should be considered.

Patients should think about medical tourism concerns such as:

Less access to follow-up care
Long travel after surgery
Risk of infection
Different medical standards
Less access to surgical records
Difficulty finding care for complications at home
Possible language barriers
Revision surgery costs

When surgery is done closer to home, follow-up may be easier if concerns or complications occur.

What to Bring to a Plastic Surgery Consultation

A consultation gives you the chance to learn what is possible, safe, and realistic. The process should feel informative, not rushed or pressured.

Before the visit, preparation can help:

Write down your main concerns.
Bring a list of your medications and supplements.
Prepare to discuss your medical history.
Be honest about smoking, vaping, cannabis use, and nicotine exposure.
If photos make your goals clearer, bring them to the consultation.
Ask questions about recovery, scars, risks, and alternatives.
Ask what can realistically be achieved for your face or body.

A strong consultation includes clear discussion of treatment options. A responsible plan may involve waiting, starting with a smaller treatment, improving health, or deciding against surgery.

Who Is a Good Candidate for Plastic Surgery?

Good candidates for plastic surgery are usually healthy, informed, and realistic. A good candidate understands that surgery may improve appearance, but it cannot create perfection or fix every life problem.

You may be ready for plastic surgery if:

You have good general health
You have a clear concern
You are near a stable weight for body procedures
You can avoid smoking and nicotine before and after surgery
You understand healing takes time
You understand and accept the trade-offs
You are not doing it because of pressure from another person
Your goals are realistic

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

Can Plastic Surgery Procedures Be Combined?

Certain procedures can be safely combined. In some cases, procedures should be separated into different surgeries. A combined plan may save recovery time, but it also needs careful planning because surgery time and healing demands may increase.

Common combinations include:

Facelift and neck lift surgery
Upper facial rejuvenation with eyelid surgery and brow lift
Profile balancing with rhinoplasty and chin surgery
Breast lift with breast augmentation
Combining tummy tuck and 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.

Understanding Your Plastic Surgery Options in Canada

Plastic surgery in Canada includes many cosmetic and reconstructive procedures. Some options are designed to refine facial, breast, or body shape. Others repair tissue after cancer, injury, burns, or medical conditions. Wrinkles, volume loss, skin texture, and early aging changes may also be improved with non-surgical treatments.

The best procedure is not always the procedure people ask about first. The best plan is based on anatomy, goals, health, and personal comfort.

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