Many plastic surgery procedures are designed to enhance, restore, or reshape 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.
Canadians may look into plastic surgery for many needs. Some people are looking for a more refreshed look. 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. Choosing the right procedure depends on anatomy, goals, health, lifestyle, and recovery needs.
Below, you will find a clear overview of the main types of plastic surgery procedures in Canada, from facial surgery and breast surgery to body contouring, reconstructive surgery, and non-surgical cosmetic treatments. You will also learn what to think about before scheduling a consultation.
The Difference Between Cosmetic and 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 deals with appearance-related goals. Most cosmetic procedures are elective, which means they are planned by choice rather than medical need.
Common goals include:
- Improving facial balance
- Helping the face or body look more refreshed
- Creating a more balanced body shape
- Restoring lost volume after pregnancy or weight loss
- Enhancing areas such as the nose, eyelids, ears, lips, breasts, abdomen, arms, or thighs
- Helping patients feel better in clothing
- Supporting confidence with natural-looking changes
Cosmetic procedures in Canada are usually not covered by provincial health plans and are often paid for privately. Costs may vary based on the procedure, surgeon, surgical facility, anesthesia, follow-up care, and location.
Reconstructive Plastic Surgery Procedures
Reconstructive plastic surgery is focused on restoring form and function. It may be needed after cancer surgery, trauma, burns, infections, birth differences, or medical conditions.
Examples of reconstructive plastic surgery include:
- Breast reconstruction following mastectomy
- Skin cancer reconstruction following tumour removal
- Cleft lip and palate surgery
- Reconstruction after burns
- Hand reconstruction
- Scar treatment and revision
- Wound repair
- Reconstruction after facial trauma
- Repair of congenital differences
Provincial health plans may cover some reconstructive procedures when they are medically necessary. Procedures done only to improve appearance are usually not covered.
Types of Facial Plastic Surgery
Many facial plastic surgery procedures focus on balance, aging changes, and a refreshed appearance. The goal is often not to look “different.” The best results often look natural and balanced.
Facelift Surgery, Also Called Rhytidectomy
A facelift or rhytidectomy can improve loose tissue in the lower face and jawline. A facelift can address jowls, loose facial skin, and deeper folds around the mouth.
A facelift may address:
- Jowls along the jawline
- Sagging skin in the lower face
- Prominent smile lines
- Lowered cheek tissue
- Loss of definition between the face and 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. Depending on the patient, a facelift may be planned with a neck lift, eyelid surgery, brow lift, or facial fat grafting.
Neck Lift Surgery (Platysmaplasty)
A neck lift can improve loose skin, muscle bands, and fullness under the chin. Tightening the neck muscle may be described medically as platysmaplasty.
Neck lift surgery can help improve:
- Muscle bands in the neck
- Extra neck skin
- A soft or undefined jawline
- Fullness under the chin
- A neck that looks loose or heavy
Some patients benefit from both skin and muscle tightening. For patients with extra fat but good skin tone, liposuction under the chin may help. In many cases, the face and neck age together, so a facelift and neck lift may be planned at the same time.
Eyelid Surgery, Also Called Blepharoplasty
Blepharoplasty, commonly called eyelid surgery, can improve tired-looking eyes by removing or adjusting extra eyelid skin, fat, or tissue.
Upper blepharoplasty may help with:
- A weighted upper eyelid look
- Redundant upper eyelid skin
- A more tired or older eye appearance
- Skin resting on the eyelashes
- Vision blockage in certain medical cases
Common lower eyelid concerns include:
- Under-eye bags
- Under-eye swelling or fullness
- Extra skin below the eyes
- Shadowing beneath the lower lids
- Tired-looking eyes that do not improve with rest
Blepharoplasty is common because even subtle changes around the eyes can make the face look more rested.
Brow Lift Procedure
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.
Brow lift surgery can improve:
- A heavy, lowered brow
- Heavy upper lids from brow descent
- Forehead lines
- Vertical lines between the brows
- A tired, sad, or stern expression
A brow lift is not the same as eyelid surgery. The eyelids and brows are different structures, so eyelid surgery treats extra eyelid skin and a brow lift treats brow position. Many patients need either one procedure or the other, while some benefit from both.
Rhinoplasty for Nose Shape and Breathing
The shape, size, or structure of the nose can be changed with rhinoplasty, often called a nose job. It may be cosmetic, functional, or both.
Rhinoplasty may address:
- A dorsal hump on the nose
- A downward-pointing nasal tip
- A broad or boxy tip
- A nose that is not straight
- How far the nose projects
- Nasal asymmetry
- Breathing problems related to nasal structure
Structural breathing issues may require work on the septum, the wall between the nostrils. Surgery on the septum is called septoplasty. A cosmetic rhinoplasty changes appearance, while functional nasal surgery focuses on airflow.
Otoplasty for Prominent Ears
Ear surgery, also called otoplasty, changes the shape, position, or size of the ears. This procedure is often used when the ears project away from the head.
Common otoplasty concerns include:
- Noticeably prominent ears
- Asymmetry between the ears
- Overdeveloped ear cartilage folds
- Ears that project away from the head
- Stretched or uneven earlobes
Otoplasty is common in adults and children. For children, the timing depends on ear growth, maturity, and family goals.
Surgical Lip Lift
A lip lift is designed to shorten the space between the upper lip and the nose. This space is called 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
- Less upper tooth visibility with a smile
- An upper lip that looks thin
- Lip proportions that feel unbalanced
- Age-related changes around the mouth
A lip lift is different from lip filler. Dermal filler increases 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 is often used when the chin looks small compared with the nose or other facial features.
Facial implant options may include:
- Chin augmentation implants
- Implants for the cheeks
- 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 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.
Patients may consider facial fat grafting for:
- Hollow cheeks
- Hollows beneath the eyes
- Volume changes caused by aging
- Thinning soft tissue
- Imbalance in facial volume
Facial fat grafting can be performed by itself or with procedures such as facelift surgery, eyelid surgery, or other facial surgery.
Common Breast Surgery Options
Many patients in Canada consider breast surgery for cosmetic or reconstructive reasons. Patients may want to increase volume, reduce size, lift the breasts, improve symmetry, or restore the breast after cancer surgery.
Breast Augmentation Surgery
Breast augmentation increases breast size and shape using implants or fat transfer. Breast augmentation may use either saline implants or silicone gel implants. The choice of implant depends on body type, breast tissue, goals, and surgeon guidance.
Breast augmentation may help with:
- A naturally small breast shape
- Breast volume loss after pregnancy
- Less breast fullness after weight change
- Breast asymmetry
- A desire for more breast fullness in clothing
Many people worry about looking too large, obvious, or unnatural after breast augmentation. A careful surgical plan should consider chest width, skin quality, lifestyle, and long-term maintenance.
Breast Lift Procedure
A breast lift, also known as mastopexy, raises and reshapes breasts that have dropped. The main purpose is not to add volume. Its main goal is better breast position and shape.
A breast lift may help with:
- Sagging breasts
- Nipples that point downward
- Areola stretching
- Loose skin on the breasts
- Changes after pregnancy, breastfeeding, or weight loss
Some patients combine a breast lift with implants for more upper breast fullness. For a natural result without added implant volume, some patients choose a breast lift alone.
Reduction Mammoplasty
Breast reduction removes extra breast tissue, fat, and skin to make the breasts smaller, lighter, and more balanced.
Common breast reduction concerns include:
- Neck strain
- Shoulder discomfort
- Back strain
- Shoulder grooves from bra straps
- Skin rubbing beneath the breasts
- Trouble exercising
- Difficulty finding clothing that fits
In certain Canadian cases, breast reduction may qualify as medically necessary. Coverage depends on provincial requirements, symptoms, and medical assessment.
Breast Implant Revision Surgery
Surgery to adjust or replace existing breast implants is called breast implant revision. 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, a firm scar tissue response around an implant
- An implant that has moved out of position
- Asymmetry between the breasts
- Changes from aging after breast augmentation
- Breast implant removal
Some patients choose to remove implants and have a lift. Other patients choose new implants with a different size, shape, or placement.
Breast Reconstruction Surgery
After mastectomy or lumpectomy, breast reconstruction can rebuild the breast. Implants, natural tissue, or a mix of both may be used for breast reconstruction.
The breast reconstruction process may involve:
- Implant breast reconstruction
- Reconstruction using tissue flaps
- Rebuilding the nipple and areola
- Breast fat grafting
- Revision surgery for symmetry
Breast reconstruction is a very personal decision. For some patients, reconstruction feels right. Others choose to remain flat. Both choices are valid.
Gynecomastia Surgery for Male Breast Reduction
Enlarged male breast tissue may be treated with gynecomastia surgery. It may include liposuction, gland removal, or both.
Gynecomastia surgery may address:
- A puffy nipple appearance
- Firm tissue beneath the nipple-areola area
- Fullness in the chest
- Uneven shape across the male chest
- Self-consciousness at the beach, gym, or in 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.
Body Contouring Plastic Surgery Procedures
Body contouring procedures can improve shape by removing extra skin, reducing stubborn fat, or tightening tissue. It is common after pregnancy, aging, or major weight loss.
Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty)
Abdominoplasty, commonly called a tummy tuck, 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:
- Extra abdominal skin
- A lower abdominal overhang
- Stretch-marked skin below the belly button
- Separated abdominal muscles
- Changes after pregnancy or weight loss
A tummy tuck should not be viewed as weight-loss surgery. It is usually best for patients near a stable weight who want to improve abdominal shape.
Surgical Liposuction
Liposuction surgery uses a thin tube called a cannula to remove localized fat. Liposuction is not a weight-loss method, it is a contouring procedure.
Liposuction may treat:
- Stomach area
- Flanks, often called love handles
- The hips
- Thigh areas
- Upper arm contours
- Back
- Chin-neck contour
- Chest
- Fat around the knees
Good skin tone matters. If the skin is loose, liposuction alone may not be enough. Skin removal surgery may be needed if loose skin is the main concern.
Customized Mommy Makeover
A mommy makeover combines procedures to address body changes after pregnancy, breastfeeding, or weight change. It often includes both breast and abdominal procedures.
A customized mommy makeover may involve:
- Abdominal contouring with tummy tuck
- Surgical breast lifting
- A breast augmentation procedure
- Reduction mammoplasty
- Liposuction surgery
- Fat transfer for volume
The name “mommy makeover” can be misleading because similar body changes can affect many patients. It is for anyone with similar body changes. The best mommy makeover plan should consider health, goals, recovery time, and whether future pregnancy is expected.
Arm Lift (Brachioplasty)
Loose upper arm skin can be removed with an arm lift, also called brachioplasty.
Patients may consider an arm lift for:
- Upper arm skin that hangs
- Skin laxity after weight loss
- Age-related changes in the arms
- Difficulty wearing sleeveless tops
- Skin rubbing or irritation
The improved arm shape comes with a scar along the inner or back portion of the arm. For many patients, the improved shape is worth the scar, but this should be discussed carefully.
Thigh Lift Surgery
A thigh lift removes extra loose skin from the thighs. It is often chosen after major weight loss.
A thigh lift may help with:
- Loose inner thigh skin
- Rubbing in the inner thighs
- Pants that do not fit well
- Thigh heaviness caused by extra skin
- Thigh changes after weight loss or bariatric surgery
Thigh lift surgery can be done with different patterns. The right option depends on how much skin needs to be removed and where the looseness is located.
Body Lift
Body lift surgery is used to remove 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
- Post-bariatric body changes
- Pregnancy-related body changes
- Aging changes with loose skin
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. This procedure may improve contour or add volume using the patient’s own fat.
Common treatment areas include:
- Breast shape
- Buttocks
- Hip contour
- Facial contour
- Uneven contours after surgery or injury
Although fat grafting uses your own fat, not all transferred fat will survive. Because transferred fat can change over time, more than one session may be needed.
Skin Lesion, Scar, and Surface Treatments
Skin surface concerns, scars, and soft tissue problems may also be treated with plastic surgery.
Scar 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.
Common scar revision concerns include:
- Scars from surgery
- Scars from injury
- Burn injury scars
- Raised or thick scars
- Tight scars
- Movement-limiting scars
A scar revision plan may use surgery, copyright injections, laser treatment, silicone therapy, or a mix of options.
Skin Lesion, Mole, and Cyst Removal
Benign skin lesions, cysts, moles, and lumps may be removed by plastic surgeons when a precise closure is needed. Some moles or lesions need proper medical review to make sure skin cancer is not present.
Common reasons for removal include:
- Skin irritation
- Growth or change
- Bleeding from the lesion
- Cosmetic reasons
- Diagnostic testing
- Physical comfort
A qualified medical professional should assess any changing mole or suspicious skin lesion.
Skin Cancer Repair and Reconstruction
Reconstruction may be needed after skin cancer removal to close the area and restore appearance. This is common on the face, nose, eyelids, ears, lips, scalp, and hands.
A skin cancer reconstruction plan may use:
- Closing the area directly
- Using a skin graft
- Local tissue flaps
- Complex reconstruction
The goal is safe cancer removal while preserving function and appearance as much as possible.
Non-Surgical Aesthetic Procedures
Not all cosmetic concerns require surgery. For some patients, non-surgical treatments help soften early aging signs, facial lines, volume loss, and skin concerns. Compared with surgery, non-surgical treatments often have less downtime but need maintenance.
Wrinkle Relaxing Injections
Selected facial muscles can be relaxed plastic surgeon with BOTOX and other neuromodulators. These treatments are often used to soften expression lines.
BOTOX and neuromodulators may treat:
- Expression lines between the brows
- Lines across the forehead
- Crow’s feet
- Lines on the sides of 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 usually a softer, rested look, not a frozen face.
Dermal Filler Treatments
Dermal fillers may improve facial volume and contour. Dermal fillers often contain hyaluronic acid, which is a gel-like substance that supports and shapes soft tissue.
Dermal filler treatment may involve:
- Lip shape
- Cheeks
- Chin
- Jawline
- Under-eye hollowing
- Smile lines
- Lines below the corners of the mouth
The result from filler depends on the product, injection technique, facial anatomy, and treatment 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:
- Skin tone irregularity
- Skin dullness
- Small fine lines
- Sun-damaged skin
- Mild marks from acne
- Surface texture issues
The strength of a peel may be light, medium, or deeper depending on the goal. Healing time varies based on the peel depth and type.
Laser and Energy-Based Skin Treatments
Laser and energy-based treatments may improve skin tone, redness, texture, hair growth, scars, and signs of aging.
Common options may include:
- Laser resurfacing
- IPL skin treatment
- Radiofrequency-based treatments
- Energy-based skin tightening
- Hair reduction with laser
- Laser treatment for small visible 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.
Dermabrasion and Microdermabrasion
Dermabrasion is a deeper resurfacing procedure that removes outer skin layers. Compared with dermabrasion, microdermabrasion is lighter and more superficial.
Patients may consider these treatments for:
- Texture
- Surface-level scars
- Tired-looking skin
- Uneven skin feel
- Early fine lines
The right option depends on skin quality, goals, downtime, and risk tolerance.
Finding the Right Plastic Surgery Option
A good plastic surgery plan starts by identifying the concern instead of choosing a procedure name first. Many patients ask for one treatment and later learn that another option better matches their anatomy.
Examples include:
- 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.
- Under-eye concerns may come from fat pads, hollows, loose skin, or pigmentation.
A strong treatment plan should answer three questions:
- What is causing the concern?
- Which procedure best treats that cause?
- What benefits and limits come with that procedure?
These trade-offs may include scars, downtime, swelling, cost, maintenance, and possible complications.
Patient Concerns Before Plastic Surgery
Mixed feelings are normal before a plastic surgery procedure. Excitement is common, but so are nerves. It is normal to worry about safety, pain, scars, recovery, cost, and whether the result will look natural.
“Will I Look Refreshed or Different?”
This is one of the most common concerns. 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.
The goal is often to improve balance, not chase perfection.
“What Is the Recovery Like?”
Recovery 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, recovery planning may include:
- Temporary swelling and bruising
- Temporary activity restrictions
- Planned time away from work
- Surgical follow-up care
- Scar management
- Careful return to exercise
- Results that take time to settle
Recovery does not happen instantly. Many procedures improve over weeks and months.
“Can Plastic Surgery Scars Be Hidden?”
Any surgical cut leaves some type of scar. The goal is not scar-free surgery, but careful scar placement and good healing.
The final scar can depend on:
- Your genetics
- Pigment response in the skin
- Which procedure is done
- The incision location
- Tension on the wound
- Nicotine exposure
- UV exposure
- Aftercare
Most scars fade with time, but they do not fully disappear.
“Is Plastic Surgery Safe?”
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.
Safety is influenced by:
- Your health
- Your medications
- Whether you smoke or use nicotine
- Which surgery is performed
- The surgical facility
- The type of anesthesia
- The qualifications of the surgeon
- Your aftercare and follow-up
A good consultation should explain benefits, risks, alternatives, and what is realistic.
Important Plastic Surgery Information for Canadian Patients
Across Canada, plastic surgery is overseen through 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
Proper training and credentials matter when researching plastic surgery in Canada. The surgeon should have medical training, surgical training, and certification in the specialty of plastic surgery.
Important consultation questions include:
- Do you have certification in plastic surgery?
- Are you licensed to practise medicine in this province?
- How much experience do you have with this procedure?
- What facility will be used for the procedure?
- Who will provide the anesthesia?
- Which risks are most relevant to me?
- How are complications handled?
- How often will I be seen after surgery?
- May I see before-and-after examples for similar procedures?
This is not about being demanding. It is about protecting your health and making an informed decision.
Plastic Surgery Costs in Canada
Cosmetic surgery costs in Canada can vary widely. The final cost may include procedure complexity, surgeon experience, anesthesia, facility fees, implants or devices, garments, follow-up care, and location.
Large Canadian cities, including Vancouver, Toronto, Calgary, Edmonton, Ottawa, and Montreal, may have higher fees because overhead and demand are higher. Smaller cities may have different pricing, 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 for Plastic Surgery
Travelling abroad for lower-cost plastic surgery is something some Canadians consider. This may seem appealing, but there are extra risks to think about.
Patients should think about medical tourism concerns such as:
- Less access to follow-up care
- Travel during early recovery
- Infection risk
- Different medical standards
- Less access to surgical records
- Complications that are harder to manage 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.
Getting Ready for a Plastic Surgery Consultation
Your consultation is the time to understand what can be done safely and realistically. It should not feel rushed or pressured.
Before the visit, preparation can help:
- Make notes about your main concerns.
- Prepare your medication and supplement list.
- Be ready to share your medical history.
- Do not hide smoking, vaping, cannabis, or nicotine use.
- Reference photos can be helpful if they explain your goals.
- Make sure you ask about recovery time, scars, risks, and alternatives.
- Ask what result is realistic for your own body or face.
A good consultation should clearly discuss your options. In some cases, the best recommendation is to wait, choose a smaller treatment, improve health first, or avoid surgery.
Is Plastic Surgery Right for You?
Good candidates for plastic surgery are usually healthy, informed, and realistic. Plastic surgery can improve appearance, but good candidates know it cannot create perfection or solve every concern.
Good candidate signs include:
- You are medically well enough for surgery
- You have a specific concern
- Your weight has been stable before body surgery
- You do not smoke or can stop before and after surgery
- You understand the recovery process
- You accept the risks, scars, and trade-offs
- Your decision is for you, not someone else
- You understand what is 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.
Combined Plastic Surgery Procedures
Certain procedures can be safely combined. Other procedures should be staged. Combining procedures may reduce total recovery time, but it can also increase surgical time and healing demands.
Plastic surgery procedures that are often combined include:
- A facelift with a neck lift
- Combining eyelid surgery and brow lift
- Rhinoplasty with chin surgery
- Breast lift with breast augmentation
- Tummy tuck with liposuction
- Mommy makeover surgery combinations
- Body lift with thigh or arm contouring
- Facial surgery combined with fat grafting
A safe combined plan should consider health, surgery length, anesthesia, recovery support, and risk.
Understanding Your Plastic Surgery Options in Canada
In Canada, plastic surgery covers a wide range of cosmetic and reconstructive options. Some procedures improve the face, breasts, or body. Reconstructive options may repair tissue after cancer, injury, burns, or medical conditions. Injectable and skin treatments may help with wrinkles, volume loss, texture concerns, and early signs of aging.
The best procedure is not always the most popular one. 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.