Types of Plastic Surgery Procedures in Canada

Plastic surgery includes many procedures that can change, restore, or improve the face and body. When surgery is chosen mainly to enhance appearance, it is often called cosmetic surgery. Reconstructive plastic surgery may be used after injury, cancer, birth differences, burns, or medical conditions to help restore form or function.

Plastic surgery searches in Canada often come from many personal reasons. Some people are looking for a more refreshed look. Some want to restore their body after pregnancy, weight loss, or aging. Some people seek care 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. It also reviews what to consider before booking a consultation.

Understanding Cosmetic vs. Reconstructive Plastic Surgery

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

What Is Cosmetic Plastic Surgery?

Cosmetic plastic surgery focuses on appearance. These procedures are usually elective, which means they are planned by choice and are not medically required.

Common goals include:

Refining facial balance
Reducing age-related changes
Changing body proportions
Restoring fullness after weight loss, pregnancy, or aging
Enhancing areas such as the nose, eyelids, ears, lips, breasts, abdomen, arms, or thighs
Helping clothing fit better
Supporting confidence with natural-looking changes

In Canada, most cosmetic procedures are paid for privately. The total fee can depend on the procedure, surgeon, facility, anesthesia, follow-up visits, and location.

Reconstructive Plastic Surgery in Canada

In reconstructive plastic surgery, the focus is on restoring form, function, or both. It may be needed after cancer surgery, trauma, burns, infections, birth differences, or medical conditions.

Common examples include:

Breast reconstruction following mastectomy
Skin cancer reconstruction after tumour removal
Cleft lip or palate repair
Reconstruction after burns
Hand surgery
Scar repair or revision
Complex wound repair
Surgery for facial trauma repair
Congenital difference repair

In Canada, some medically necessary reconstructive procedures may be covered by provincial health plans. Changes done only for cosmetic reasons are usually not covered.

Common Facial Plastic Surgery Options

Plastic surgery for the face can help improve balance, reduce visible aging, and create a more refreshed appearance. In many cases, the goal is not a dramatic change. The best results often look natural and balanced.

Rhytidectomy, Commonly Called Facelift Surgery

A facelift, also called rhytidectomy, improves sagging in the lower face and jawline. It may help with jowls, loose facial skin, and deeper folds around the mouth.

A facelift may address:

Jowls near the jawline
Loose lower facial skin
Prominent smile lines
Cheek tissue that has dropped
Poor definition between the face and neck

Modern facelift surgery often focuses on deeper support layers under the skin. This approach may help produce a smoother, longer-lasting result without making the face look pulled. Depending on the patient, a facelift may be planned with a neck lift, eyelid surgery, brow lift, or facial fat grafting.

Platysmaplasty and Neck Lift Surgery

A neck lift improves loose skin, muscle bands, and fullness under the chin. Platysmaplasty is the medical term for tightening the neck muscle.

A neck lift may help with:

Muscle bands in the neck
Loose neck skin
Soft jawline definition
Fullness below the chin
A loose “turkey neck” appearance

Some patients benefit from both skin and muscle tightening. Some patients may only need liposuction under the chin. The face and neck often change at the same time, so facelift and neck lift surgery may be combined.

Upper and Lower Eyelid Surgery

Tired-looking eyes may be improved with eyelid surgery, also called blepharoplasty, by adjusting extra skin, fat, or tissue around the eyelids.

Upper eyelid surgery can address:

A weighted upper eyelid look
Redundant upper eyelid skin
A tired-looking or aged appearance
Skin that sits on the eyelashes
Visual field concerns in some medical situations

Lower blepharoplasty may help with:

Under-eye puffiness or bags
Puffy lower eyelids
Lower eyelid skin laxity
Shadowing under the eyes
Tired-looking eyes that do not improve with rest

Many patients choose eyelid surgery because small improvements around the eyes can make the whole face look more awake and rested.

Brow Lift, Also Called Forehead Lift

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.

A brow lift may address:

Low or drooping eyebrows
A heavy upper eyelid look caused by brow position
Horizontal forehead lines
Creases between the eyebrows
A tired, sad, or stern look

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. Many patients need one or the other, and some benefit from both.

Rhinoplasty for Nose Shape and Breathing

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 nasal bridge bump
A drooping nasal tip
A broad or boxy tip
A crooked nose
Overall nose size or projection
An uneven-looking nose
Airflow issues caused by nasal structure

For patients with breathing concerns, rhinoplasty may include work on the septum, which separates the nostrils. The medical term for septum surgery is septoplasty. Cosmetic rhinoplasty refines how the nose looks, while functional nasal surgery focuses on breathing and airflow.

Otoplasty for Prominent Ears

The shape, position, or size of the ears may be changed with ear surgery, also called otoplasty. Prominent ears that stick out may be improved with otoplasty.

Patients may consider otoplasty for:

Ears that sit far from the head
Asymmetry between the ears
Large ear cartilage folds
Ears that stand out from the head
Earlobe concerns

This procedure is common for adults and children. In children, timing depends on ear development, maturity, and family goals.

Lip Lift Procedure

A lip lift reduces the space between the upper lip and the nose. 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:

A long space between the nose and upper lip
Less upper tooth visibility with a smile
A less visible upper lip
Poor lip balance
Aging changes around the mouth

A surgical lip lift and lip filler are different treatments. Lip filler mainly adds fullness. A lip lift changes the position and shape of the upper lip.

Chin, Cheek, and Jawline Implants

Balance in the chin, cheeks, or jawline may be improved with facial implants. Chin surgery can improve facial profile balance when the chin looks small compared with the nose or other features.

Facial implant options may include:

Chin implants
Implants for the cheeks
Jawline implant surgery

For profile balance, chin surgery and rhinoplasty may be combined in select cases.

Facial Volume Restoration With Fat Grafting

Facial fat grafting uses a patient’s own fat 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:

Loss of cheek fullness
Tear trough hollowing
Facial volume loss from aging
Soft tissue volume loss
Facial imbalance

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

Breast Plastic Surgery Procedures

In Canada, breast surgery is one of the most common forms of cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery. 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

Implants or fat transfer may be used in breast augmentation to increase breast size and improve shape. Breast augmentation may use either saline implants or silicone gel implants. Choosing an implant depends on the patient’s body type, breast tissue, goals, and guidance from the surgeon.

Patients may consider breast augmentation for:

Naturally small breasts
Volume loss after pregnancy
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. Chest width, skin quality, lifestyle, and long-term maintenance should all be part of the plan.

Breast Lift Surgery, Also Called Mastopexy

Breasts that have dropped can be raised and reshaped with a breast lift, also called mastopexy. A lift changes position and shape rather than mainly adding volume. A breast lift is designed to improve where the breasts sit and how they are shaped.

A breast lift may address:

Breast sagging
Nipples that point downward
Areola stretching
Extra breast skin
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 excess breast tissue, fat, and skin to make the breasts smaller, lighter, and more balanced.

Breast reduction may help elective cosmetic plastic surgery with:

Neck pain
Heavy shoulder pressure
Upper back pain
Bra strap grooves
Rashes under the breasts
Exercise discomfort
Difficulty fitting bras or clothes

Breast reduction may be viewed as medically necessary in Canada in certain cases. Provincial rules, symptoms, and medical assessment all affect coverage.

Breast Implant Revision Surgery

Breast implant revision surgery is used to change, adjust, or replace current breast implants. Breast implant revision may be chosen for appearance-related reasons or medical issues.

Common reasons for breast implant revision include:

Changing breast implant size
Rupture of an implant
Capsular contracture, which means firm scar tissue around an implant
Breast implant movement
Breasts that look uneven
Breast changes over time after augmentation
Desire to remove implants

Some patients benefit from implant removal together with a breast lift. Others choose new implants with a different size, shape, or placement.

Breast Reconstruction Procedure

The breast may be rebuilt after mastectomy or lumpectomy with breast reconstruction. The procedure may be done with implants, natural tissue, or a combined approach.

Types of breast reconstruction may include:

Implant breast reconstruction
Flap-based reconstruction
Rebuilding the nipple and areola
Breast fat grafting
Revision surgery to improve symmetry

The choice around breast reconstruction is personal. Many patients want breast reconstruction. Some patients decide not to rebuild the breast and remain flat. Both options are valid.

Gynecomastia Surgery

Gynecomastia surgery treats enlarged breast tissue in men. Treatment may involve liposuction, gland tissue removal, or both.

Gynecomastia surgery may help with:

Puffy nipples
Extra tissue under the areola
Chest tissue fullness
A chest that looks uneven
Discomfort being shirtless, exercising, or wearing fitted shirts

Treatment choice depends on whether fat, gland tissue, loose skin, or a mix of these is causing the fullness.

Common Body Contouring Options

Extra skin, stubborn fat, or loose tissue may be improved with body contouring surgery. It is common after 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. The procedure may also repair diastasis recti, which means separated abdominal muscles.

Tummy tuck surgery can help improve:

Loose abdominal skin
An overhang in the lower belly
Stretch-marked skin below the belly button
Separated abdominal muscles
Loose abdominal tissue after pregnancy or weight loss

A tummy tuck is not a weight-loss procedure. Patients usually do best when they are close to a stable weight and want to improve abdominal shape.

Liposuction for Body Contouring

A cannula, which is a thin tube, is used in liposuction to remove localized fat. Liposuction is meant for body contouring, not overall weight loss.

Liposuction may be used on areas such as:

Belly area
Side waist areas, often called love handles
Outer hip area
Inner or outer thighs
The upper arms
The back
Under the chin and neck
Chest
Fat around the knees

Good skin tone is important. If the skin is loose, liposuction by itself may not be enough. In those cases, skin removal surgery may be needed.

Customized Mommy Makeover

Body changes after pregnancy, breastfeeding, or weight change may be treated with a custom mommy makeover plan. A mommy makeover commonly includes surgery for the breasts and abdomen.

A mommy makeover may include:

Tummy tuck surgery
Breast lift surgery
Breast augmentation surgery
Breast reduction surgery
Surgical fat removal
Fat grafting

The name “mommy makeover” can be misleading because similar body changes can affect many patients. It is really a custom body contouring plan for patients with similar concerns. The right plan depends on health, goals, recovery time, and whether future pregnancy is planned.

Arm Lift Surgery, Also Called Brachioplasty

An arm lift or brachioplasty improves upper arm shape by removing loose skin.

An arm lift may address:

Loose hanging skin on the upper arms
Skin laxity after weight loss
Arm skin changes over time
Trouble feeling comfortable in sleeveless shirts
Skin rubbing and irritation

Arm lift surgery leaves a scar along the inner or back part of the arm. The scar may be worthwhile for patients who want better arm shape, but it should be reviewed carefully.

Thigh Lift

A thigh lift removes extra loose skin from the thighs. Thigh lift surgery is common after significant weight loss.

Thigh lift surgery can help improve:

Sagging skin on the inner thighs
Skin friction between the thighs
Poor clothing fit around the thighs
Thigh heaviness caused by extra skin
Changes after bariatric surgery or weight loss

There are several thigh lift patterns. A surgeon chooses the pattern based on how much loose skin is present and where it is located.

Body Contouring Lift

Loose skin around the lower body can be removed with a body lift. The procedure may improve several areas, including the abdomen, hips, outer thighs, buttocks, and lower back.

Body lift surgery may be helpful after:

Major weight loss
Post-bariatric body changes
Body changes related to pregnancy
Aging with major skin laxity

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

Body Contouring With Fat Transfer

Fat grafting transfers fat from one area 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 shape
Buttock shape
Hip shape
Facial volume
Uneven contours after surgery or injury

Fat grafting uses your own tissue, but not all transferred fat survives. Results may change over time, and more than one session may be needed.

Procedures for Skin, Scars, and Surface Concerns

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

Scar Revision Surgery

Scar revision can improve the appearance or feel of a scar. Scar revision cannot guarantee an erased scar, but it may make the scar less raised, tight, wide, or visible.

Scar revision may address:

Post-surgical scars
Trauma scars
Burn injury scars
Thick scars
Tight or pulling scars
Scars that affect range of motion

Treatment may include surgery, copyright injections, laser treatment, silicone therapy, or a combination.

Skin Lesion Removal Procedures

Plastic surgeons often remove benign skin lesions, cysts, moles, and lumps when careful closure matters. A medical assessment may be needed for some lesions to rule out skin cancer.

Removal may be done for:

Irritation
A growing lesion
A lesion that bleeds
Cosmetic concern
Medical diagnosis
Relief from discomfort

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

Plastic Surgery After Skin Cancer

Reconstruction may be needed after skin cancer removal to close the area and restore appearance. Common areas include the face, nose, eyelids, ears, lips, scalp, and hands.

Skin cancer reconstruction may involve:

A direct closure
Reconstruction with a skin graft
Local tissue flaps
A more complex repair

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

Injectable and Skin Treatments

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 Cosmetic Treatments

Selected facial muscles can be relaxed with BOTOX and other neuromodulators. They are often used for expression lines.

Common neuromodulator treatment areas include:

Frown lines
Forehead wrinkles
Crow’s feet
Lines on the sides of the nose
Peau d’orange chin texture
Neck bands in some cases

Results are temporary and usually need repeat treatments. A natural neuromodulator result should look softer and rested, not stiff or frozen.

Dermal Fillers

Dermal fillers may improve facial volume and contour. Many dermal fillers are made with hyaluronic acid, a gel-like substance used to shape and support soft tissue.

Common filler areas include:

Lip enhancement
Midface fullness
The chin
Jawline contour
Hollows beneath the eyes
Smile lines
Marionette lines

Filler results depend on product choice, injection technique, facial anatomy, and treatment goals. Too much filler can look unnatural, which makes conservative planning important.

Chemical Peel Treatments

The outer layers of skin can be improved with a chemical peel using a controlled solution.

Chemical peels may help with:

Uneven skin tone
A dull complexion
Fine surface lines
Photoaging
Mild post-acne marks
Texture concerns

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

Laser Skin Treatments and Energy-Based Procedures

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

Common examples include:

Skin laser resurfacing
IPL skin treatment
Radiofrequency skin treatments
Treatments for mild skin laxity
Laser hair removal or reduction
Laser treatment for redness and broken vessels

The right laser or energy treatment depends on skin type, skin tone, and the concern. For patients with darker skin tones, this is especially important because pigment changes can occur.

Skin Resurfacing With Dermabrasion and Microdermabrasion

Dermabrasion is a deeper skin resurfacing procedure that removes outer skin layers. Microdermabrasion is lighter and more surface-level.

These treatments may help with:

Skin texture
Light scarring
Tired-looking skin
An uneven skin surface
Small fine lines

The right option depends on skin quality, goals, downtime, and risk tolerance.

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.

For instance:

Upper lid heaviness may be related to eyelid skin, brow position, or both.
Loose skin, neck bands, fat, or chin position may cause a soft jawline.
Abdominal fullness may come from fat, loose skin, separated muscles, or internal weight.
Flat-looking breasts may need a lift, implants, fat grafting, or a combination.
A baggy under-eye look may be related to fat, hollowing, loose skin, or skin colour changes.

A helpful treatment plan should answer these three questions:

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

Patients should consider trade-offs such as 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. Patients often have questions about safety, discomfort, scarring, healing, cost, and whether results will look natural.

“Will Plastic Surgery Change My Face Too Much?”

This is a very common worry. Many patients want to look refreshed rather than changed. Natural-looking plastic surgery should respect facial features, body frame, age, and personal style.

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

“When Can I Return to Normal Activities?”

Recovery time depends on the procedure. Little or no downtime may be needed after many non-surgical treatments. Larger surgeries, such as tummy tuck, body lift, or mommy makeover, require more planning.

In general, patients should plan for:

Swelling or bruising
Restrictions on exercise or lifting
Time away from work
Surgical follow-up care
Care for scars
A staged return to physical activity
Results that take time to settle

The body needs time to heal. Many procedures look better 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:

Genetic healing patterns
Pigment response in the skin
Surgical procedure type
The incision location
Tension on the wound
Smoking status
UV exposure
Scar aftercare

Most scars fade with time, but they do not fully disappear.

“How Safe Is Plastic Surgery?”

Every operation has possible risks. Risks may include bleeding, infection, poor scarring, anesthesia problems, asymmetry, delayed healing, numbness, fluid buildup, and dissatisfaction with the result.

A safe procedure depends on factors such as:

Your health
Prescription and non-prescription medications
Whether you smoke or use nicotine
The planned procedure
Where the procedure takes place
The anesthesia approach
Surgeon training and experience
Care after the procedure

A good consultation should explain benefits, risks, alternatives, and what is realistic.

Important Plastic Surgery Information for Canadian Patients

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.

How to Choose a Qualified Plastic Surgeon

When researching plastic surgery in Canada, patients should look for proper training and credentials. Plastic surgeons should be trained in medicine, surgery, and the specialty of 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?
Is this a procedure you perform regularly?
Where is the procedure performed?
Who will provide the anesthesia?
What are the risks for my specific case?
What happens if I have a complication?
What follow-up care is included?
Can I see examples of 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

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 due to overhead and demand. Pricing may be different in smaller cities, but the lowest cost should not be the main deciding factor.

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 Canadians consider travelling outside the country for lower-cost surgery. This may seem appealing, but there are added risks to consider.

Medical tourism concerns may include:

Limited post-surgery follow-up
Travel soon after surgery
Higher concern about infection
Different surgical standards
Difficulty accessing medical records
Difficulty managing complications back in Canada
Language or translation issues
Unexpected revision costs

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

Preparing 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:

List your main concerns before the visit.
Bring a list of your medications and supplements.
Share your health and medical history honestly.
Do not hide smoking, vaping, cannabis, or nicotine use.
Bring photos if they help explain your goals.
Make sure you ask about recovery time, scars, risks, and alternatives.
Talk about realistic results based on your body or face.

A good consultation should clearly discuss your options. Sometimes the best advice is to wait, choose a smaller treatment, improve health first, or avoid surgery altogether.

Who May Be a Good Candidate?

Good candidates for plastic surgery are usually healthy, informed, and realistic. Realistic patients understand that surgery can help appearance, but it cannot make life perfect or solve every issue.

Plastic surgery may be appropriate if:

You are medically well enough for surgery
You know what concern you want to address
Your weight is stable for body surgery
You do not smoke or can stop before and after surgery
You understand healing takes time
You accept the risks and trade-offs
You are choosing the procedure for yourself
Your expectations are realistic

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

Combined Plastic Surgery Procedures

It may be safe to combine some procedures. Other procedures should be staged. A combined plan may save recovery time, but it also needs careful planning because surgery time and healing demands may increase.

Common combined surgery plans include:

Facelift and neck lift surgery
Eyelid surgery with a brow lift
Nose surgery with chin surgery
Breast lift plus volume enhancement
Combining tummy tuck and liposuction
Breast and body procedures in a mommy makeover
Body lift with thigh or arm contouring
Facial surgery with fat grafting

The safest plan depends on your health, procedure length, anesthesia, recovery support, and risk level.

A Final Word on Canadian Plastic Surgery Procedures

Plastic surgery in Canada includes a wide range of cosmetic and reconstructive procedures. Some options are designed to refine facial, breast, or body shape. Others help repair tissue after cancer, injury, burns, or medical conditions. Non-surgical treatments can also help with wrinkles, volume loss, skin texture, and 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.

The strongest treatment plan should focus on 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.