Plastic surgery is a broad field with surgical options that can improve, repair, or adjust areas of the face and body. When surgery is chosen mainly to improve appearance, it is often called cosmetic surgery. Reconstructive plastic surgery may be used after injury, cancer, birth differences, burns, or medical conditions to help rebuild form or function.
There are many concerns why people in Canada search for plastic surgery. For some people, the goal is to look more rested. Others want to restore body shape after pregnancy, weight loss, or aging. Others want help after trauma, skin cancer, breast cancer, or a congenital concern. Your anatomy, goals, health, lifestyle, and recovery time all help guide the right procedure.
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 and Reconstructive Plastic Surgery
Plastic surgery is commonly divided into two main categories, cosmetic surgery and reconstructive surgery.
Cosmetic Plastic Surgery Procedures
Cosmetic plastic surgery deals with appearance-related goals. These procedures are usually elective, meaning they are chosen by the patient and are not medically required.
Common reasons for cosmetic plastic surgery include:
- Refining facial balance
- Reducing signs of aging
- Improving body contours
- Restoring volume after weight loss or pregnancy
- Changing the shape of the nose, eyelids, ears, lips, breasts, abdomen, arms, or thighs
- Helping patients feel better in clothing
- Improving confidence in a natural-looking way
Across Canada, cosmetic plastic surgery is usually paid for by the patient. Costs may vary based on the procedure, surgeon, surgical facility, anesthesia, follow-up care, and location.
Reconstructive Plastic Surgery Procedures
Reconstructive plastic surgery focuses on restoring normal form and function. It may be used after cancer surgery, trauma, burns, infections, birth differences, or medical conditions.
Common types of reconstructive surgery include:
- Breast reconstruction after removal of breast tissue
- Skin cancer reconstruction after skin cancer excision
- Cleft lip and palate surgery
- Burn reconstruction
- Hand surgery
- Scar repair or revision
- Complex wound repair
- Facial injury reconstruction
- Surgery for congenital differences
Some reconstructive plastic surgery may qualify for provincial coverage if it is considered medically necessary. Changes done only for cosmetic reasons are usually not covered.
Facial Plastic Surgery Procedures
Facial procedures may be used to improve balance, soften aging changes, and restore a rested look. Most patients do not want to look “different.” The best facial surgery results often look natural and balanced.
Facelift Procedure (Rhytidectomy)
A facelift, also known as rhytidectomy, improves sagging in the lower face and jawline. Patients may choose facelift surgery for jowls, loose facial skin, and deeper folds near the mouth.
Facelift surgery can address concerns such as:
- Softness or jowling at the jawline
- Loose skin in the lower face
- Deeper folds around the mouth
- Cheek tissue that has dropped
- Loss of definition between the face and neck
Today, facelift surgery often works on deeper support layers below the skin. This approach may help produce a smoother, longer-lasting result without making the face look pulled. A facelift may be combined with a neck lift, eyelid surgery, brow lift, or facial fat grafting.
Neck Lift Surgery, Also Called Platysmaplasty
Loose skin, muscle bands, and fullness under the chin may be improved with a neck lift. Platysmaplasty is the medical term for tightening the neck muscle.
Common reasons for neck lift surgery include:
- Visible neck bands
- Extra neck skin
- An undefined jawline
- Fullness below the chin
- A “turkey neck” look
In some cases, the plan includes tightening both skin and muscle. For patients with extra fat but good skin tone, liposuction under the chin may help. Because the face and neck often age together, a facelift and neck lift may be planned together.
Eyelid Surgery (Blepharoplasty)
Eyelid surgery, also called blepharoplasty, improves tired-looking eyes by removing or adjusting extra skin, fat, or tissue around the eyelids.
Patients may choose upper eyelid surgery for:
- Upper lids that feel heavy
- Excess eyelid skin
- A tired-looking or aged appearance
- Skin resting on the eyelashes
- Functional vision concerns in some patients
Lower eyelid surgery can address:
- Lower eyelid bags
- Puffiness beneath the eyes
- Lower eyelid skin laxity
- Dark-looking shadows under the eyes
- A tired appearance that does not improve with sleep
Many patients choose eyelid surgery because small improvements around the eyes can make the whole face look more awake and rested.
Forehead Lift and Brow Lift Surgery
Brow lift surgery, or a forehead lift, is used to raise a low or heavy brow. It can improve the upper eye area and reduce forehead heaviness.
A brow lift may address:
- Low or drooping eyebrows
- Heavy upper eyelids caused by brow descent
- Lines across the forehead
- Lines between the brows
- An expression that looks tired, sad, or stern
Brow lift surgery and eyelid surgery are not the same procedure. Eyelid surgery addresses extra eyelid skin, while a brow lift changes the position of the eyebrows. Some patients need only a brow lift or eyelid surgery, while others benefit from both procedures.
Nose Surgery Procedure (Rhinoplasty)
Rhinoplasty, often called a nose job, changes the shape, size, or structure of the nose. The procedure can address cosmetic goals, functional concerns, or both.
Common rhinoplasty concerns include:
- A bump on the bridge
- A downward-pointing nasal tip
- A boxy nasal tip
- A nose that looks crooked
- Overall nose size or projection
- Nasal asymmetry
- Nasal breathing concerns linked to anatomy
When breathing is a concern, surgery may include work on the septum, the wall between the nostrils. The medical term for septum surgery is septoplasty. A cosmetic rhinoplasty changes appearance, while functional nasal surgery focuses on airflow.
Ear Surgery (Otoplasty)
The shape, position, or size of the ears may be changed with ear surgery, also called otoplasty. Otoplasty is often chosen for ears that stick out.
Otoplasty may address:
- Ears that stick out
- Uneven ear shape or position
- Large cartilage folds in the ears
- Ears that sit far from the head
- Earlobe concerns
Otoplasty is common in adults open this and children. For younger patients, ear growth, maturity, and family goals help guide timing.
Upper Lip Lift Surgery
The space between the upper lip and the nose can be shortened with a lip lift. This area is known as the upper lip length. A lip lift can improve upper lip show without adding dermal filler.
Common lip lift concerns include:
- Upper lip length that looks long
- Reduced tooth show in the upper smile
- A thin-looking upper lip
- Lip imbalance
- Aging changes around the mouth
A lip lift is different from lip filler. Filler adds volume. A lip lift changes the position and shape of the upper lip.
Chin and Jawline Implant Surgery
Implants can be used to improve facial balance in the chin, cheeks, or jawline. Chin surgery may be used when the chin looks small compared with the nose or other facial features.
Types of facial implant surgery may include:
- Implants for the chin
- Surgical cheek implants
- Surgical jawline implants
Because the nose and chin affect how the face looks from the side, chin surgery may sometimes be combined with rhinoplasty.
Facial Fat Transfer
With facial fat grafting, fat from the patient’s own body is used to restore facial volume. The fat is often taken from the abdomen or thighs, prepared, and then placed into the face.
Fat grafting to the face can help improve:
- Hollows in the cheeks
- Hollowing under the eyes
- Volume changes caused by aging
- Thinning soft tissue
- Uneven facial fullness
Fat grafting may be used alone or combined with facelift surgery, eyelid surgery, or other facial procedures.
Breast Plastic Surgery Procedures
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 Enlargement Surgery
Breast size and shape can be increased with breast augmentation using implants or fat transfer. Saline and silicone gel are common breast implant options. Implant choice depends on body type, breast tissue, goals, and surgeon guidance.
Breast augmentation may address:
- A naturally small breast shape
- Volume loss after pregnancy
- Lost breast volume after weight changes
- Asymmetry between the breasts
- Desire for more fullness in clothing
Many people worry about looking too large, obvious, or unnatural after breast augmentation. 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 primarily add volume. Instead, it improves breast position and shape.
Common breast lift concerns include:
- Dropped breasts
- Nipples that sit low or point down
- Enlarged or stretched areolas
- Loose breast skin
- Breast changes after pregnancy, breastfeeding, or weight changes
A breast lift may be combined with implants when more upper breast fullness is desired. Some patients choose a breast lift without implants for a more natural result.
Breast Reduction
To reduce breast size and weight, breast reduction removes extra tissue, fat, and skin.
Common breast reduction concerns include:
- Chronic neck pain
- Heavy shoulder pressure
- Back strain
- Shoulder grooves from bra straps
- Rashes under the breasts
- Trouble exercising
- Trouble finding clothing that fits
Some breast reduction procedures in Canada may be considered medically necessary. Coverage depends on provincial requirements, symptoms, and medical assessment.
Breast Implant Revision Surgery
Breast implant revision adjusts or replaces existing breast implants. It may be needed for cosmetic reasons or medical concerns.
Common reasons include:
- Desire to change implant size
- Rupture of an implant
- Capsular contracture, a firm scar tissue response around an implant
- Breast implant movement
- Breast asymmetry
- Age-related changes after breast augmentation
- Breast implant removal
A breast lift may be done when implants are removed. Others choose new implants with a different size, shape, or placement.
Breast Reconstruction After Cancer Surgery
Breast reconstruction restores breast shape after mastectomy or lumpectomy. Implants, natural tissue, or a mix of both may be used for breast reconstruction.
Types of breast reconstruction may include:
- Implant-based reconstruction
- Flap-based reconstruction
- Nipple and areola restoration
- Fat grafting for contour improvement
- Surgery to refine breast symmetry
Choosing reconstruction is deeply personal. Some patients choose reconstruction. Some patients decide not to rebuild the breast and remain flat. Both options are valid.
Male Breast Reduction (Gynecomastia Surgery)
Gynecomastia surgery is used to reduce enlarged male breast tissue. It may involve liposuction, gland removal, or both.
Male breast reduction can help improve:
- Puffy nipples
- Extra tissue under the areola
- Fullness in the chest
- An uneven male chest shape
- Concern about the chest in fitted shirts, at the gym, or at the beach
Treatment choice depends on whether fat, gland tissue, loose skin, or a mix of these is causing the fullness.
Types of Body Contouring Surgery
Extra skin, stubborn fat, or loose tissue may be improved with body contouring surgery. Pregnancy, aging, and major weight loss are common reasons people consider body contouring.
Tummy Tuck Procedure
Abdominoplasty, commonly called a tummy tuck, removes extra abdominal skin and tightens the abdominal wall. Separated abdominal muscles, called diastasis recti, can also be repaired during the procedure.
A tummy tuck may address:
- Loose abdominal skin
- An overhang in the lower belly
- Stretch-marked skin below the belly button
- Diastasis recti
- Abdominal changes after pregnancy or weight loss
A tummy tuck should not be viewed as weight-loss surgery. The best candidates are often near a stable weight and want better abdominal contour.
Liposuction
Liposuction surgery uses a thin tube called a cannula to remove localized fat. Liposuction is not a weight-loss method, it is a contouring procedure.
Liposuction can treat:
- Abdominal area
- Love handles or flanks
- Hip area
- The thighs
- Upper arms
- Back
- Submental area and neck
- Chest
- Fat around the knees
Good skin tone matters. If the skin is loose, liposuction by itself may not be enough. A skin-tightening or skin removal procedure may be needed in that situation.
Post-Pregnancy Body Contouring
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:
- A tummy tuck procedure
- Breast lift
- Breast augmentation
- Reduction mammoplasty
- Surgical fat removal
- Body fat grafting
Although the name suggests otherwise, the procedure 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 for Loose Upper Arm Skin
An arm lift, also known as brachioplasty, removes loose skin from the upper arms.
Patients may consider an arm lift for:
- Hanging upper arm skin
- Loose skin after weight loss
- Age-related changes in the arms
- Avoiding sleeveless clothing
- Irritation from loose arm skin
A scar along the inner or back arm is the key trade-off with brachioplasty. Many patients feel the improved arm contour is worth the scar, but careful discussion is important.
Inner Thigh Lift
Thigh lift surgery improves thigh contour by removing loose skin. It is often chosen after major weight loss.
Common thigh lift concerns include:
- Sagging skin on the inner thighs
- Skin rubbing
- Poor fit in pants
- A heavy feeling from extra skin
- Changes after bariatric surgery or major weight loss
Different thigh lift incision patterns may be used. How much skin needs removal and where the looseness sits will guide the best option.
Lower Body Lift
Loose skin around the lower body can be removed with a body lift. It may improve the abdomen, hips, outer thighs, buttocks, and lower back.
Body lift surgery may be helpful after:
- A major weight change
- Bariatric weight-loss surgery
- Changes in body shape after pregnancy
- Aging with major skin laxity
Body lift surgery is more extensive, so recovery is usually longer. Patients should be at a stable weight and in good overall health.
Fat Grafting for Body Contouring
With fat grafting, fat is removed from one area and placed in another. It can be used to add natural volume or improve contour.
Common treatment areas include:
- Breast shape
- The buttocks
- Hips
- Facial contour
- Uneven contours after surgery or injury
Your own tissue is used in fat grafting, but not every transferred fat cell survives. Because transferred fat can change over time, more than one session may be needed.
Skin Lesion, Scar, and Surface Treatments
Skin surface concerns, scars, and soft tissue problems may also be treated with plastic surgery.
Scar Treatment and Revision
Scar revision can improve the appearance or feel of a scar. The scar will not usually disappear, but revision may make it flatter, softer, narrower, or less noticeable.
Scar revision may help with:
- Scarring after surgery
- Scars from injury
- Scars from burns
- Thick scars
- Restrictive scars
- Movement-limiting scars
Depending on the scar, treatment may include surgery, copyright injections, laser treatment, silicone therapy, or combined care.
Removal of Moles, Cysts, and Skin Lesions
Plastic surgeons often remove benign skin lesions, cysts, moles, and lumps when a careful closure is important. Some lesions need medical assessment to rule out skin cancer.
Skin lesion removal may be done for:
- Ongoing irritation
- Noticeable growth
- Bleeding from the lesion
- Appearance concerns
- Pathology or diagnosis
- Physical comfort
Changing moles or suspicious skin lesions should be reviewed by a qualified medical professional.
Plastic Surgery After Skin Cancer
After skin cancer removal, reconstruction may be needed to close the area and restore appearance. Skin cancer reconstruction is often needed on the face, nose, eyelids, ears, lips, scalp, and hands.
Skin cancer reconstruction can involve:
- Direct surgical closure
- Reconstruction with a skin graft
- Local tissue flaps
- Advanced reconstructive techniques
Skin cancer reconstruction aims to support safe cancer removal while protecting function and appearance.
Common Non-Surgical Cosmetic Options
Not all cosmetic concerns require surgery. Early signs of aging, facial lines, volume loss, and skin quality concerns may be improved with non-surgical cosmetic treatments. These treatments usually involve less downtime, but results are more temporary.
BOTOX and Other Neuromodulators
BOTOX and other neuromodulators relax selected facial muscles. Neuromodulators are commonly chosen for lines caused by facial movement.
Common areas include:
- Frown lines between the brows
- Forehead lines
- Lines at the outer corners of the eyes
- Small nose wrinkles
- Dimpling in the chin
- Selected neck bands
Neuromodulator results are temporary, so maintenance appointments are often part of the plan. Most patients want a softer, rested look rather than a frozen face.
Dermal Filler Treatments
Dermal fillers restore or add volume. Many dermal fillers are made with hyaluronic acid, a gel-like substance used to shape and support soft tissue.
Dermal filler treatment may involve:
- Lip shape
- Midface fullness
- Chin shape
- Jawline definition
- Hollowing under the eyes
- Lines from the nose to the mouth
- Mouth-corner lines
Product choice, technique, anatomy, and goals all affect filler results. To avoid an overfilled look, filler treatment should be planned carefully and conservatively.
Chemical Peels for Skin Texture and Tone
A chemical peel uses a controlled solution to improve the outer layers of skin.
Chemical peel treatments can help improve:
- Skin tone irregularity
- A dull complexion
- Mild lines
- Photoaging
- Acne-related marks
- Uneven texture
Peels come in different strengths, from light to deeper options. Downtime depends on how strong the peel is.
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.
Common options may include:
- Laser resurfacing
- Photofacial treatment with IPL
- Radiofrequency energy treatments
- Treatments for mild skin laxity
- Laser treatment for unwanted hair
- Laser treatment for small visible vessels
Skin type, skin tone, and the concern being treated should guide the choice of treatment. This is especially important for patients with darker skin tones, where pigment changes can be a risk.
Microdermabrasion and Dermabrasion Treatments
A deeper resurfacing option called dermabrasion removes outer layers of skin. Compared with dermabrasion, microdermabrasion is lighter and more superficial.
Patients may consider these treatments for:
- Texture
- Minor acne scarring
- Skin dullness
- Uneven surface
- Early fine lines
The right option depends on skin quality, goals, downtime, and risk tolerance.
Choosing the Right Plastic Surgery Procedure
The right procedure should be chosen based on the concern, not just the procedure name. A patient may request one procedure, then find out that a different option fits their anatomy better.
For example:
- Heavy upper lids may be caused by extra eyelid skin, a low brow, or both.
- Jawline softness may be related to skin laxity, neck bands, fat, or chin position.
- Abdominal fullness may come from fat, loose skin, separated muscles, or internal weight.
- A flat breast shape may be treated with a breast lift, breast augmentation, fat grafting, or a combined plan.
- Under-eye bags may be caused by fat pads, hollowing, skin laxity, or pigmentation.
A helpful treatment plan should answer these three questions:
- What is causing the concern?
- Which procedure best treats that cause?
- What trade-offs should be expected with that choice?
Those trade-offs may include scars, downtime, swelling, cost, maintenance, and possible complications.
What Patients Often Worry About Before Surgery
Before plastic surgery, many patients feel both excited and nervous. Feeling excited and anxious at the same time is common. Patients often have questions about safety, discomfort, scarring, healing, cost, and whether results will look natural.
“Will I Look Natural After Surgery?”
This is one of the most common patient concerns. 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.
“What Is the Recovery Like?”
Recovery time 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.
Patients should usually expect:
- Swelling or bruising
- Reduced activity
- Planned time away from work
- Surgical follow-up care
- Scar management
- A staged return to physical activity
- A result that improves as swelling settles
The body needs time to heal. For many procedures, results continue to refine over weeks and months.
“Will I Have Scars?”
Any surgical cut leaves some type of scar. The goal is to place scars as carefully as possible and help them heal well.
Many factors affect scar quality, including:
- Family scar tendencies
- Skin colour and tone
- Surgical procedure type
- Scar location
- Wound tension
- Smoking status
- Exposure to the sun
- Aftercare
Scars tend to soften and fade, but they usually remain to some degree.
“What Are the Risks of Plastic Surgery?”
Every surgery has risk. Plastic surgery risks may include bleeding, infection, poor scarring, anesthesia concerns, asymmetry, delayed healing, numbness, fluid buildup, and dissatisfaction.
Surgical safety depends on several factors, including:
- Your overall health
- Your medications
- Smoking, vaping, or nicotine exposure
- The procedure selected
- Where the procedure takes place
- The type of anesthesia
- Surgeon training and experience
- Your follow-up care
A careful consultation should include benefits, risks, alternatives, and realistic expectations.
Plastic Surgery in Canada
Canadian plastic surgery is regulated through medical licensing, provincial colleges, hospital systems, surgical facilities, and professional standards. It is important to understand the difference between marketing language and recognized medical training.
Choosing a Plastic Surgeon in Canada
When researching plastic surgery in Canada, patients should look for proper training and credentials. A plastic surgeon should have medical training, surgical training, and certification in plastic surgery.
Before choosing a surgeon, patients can ask:
- Are you certified in plastic surgery?
- Are you licensed to practise in this province?
- Is this a procedure you perform regularly?
- What facility will be used for the procedure?
- Who is responsible for anesthesia care?
- Which risks are most relevant to me?
- What happens if I have a complication?
- What follow-up care is included?
- Can I see examples of similar cases?
This is not about challenging the surgeon. It is about making an informed choice.
Plastic Surgery Costs in Canada
Fees for cosmetic plastic surgery in Canada can differ greatly. Pricing may depend on procedure complexity, surgeon experience, anesthesia, facility fees, implants or devices, garments, follow-up care, and location.
Fees may be higher in major Canadian cities such as Vancouver, Toronto, Calgary, Edmonton, Ottawa, and Montreal due to overhead and demand. Smaller cities may have different pricing, 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 Compared With Plastic Surgery in Canada
Some Canadians consider travelling outside the country for lower-cost surgery. Lower cost may be appealing, but surgery abroad can come with extra risks.
Concerns with medical tourism may include:
- Limited follow-up care
- Long travel after surgery
- Possible infection
- Medical standards that may differ
- Difficulty accessing medical records
- Difficulty managing complications back in Canada
- Difficulty communicating clearly
- Additional costs if revision surgery is needed
Having surgery closer to home may make follow-up easier, especially if swelling, healing concerns, or complications occur.
Getting Ready for a Plastic Surgery Consultation
Your consultation is the time to understand what can be done safely and realistically. It should not feel rushed or high-pressure.
Before a consultation, consider preparing in these ways:
- Make notes about your main concerns.
- Prepare your medication and supplement list.
- Share your health and medical history honestly.
- Be honest about smoking, vaping, cannabis, and nicotine use.
- Reference photos can be helpful if they explain your goals.
- Make sure you ask about recovery time, scars, risks, and alternatives.
- Ask what can realistically be achieved for your face or body.
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.
Good Candidates for Plastic Surgery
Good candidates for plastic surgery are typically healthy, informed, and realistic. A good candidate understands that surgery may improve appearance, but it cannot create perfection or fix every life problem.
Plastic surgery may be appropriate if:
- You have good general health
- You have a clear concern
- Your weight is stable if you are considering body surgery
- You do not smoke or can stop before and after surgery
- You understand the recovery process
- You accept the risks and trade-offs
- Your decision is for you, not someone else
- Your goals are 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.
Planning More Than One Plastic Surgery Procedure
Certain procedures can be safely combined. Some procedures are safer when staged. Combining procedures may reduce total recovery time, but it may also increase surgical time and healing demands.
Common combinations include:
- Lower face and neck rejuvenation
- Eyelid surgery with brow lift
- Combining rhinoplasty and chin surgery
- Breast lift with breast augmentation
- Abdominoplasty with liposuction
- A customized mommy makeover
- Post-weight-loss contouring with body lift and limb contouring
- Facial surgery with fat grafting
The safest plan depends on your health, procedure length, anesthesia, recovery support, and risk level.
Summary of Plastic Surgery Procedures in Canada
Plastic surgery in Canada includes a wide range of cosmetic and reconstructive procedures. Certain procedures are used to improve the face, breasts, or body. Others help repair tissue after cancer, injury, burns, or medical conditions. Non-surgical cosmetic options can help soften wrinkles, restore volume, improve texture, and address early aging changes.
The best procedure is not always the most popular one. It 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. Whether you are considering eyelid surgery, rhinoplasty, breast augmentation, tummy tuck, liposuction, facelift surgery, or reconstructive plastic surgery, the first step is learning what each option can and cannot do.