Across Canada, plastic surgery includes many different procedures that can reshape, repair, or support the face and body. Cosmetic procedures are usually chosen to improve appearance. Other procedures are reconstructive, meaning they help repair form or function after injury, cancer, birth differences, burns, or medical conditions.
There are many goals why people in Canada search for plastic surgery. Some patients want a more natural-looking appearance. Others want to restore body shape after pregnancy, weight loss, or aging. Other patients need help after trauma, skin cancer, breast cancer, or a congenital concern. The best procedure depends on your anatomy, goals, health, lifestyle, and available 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
The two main types of plastic surgery are usually cosmetic surgery and reconstructive surgery.
Cosmetic Plastic Surgery
Cosmetic plastic surgery focuses on appearance. Most cosmetic procedures are elective, which means they are planned by choice rather than medical need.
Common goals include:
- Improving facial balance
- Reducing age-related changes
- Changing body proportions
- Restoring fullness after weight loss, pregnancy, or aging
- Refining the nose, eyelids, ears, lips, breasts, abdomen, arms, or thighs
- Making clothing feel or fit better
- Supporting confidence with natural-looking changes
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.
Reconstructive 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.
Reconstructive plastic surgery may include:
- Breast reconstruction after mastectomy
- Skin cancer reconstruction following tumour removal
- Cleft lip and palate surgery
- Surgical treatment for burn-related changes
- Hand repair surgery
- Scar repair or revision
- Wound reconstruction
- Repair after facial trauma
- Surgery for congenital differences
Some reconstructive plastic surgery may qualify for provincial coverage if it is considered medically necessary. Procedures done only to improve appearance are usually not covered.
Common Facial Plastic Surgery Options
Many facial plastic surgery procedures focus on balance, aging changes, and a refreshed appearance. For many patients, the goal is not to look like another person. Good facial plastic surgery should often look natural and balanced.
Facelift Procedure (Rhytidectomy)
Sagging in the lower face and jawline may be improved with a facelift, also called rhytidectomy. Patients may choose facelift surgery for jowls, loose facial skin, and deeper folds near the mouth.
Common facelift concerns include:
- Jowls near the jawline
- Loose lower facial skin
- Deeper folds around the mouth
- Drooping cheek tissue
- Poor definition between the face and neck
Many modern facelift techniques focus on deeper support layers under the skin. This may create a smoother, longer-lasting result without a pulled appearance. Many patients combine facelift surgery with a neck lift, eyelid surgery, brow lift, or facial fat grafting.
Platysmaplasty and Neck Lift Surgery
A neck lift can improve loose skin, muscle bands, and fullness under the chin. The clinical term for tightening the neck muscle is platysmaplasty.
A neck lift may address:
- Vertical neck bands
- Extra neck skin
- An undefined jawline
- Fullness below the chin
- A neck that looks loose or heavy
Skin and muscle tightening may both be needed in certain patients. Other patients 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.
Eyelid Surgery (Blepharoplasty)
Eyelid surgery or blepharoplasty helps refresh the eyes by removing or repositioning extra skin, fat, or tissue around the eyelids.
Upper blepharoplasty may help with:
- A weighted upper eyelid look
- Extra skin on the upper eyelids
- A tired-looking or aged appearance
- Upper eyelid skin that touches the lashes
- Vision blockage in certain medical cases
Lower eyelid surgery may help with:
- Under-eye puffiness or bags
- Under-eye swelling or fullness
- Lower eyelid skin laxity
- Shadowing beneath the lower lids
- A fatigued look that remains after 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 Surgery for a Heavy Brow
A brow lift, also known as a forehead lift, raises a low or heavy brow. A brow lift can make the upper eye area look more open and reduce forehead heaviness.
A brow lift may address:
- A heavy, lowered brow
- Brow-related upper eyelid heaviness
- Forehead creases
- Lines between the brows
- A tired, sad, or stern look
A brow lift is not the same as eyelid surgery. Extra eyelid skin is treated with eyelid surgery, while eyebrow position is treated with a brow lift. Some patients need only a brow lift or eyelid surgery, while others benefit from both procedures.
Rhinoplasty for Nose Shape and Breathing
A nose job, medically known as rhinoplasty, changes the shape, size, or structure of the nose. It can be cosmetic, functional, or both.
Nose surgery can address concerns such as:
- A bump along the bridge of the nose
- A downward-pointing nasal tip
- A boxy nasal tip
- A nose that is not straight
- 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. The medical term for septum surgery is septoplasty. A cosmetic rhinoplasty is done for appearance, while functional nasal surgery is done to improve airflow.
Otoplasty, Also Called Ear Surgery
Ear surgery, also known as otoplasty, changes the shape, position, or size of the ears. It is often used to correct ears that stick out.
Ear surgery can help improve:
- Protruding ears
- Asymmetry between the ears
- Prominent ear cartilage folds
- Ears that stand out from the head
- Earlobe appearance concerns
This procedure is common for adults and children. When otoplasty is considered for a child, timing is based on ear growth, maturity, and family goals.
Lip Lift for Upper Lip Balance
Lip lift surgery shortens the area between the upper lip and the base of the nose. This space is called 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 thin upper lip appearance
- Poor balance between the upper and lower lips
- Changes around the mouth from aging
A lip lift should not be confused with lip filler. Filler is used to add volume. A lip lift changes the position and shape of the upper lip.
Facial Implants for Balance
Facial implant surgery can refine the chin, cheeks, or jawline for better balance. Chin surgery can improve facial profile balance when the chin looks small compared with the nose or other features.
Facial implant surgery may include:
- Surgical chin implants
- Cheek implant surgery
- Jawline augmentation implants
For profile balance, chin surgery and rhinoplasty may be combined in select cases.
Facial Fat Grafting
Facial fat grafting uses a patient’s own fat to restore volume. Fat is usually removed from areas such as the abdomen or thighs, processed, and placed into the face.
Facial fat grafting may address:
- Sunken-looking cheeks
- Under-eye volume loss
- Age-related facial volume loss
- Soft tissue volume loss
- Reduced facial harmony
Fat grafting may be used alone or combined with facelift surgery, eyelid surgery, or other facial procedures.
Common Breast Surgery Options
Breast surgery is among the most common areas of cosmetic and reconstructive 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 Augmentation in Canada
Breast size and shape can be increased with breast augmentation using implants or fat transfer. Breast implants may be saline or silicone gel. Body type, breast tissue, personal goals, and surgeon guidance all help determine implant choice.
Breast augmentation surgery can help improve:
- A naturally small breast shape
- Volume loss after pregnancy
- Less breast fullness after weight change
- Breast size or shape imbalance
- Improved breast shape in fitted clothing
Patients often worry that breast augmentation may look too large or unnatural. Planning should account for chest width, skin quality, lifestyle, and future maintenance.
Breast Lift (Mastopexy)
Mastopexy, commonly called a breast lift, raises and reshapes breasts that sit lower than desired. The main purpose is not to add volume. Instead, the goal is to improve breast position and shape.
Patients may consider a breast lift for:
- Sagging breasts
- Downward-pointing nipples
- Stretched areolas
- Stretched breast skin
- Breast shape changes from pregnancy, breastfeeding, or weight loss
Some patients choose a breast lift with implants for more upper breast fullness. A lift without implants may be preferred by patients who do not want added implant volume.
Reduction Mammoplasty
To reduce breast size and weight, breast reduction removes extra tissue, fat, and skin.
Common breast reduction concerns include:
- Chronic neck pain
- Shoulder pain
- Upper back pain
- Bra strap grooves
- Skin rubbing beneath the breasts
- Difficulty exercising
- Trouble finding clothing that fits
In Canada, breast reduction may be considered medically necessary for some patients. Coverage depends on provincial requirements, symptoms, and medical assessment.
Breast Implant Revision Surgery
Breast implant revision is surgery to adjust or replace existing breast implants. This surgery may address cosmetic concerns, medical concerns, or both.
Patients may consider revision for:
- Wanting smaller or larger implants
- Implant rupture
- Capsular contracture, which means firm scar tissue around an implant
- Implant shifting
- Breast size or shape imbalance
- Changes from aging after breast augmentation
- Choosing to remove implants
A breast lift may be done when implants are removed. New implants may be chosen with a changed size, shape, or position.
Breast Reconstruction Surgery
After mastectomy or lumpectomy, breast reconstruction can rebuild the breast. It may involve implants, natural tissue, or a combination.
The breast reconstruction process may involve:
- Implant-based reconstruction
- Tissue flap reconstruction
- Reconstruction of the nipple and areola
- Breast fat grafting
- Revision surgery for symmetry
This can be a deeply personal choice. For some patients, reconstruction feels right. Some patients choose a flat closure instead. Either choice can be valid.
Male Chest Reduction Surgery
Gynecomastia surgery treats enlarged breast tissue in men. It may include liposuction, gland removal, or both.
Male breast reduction can help improve:
- Nipple puffiness
- Extra tissue beneath the areola
- Fullness in the chest
- An uneven male chest shape
- Discomfort being shirtless, exercising, or wearing fitted shirts
A surgeon chooses the technique based on whether the chest fullness is due to fat, gland tissue, loose skin, or more than one factor.
Common Body Contouring Options
Extra skin, stubborn fat, or loose tissue may be improved with body contouring surgery. Many patients consider body contouring after pregnancy, aging, or major weight loss.
Abdominoplasty, or Tummy Tuck Surgery
A tummy tuck or abdominoplasty removes loose abdominal skin and tightens the abdominal wall. It can also repair separated abdominal muscles, which are known as diastasis recti.
Patients may consider a tummy tuck for:
- Loose skin on the abdomen
- A lower belly overhang
- Stretch-marked skin under the belly button
- Diastasis recti
- Stomach changes after pregnancy or weight loss
Abdominoplasty is used for contouring, not for major weight loss. A tummy tuck is most suitable for patients at a stable weight who want a flatter, better-shaped abdomen.
Fat Reduction With Liposuction
Liposuction removes localized fat using a thin tube called a cannula. The goal is contouring, not general weight loss.
Common liposuction areas include:
- Belly area
- Flanks, often called love handles
- The hips
- Thigh contours
- Arm fullness
- Back fullness
- Chin-neck contour
- Chest area
- Knee area
Good skin tone matters. If the skin is loose, liposuction by itself may not be enough. When skin laxity is significant, surgery to remove skin may be a better option.
Mommy Makeover
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.
A mommy makeover may include:
- Abdominal contouring with tummy tuck
- Surgical breast lifting
- A breast augmentation procedure
- Surgical breast size reduction
- Liposuction
- Fat transfer
The term can be misleading, since a mommy makeover is not only for mothers. It is really a custom body contouring plan for patients with similar concerns. Health, goals, recovery time, and future pregnancy plans all help guide the best approach.
Arm Lift (Brachioplasty)
Loose upper arm skin can be removed with an arm lift, also called brachioplasty.
Patients may consider an arm lift for:
- Loose skin along the upper arms
- Weight-loss-related arm skin looseness
- Aging changes in the arms
- Trouble feeling comfortable in sleeveless shirts
- Irritation from loose arm skin
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 Surgery
Loose thigh skin can be removed with a thigh lift. It is often considered after major weight loss.
Thigh lift surgery can help improve:
- Extra inner thigh skin
- Skin friction between the thighs
- Poor clothing fit around the thighs
- Heaviness from extra skin
- Post-weight-loss or post-bariatric thigh changes
There are several thigh lift patterns. 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. A body lift can address the abdomen, hips, outer thighs, buttocks, and lower back.
Patients may consider a body lift after:
- Major weight loss
- Bariatric surgery
- Post-pregnancy body changes
- Aging changes with loose skin
This is a larger surgery with a longer recovery. The best candidates are usually in good health and at a stable weight.
Fat Grafting to the Body
Fat transfer, also called fat grafting, moves fat from one part of the body to another. It can be used to add natural volume or improve contour.
Fat grafting may be used in areas such as:
- Breast contour
- Buttocks
- Hip contour
- Facial soft tissue
- Contour changes after surgery or injury
Your own tissue is used in fat grafting, but not every transferred fat cell survives. The result can shift over time, and some patients may need more than one session.
Skin Lesion, Scar, and Surface Treatments
Beyond face, breast, and body surgery, plastic surgery may include skin, scar, and soft tissue procedures.
Scar Treatment and Revision
The look or feel of a scar may be improved with scar revision. Scar revision may not erase a scar, but it can improve scars that are raised, tight, wide, or noticeable.
Scar revision surgery can help improve:
- Scarring after surgery
- Scarring after an injury
- Burn injury scars
- Raised or thick scars
- Scars that feel tight
- Scars that restrict motion
A scar revision plan may use surgery, copyright injections, laser treatment, silicone therapy, or a mix of options.
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 require medical assessment to rule out skin cancer.
Common reasons for removal include:
- Skin irritation
- A growing lesion
- Recurrent bleeding
- Concern about how it looks
- Diagnosis
- Relief from discomfort
A qualified medical professional should assess any changing mole or suspicious skin lesion.
Plastic Surgery After Skin Cancer
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.
Common skin cancer reconstruction methods include:
- Simple direct closure
- Reconstruction with a skin graft
- Local tissue flaps
- A more complex repair
Skin cancer reconstruction aims to support safe cancer removal while protecting function and appearance.
Injectable and Skin Treatments
Some patients can meet their goals without surgery. Non-surgical cosmetic treatments may help with early signs of aging, facial lines, volume loss, and skin quality. Compared with surgery, non-surgical treatments often have less downtime but need maintenance.
Wrinkle Relaxing Injections
BOTOX and similar neuromodulators are used to relax targeted facial muscles. Neuromodulators are commonly chosen for lines caused by facial movement.
Patients may consider neuromodulators for:
- Frown lines between the brows
- Forehead wrinkles
- Outer eye wrinkles
- Expression lines on the nose
- Chin texture from muscle movement
- Neck muscle bands in some situations
Results are temporary and usually need repeat treatments. A natural neuromodulator result should look softer and rested, not stiff or frozen.
Hyaluronic Acid Fillers
Dermal fillers may improve facial volume and contour. They are often made with hyaluronic acid, a gel-like substance that shapes and supports soft tissue.
Patients may consider fillers for:
- Lip shape
- Cheek volume
- The chin
- The jawline
- Under-eye volume loss
- Deeper smile lines
- Marionette 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 Peel Treatments
A chemical peel uses a controlled chemical solution to improve the outer layers of skin.
Chemical peels may help with:
- Uneven colour
- A dull complexion
- Fine surface lines
- Sun damage
- Mild acne marks
- Texture concerns
Peels come in different strengths, from light to deeper options. The type of peel affects recovery time.
Laser and Energy Treatments for Skin
Laser and energy-based treatments may improve skin tone, redness, texture, hair growth, scars, and signs of aging.
Common options may include:
- Laser resurfacing
- Intense pulsed light (IPL)
- RF skin treatments
- Skin tightening procedures
- 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. 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.
Patients may consider these treatments for:
- Surface texture
- Surface-level scars
- A dull complexion
- An uneven skin surface
- Small fine lines
The right option depends on skin quality, goals, downtime, and risk tolerance.
How Patients Can Choose the Best 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.
This can happen in situations such as:
- Upper lid heaviness may be related to eyelid skin, brow position, or both.
- A soft jawline can come from loose skin, neck bands, fat, or chin position.
- A full belly can involve extra fat, loose skin, diastasis recti, 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 helpful treatment plan should answer these three questions:
- What is causing the concern?
- What procedure addresses the cause most directly?
- What benefits and limits come with that procedure?
Those trade-offs 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 nervousness is common too. Patients often have questions about safety, discomfort, scarring, healing, cost, and whether results will look natural.
“Will I Look Refreshed or Different?”
This is one of the elective plastic surgery most common patient concerns. Many patients want to look refreshed rather than changed. Good plastic surgery should respect the patient’s natural features, body frame, age, and style.
A healthy goal is often improved balance instead of perfection.
“How Long Does Plastic Surgery Recovery Take?”
Recovery time depends on the procedure. Some non-surgical treatments have little or no downtime. Larger surgeries, such as tummy tuck, body lift, or mommy makeover, need more planning.
Plastic surgery recovery often involves:
- Post-surgery swelling and bruising
- Restrictions on exercise or lifting
- Recovery time before returning to work
- Follow-up appointments
- Care for scars
- Careful return to exercise
- Gradual settling before final results are seen
Healing is not instant. For many procedures, results continue to refine over weeks and months.
“How Noticeable Will Scars Be?”
Any surgery that uses an incision creates a scar. Surgeons aim to place scars carefully and support good healing.
Scar appearance may be affected by:
- Genetics
- Your skin tone
- Surgical procedure type
- Where the incision is placed
- Tension on the wound
- Whether you smoke
- Sun exposure
- Aftercare
Scars tend to soften and fade, but they usually remain to some degree.
“Is Plastic Surgery Safe?”
No surgery is completely risk-free. Risks may include bleeding, infection, poor scarring, anesthesia problems, asymmetry, delayed healing, numbness, fluid buildup, and dissatisfaction with the result.
Safety is influenced by:
- The patient’s health
- Prescription and non-prescription medications
- Whether you smoke or use nicotine
- Which surgery is performed
- The facility where surgery is done
- The planned anesthesia
- The surgeon’s skill, training, and experience
- Care after the procedure
A good consultation should explain benefits, risks, alternatives, and what is realistic.
Plastic Surgery in Canada
Canadian plastic surgery is regulated through medical licensing, provincial colleges, hospital systems, 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
If you are researching plastic surgery in Canada, look closely at training and credentials. A plastic surgeon should have medical training, surgical training, and certification in the specialty of plastic surgery.
Patients should ask:
- Are you certified in plastic surgery?
- Are you licensed to practise in this province?
- Is this a procedure you perform regularly?
- Where would my surgery be done?
- Who manages anesthesia during the procedure?
- What complications should I understand for my situation?
- How are complications handled?
- How many follow-up appointments are included?
- Do you have examples of patients with similar concerns?
This is not about being difficult. It is about knowing what to expect before moving forward.
Cost of Cosmetic Surgery in Canada
The cost of cosmetic surgery in Canada can vary a lot. Pricing depends on 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 cities may have different fees, but cost should not be the only factor.
A bargain price is not always a good deal if it comes with weaker safety, training, facility standards, or aftercare.
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.
Medical tourism concerns may include:
- Reduced follow-up access
- Long travel after surgery
- Possible infection
- Different facility or safety standards
- Harder access to records
- Difficulty managing complications back in Canada
- Language or translation issues
- Possible costs for corrective surgery
When surgery is done closer to home, follow-up may be easier if concerns or complications occur.
Plastic Surgery Consultation Preparation
A consultation is your chance to learn what is possible, what is safe, and what is realistic. It should not feel rushed or pressured.
Before a consultation, consider preparing in these ways:
- Write down the main concerns you want to discuss.
- Take a list of all medications and supplements you use.
- Share your medical history.
- Be honest about smoking, vaping, cannabis use, and nicotine exposure.
- 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 strong consultation includes clear discussion of treatment options. Sometimes the best advice is to wait, choose a smaller treatment, improve health first, or avoid surgery.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Plastic Surgery?
Plastic surgery candidates should usually be 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 ready for plastic surgery if:
- Your overall health is good
- You have a specific concern
- You are near a stable weight for body procedures
- You do not smoke or can stop before and after surgery
- You understand healing takes time
- You understand and accept the trade-offs
- You are not doing it because of pressure from another person
- Your expectations are realistic
A safer plan may involve waiting if you are pregnant, planning major weight loss, using nicotine, managing unstable health, or feeling pressured.
Combining Plastic Surgery Procedures
Some procedures can be combined safely. Other procedures should be staged. Combining procedures may reduce total recovery time, but it can also increase surgical time and healing demands.
Common procedure combinations include:
- Facelift with neck lift
- Eyelid surgery with a brow lift
- Profile balancing with rhinoplasty and chin surgery
- Combining breast lift and implants
- Abdominal contouring with tummy tuck and liposuction
- Mommy makeover surgery combinations
- Body lift with thigh or arm contouring
- Combining facial rejuvenation and fat grafting
The safest plan depends on your health, procedure length, anesthesia, recovery support, and risk level.
Understanding Your Plastic Surgery Options in Canada
Canadian plastic surgery includes both cosmetic and reconstructive procedures. Certain procedures are used to improve the face, breasts, or body. Other procedures focus on repair after cancer, injury, burns, or medical conditions. Non-surgical treatments can also help with wrinkles, volume loss, skin texture, and early aging changes.
The right procedure is not always the most popular option. A good procedure choice fits the patient’s 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 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.