Many plastic surgery procedures are designed to improve, repair, or change the face and body. Some procedures are known as cosmetic, meaning they are chosen to refine how a person looks. Reconstructive plastic surgery may be used after injury, cancer, birth differences, burns, or medical conditions to help rebuild form or function.
There are many goals why people in Canada search for plastic surgery. Some want to look more rested. Others want to restore body shape after pregnancy, weight loss, or aging. Plastic surgery may also help after trauma, skin cancer, breast cancer, or a congenital concern. The right procedure depends 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. The guide also explains important points to review before booking a consultation.
Understanding Cosmetic vs. Reconstructive Plastic Surgery
Most plastic surgery procedures fall into two broad groups, cosmetic surgery and reconstructive surgery.
What Is Cosmetic Plastic Surgery?
Cosmetic plastic surgery is focused on appearance. These procedures are usually elective, which means they are planned by choice and are not medically required.
Common cosmetic goals may include:
- Creating a more balanced face
- Reducing signs of aging
- Improving body contours
- Restoring fullness after weight loss, pregnancy, or aging
- Changing the shape of the nose, eyelids, ears, lips, breasts, abdomen, arms, or thighs
- Improving the way clothing fits
- Improving confidence in a natural-looking way
In Canada, most cosmetic procedures are paid for privately. Fees are affected by factors such as the procedure, surgeon, facility, anesthesia plan, follow-up care, and city or province.
Reconstructive Plastic Surgery in Canada
In reconstructive plastic surgery, the focus is on restoring form, function, or both. This type of surgery may help after cancer surgery, trauma, burns, infections, birth differences, or other medical conditions.
Examples of reconstructive plastic surgery include:
- Breast reconstruction after mastectomy
- Skin cancer reconstruction following tumour removal
- Cleft lip or palate repair
- Reconstruction after burns
- Hand reconstruction
- Scar revision
- Repair of wounds
- Repair after facial trauma
- Surgery for congenital differences
In Canada, some medically necessary reconstructive procedures may be covered by provincial health plans. Cosmetic procedures are usually not covered.
Types of Facial Plastic Surgery
Facial plastic surgery may improve facial balance, soften signs of aging, and help restore a refreshed look. For many patients, the goal is not to look like another person. The most pleasing results are often natural-looking and balanced.
Facelift Surgery (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.
A facelift may address:
- Jowls along the jawline
- Loose lower facial skin
- Deep smile lines
- Lowered cheek tissue
- Less clear separation between the face and neck
A modern facelift commonly addresses the deeper support layers beneath 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 (Platysmaplasty)
A neck lift is used to improve neck skin laxity, muscle bands, and under-chin fullness. Tightening the neck muscle may be described medically as platysmaplasty.
A neck lift may help with:
- Neck bands
- Neck skin laxity
- Soft jawline definition
- Under-chin fullness
- A “turkey neck” look
Some patients benefit from both skin and muscle tightening. Under-chin liposuction may be helpful for certain patients. Since aging often affects both the face and neck, a facelift and neck lift may be done in one plan.
Eyelid Surgery, Also Called Blepharoplasty
Tired-looking eyes may be improved with eyelid surgery, also called blepharoplasty, by adjusting extra skin, fat, or tissue around the eyelids.
Upper blepharoplasty may help with:
- Upper lids that feel heavy
- Extra eyelid skin
- Eyes that look tired or aged
- Upper eyelid skin that touches the lashes
- Functional vision concerns in some patients
Lower eyelid surgery may help with:
- Bags under the eyes
- Puffy lower eyelids
- Lower eyelid skin laxity
- Hollow shadows under the eyes
- A tired appearance that does not improve with sleep
Because small changes around the eyes can refresh the whole face, eyelid surgery is one of the most common facial procedures.
Brow Lift Surgery for a Heavy Brow
A forehead lift, commonly called a brow lift, helps lift a low or heavy brow. By lifting the brow, the procedure may improve the upper eyes and soften forehead heaviness.
A brow lift may help with:
- Drooping eyebrows
- Brow-related upper eyelid heaviness
- Horizontal forehead lines
- Frown lines between the brows
- A heavy expression that seems tired or stern
Although they can affect a similar area, a brow lift is not the same as eyelid surgery. Eyelid surgery addresses extra eyelid skin, while a brow lift changes the position of the eyebrows. A consultation can help decide whether eyelid surgery, a brow lift, or both is the better fit.
Rhinoplasty, Also Called Nose Surgery
Rhinoplasty, commonly called a nose job, changes the shape, size, or structure of the nose. Rhinoplasty may focus on appearance, breathing, or both.
Patients may consider rhinoplasty for:
- A bump on the bridge
- A downward-pointing nasal tip
- A boxy nasal tip
- A nose that is not straight
- Overall nose 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. 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 or otoplasty is used to adjust ear shape, position, or size. Prominent ears that stick out may be improved with otoplasty.
Otoplasty may address:
- Ears that sit far from the head
- Asymmetry between the ears
- Ear folds that look large
- Ears that sit far from the head
- Earlobe concerns
This procedure is performed for both adults and children. When otoplasty is considered for a child, timing is based on ear growth, maturity, and family goals.
Upper Lip Lift Surgery
A lip lift shortens the space between the upper lip and the nose. This space is called the upper lip length. A lip lift can improve upper lip show without adding dermal filler.
A lip lift may address:
- A longer upper lip
- Reduced tooth show in the upper smile
- Limited 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. A lip lift improves the upper lip by changing its position and visible shape.
Facial Implants for Balance
Balance in the chin, cheeks, or jawline may be improved with facial implants. 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
Because the nose and chin affect how the face looks from the side, chin surgery may sometimes be combined with rhinoplasty.
Fat Grafting to the Face
A patient’s own fat can be used in facial fat grafting 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.
Common facial fat grafting concerns include:
- Sunken-looking cheeks
- Hollowing under the eyes
- Volume loss after aging
- Soft tissue volume loss
- Reduced facial harmony
Depending on the goal, fat grafting may be used alone or as part of a facelift, eyelid surgery, or other facial procedure.
Types of Breast Plastic Surgery
Cosmetic and reconstructive breast surgery are common parts of plastic surgery in Canada. Patients may want to increase breast volume, reduce breast size, lift the breasts, improve symmetry, or restore the breast after cancer surgery.
Breast Implants and Fat Transfer Augmentation
Breast augmentation improves breast size and shape using implants or fat transfer. Breast implants may be filled with saline or silicone gel. The right implant option is based on body type, breast tissue, goals, and professional surgical guidance.
Breast augmentation may help with:
- A naturally small breast shape
- Less breast fullness after pregnancy
- Breast volume loss after weight change
- Breast size or shape imbalance
- A desire for more breast fullness in clothing
Patients often worry about looking too large or unnatural. Planning should account for chest width, skin quality, lifestyle, and future maintenance.
Breast Lift for Sagging Breasts
A breast lift or mastopexy improves breast position and shape when the breasts have dropped. The main purpose is not to add volume. A breast lift is designed to improve where the breasts sit and how they are shaped.
Patients may consider a breast lift for:
- Sagging breasts
- Nipples that point downward
- Stretched areolas
- Loose skin on the breasts
- Breast shape changes from pregnancy, breastfeeding, or weight loss
A lift and implants may be combined to improve position and add upper breast fullness. Others prefer a lift without implants for a natural result.
Breast Reduction Procedure
Breast reduction surgery makes the breasts smaller and lighter by removing extra breast tissue, fat, and skin.
Breast reduction surgery can help improve:
- Pain in the neck
- Heavy shoulder pressure
- Pain in the back
- Grooves from bra straps
- Under-breast skin irritation
- Limited comfort during physical activity
- Difficulty fitting bras or clothes
In certain Canadian cases, breast reduction may qualify as medically necessary. Coverage depends on provincial requirements, symptoms, and medical assessment.
Breast Implant Revision Procedure
Breast implant revision is surgery to adjust or replace existing breast implants. It may be needed for cosmetic reasons or medical concerns.
Common breast implant revision concerns include:
- Wanting smaller or larger implants
- Rupture of an implant
- Capsular contracture, which is firm scar tissue around an implant
- An implant that has shifted
- Breasts that look uneven
- Changes from aging after breast augmentation
- Desire to remove implants
Some patients choose implant removal with a lift. Some patients replace their implants with a different size, shape, or placement.
Reconstructive Breast Surgery
Breast reconstruction surgery helps rebuild the breast after mastectomy or lumpectomy. It may use implants, natural tissue, or a combination.
The breast reconstruction process may involve:
- Implant-supported breast reconstruction
- Natural tissue flap reconstruction
- Reconstruction of the nipple and areola
- Fat transfer to the breast
- Surgery to refine breast symmetry
Choosing reconstruction is deeply personal. Some people prefer to have reconstruction. Some patients choose a flat closure instead. Both options are valid.
Male Chest Reduction Surgery
Gynecomastia surgery treats enlarged male breast tissue. Treatment may involve liposuction, gland tissue removal, or both.
Male breast reduction can help improve:
- Puffy nipples
- Extra tissue under the areola
- Chest tissue fullness
- A chest that looks uneven
- Feeling self-conscious at the beach, gym, or in fitted shirts
The best technique depends on whether the fullness is caused by fat, gland tissue, loose skin, or a mix of these.
Body Contouring Plastic Surgery Procedures
Body contouring 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 Surgery, Also Called Abdominoplasty
A tummy tuck, also known as abdominoplasty, removes extra abdominal skin and tightens the abdominal wall. It can also repair separated abdominal muscles, which are known as diastasis recti.
A tummy tuck may help with:
- Loose abdominal skin
- A lower abdominal overhang
- Stretch-marked lower belly skin
- Separated core muscles
- Loose abdominal tissue 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.
Surgical Liposuction
Localized fat can be removed with liposuction using a thin tube called a cannula. Liposuction is not a weight-loss method, it is a contouring procedure.
Liposuction may be used on areas such as:
- Abdominal area
- Flank areas
- Hip contours
- Thigh contours
- Upper arm contours
- Back
- Submental area and neck
- Chest area
- Knee area
Firm, elastic skin is important. When loose skin is present, liposuction alone may not create the desired contour. Skin removal surgery may be needed if loose skin is the main concern.
Mommy Makeover Procedure
A mommy makeover is a custom plan that treats body changes after pregnancy, breastfeeding, or weight change. This plan often brings together breast surgery and abdominal contouring.
Common mommy makeover procedures include:
- Tummy tuck surgery
- Breast lift surgery
- Surgical breast enhancement
- Breast reduction surgery
- Body contouring with liposuction
- Fat transfer for volume
The name “mommy makeover” can be misleading because similar body changes can affect many patients. The procedure can apply to anyone with similar body concerns. A safe plan depends on the patient’s health, goals, recovery time, and plans for future pregnancy.
Arm Lift (Brachioplasty)
An arm lift, also called brachioplasty, removes loose skin from the upper arms.
Patients may consider an arm lift for:
- Hanging skin under the arms
- Loose skin after weight loss
- Aging changes in the arms
- Avoiding sleeveless clothing
- Chafing from upper arm skin
A scar along the inner or back arm is the key trade-off with brachioplasty. Because the scar is permanent, patients should carefully discuss whether the improved shape is worth it.
Thigh Lift
Loose thigh skin can be removed with a thigh lift. It is often considered after major weight loss.
Patients may consider a thigh lift for:
- Extra inner thigh skin
- Thigh skin rubbing
- Difficulty fitting pants
- Thigh heaviness caused by extra skin
- Thigh changes after weight loss or bariatric surgery
Different thigh lift incision patterns may be used. A surgeon chooses the pattern based on how much loose skin is present and where it is located.
Lower Body Lift
A body lift removes extra loose skin around the lower body. It may improve the abdomen, hips, outer thighs, buttocks, and lower back.
Body lift surgery may be helpful after:
- Significant weight loss
- Bariatric weight-loss surgery
- Pregnancy-related skin looseness
- Major loose skin from aging
A body lift is a larger procedure and usually has a longer recovery. Patients should be at a stable weight and in good overall health.
Fat Grafting for Body Contouring
Fat can be moved from one body area to another with fat grafting. The goal may be natural volume, smoother contour, or both.
Fat grafting may be used in areas such as:
- Breasts
- Buttocks
- Hip contour
- The face
- Contour irregularities after injury or surgery
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.
Procedures for Skin, Scars, and Surface Concerns
Beyond face, breast, and body surgery, plastic surgery may include skin, scar, and soft tissue procedures.
Scar Treatment and Revision
Scar revision improves the look or feel of a scar. The scar will not usually disappear, but revision may make it flatter, softer, narrower, or less noticeable.
Patients may consider scar revision for:
- Scars from surgery
- Injury-related scars
- Burn-related scars
- Bulky scars
- Restrictive scars
- Movement-limiting scars
Treatment may involve surgery, copyright injections, laser treatment, silicone therapy, or a combination.
Plastic Surgery for Moles, Cysts, and Skin Lesions
When careful closure is important, plastic surgeons may remove benign skin lesions, cysts, moles, and lumps. Some lesions need medical assessment to rule out skin cancer.
Common reasons for removal include:
- Irritation
- Noticeable growth
- Bleeding from the lesion
- Cosmetic reasons
- Pathology or diagnosis
- Comfort in daily life
Any changing mole or suspicious skin lesion should be checked by a qualified medical professional.
Skin Cancer Repair and Reconstruction
When skin cancer is removed, plastic surgery reconstruction may help close the area and restore appearance. This is common on the face, nose, eyelids, ears, lips, scalp, and hands.
Reconstruction after skin cancer may include:
- Closing the area directly
- Using a skin graft
- Moving nearby tissue with a local flap
- More advanced reconstruction
The aim is to remove the cancer safely and preserve function and appearance as much as possible.
Non-Surgical Cosmetic Treatments
Some patients can meet their goals without surgery. Non-surgical cosmetic treatments can help with early signs of aging, facial lines, volume loss, and skin quality. Non-surgical care often means less recovery time, but the results are usually temporary.
BOTOX and Other Neuromodulators
Selected facial muscles can be relaxed with BOTOX and other neuromodulators. Expression lines are a common reason for BOTOX and neuromodulator treatment.
Common neuromodulator treatment areas include:
- Lines between the eyebrows
- Forehead expression lines
- Lines at the outer corners of the eyes
- Lines on the sides of the nose
- Peau d’orange chin texture
- 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.
Hyaluronic Acid Fillers
Dermal filler treatments are used to restore or add soft tissue volume. They are often made with hyaluronic acid, a gel-like substance that shapes and supports soft tissue.
Dermal filler treatment may involve:
- Lips
- Midface fullness
- Chin projection
- Jawline contour
- Hollows beneath the eyes
- Lines from the nose to the mouth
- Marionette lines
Good filler planning depends on the right product, careful injection technique, facial anatomy, and clear goals. To avoid an overfilled look, filler treatment should be planned carefully and conservatively.
Skin Peels
Chemical peel treatment uses a controlled solution to refresh the outer skin layers.
Chemical peel treatments can help improve:
- Uneven tone
- Dull skin
- Small fine lines
- Visible sun damage
- Acne-related marks
- Texture concerns
Peels come in different strengths, from light to deeper options. Recovery depends on the type of peel.
Laser and Energy-Based Skin Treatments
These treatments may improve concerns such as uneven tone, redness, texture, hair growth, scars, and visible aging.
Common options may include:
- Laser skin resurfacing
- IPL, or intense pulsed light
- Radiofrequency-based treatments
- Treatments for mild skin laxity
- Laser hair removal or reduction
- Vascular laser treatment for redness or broken vessels
These treatments should be matched to skin type, skin tone, and the concern being treated. Patients with darker skin tones need careful treatment planning because pigment changes can be a concern.
Microdermabrasion and Dermabrasion Treatments
Dermabrasion is a deeper resurfacing procedure that removes outer skin layers. Microdermabrasion is a lighter, more superficial treatment.
Common concerns include:
- Uneven texture
- Mild scarring
- Tired-looking skin
- Rough or uneven skin
- Mild lines
Choosing between these treatments depends on skin quality, goals, recovery time, and risk tolerance.
How Patients Can Choose the Best Procedure
A good plastic surgery plan starts by identifying the concern instead of choosing a procedure name first. Sometimes patients come in wanting one treatment, but another procedure is a better match for their anatomy.
For instance:
- 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.
- Abdominal fullness may come from fat, loose skin, separated muscles, or internal weight.
- A flat breast appearance may require a lift, implants, fat grafting, or combined treatment.
- Under-eye bags may be caused by fat pads, hollowing, skin laxity, or pigmentation.
A clear plastic surgery plan should answer three key questions:
- What is the cause of the concern?
- Which procedure best treats that cause?
- What must be accepted with that option?
Those trade-offs may include scars, downtime, swelling, cost, maintenance, and possible complications.
Common Questions and Concerns Before Plastic Surgery
Mixed feelings are normal before a plastic surgery procedure. It is normal to feel excited and nervous at the same time. Concerns about safety, pain, scars, recovery, cost, and natural results are very common.
“Will the Result Still Look Like Me?”
This concern comes up often. The goal for many people is to look refreshed while still looking like themselves. Natural-looking plastic surgery should respect facial features, body frame, age, and personal style.
Plastic surgery should often improve balance rather than chase perfection.
“How Much Downtime Will I Need?”
Recovery depends on the 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.
Plastic surgery recovery often involves:
- Swelling and bruising
- Limits on activity
- Planned time away from work
- Surgical follow-up care
- Scar healing support
- Careful return to exercise
- Results that take time to settle
Healing takes time. Many procedures improve over weeks and months.
“Will I Have Scars?”
A scar forms whenever an incision is made. 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 tone
- Surgical procedure type
- The incision location
- Tension on the wound
- Smoking status
- UV exposure
- Scar aftercare
Scars usually fade with time, but they do not disappear completely.
“What Are the Risks of Plastic Surgery?”
All surgery has risk. Complications can include bleeding, infection, poor scarring, anesthesia problems, asymmetry, delayed healing, numbness, fluid buildup, or disappointment with the result.
Safety is influenced by:
- General health
- Medication use
- Use of tobacco or nicotine
- The procedure being done
- The surgery facility
- The anesthesia approach
- The training and experience of the surgeon
- Your follow-up care
A careful consultation should review benefits, risks, alternatives, and realistic expectations.
Canadian Plastic Surgery Considerations
Plastic surgery in Canada is guided by medical licensing, provincial colleges, hospital systems, surgical facilities, and professional standards. Patients should not rely only on marketing terms, because recognized medical training matters.
Finding a Qualified Plastic Surgeon
Training and credentials should be a major part of choosing a plastic surgeon in Canada. Proper plastic surgery plastic surgeon near me training includes medical training, surgical training, and specialty certification in plastic surgery.
Patients may want to ask:
- Are you formally certified in the specialty of plastic surgery?
- Are you licensed to perform surgery in this province?
- Do you perform this procedure often?
- Where would my surgery be done?
- Who is responsible for anesthesia care?
- Which risks are most relevant to me?
- Who do I contact if I have a complication?
- What follow-up care is included?
- Can I see results from similar cases?
This is not about being demanding. It is about protecting your health and making an informed decision.
What Affects Plastic Surgery Fees in Canada
Cosmetic surgery costs can vary widely across Canada. Procedure complexity, surgeon experience, anesthesia, facility fees, implants or devices, garments, follow-up care, and location can all affect price.
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.
Medical Tourism for Plastic Surgery
Some Canadians think about travelling outside the country for lower-cost surgery. Medical tourism can seem attractive, but it adds risks that should be reviewed.
Risks or challenges with medical tourism may include:
- Limited follow-up care
- Travel during early recovery
- Risk of infection
- Different health care standards
- Harder access to records
- Trouble getting complications treated after returning to Canada
- Difficulty communicating clearly
- Cost of revision surgery
Having surgery closer to home may make follow-up easier, especially if swelling, healing concerns, or complications occur.
Plastic Surgery Consultation Preparation
Your consultation is the time to understand what can be done safely and realistically. It should not feel rushed or high-pressure.
Before the visit, preparation can help:
- Write down the main concerns you want to discuss.
- Bring a list of your medications and supplements.
- Be ready to share your medical history.
- Be honest about smoking, vaping, cannabis, and nicotine use.
- If photos make your goals clearer, bring them to the consultation.
- Make sure you ask about recovery time, scars, risks, and alternatives.
- 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.
Plastic Surgery Candidate Guidelines
Good candidates for plastic surgery are typically healthy, informed, and realistic. They understand surgery can improve appearance, but it cannot create perfection or solve every life concern.
Good candidate signs include:
- You are in good general health
- You can explain a clear concern
- You are at a stable weight for body contouring
- You are nicotine-free or can stop before and after surgery
- You know what to expect during recovery
- You are comfortable with the risks and limits
- The choice is based on your own goals
- 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.
Combining Plastic Surgery Procedures
Some procedures may be combined safely. Other procedures should be staged. Doing more than one procedure at once may shorten total recovery, but it can increase surgery length and healing stress.
Common combinations include:
- A facelift with a neck lift
- Blepharoplasty with brow lift
- Nose surgery with chin surgery
- Combining breast lift and implants
- Combining tummy tuck and liposuction
- Combined mommy makeover procedures
- Body lift with thigh lift or arm lift
- Combining facial rejuvenation and fat grafting
The safest plan depends on health, procedure length, anesthesia, recovery support, and risk level.
Summary 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 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.