Types of Plastic Surgery Procedures in Canada

Many plastic surgery procedures are designed to enhance, rebuild, or reshape the face and body. A procedure may be cosmetic when the main goal is to improve appearance. Others are reconstructive, which means they help rebuild form or function after injury, cancer, birth differences, burns, or medical conditions.

People across Canada consider plastic surgery for many different concerns. Some people are looking for a more balanced look. Others want to restore body shape after pregnancy, weight loss, or aging. For some patients, the need is related to 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.

Cosmetic Plastic Surgery in Canada

The main focus of cosmetic plastic surgery is appearance. Most cosmetic procedures are elective, which means they are planned by choice rather than medical need.

Common cosmetic goals may include:

Improving facial balance
Helping the face or body look more refreshed
Changing body proportions
Restoring volume after weight loss or pregnancy
Enhancing areas such as the nose, eyelids, ears, lips, breasts, abdomen, arms, or thighs
Supporting a better fit in clothing
Creating natural-looking changes that may support confidence

Most cosmetic surgery procedures in Canada are private-pay services. Fees can vary based on the procedure, surgeon, facility, anesthesia, follow-up care, and location.

Reconstructive Plastic Surgery Procedures

Reconstructive surgery helps repair or restore form and function. Patients may need reconstructive surgery after cancer surgery, trauma, burns, infections, birth differences, or medical conditions.

Common examples include:

Breast reconstruction after breast cancer surgery
Skin cancer reconstruction after skin cancer excision
Repair of cleft lip and palate
Burn reconstruction
Hand surgery
Scar repair or revision
Wound reconstruction
Repair after facial trauma
Congenital reconstruction

Some reconstructive plastic surgery may qualify for provincial coverage if it is considered medically necessary. Purely cosmetic changes are usually paid for privately.

Facial Cosmetic Surgery Procedures

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. Good facial plastic surgery should often look natural and balanced.

Facelift Surgery, Also Called Rhytidectomy

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

Patients often consider facelift surgery for:

Sagging jowls along the jawline
Loose lower facial skin
Deep smile lines
Sagging cheek tissue
Poor definition between the face and neck

A modern facelift commonly addresses the deeper support layers beneath the skin. This can create a smoother, longer-lasting result without a pulled look. A facelift may be combined with a neck lift, eyelid surgery, brow lift, or facial fat grafting.

Neck Lift Procedure (Platysmaplasty)

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 address:

Prominent neck bands
Loose skin on the neck
Reduced jawline sharpness
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.

Eyelid Surgery (Blepharoplasty)

Eyelid surgery or blepharoplasty helps refresh the eyes by removing or repositioning extra skin, fat, or tissue around the eyelids.

Patients may choose upper eyelid surgery for:

Upper lids that feel heavy
Loose upper eyelid skin
An aged or fatigued look
Skin that sits on the eyelashes
Vision concerns in select medical cases

Lower blepharoplasty may help with:

Visible under-eye bags
Puffiness
Extra lower eyelid skin
Hollow shadows under the eyes
Eyes that still look tired after rest

Because small changes around the eyes can refresh the whole face, eyelid surgery is one of the most common facial procedures.

Forehead Lift and Brow Lift Surgery

A brow lift, also called 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:

Brow descent
Heavy upper lids from brow descent
Lines across the forehead
Frown lines between the brows
A tired, sad, or stern look

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 either one procedure or the other, while some benefit from both.

Rhinoplasty, Also Called Nose Surgery

A nose job, medically known as rhinoplasty, changes the shape, size, or structure of the nose. The procedure can address cosmetic goals, functional concerns, or both.

Rhinoplasty may address:

A nasal bridge bump
A downward-pointing nasal tip
A broad or boxy tip
Nasal crookedness
Overall nose size or projection
Asymmetry in the nose
Structural breathing concerns

For patients with breathing concerns, rhinoplasty may include work on the septum, which separates the nostrils. Surgery on the septum is called septoplasty. A cosmetic rhinoplasty changes appearance, while functional nasal surgery focuses on airflow.

Ear Surgery (Otoplasty)

Otoplasty, commonly called ear surgery, can change the shape, position, or size of the ears. Otoplasty is often chosen for ears that stick out.

Patients may consider otoplasty for:

Ears that sit far from the head
Uneven ear shape or position
Overdeveloped ear cartilage folds
Ears that project away from the head
Stretched or uneven earlobes

Otoplasty is common in adults and children. For younger patients, ear growth, maturity, and family goals help guide timing.

Lip Lift Procedure

A lip lift shortens the space between the upper lip and the nose. That space is often described as the upper lip length. By changing lip position, a lip lift can make the upper lip more visible without adding volume with filler.

A lip lift may help with:

A lengthened upper lip area
Less visible upper teeth when smiling
Limited visible upper lip
Lip imbalance
Aging in the lip and mouth area

A lip lift is different from lip filler. Filler is used to add volume. A lip lift changes the position and shape of the upper lip.

Chin, Jawline, and Facial Implant Surgery

Balance in the chin, cheeks, or jawline may be improved with facial implants. Chin surgery is often used when the chin looks small compared with the nose or other facial features.

Facial implant options may include:

Implants for the chin
Cheek implant surgery
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 Transfer for Facial Volume

A patient’s own fat can be used in facial fat grafting 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:

Cheek hollowing
Hollowing under the eyes
Volume changes caused by aging
Soft tissue volume loss
Imbalance in facial volume

Fat grafting can support facial rejuvenation on its own or be combined with facelift surgery, eyelid surgery, or other facial procedures.

Breast Plastic Surgery Procedures

Breast surgery is one of the most common areas of cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery in Canada. Breast plastic surgery can address volume, size, position, symmetry, and reconstruction after cancer surgery.

Breast Augmentation Surgery

Breast augmentation improves 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 surgery can help improve:

Naturally small breasts
Less breast fullness after pregnancy
Volume loss after weight change
Breast size or shape imbalance
A desire for more breast fullness in clothing

Some patients feel nervous about results that may look too large or unnatural. Planning should account for chest width, skin quality, lifestyle, and future maintenance.

Breast Lift for Sagging Breasts

Mastopexy, commonly called a breast lift, raises and reshapes breasts that sit lower than desired. It does not mainly add volume. Its main goal is better breast position and shape.

Patients may consider a breast lift for:

Breasts that sag
Nipples that sit low or point down
Enlarged or stretched areolas
Loose skin on the breasts
Breast changes after pregnancy, breastfeeding, or weight loss

A lift and implants may be combined to improve position and add upper breast fullness. Some patients choose a breast lift without implants for a more natural result.

Breast Reduction Procedure

Breast reduction removes extra breast tissue, fat, and skin to make the breasts smaller, lighter, and more balanced.

Breast reduction surgery can help improve:

Chronic neck pain
Pain in the shoulders
Back discomfort
Grooves from bra straps
Irritated skin under the breasts
Trouble exercising
Difficulty fitting bras or clothes

Breast reduction may be viewed as medically necessary in Canada in certain cases. Coverage depends on provincial rules, symptoms, and medical assessment.

Breast Implant Replacement or Removal

Existing breast implants may be adjusted or replaced with breast implant revision. It may be needed for cosmetic reasons or medical concerns.

Patients may consider revision for:

A desire to change implant size
An implant that has ruptured
Firm scar tissue around an implant, called capsular contracture
Implant position changes
Uneven breast appearance
Aging changes after breast augmentation
No longer wanting breast implants

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

Breast Reconstruction

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 breast reconstruction
Tissue flap reconstruction
Rebuilding the nipple and areola
Fat transfer as part of reconstruction
Revision surgery to improve symmetry

Choosing reconstruction is deeply personal. Some people prefer to have reconstruction. Other people prefer to remain flat. Either choice can be valid.

Gynecomastia Surgery

Enlarged male breast tissue may be treated with gynecomastia surgery. Treatment may involve liposuction, gland tissue removal, or both.

Common gynecomastia concerns include:

Puffy nipples
Firm tissue beneath the nipple-areola area
Extra chest volume
Uneven shape across the male chest
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. Pregnancy, aging, and major weight loss are common reasons people consider body contouring.

Abdominoplasty for Abdominal Contouring

Extra abdominal skin and a weakened abdominal wall may be improved with a tummy tuck, also called abdominoplasty. A tummy tuck may include repair of separated abdominal muscles, known as diastasis recti.

Patients may consider a tummy tuck for:

Extra abdominal skin
A lower abdominal overhang
Stretch-marked skin below the belly button
Separated core muscles
Changes after pregnancy or weight loss

A tummy tuck is not a weight-loss procedure. A tummy tuck is most suitable for patients at a stable weight who want a flatter, better-shaped abdomen.

Fat Reduction With Liposuction

A cannula, which is a thin tube, is used in liposuction to remove localized fat. Liposuction is not a weight-loss method, it is a contouring procedure.

Liposuction may be used on areas such as:

Belly area
Side waist areas, often called love handles
Outer hip area
Inner or outer thighs
Upper arm contours
Back contour areas
Submental area and neck
Chest area
Knee area

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

Mommy Makeover Procedure

A mommy makeover is a customized plan for body changes after pregnancy, breastfeeding, or weight change. It often combines breast and abdominal procedures.

Mommy makeover options may include:

Abdominoplasty
Breast lift surgery
A breast augmentation procedure
Surgical breast size reduction
Surgical fat removal
Body fat grafting

Although the name suggests otherwise, the procedure is not only for mothers. It is really a custom body contouring plan for patients with similar concerns. The best mommy makeover plan should consider health, goals, recovery time, and whether future pregnancy is expected.

Arm Lift Surgery, Also Called Brachioplasty

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

An arm lift may address:

Hanging skin under the arms
Loose skin after weight loss
Aging changes in the arms
Difficulty wearing sleeveless tops
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.

Inner Thigh Lift

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

Common thigh lift concerns include:

Inner thigh skin laxity
Skin rubbing
Poor clothing fit around the thighs
Extra skin that feels heavy
Loose thigh skin after bariatric surgery or weight loss

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

Body Contouring Lift

A body lift improves lower-body contour by removing excess skin. The procedure may improve several areas, including the abdomen, hips, outer thighs, buttocks, and lower back.

Patients may consider a body lift after:

Substantial weight loss
Bariatric weight-loss surgery
Pregnancy-related body changes
Aging with major skin laxity

Body lift surgery is more extensive, so recovery is usually longer. Patients should be at a stable weight and in good overall health.

Body Fat Grafting

Fat can be moved from one body area to another with fat grafting. This procedure may improve contour or add volume using the patient’s own fat.

Patients may consider fat grafting for:

The breasts
The buttocks
Hip shape
The face
Uneven contours after surgery or injury

Fat grafting uses your own tissue, but some transferred fat may not survive. Because transferred fat can change over time, more than one session may be needed.

Skin Lesion, Scar, and Surface Treatments

Plastic surgery also includes procedures that improve the skin surface, scars, and soft tissue.

Scar Improvement Treatment

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 surgery can help improve:

Surgical scars
Scarring after an injury
Burn-related scars
Bulky scars
Scars that feel tight
Scars that restrict motion

Scar treatment can include surgery, copyright injections, laser treatment, silicone therapy, or several methods together.

Skin Lesion, Mole, and Cyst Removal

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:

Ongoing irritation
A lesion that is getting larger
Bleeding or crusting
Cosmetic concern
A need for diagnosis
Comfort

If a mole changes or a skin lesion looks suspicious, it should be assessed 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. Skin cancer reconstruction is often needed on the face, nose, eyelids, ears, lips, scalp, and hands.

Reconstruction after skin cancer may include:

A direct closure
Skin graft reconstruction
Reconstruction with local flaps
More advanced reconstruction

The goal is safe cancer removal while preserving function and appearance as much as possible.

Common Non-Surgical Cosmetic Options

Not every patient needs surgery. Non-surgical options can address early aging changes, facial lines, lost volume, and skin quality. Non-surgical care often means less recovery time, but the results are usually temporary.

Neuromodulator Injections

Selected facial muscles can be relaxed with BOTOX and other neuromodulators. These treatments are often used to soften expression lines.

BOTOX and neuromodulators may treat:

Frown lines between the brows
Horizontal forehead lines
Crow’s feet around the eyes
Small nose wrinkles
Peau d’orange chin texture
Selected neck bands

Neuromodulator results are temporary, so maintenance appointments are often part of the plan. A natural neuromodulator result should look softer and rested, not stiff or frozen.

Injectable Dermal Fillers

Dermal fillers restore or add volume. Hyaluronic acid, a gel-like substance used to shape and support soft tissue, is common in dermal fillers.

Common filler areas include:

The lips
The cheeks
Chin projection
Jawline definition
Under-eye volume loss
Nasolabial folds
Marionette lines

Filler results depend on product choice, injection technique, facial anatomy, and treatment goals. Overfilling can look unnatural, so conservative planning is important.

Chemical Peel Treatments

A chemical peel applies a controlled solution to improve the surface layers of the skin.

Chemical peels may help with:

Skin tone irregularity
A dull complexion
Small fine lines
Skin changes from sun exposure
Acne-related marks
Rough skin texture

Peel strength can range from light to deeper treatments. Recovery depends on the type of peel.

Energy-Based Aesthetic Skin Treatments

Laser and energy-based treatments can improve skin tone, redness, texture, hair growth, scars, and signs of aging.

Common options may include:

Resurfacing laser treatment
IPL, or intense pulsed light
Radiofrequency treatments
Treatments for mild skin laxity
Laser hair removal or reduction
Vascular lasers for visible redness

These treatments should be matched to skin type, skin tone, and the concern being treated. For patients with darker skin tones, this is especially important because pigment changes can occur.

Microdermabrasion and Dermabrasion Treatments

A deeper resurfacing option called dermabrasion removes outer layers of skin. Microdermabrasion is a lighter, more superficial treatment.

Common concerns include:

Rough texture
Light scarring
Tired-looking skin
Uneven surface
Mild lines

The best treatment depends on the patient’s skin quality, goals, available downtime, and comfort with risk.

Choosing the Right Plastic Surgery Procedure

The best place to start is the concern itself, not the name of a procedure. Many patients ask for one treatment and later learn that another option better matches their anatomy.

Common examples cosmetic surgery nearby include:

Extra eyelid skin, a low brow, or both may cause heavy upper lids.
Loose skin, neck bands, fat, or chin position may cause a soft jawline.
Fat, loose skin, muscle separation, or internal weight may cause abdominal fullness.
Flat-looking breasts may be improved with a lift, implants, fat grafting, or a combination.
Under-eye concerns may come from fat pads, hollows, loose skin, or pigmentation.

The best plan usually starts with three questions:

What is creating the concern?
Which procedure treats that cause best?
What must be accepted with that option?

Those trade-offs may include scars, downtime, swelling, cost, maintenance, and possible complications.

Plastic Surgery Fears and Questions

It is common to have mixed feelings before plastic surgery. 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 the Result Still Look Like Me?”

This is one of the most common patient concerns. Patients often want a rested look, not a changed identity. Natural-looking plastic surgery should respect facial features, body frame, age, and personal style.

For many patients, the goal is better balance, not a perfect or unrealistic look.

“How Much Downtime Will I Need?”

Recovery time depends on the procedure. Non-surgical treatments may need little or no downtime. A tummy tuck, body lift, or mommy makeover is more involved and needs more planning.

Most patients should prepare for:

Bruising and swelling
Reduced activity
Recovery time before returning to work
Appointments after surgery
Scar healing support
A gradual return to exercise
A result that improves as swelling settles

Recovery does not happen instantly. Many procedures look better over weeks and months.

“How Noticeable Will Scars Be?”

Any procedure with an incision creates a scar. The goal is not scar-free surgery, but careful scar placement and good healing.

The final scar can depend on:

Your genetics
Skin tone
Procedure type
Incision placement
Tension on the wound
Smoking or nicotine use
Exposure to the sun
Scar aftercare

A scar often becomes less noticeable over time, but it will not vanish completely.

“How Safe Is Plastic Surgery?”

Every surgery has risk. Plastic surgery risks may include bleeding, infection, poor scarring, anesthesia concerns, asymmetry, delayed healing, numbness, fluid buildup, and dissatisfaction.

A safe procedure depends on factors such as:

The patient’s health
Prescription and non-prescription medications
Whether you smoke or use nicotine
The planned procedure
The surgical facility
The type of anesthesia
The surgeon’s skill, training, and experience
Follow-up after surgery

During consultation, patients should learn about benefits, risks, alternatives, and realistic expectations.

What Canadians Should Know About Plastic Surgery

In Canada, plastic surgery is regulated through medical licensing, provincial colleges, hospitals, surgical facilities, and professional standards. Understanding medical credentials is important because marketing terms can be confusing.

Choosing a Plastic Surgeon in Canada

Training and credentials should be a major part of choosing a plastic surgeon in Canada. Plastic surgeons should be trained in medicine, surgery, and the specialty of plastic surgery.

Before choosing a surgeon, patients can ask:

What plastic surgery certification do you hold?
Are you licensed to perform surgery in this province?
Do you perform this procedure often?
What facility will be used for the procedure?
What type of anesthesia is used and who provides it?
What risks apply to my specific case?
How are complications handled?
How many follow-up appointments are included?
Can I see examples of similar cases?

These questions are not meant to be difficult. It is about understanding your options.

Cost of Cosmetic Surgery in Canada

Fees for cosmetic plastic surgery in Canada can differ greatly. Pricing may depend 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 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 Compared With Plastic Surgery in Canada

Travelling abroad for lower-cost plastic surgery is something some Canadians consider. Lower cost may be appealing, but surgery abroad can come with extra risks.

Medical tourism concerns may include:

Limited post-surgery follow-up
Travel during early recovery
Infection-related complications
Different facility or safety standards
Harder access to records
Trouble getting complications treated after returning to Canada
Communication barriers
Additional costs if revision surgery is needed

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

What to Bring to a Plastic Surgery Consultation

During a consultation, you can learn what is possible, what is safe, and what results are realistic. It should not feel rushed or high-pressure.

Before a consultation, consider preparing in these ways:

List your main concerns before the visit.
Take a list of all medications and supplements you use.
Be ready to share your medical history.
Share whether you smoke, vape, use cannabis, or use nicotine.
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 altogether.

Who May Be a Good Candidate?

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 a good candidate if:

You have good general health
You know what concern you want to address
Your weight is stable for body surgery
You can follow smoking and nicotine restrictions
You know what to expect during recovery
You accept the risks, scars, and trade-offs
You are choosing the procedure for yourself
You have realistic goals

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.

Can Plastic Surgery Procedures Be Combined?

It may be safe to combine some procedures. Others should be staged. Combined surgery can reduce overall downtime, but it can also increase surgical time and recovery demands.

Common combined surgery plans include:

Lower face and neck rejuvenation
Eyelid surgery with a brow lift
Profile balancing with rhinoplasty and chin surgery
Mastopexy with augmentation
Abdominoplasty with liposuction
Breast and body procedures in a mommy makeover
Post-weight-loss contouring with body lift and limb contouring
Combining facial rejuvenation and fat grafting

Your health, procedure length, anesthesia, recovery support, and risk level all affect the safest plan.

Final Thoughts on Types of Plastic Surgery Procedures in Canada

Plastic surgery in Canada includes a wide range of cosmetic and reconstructive procedures. Many cosmetic procedures focus on 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 procedure people ask about first. The best choice is the one that fits 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.