Across Canada, plastic surgery includes several major types of procedures that can refine, repair, or improve the face and body. Some procedures are known as cosmetic, meaning they are chosen to enhance how a person looks. Other procedures are reconstructive, meaning they help restore form or function after injury, cancer, birth differences, burns, or medical conditions.
There are many reasons why people in Canada search for plastic surgery. Some want to look more refreshed. Some patients hope to restore their body after changes from pregnancy, weight loss, or aging. Some people seek care 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.
Use this guide to understand the main types of plastic surgery procedures in Canada, including 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 Compared With Reconstructive Plastic Surgery
In general, plastic surgery is grouped into cosmetic surgery and reconstructive surgery.
Cosmetic Plastic Surgery in Canada
Cosmetic plastic surgery focuses on appearance. These procedures are usually elective, meaning they are chosen by the patient and are not medically required.
Patients often choose cosmetic surgery to help with:
- Improving facial balance
- Helping the face or body look more refreshed
- Changing body proportions
- Replacing volume lost after weight change or pregnancy
- Changing the shape of the nose, eyelids, ears, lips, breasts, abdomen, arms, or thighs
- Helping clothing fit better
- Improving self-confidence while keeping results natural-looking
Most cosmetic surgery procedures in Canada are private-pay services. Pricing may change based on procedure complexity, surgeon experience, facility costs, anesthesia, follow-up care, and location.
What Is Reconstructive Plastic Surgery?
In reconstructive plastic surgery, the focus is on restoring form, function, or both. It may be used after cancer surgery, trauma, burns, infections, birth differences, or medical conditions.
Common reconstructive procedures include:
- Breast reconstruction after breast cancer surgery
- Skin cancer reconstruction after tumour removal
- Cleft lip or palate repair
- Burn scar reconstruction
- Reconstructive hand surgery
- Scar repair or revision
- Wound repair
- Reconstruction after facial trauma
- Repair of congenital differences
Some reconstructive plastic surgery may qualify for provincial coverage if it is considered 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. In many cases, the goal is not a dramatic change. The best facial surgery results often look natural and balanced.
Facelift Procedure (Rhytidectomy)
A facelift, also called rhytidectomy, improves sagging in the lower face and jawline. It can help with jowls, loose facial skin, and deeper folds around the mouth.
Facelift surgery can address concerns such as:
- Jowls along the jawline
- Sagging skin in the lower face
- Deeper folds around the mouth
- Descent of cheek tissue
- Reduced definition from the jawline into the neck
Many modern facelift techniques focus on deeper support layers under the skin. By supporting deeper tissues, the result may look smoother, more natural, and longer-lasting. A facelift is often 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. The clinical term for tightening the neck muscle is platysmaplasty.
Patients may consider a neck lift for:
- Neck bands
- Loose skin on the neck
- An undefined jawline
- Fullness below the chin
- A hanging neck appearance
For some people, both the skin and neck muscle need tightening. Others may benefit from liposuction under the chin. A facelift and neck lift are often planned together because the face and neck commonly age as a unit.
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.
Patients may choose upper eyelid surgery for:
- Heavy upper lids
- Excess eyelid skin
- A tired-looking or aged appearance
- Skin that sits on the eyelashes
- Vision blockage in certain medical cases
Lower blepharoplasty may help with:
- Under-eye bags
- Under-eye swelling or fullness
- Lower eyelid skin laxity
- Shadowing beneath the lower lids
- 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.
Brow Lift Procedure
Brow lift surgery, or a forehead lift, is used to raise a low or heavy brow. This can help improve the upper eye area and ease a heavy forehead look.
Patients may consider a brow lift for:
- Low or drooping eyebrows
- Brow-related upper eyelid heaviness
- Forehead lines
- Creases between the eyebrows
- A facial expression that appears tired, sad, or serious
A brow lift is not the same as 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.
Cosmetic and Functional Rhinoplasty
Rhinoplasty, commonly called a nose job, changes the shape, size, or structure of the nose. The procedure can address cosmetic goals, functional concerns, or both.
Nose surgery can address concerns such as:
- A dorsal hump on the nose
- A lowered nose tip
- A wide nasal tip
- Nasal crookedness
- Nasal size or projection
- An uneven-looking nose
- Nasal breathing concerns linked to anatomy
Structural breathing issues may require work on the septum, the wall between the nostrils. That procedure is known as septoplasty. Cosmetic rhinoplasty changes appearance, while functional nasal surgery focuses on airflow.
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:
- Prominent ears
- Asymmetry between the ears
- Prominent ear cartilage folds
- Ears that sit far from the head
- Earlobe concerns
Both adults and children may choose or need otoplasty. When otoplasty is considered for a child, timing is based on ear growth, maturity, and family goals.
Lip Lift for Upper Lip Balance
A lip lift reduces the space between the upper lip and the nose. This area is known as the upper lip length. By changing lip position, a lip lift can make the upper lip more visible without adding volume with filler.
A lip lift may help with:
- A long space between the nose and upper lip
- Upper teeth that show less when smiling
- A thin-looking upper lip
- Uneven lip balance
- Aging changes around the mouth
A surgical lip lift and lip filler are different treatments. Dermal filler increases volume. A lip lift changes upper lip position and shape.
Facial Implants for Balance
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 options may include:
- Surgical chin implants
- Surgical cheek implants
- Jawline implant surgery
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 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.
Fat grafting to the face can help improve:
- Hollows in the cheeks
- Hollows beneath the eyes
- Volume changes caused by aging
- Thinning soft tissue
- Uneven facial fullness
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
Breast surgery is among the most common areas of cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery in Canada. Breast plastic surgery can address volume, size, position, symmetry, and reconstruction after cancer surgery.
Breast Enlargement Surgery
Breast size and shape can be increased with breast augmentation using implants or fat transfer. Breast implants may be filled with saline or silicone gel. Implant choice depends on body type, breast tissue, goals, and surgeon guidance.
Breast augmentation may help with:
- A naturally small breast shape
- Volume loss after pregnancy
- Volume loss after weight change
- Asymmetry between the breasts
- A desire for more breast fullness in clothing
A common concern is whether breast augmentation will look too large or unnatural. Chest width, skin quality, lifestyle, and long-term maintenance should all be part of the plan.
Breast Lift Surgery, Also Called Mastopexy
A breast lift, also known as mastopexy, raises and reshapes breasts that have dropped. It does not primarily add volume. Instead, the goal is to improve breast position and shape.
A breast lift may help with:
- Dropped breasts
- Downward-pointing nipples
- Areola stretching
- Breast skin laxity
- Breast changes after pregnancy, breastfeeding, or weight loss
Some patients choose a breast lift with implants for more upper breast fullness. Others prefer a lift without implants for a natural result.
Reduction Mammoplasty
Breast reduction removes extra breast tissue, fat, and skin to make the breasts smaller, lighter, and more balanced.
Breast reduction may help with:
- Pain in the neck
- Shoulder discomfort
- Back strain
- Bra strap marks
- Skin irritation under the breasts
- Limited comfort during physical activity
- Trouble finding clothing that fits
In Canada, breast reduction may be considered medically necessary for some patients. Coverage depends on provincial rules, symptoms, and medical assessment.
Revision Breast Implant Surgery
Surgery to adjust or replace existing breast implants is called breast implant revision. This surgery may address cosmetic concerns, medical concerns, or both.
Common breast implant revision concerns include:
- A desire to change implant size
- Rupture of an implant
- Capsular contracture, which is firm scar tissue around an implant
- Implant position changes
- Uneven breast appearance
- Age-related changes after breast augmentation
- A desire for implant removal
Some patients choose implant removal with a lift. Other patients choose new implants with a different size, shape, or placement.
Breast Reconstruction Surgery
Breast reconstruction restores breast shape after mastectomy or lumpectomy. Breast reconstruction can use implants, natural tissue, or both.
Types of breast reconstruction may include:
- Reconstruction using implants
- Breast reconstruction with natural tissue flaps
- Nipple and areola reconstruction
- Fat transfer as part of reconstruction
- Revision surgery to improve symmetry
This can be a deeply personal choice. Some people prefer to have reconstruction. Some patients choose a flat closure instead. Both paths are valid and personal.
Gynecomastia Surgery for Male Breast Reduction
Male breast reduction, also called gynecomastia surgery, treats enlarged male breast tissue. It may include liposuction, gland removal, or both.
Gynecomastia surgery may help with:
- Nipple puffiness
- Extra tissue under the areola
- Chest tissue fullness
- An uneven male chest shape
- Concern about the chest in fitted shirts, at the gym, or at the beach
The right technique depends on whether the fullness comes from fat, gland tissue, loose skin, or a combination.
Common Body Contouring Options
Body contouring surgery improves 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
Extra abdominal skin and a weakened abdominal wall may be improved with a tummy tuck, also called abdominoplasty. The procedure may also repair diastasis recti, which means separated abdominal muscles.
Tummy tuck surgery can help improve:
- Loose abdominal skin
- A hanging lower abdomen
- Stretch-marked lower belly skin
- Separated core muscles
- Loose abdominal tissue after pregnancy or weight loss
Abdominoplasty is used for contouring, not for major weight loss. It is usually best for patients near a stable weight who want to improve abdominal shape.
Surgical Liposuction
A cannula, which is a thin tube, is used in liposuction to remove localized fat. It is used for body contouring rather than general weight loss.
Liposuction may treat:
- Abdominal area
- Side waist areas, often called love handles
- Hips
- Thigh areas
- Upper arm contours
- The back
- Submental area and neck
- Chest
- Knees
Good skin tone matters. If the skin is loose, liposuction by itself may not be enough. Skin removal surgery may be needed if loose skin is the main concern.
Customized Mommy Makeover
A mommy makeover is tailored to the patient and may treat changes from pregnancy, breastfeeding, or weight change. It often includes both breast and abdominal procedures.
Mommy makeover options may include:
- Abdominal contouring with tummy tuck
- A breast lift procedure
- Breast implants or fat transfer augmentation
- Surgical breast size reduction
- Fat reduction with liposuction
- Body fat grafting
The name can be misleading because the procedure is not only for mothers. The procedure can apply to anyone with similar body concerns. The best plan depends on health, goals, recovery time, and whether future pregnancy is planned.
Upper Arm Lift Procedure
Brachioplasty, commonly called an arm lift, removes extra skin from the upper arms.
An arm lift may address:
- Hanging skin under the arms
- Weight-loss-related arm skin looseness
- Arm skin changes over time
- Feeling uncomfortable in sleeveless tops
- Skin friction in the upper arms
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 extra loose skin from the thighs. It is often chosen after major weight loss.
Common thigh lift concerns include:
- Extra inner thigh skin
- Skin friction between the thighs
- Difficulty fitting pants
- Extra skin that feels heavy
- 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.
Body Lift
A body lift removes loose skin around the lower body. It can improve the abdomen, hips, outer thighs, buttocks, and lower back.
Patients may consider a body lift after:
- Major weight loss
- Post-bariatric body changes
- Pregnancy-related skin looseness
- Aging with major skin laxity
This is a larger surgery with a longer recovery. A stable weight and good overall health are important before body lift surgery.
Body Contouring With Fat Transfer
Fat can be moved from one body area to another with fat grafting. This procedure may improve contour or add volume using the patient’s own fat.
Patients may consider fat grafting for:
- Breasts
- Buttock shape
- The hips
- The face
- Surface irregularities after surgery or injury
Your own tissue is used in fat grafting, but not every transferred fat cell survives. Results may change over time, and more than one session may be needed.
Skin Lesion, Scar, and Surface Treatments
Plastic surgeons may also treat scars, skin surface concerns, and soft tissue issues.
Scar Treatment and Revision
A scar that is raised, tight, wide, or noticeable may be improved with scar revision. Scar revision cannot guarantee an erased scar, but it may make the scar less raised, tight, wide, or visible.
Patients may consider scar revision for:
- Surgery-related scars
- Scarring after an injury
- Burn injury scars
- Scars that feel thick
- Scars that feel tight
- Scars that affect range of motion
Treatment may include surgery, copyright injections, laser treatment, silicone therapy, or a combination.
Removal of Moles, Cysts, and Skin Lesions
Plastic surgeons often remove benign skin lesions, cysts, moles, and lumps when careful closure matters. Some moles or lesions need proper medical review to make sure skin cancer is not present.
Patients may seek removal for:
- Irritated skin
- Noticeable growth
- Bleeding
- Appearance concerns
- Diagnosis
- Physical 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
Skin cancer reconstruction can help close the treated area and restore appearance after cancer removal. This is common in areas best plastic surgery such as the face, nose, eyelids, ears, lips, scalp, and hands.
Common skin cancer reconstruction methods include:
- Direct closure
- A skin graft
- Local tissue flaps
- Advanced reconstructive techniques
The goal is safe cancer removal while preserving function and appearance as much as possible.
Non-Surgical Cosmetic Procedures
Not all cosmetic concerns require surgery. Non-surgical cosmetic treatments may help with early signs of aging, facial lines, volume loss, and skin quality. These treatments usually have less downtime, but results are more temporary.
BOTOX and Other Neuromodulators
BOTOX and similar neuromodulators are used to relax targeted facial muscles. They are often used for expression lines.
Patients may consider neuromodulators for:
- Lines between the eyebrows
- Forehead wrinkles
- Eye-area smile lines
- Expression lines on the nose
- Dimpling in the chin
- Neck muscle bands in some situations
The results do not last forever and usually need maintenance treatments. The goal is often a softer, rested look, not a frozen face.
Facial Fillers
Dermal fillers can restore or add volume. They are often made with hyaluronic acid, a gel-like substance used to shape and support soft tissue.
Dermal fillers may treat:
- Lip enhancement
- Cheek contour
- Chin projection
- Jawline contour
- Tear trough hollowing
- Lines from the nose to the mouth
- Mouth-corner lines
Product choice, technique, anatomy, and goals all affect filler results. Overfilling may look unnatural, so conservative planning is important.
Chemical Peels
A chemical peel uses a controlled chemical solution to improve the outer layers of skin.
Common chemical peel concerns include:
- Skin tone irregularity
- Skin dullness
- Small fine lines
- Skin changes from sun exposure
- Mild marks from acne
- Skin texture concerns
Chemical peels can range from light treatments to deeper treatments. Downtime depends on how strong the peel is.
Laser Skin Treatments and Energy-Based Procedures
Skin tone, redness, texture, hair growth, scars, and aging changes may be treated with laser and energy-based treatments.
Common treatment options may include:
- Laser resurfacing for texture
- IPL skin treatment
- Radiofrequency skin treatments
- Treatments for mild skin laxity
- Laser treatment for unwanted hair
- Vascular laser treatment for redness or broken vessels
These treatments should be matched to the patient’s skin type, skin tone, and concern. Patients with darker skin tones need careful treatment planning because pigment changes can be a concern.
Dermabrasion and Light Skin Resurfacing
Dermabrasion is a deeper skin resurfacing procedure that removes outer skin layers. Compared with dermabrasion, microdermabrasion is lighter and more superficial.
Dermabrasion and microdermabrasion may help with:
- Uneven texture
- Mild scarring
- Dull-looking skin
- Rough or uneven skin
- Small 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 best place to start is the concern itself, not the name of a procedure. Sometimes patients come in wanting one treatment, but another procedure is a better match for their anatomy.
This can happen in situations such as:
- A heavy upper eyelid look may come from extra eyelid skin, brow descent, or both.
- Loose skin, neck bands, fat, or chin position may cause a soft jawline.
- A full belly can involve extra fat, loose skin, diastasis recti, or internal weight.
- Breasts that look flat may need lifting, added volume, fat grafting, or more than one procedure.
- A baggy under-eye look may be related to fat, hollowing, loose skin, or skin colour changes.
The best plan usually starts with three questions:
- What is creating the concern?
- Which procedure best treats that cause?
- 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 feel a mix of emotions 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 Still Look Like Myself?”
This concern comes up often. Patients often want a rested look, not a changed identity. Good plastic surgery should respect the patient’s natural features, body frame, age, and style.
For many patients, the goal is better balance, not a perfect or unrealistic look.
“How Long Does Plastic Surgery Recovery Take?”
Healing time is different for every procedure. Non-surgical treatments may require little or no downtime. A tummy tuck, body lift, or mommy makeover is more involved and needs more planning.
Most patients should prepare for:
- Swelling and bruising
- Temporary activity restrictions
- Time off work
- Surgical follow-up care
- Scar healing support
- A gradual return to exercise
- Gradual settling before final results are seen
Healing takes time. Results often look better as weeks and months pass.
“Will There Be Scars?”
Any procedure with an incision creates a scar. The goal is not scar-free surgery, but careful scar placement and good healing.
Scar appearance may be affected by:
- Genetics
- Your skin tone
- Procedure type
- The incision location
- Pulling on the healing incision
- Smoking status
- How much sun the scar gets
- Following aftercare instructions
Scars tend to soften and fade, but they usually remain to some degree.
“Is Plastic 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.
Safety is influenced by:
- Your overall health
- Your medications
- Smoking, vaping, or nicotine exposure
- The procedure being done
- The surgical facility
- The anesthesia plan
- The surgeon’s training and experience
- Your aftercare and follow-up
A careful consultation should include 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, hospital systems, surgical facilities, and professional standards. Patients should know the difference between marketing terms and recognized medical training.
Choosing a Qualified Plastic Surgeon
Training and credentials should be a major part of choosing a plastic surgeon in Canada. A plastic surgeon should have medical training, surgical training, and certification in the specialty of plastic surgery.
Patients may want to ask:
- Are you certified as a plastic surgeon?
- Are you licensed to perform surgery in this province?
- Do you perform this procedure often?
- Where will the procedure take place?
- What type of anesthesia is used and who provides it?
- What risks apply to my specific case?
- 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 making an informed choice.
Cost of Cosmetic Surgery in Canada
Cosmetic surgery costs in Canada can vary widely. Many factors affect pricing, including 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.
A bargain price is not always a good deal if it comes with weaker safety, training, facility standards, or aftercare.
Choosing Surgery in Canada vs. Abroad
Some patients in Canada consider medical tourism to save money on surgery. This may seem appealing, but there are added risks to consider.
Risks or challenges with medical tourism may include:
- Less access to follow-up care
- Travel during early recovery
- Possible infection
- Different surgical standards
- Challenges getting procedure records
- Trouble getting complications treated after returning to Canada
- Communication barriers
- Revision surgery costs
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
A consultation is your chance to learn what is possible, what is safe, and what is realistic. It should not feel rushed or high-pressure.
Before your visit, it helps to prepare:
- Make notes about your main concerns.
- Take a list of all medications and supplements you use.
- Tell the surgeon about your medical history.
- Be honest about smoking, vaping, cannabis use, and nicotine exposure.
- Bring photos if they help show 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. Sometimes the best advice is to wait, choose a smaller treatment, improve health first, or avoid surgery.
Good Candidates for Plastic Surgery
Good candidates for plastic surgery are typically healthy, informed, and realistic. Realistic patients understand that surgery can help appearance, but it cannot make life perfect or solve every issue.
You may be a good candidate if:
- You are medically well enough for surgery
- You know what concern you want to address
- You are at a stable weight for body contouring
- You do not smoke, or you can stop before and after surgery
- You understand healing takes time
- You are comfortable with the risks and limits
- Your decision is for you, not someone else
- 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?
Some procedures can be combined safely. Other procedures should be staged. Combined surgery can reduce overall downtime, but it can also increase surgical time and recovery demands.
Plastic surgery procedures that are often combined include:
- Facelift with neck lift
- Upper facial rejuvenation with eyelid surgery and brow lift
- Rhinoplasty with chin surgery
- Combining breast lift and implants
- Abdominal contouring with tummy tuck and liposuction
- Mommy makeover procedures
- Combining body lift with arm or thigh surgery
- Combining facial rejuvenation and fat grafting
The safest plan depends on health, procedure length, anesthesia, recovery support, and risk level.
Final Thoughts on Types of Plastic Surgery Procedures in Canada
In Canada, plastic surgery covers a wide range of cosmetic and reconstructive options. Some options are designed to refine facial, breast, or body shape. Other procedures focus on repair 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 right procedure is not always the most popular option. The right option should match your anatomy, goals, health, and comfort level.
A thoughtful plan should focus on safety, natural-looking results, clear expectations, and proper follow-up care. 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.