Common Types of Plastic Surgery in Canada

Plastic surgery is a broad field with procedures that can improve, rebuild, or change areas of the face and body. A procedure may be cosmetic when the main goal is to refine appearance. When plastic surgery helps repair form or function after injury, cancer, birth differences, burns, or medical conditions, it is called reconstructive surgery.

Canadians may look into plastic surgery for many reasons. Many patients simply 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. A safe plan should be based 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. You will also learn what to think about before scheduling a consultation.

Understanding Cosmetic vs. Reconstructive Plastic Surgery

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

Cosmetic Plastic Surgery

Cosmetic plastic surgery deals with appearance-related goals. Most cosmetic procedures are elective, which means they are planned by choice rather than medical need.

Cosmetic plastic surgery may be used for goals such as:

Supporting better facial harmony
Helping the face or body look more refreshed
Changing body proportions
Restoring lost volume after pregnancy or weight loss
Enhancing areas such as the nose, eyelids, ears, lips, breasts, abdomen, arms, or thighs
Supporting a better fit in clothing
Helping confidence through natural-looking improvements

Most cosmetic surgery procedures in Canada are private-pay services. Costs may vary based on the procedure, surgeon, surgical facility, anesthesia, follow-up care, and location.

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 following mastectomy
Skin cancer reconstruction after a skin tumour is removed
Cleft lip and palate reconstruction
Burn scar reconstruction
Hand reconstruction
Surgical scar revision
Wound reconstruction
Repair after facial trauma
Correction of congenital concerns

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

Types of Facial Plastic Surgery

Facial procedures may be used to improve balance, soften aging changes, and restore a rested look. For many patients, the goal is not to look like another person. Strong results usually look natural, balanced, and personal to the patient.

Facelift Procedure (Rhytidectomy)

A facelift or rhytidectomy can improve loose tissue in the lower face and jawline. A facelift can address jowls, loose facial skin, and deeper folds around the mouth.

Facelift surgery can address concerns such as:

Softness or jowling at the jawline
Loose skin in the lower face
Deeper smile lines
Cheek tissue that has dropped
Poor definition between the face and neck

Modern facelift surgery often treats deeper support layers below the skin. That deeper support can help create a smoother result that lasts longer and avoids a pulled look. A facelift is often combined with a neck lift, eyelid surgery, brow lift, or facial fat grafting.

Neck Lift Surgery for Jawline and Neck Definition

A neck lift can improve loose skin, muscle bands, and fullness under the chin. When the neck muscle is tightened, the procedure is called platysmaplasty.

Neck lift surgery can help improve:

Vertical neck bands
Neck skin laxity
A jawline that looks less defined
Under-chin fullness
A neck that looks loose or heavy

In some cases, the plan includes tightening both skin and muscle. Others may benefit from liposuction under the chin. In many cases, the face and neck age together, so a facelift and neck lift may be planned at the same time.

Eyelid Surgery (Blepharoplasty)

Eyelid surgery, also known as blepharoplasty, improves tired-looking eyes by removing or adjusting extra skin, fat, or tissue around the eyelids.

Patients may choose upper eyelid surgery for:

Heavy upper eyelids
Redundant upper eyelid skin
An aged or fatigued look
Skin that sits on the eyelashes
Vision concerns in some medical cases

Lower eyelid surgery can address:

Under-eye puffiness or bags
Puffiness beneath the eyes
Extra lower eyelid skin
Shadowing under the eyes
A tired appearance that does not improve with sleep

Eyelid surgery is one of the most common facial procedures because small changes around the eyes can make the whole face look more rested.

Brow Lift, Also Called Forehead Lift

A brow lift, also called a forehead lift, raises a low or heavy brow. It can improve the upper eye area and reduce forehead heaviness.

A brow lift may help with:

Low or drooping eyebrows
Heavy upper lids from brow descent
Lines across the forehead
Frown lines between the brows
An expression that looks tired, sad, or stern

A brow lift is different from eyelid surgery. A brow lift focuses on eyebrow position, while eyelid surgery focuses on extra eyelid skin. Many patients need one or the other, and some benefit from both.

Rhinoplasty for Nose Shape and Breathing

A nose job, medically known as rhinoplasty, changes the shape, size, or structure of the nose. The procedure can address cosmetic goals, functional concerns, or both.

Common rhinoplasty concerns include:

A dorsal hump on the nose
A downward-pointing nasal tip
A wide or boxy tip
A crooked nasal shape
The size or projection of the nose
An uneven-looking nose
Breathing issues related to structure

When breathing is part of the concern, the procedure may include work on the septum, which is 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 (Otoplasty)

Ear surgery, also called otoplasty, changes the shape, position, or size of the ears. It is commonly used to correct ears that stick out.

Patients may consider otoplasty for:

Ears that stick out
Ear asymmetry
Large cartilage folds in the ears
Ears positioned far from the head
Earlobe appearance concerns

Otoplasty is common in adults and children. When otoplasty is considered for a child, timing is based on ear growth, maturity, and family goals.

Lip Lift Procedure

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. This surgery may reveal more of the upper lip without using filler.

A lip lift may help with:

A long space between the nose and upper lip
Reduced tooth show in the upper smile
A less visible upper lip
Uneven lip balance
Changes around the mouth from aging

A lip lift is not the same as lip filler. Dermal filler increases volume. The purpose of a lip lift is to change the upper lip position and shape rather than just add volume.

Chin, Cheek, and Jawline Implants

Facial implant surgery can refine the chin, cheeks, or jawline for better balance. When the chin appears small in relation to the nose or other features, chin surgery may help.

Facial implant surgery may include:

Implants for the chin
Implants for the cheeks
Jawline augmentation implants

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

Facial Fat Transfer

Facial fat transfer restores volume using a patient’s own fat. Fat is usually removed from areas such as the abdomen or thighs, processed, and placed into the face.

Patients may consider facial fat grafting for:

Sunken-looking cheeks
Under-eye hollowing
Volume changes caused by aging
Soft tissue volume loss
Facial volume imbalance

Depending on the goal, fat grafting may be used alone or as part of a facelift, eyelid surgery, or other facial procedure.

Common Breast Surgery Options

Many patients in Canada consider breast surgery for cosmetic or reconstructive reasons. Some patients want more volume, less size, a breast lift, better symmetry, or breast restoration after cancer surgery.

Breast Implants and Fat Transfer Augmentation

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.

Common breast augmentation goals include:

Naturally small breasts
Lost breast volume following pregnancy
Lost breast volume after weight changes
Uneven breast size or shape
Desire for more fullness in clothing

Some patients feel nervous about results that may look too large or unnatural. A careful surgical plan should consider chest width, skin quality, lifestyle, and long-term maintenance.

Breast Lift (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. A breast lift is designed to improve where the breasts sit and how they are shaped.

Common breast lift concerns include:

Sagging breasts
Downward-pointing nipples
Stretched areolas
Breast skin laxity
Breast changes after pregnancy, breastfeeding, or weight loss

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

Breast Reduction Procedure

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

Breast reduction surgery can help improve:

Pain in the neck
Shoulder strain
Back discomfort
Bra strap marks
Under-breast skin irritation
Problems staying active
Clothing fit challenges

In Canada, breast reduction may be considered medically necessary for some patients. Coverage depends on provincial requirements, symptoms, and medical assessment.

Revision Breast Implant Surgery

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

Common reasons for breast implant revision include:

A change in preferred implant size
Implant rupture
Capsular contracture, which is firm scar tissue around an implant
Implant shifting
Breasts that look uneven
Breast changes over time after 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

After mastectomy or lumpectomy, breast reconstruction can rebuild the breast. Breast reconstruction can use implants, natural tissue, or both.

Breast reconstruction may involve:

Breast reconstruction with implants
Breast reconstruction with natural tissue flaps
Nipple-areola reconstruction
Breast fat grafting
Revision surgery to improve symmetry

Choosing reconstruction is deeply personal. Some people prefer to have reconstruction. Others choose to stay flat. Either choice can be valid.

Male Breast Reduction Surgery

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

Gynecomastia surgery may address:

Puffy nipples
Extra tissue beneath the areola
Extra chest volume
A chest that looks uneven
Feeling self-conscious at the beach, gym, or in fitted shirts

The right technique depends on whether the fullness comes from fat, gland tissue, loose skin, or a combination.

Types of Body Contouring Surgery

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 Procedure

A tummy tuck or abdominoplasty removes loose abdominal skin and tightens the abdominal wall. The procedure may also repair diastasis recti, which means separated abdominal muscles.

A tummy tuck may help with:

Abdominal skin laxity
A lower belly overhang
Stretch-marked skin below the belly button
A weakened or separated abdominal wall
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.

Fat Reduction With Liposuction

Localized fat can be removed with liposuction using a thin tube called a cannula. It is used for body contouring, not general weight loss.

Liposuction can treat:

Abdomen
Side waist areas, often called love handles
Hip contours
Thigh contours
Upper arms
The back
Under the chin and neck
Chest area
Fat around the knees

Good skin elasticity helps improve results. Liposuction alone may not be enough when the skin is loose. A skin-tightening or skin removal procedure may be needed in that situation.

Mommy Makeover

A mommy makeover is a customized plan for body changes after pregnancy, breastfeeding, or weight change. This plan often brings together breast surgery and abdominal contouring.

Common mommy makeover procedures include:

Abdominoplasty
Surgical breast lifting
Surgical breast enhancement
Breast reduction
Fat reduction with liposuction
Fat transfer

The name can be misleading because the procedure is not only for mothers. Anyone with similar changes may consider this type of plan. Health, goals, recovery time, and future pregnancy plans all help guide the best approach.

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:

Loose hanging skin on the upper arms
Loose upper arm skin after weight loss
Aging-related arm laxity
Trouble wearing sleeveless tops
Skin rubbing or irritation

The main trade-off is a scar along the inner or back part of the arm. For many patients, better shape is worth the scar, but this should be discussed carefully.

Thigh Lift

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

Thigh lift surgery can help improve:

Inner thigh skin laxity
Skin friction between the thighs
Pants that do not fit well
A heavy feeling from extra skin
Loose thigh skin after bariatric surgery or weight loss

There are different 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 removes extra loose skin around the lower body. Body lift surgery can reshape the abdomen, hips, outer thighs, buttocks, and lower back.

Patients may consider a body lift after:

Major weight loss
Surgery for weight loss
Pregnancy-related body changes
Aging-related lower-body skin looseness

This is a larger surgery with a longer recovery. Patients should be at a stable weight and in good overall health.

Fat Transfer to the Body

With fat grafting, fat is removed from one area and placed in another. Fat grafting can add natural volume or refine body contour.

Body fat grafting can involve:

Breast shape
Buttock volume
Hip volume
The face
Uneven contours after surgery or injury

Your own tissue is used in fat grafting, but not every transferred fat cell survives. Fat grafting results can evolve, so repeat treatment may be needed for some patients.

Skin and Scar Plastic Surgery Procedures

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

Surgical Scar Revision

Scar revision can improve the appearance or feel of a scar. Scar revision may not erase a scar, but it can improve scars that are raised, tight, wide, or noticeable.

Scar revision may help with:

Surgical scars
Scarring after an injury
Burn scars
Raised or thick scars
Tight scars
Scars that affect range of motion

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

Mole, Cyst, and Skin Lesion Removal

When careful closure is important, plastic surgeons may remove benign skin lesions, cysts, moles, and lumps. Certain lesions should be checked medically to rule out skin cancer.

Patients may seek removal for:

Irritation
Growth or change
Recurrent bleeding
Cosmetic reasons
Diagnostic testing
Comfort in daily life

Any changing mole or suspicious skin lesion should be assessed by a qualified medical professional.

Skin Cancer Reconstruction

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

Skin cancer reconstruction can involve:

Simple direct closure
Reconstruction with a skin graft
Reconstruction with local flaps
Complex reconstruction

The goal is to remove the cancer safely while preserving function and appearance as much as possible.

Non-Surgical Aesthetic Procedures

Not all cosmetic concerns require surgery. Non-surgical options can address early aging changes, facial lines, lost volume, and skin quality. These treatments usually have less downtime, but results are more temporary.

BOTOX and Other Neuromodulators

Neuromodulators such as BOTOX reduce movement in selected facial muscles. Expression lines are a common reason for BOTOX and neuromodulator treatment.

Patients may consider neuromodulators for:

Frown lines between the brows
Forehead expression lines
Outer eye wrinkles
Nose bunny lines
A dimpled chin appearance
Neck bands in some cases

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

Hyaluronic Acid Fillers

Dermal fillers can restore or add volume. Dermal fillers often contain hyaluronic acid, which is a gel-like substance that supports and shapes soft tissue.

Dermal fillers may treat:

Lip shape
Cheek contour
The chin
Jawline contour
Tear trough hollowing
Lines from the nose to the mouth
Lines below the corners of the mouth

Dermal filler results depend on product choice, injection technique, facial anatomy, and treatment goals. Overfilling may look unnatural, so conservative planning is important.

Skin Peels

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

Chemical peels may address:

Uneven skin tone
Dull skin
Early fine lines
Visible sun damage
Light acne marks
Surface texture issues

The strength of a peel may be light, medium, or deeper depending on the goal. Downtime depends on how strong the peel is.

Laser and Energy Treatments for Skin

These treatments may improve concerns such as uneven tone, redness, texture, hair growth, scars, and visible aging.

Common options may include:

Laser resurfacing
IPL, or intense pulsed light
Radiofrequency-based treatments
Energy-based skin tightening
Laser-based hair reduction
Vascular lasers for visible redness

These treatments should be matched to the patient’s skin type, skin tone, and concern. This is especially important for patients with darker skin tones because pigment changes can be a risk.

Dermabrasion and Microdermabrasion

Dermabrasion removes outer skin layers as a deeper resurfacing treatment. Compared with dermabrasion, microdermabrasion is lighter and more superficial.

Patients may consider these treatments for:

Skin texture
Surface-level scars
Tired-looking skin
An uneven skin surface
Fine lines

The best treatment depends on the patient’s skin quality, goals, available downtime, and comfort with risk.

How to Choose the Right Plastic Surgery Procedure

The right procedure should be chosen based on the concern, not just 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.
An undefined jawline may be caused by loose skin, neck muscle bands, fat, or the position of the chin.
Fat, loose skin, muscle separation, or internal weight may cause abdominal fullness.
A flat breast shape may be treated with a breast lift, breast augmentation, fat grafting, or a combined plan.
A baggy under-eye look may be related to fat, hollowing, loose skin, or skin colour changes.

A strong treatment plan should answer three questions:

What anatomy is causing the issue?
What procedure addresses the cause most directly?
What must be accepted with that option?

Every procedure has trade-offs, which may include scars, downtime, swelling, cost, maintenance, and possible complications.

Plastic Surgery Fears and Questions

Most patients have mixed feelings before plastic surgery. Excitement is common, but so are nerves. It is normal to worry about safety, pain, scars, recovery, cost, and natural-looking results.

“Will I Look Natural After Surgery?”

This is one of the most common concerns. The goal for many people is to look refreshed while still looking like themselves. A natural result should match your facial features, body frame, age, and personal local cosmetic plastic surgery style.

The goal is often to improve balance, not chase perfection.

“How Long Is the Recovery?”

Downtime varies by procedure. Some non-surgical treatments have little or no downtime. Larger surgeries, such as tummy tuck, body lift, or mommy makeover, need more planning.

In general, patients should plan for:

Swelling and bruising
Limits on activity
Recovery time before returning to work
Follow-up appointments
Scar healing support
Gradual return to exercise
Results that take time to settle

Healing is not instant. For many procedures, results continue to refine over weeks and months.

“What Should I Know About Plastic Surgery Scars?”

Any procedure with an incision creates a scar. A good plan places scars as carefully as possible and supports healing.

Scar quality depends on:

Genetics
Natural skin tone
The type of procedure
Incision placement
How much tension is on the wound
Whether you smoke
Sun exposure
Following aftercare instructions

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

“Is Cosmetic Surgery Safe?”

No surgery is completely risk-free. Patients should understand possible risks such as bleeding, infection, poor scarring, anesthesia issues, asymmetry, delayed healing, numbness, fluid buildup, and dissatisfaction.

Surgical safety depends on several factors, including:

General health
Medications you take
Nicotine or smoking use
The planned procedure
The surgery facility
The anesthesia plan
The qualifications of the surgeon
Your aftercare and follow-up

A careful consultation should review benefits, risks, alternatives, and realistic expectations.

Plastic Surgery in Canada, What Patients Should Know

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.

How to Choose a Qualified Plastic Surgeon

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

Patients should ask:

Do you have certification in plastic surgery?
Are you licensed by the provincial medical college?
Is this a procedure you perform regularly?
Which surgical facility will be used?
Who will provide the anesthesia?
Which risks are most relevant to me?
Who do I contact if I have a complication?
What does post-operative follow-up include?
Do you have examples of patients with similar concerns?

This is not about being difficult. It is about understanding your options.

Cost of Cosmetic Surgery in Canada

Fees for cosmetic plastic surgery in Canada can differ greatly. Many factors affect pricing, including 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. Smaller cities may have different pricing, but cost should not be the only factor.

A very low price may be a warning sign if safety, training, facility standards, or aftercare are being reduced.

Medical Tourism vs. Surgery in Canada

Lower-cost surgery outside Canada may appeal to some Canadians. Medical tourism can seem attractive, but it adds risks that should be reviewed.

Concerns with medical tourism may include:

Limited post-surgery follow-up
Travelling before healing is complete
Possible infection
Different surgical standards
Difficulty accessing medical records
Trouble getting complications treated after returning to Canada
Possible language barriers
Revision surgery costs

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

Plastic Surgery Consultation Preparation

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

Before your visit, it helps to prepare:

Make notes about your main concerns.
Take a list of all medications and supplements you use.
Be ready to share your medical history.
Do not hide smoking, vaping, cannabis, or nicotine use.
Photos may help explain your goals.
Discuss recovery, scarring, risks, and other options.
Ask what can realistically be achieved for your face or body.

A helpful consultation should explain your options clearly. 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. They understand surgery can improve appearance, but it cannot create perfection or solve every life concern.

You may be a good candidate if:

Your overall health is good
You have a clear concern
Your weight has been stable before body surgery
You can avoid smoking and nicotine before and after surgery
You are prepared for the recovery process
You accept the risks, scars, and trade-offs
You are not doing it because of pressure from another person
Your expectations are realistic

It may be better to delay surgery if pregnancy, major weight loss plans, nicotine use, unstable health, or outside pressure are present.

Can Plastic Surgery Procedures Be Combined?

Certain procedures can be safely combined. In some cases, procedures should be separated into different surgeries. Combined surgery can reduce overall downtime, but it can also increase surgical time and recovery demands.

Examples of combined procedures include:

A facelift with a neck lift
Upper facial rejuvenation with eyelid surgery and brow lift
Rhinoplasty with chin surgery
Mastopexy with augmentation
Abdominoplasty with liposuction
Combined mommy makeover procedures
Post-weight-loss contouring with body lift and limb contouring
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. Some procedures improve the face, breasts, or body. Others 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.

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

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.