Plastic surgery includes many treatments that can refine, restore, or enhance the face and body. Some procedures are known as cosmetic, meaning they are chosen to enhance how a person looks. Reconstructive plastic surgery may be used after injury, cancer, birth differences, burns, or medical conditions to help repair form or function.
There are many goals why people in Canada search for plastic surgery. Some people are looking for a more refreshed look. Others want to restore body shape after pregnancy, weight loss, or aging. Some people seek care 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 guide covers the main types of plastic surgery procedures in Canada, including facial surgery, breast surgery, body contouring, reconstructive surgery, and non-surgical cosmetic treatments. It also explains what to think about before booking a consultation.
Cosmetic Plastic Surgery Compared With Reconstructive Plastic Surgery
Most plastic surgery procedures fall into two broad groups, cosmetic surgery and reconstructive surgery.
Cosmetic Plastic Surgery in Canada
Cosmetic plastic surgery focuses on appearance. Because cosmetic surgery is usually elective, it is planned by choice and is not normally medically required.
Patients often choose cosmetic surgery to help with:
- Creating better facial balance
- Reducing signs of aging
- Changing body proportions
- Improving volume changes after weight loss or pregnancy
- Changing the shape of the nose, eyelids, ears, lips, breasts, abdomen, arms, or thighs
- Improving the way clothing fits
- Supporting confidence with natural-looking changes
Across Canada, cosmetic plastic surgery is usually paid for by the patient. Fees can vary based on the procedure, surgeon, facility, anesthesia, follow-up care, and location.
Reconstructive Plastic Surgery
Reconstructive plastic surgery is focused on restoring form and function. It may be used after cancer surgery, trauma, burns, infections, birth differences, or medical conditions.
Common types of reconstructive surgery include:
- Breast reconstruction after removal of breast tissue
- Skin cancer reconstruction after a skin tumour is removed
- Cleft lip and palate repair
- Burn scar reconstruction
- Hand repair surgery
- Surgical scar revision
- Surgical wound repair
- Facial injury reconstruction
- Correction of congenital concerns
When reconstructive procedures are medically necessary, some may be covered by a provincial health plan. Cosmetic procedures are usually not covered.
Facial Cosmetic Surgery Procedures
Facial plastic surgery can improve facial balance, soften signs of aging, and restore a refreshed look. For many patients, the goal is not to look like another person. Good facial plastic surgery should often look natural and balanced.
Facelift Surgery, Also Called Rhytidectomy
Facelift surgery, or rhytidectomy, is used to improve sagging in the lower face and jawline. It can help with jowls, loose facial skin, and deeper folds around the mouth.
Common facelift concerns include:
- Softness or jowling at the jawline
- Skin laxity in the lower face
- Deeper smile lines
- Lowered cheek tissue
- Loss of definition between the face and neck
Today, facelift surgery often works on deeper support layers below the skin. That deeper support can help create a smoother result that lasts longer and avoids a pulled look. Many patients combine facelift surgery with a neck lift, eyelid surgery, brow lift, or facial fat grafting.
Neck Lift Surgery for Jawline and Neck Definition
A neck lift can improve loose skin, muscle bands, and fullness under the chin. The clinical term for tightening the neck muscle is platysmaplasty.
Common reasons for neck lift surgery include:
- Prominent neck bands
- Loose skin on the neck
- An undefined jawline
- A heavy area under the chin
- A hanging neck appearance
In some cases, the plan includes tightening both skin and muscle. Some patients may only need liposuction under the chin. In many cases, the face and neck age together, so a facelift and neck lift may be planned at the same time.
Upper and Lower Eyelid Surgery
Eyelid surgery, also called blepharoplasty, improves tired-looking eyes by removing or adjusting extra skin, fat, or tissue around the eyelids.
Patients may choose upper eyelid surgery for:
- Upper lids that feel heavy
- Extra eyelid skin
- Eyes that look tired or aged
- Skin resting on the eyelashes
- Functional vision concerns in some patients
Patients may choose lower eyelid surgery for:
- Bags under the eyes
- Lower eyelid puffiness
- Loose lower eyelid skin
- Hollow shadows 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 Procedure
A forehead lift, commonly called a brow lift, helps lift 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
- A heavy upper eyelid look caused by brow position
- Horizontal forehead lines
- Frown 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. Depending on anatomy, a patient may need one procedure, the other, or both.
Nose Surgery (Rhinoplasty)
Rhinoplasty, commonly called a nose job, changes the shape, size, or structure of the nose. Depending on the patient, rhinoplasty can be cosmetic, functional, or a combination.
Common rhinoplasty concerns include:
- A raised bridge bump
- A drooping nasal tip
- A broad or boxy tip
- A nose that is not straight
- Nasal size or projection
- Nose asymmetry
- Nasal breathing concerns linked to anatomy
When breathing is a concern, cosmetic surgeon near me surgery may include work on the septum, the wall between the nostrils. Surgery on the septum is called septoplasty. A cosmetic rhinoplasty is done for appearance, while functional nasal surgery is done to improve airflow.
Ear Surgery Procedure (Otoplasty)
Ear surgery, also known as otoplasty, changes the shape, position, or size of the ears. It is commonly used to correct ears that stick out.
Patients may consider otoplasty for:
- Ears that stick out
- Ear asymmetry
- Overdeveloped ear cartilage folds
- Ears that sit far from the head
- Earlobe appearance concerns
This procedure is performed for both adults and children. For children, timing depends on ear growth, maturity, and family goals.
Upper Lip Lift Surgery
A lip lift reduces the space between the upper lip and the nose. Clinically, this measurement is often called the upper lip length. This surgery may reveal more of the upper lip without using filler.
A lip lift may address:
- A lengthened upper lip area
- Upper teeth that show less when smiling
- A thin upper lip appearance
- Poor lip balance
- Changes around the mouth from aging
Lip lift surgery differs from lip filler. Lip filler adds volume. A lip lift changes upper lip position and shape.
Chin, Cheek, and Jawline Implants
Facial implants can improve balance in the chin, cheeks, or jawline. Chin surgery can improve facial profile balance when the chin looks small compared with the nose or other features.
Common facial implant procedures include:
- Chin augmentation implants
- Implants for the cheeks
- Surgical jawline implants
In some cases, chin surgery is combined with rhinoplasty because the nose and chin both affect facial balance in profile view.
Facial Fat Grafting
Facial fat grafting uses the patient’s own fat to restore volume. Fat is usually taken from areas such as the abdomen or thighs, processed, and placed into the face.
Facial fat grafting may address:
- Cheek hollowing
- Tear trough hollowing
- Volume loss after aging
- Thinning soft tissue
- Facial volume imbalance
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
Cosmetic and reconstructive breast surgery are common parts of plastic surgery in Canada. Breast procedures may increase volume, reduce size, lift the breasts, improve symmetry, or restore breast shape after cancer surgery.
Breast Augmentation
Breast augmentation increases breast size and shape using implants or fat transfer. Breast augmentation may use either saline implants or silicone gel implants. The right implant option is based on body type, breast tissue, goals, and professional surgical guidance.
Breast augmentation may address:
- A naturally small breast shape
- Pregnancy-related breast volume loss
- Less breast fullness after weight change
- Uneven breast size or shape
- A desire for more breast fullness in clothing
Patients often worry that breast augmentation may look too large or unnatural. Chest width, skin quality, lifestyle, and long-term maintenance should all be part of the plan.
Breast Lift Procedure
A breast lift, also called mastopexy, raises and reshapes breasts that have dropped. It does not primarily add volume. The procedure focuses on improving breast position and shape.
Patients may consider a breast lift for:
- Lower breast position
- Nipples that face downward
- Areola stretching
- Breast skin laxity
- Breast changes after pregnancy, breastfeeding, or weight loss
Some patients combine a breast lift with implants for more upper breast fullness. Some patients choose a breast lift without implants for a more natural result.
Reduction Mammoplasty
To reduce breast size and weight, breast reduction removes extra tissue, fat, and skin.
Breast reduction may help with:
- Neck discomfort
- Shoulder strain
- Back pain
- Bra strap marks
- Skin irritation under the breasts
- Exercise discomfort
- Difficulty fitting bras or clothes
Breast reduction may be viewed as medically necessary in Canada in certain cases. Whether coverage applies depends on the province, symptoms, and medical assessment.
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.
Breast implant revision may be needed for:
- Desire to change implant size
- Rupture of an implant
- Capsular contracture, which is firm scar tissue around an implant
- Implant shifting
- Asymmetry between the breasts
- Changes from aging after breast augmentation
- Breast implant removal
Implant removal may be combined with a breast lift. Other patients prefer implant replacement with a new size, shape, or placement.
Reconstructive Breast Surgery
The breast may be rebuilt after mastectomy or lumpectomy with breast reconstruction. It may use implants, natural tissue, or a combination.
Breast reconstruction may involve:
- Reconstruction using implants
- Flap-based reconstruction
- Rebuilding the nipple and areola
- Fat grafting
- Revision surgery to improve symmetry
This is a deeply personal choice. Some patients choose reconstruction. Some patients decide not to rebuild the breast and remain flat. Both paths are valid and personal.
Gynecomastia Surgery for Male Breast Reduction
Enlarged male breast tissue may be treated with gynecomastia surgery. It may include liposuction, gland removal, or both.
Common gynecomastia concerns include:
- Puffy-looking nipples
- Fullness under the areola
- A fuller male chest
- Uneven male chest shape
- Concern about the chest in fitted shirts, at the gym, or at the beach
Treatment choice depends on whether fat, gland tissue, loose skin, or a mix of these is causing the fullness.
Types of Body Contouring Surgery
Body contouring focuses on improving shape through skin removal, fat reduction, or tissue tightening. It is common after pregnancy, aging, or major weight loss.
Abdominoplasty for Abdominal Contouring
Abdominoplasty, commonly called a tummy tuck, removes extra abdominal skin and tightens the abdominal wall. Separated abdominal muscles, called diastasis recti, can also be repaired during the procedure.
Tummy tuck surgery can help improve:
- Loose abdominal skin
- A lower stomach apron
- Lower abdominal skin with stretch marks
- Diastasis recti
- Loose abdominal tissue after pregnancy or weight loss
Abdominoplasty is used for contouring, not for major weight loss. It is best for patients who are near a stable weight and want to improve abdominal shape.
Fat Reduction With Liposuction
Liposuction surgery uses a thin tube called a cannula to remove localized fat. It is used for body contouring, not general weight loss.
Liposuction may be used on areas such as:
- Abdominal area
- Flank areas
- Hip area
- Inner or outer thighs
- Arm fullness
- Back rolls
- Submental area and neck
- Male or female chest area
- Inner knee area
Good skin tone is important. When loose skin is present, liposuction alone may not create the desired contour. A skin-tightening or skin removal procedure may be needed in that situation.
Mommy Makeover Procedure
Body changes after pregnancy, breastfeeding, or weight change may be treated with a custom mommy makeover plan. It often combines breast and abdominal procedures.
Common mommy makeover procedures include:
- Tummy tuck surgery
- Breast lift surgery
- Breast augmentation surgery
- Reduction mammoplasty
- Liposuction surgery
- Fat grafting
The name can be misleading because the procedure is not only for mothers. It may be suitable for anyone with similar body changes. The right plan depends on health, goals, recovery time, and whether future pregnancy is planned.
Brachioplasty, or Arm Lift Surgery
An arm lift, also known as brachioplasty, removes loose skin from the upper arms.
Patients may consider an arm lift for:
- Upper arm skin that hangs
- Loose skin after weight loss
- Age-related changes in the arms
- Trouble feeling comfortable in sleeveless shirts
- Skin friction in the upper arms
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 Procedure
Loose thigh skin can be removed with a thigh lift. It is often considered after major weight loss.
A thigh lift may address:
- Inner thigh skin laxity
- Chafing from loose thigh skin
- Difficulty fitting pants
- Thigh heaviness caused by extra skin
- Post-weight-loss or post-bariatric thigh changes
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 Lift After Weight Loss
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.
Common reasons for body lift surgery include:
- Substantial weight loss
- Post-bariatric body changes
- Post-pregnancy body changes
- Aging with major skin laxity
Body lift surgery is more extensive, so recovery is usually longer. A stable weight and good overall health are important before body lift surgery.
Body Contouring With Fat Transfer
With fat grafting, fat is removed from one area and placed in another. This procedure may improve contour or add volume using the patient’s own fat.
Common areas for fat grafting include:
- The breasts
- Buttock volume
- Hip volume
- Facial volume
- Contour irregularities after injury or surgery
Fat grafting uses your own tissue, but not all transferred fat survives. Results can change over time, and 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 Treatment and Revision
Scar revision improves the look or feel of a scar. It may not remove the scar completely, but it can make it less raised, tight, wide, or noticeable.
Scar revision may help with:
- Surgery-related scars
- Trauma scars
- Burn-related scars
- Bulky scars
- Scars that feel tight
- Scars that limit movement
Treatment may involve surgery, copyright injections, laser treatment, silicone therapy, or a combination.
Removal of Moles, Cysts, and Skin Lesions
When careful closure is important, plastic surgeons may remove benign skin lesions, cysts, moles, and lumps. Certain lesions should be checked medically to rule out skin cancer.
Removal may be done for:
- A lesion that gets irritated
- Noticeable growth
- Bleeding
- Cosmetic concern
- Pathology or diagnosis
- Comfort
If a mole changes or a skin lesion looks suspicious, it should be assessed by a qualified medical professional.
Skin Cancer Reconstruction
After skin cancer removal, reconstruction may be needed to close the wound and restore appearance. Common areas include the face, nose, eyelids, ears, lips, scalp, and hands.
Common skin cancer reconstruction methods include:
- Direct closure
- Skin grafts
- Local flaps
- Advanced reconstructive techniques
The goal is safe cancer removal while preserving function and appearance as much as possible.
Non-Surgical Cosmetic Procedures
Some patients can meet their goals without surgery. Early signs of aging, facial lines, volume loss, and skin quality concerns may be improved with non-surgical cosmetic treatments. These treatments usually have less downtime, but results are more temporary.
Wrinkle Relaxing Injections
BOTOX and other neuromodulators relax selected facial muscles. Neuromodulators are commonly chosen for lines caused by facial movement.
Common areas include:
- Lines between the eyebrows
- Forehead expression lines
- Crow’s feet
- Nose bunny lines
- Chin texture from muscle movement
- Neck bands in some cases
Because results are temporary, repeat treatments are usually needed. The goal is usually a softer, rested look, not a frozen face.
Injectable Dermal Fillers
Dermal fillers can restore or add volume. Dermal fillers often contain hyaluronic acid, which is a gel-like substance that supports and shapes soft tissue.
Dermal filler treatment may involve:
- Lips
- Cheeks
- Chin contour
- Jawline contour
- Under-eye volume loss
- Lines from the nose to the mouth
- Mouth-corner lines
Dermal filler results depend on product choice, injection technique, facial anatomy, and treatment goals. Overfilling may look unnatural, so conservative planning is important.
Medical Chemical Peels
A chemical peel applies a controlled solution to improve the surface layers of the skin.
Common chemical peel concerns include:
- Uneven tone
- A dull complexion
- Early fine lines
- Sun-damaged skin
- Acne-related marks
- Surface texture issues
The strength of a peel may be light, medium, or deeper depending on the goal. Recovery depends on peel type.
Laser and Energy Treatments for Skin
These treatments may improve concerns such as uneven tone, redness, texture, hair growth, scars, and visible aging.
Common treatment options may include:
- Laser resurfacing
- Intense pulsed light (IPL)
- Radiofrequency treatments
- Energy-based skin tightening
- Laser hair reduction
- Vascular laser treatment for redness or broken vessels
The right laser or energy treatment depends on skin type, skin tone, and the concern. Patients with darker skin tones need careful treatment planning because pigment changes can be a concern.
Dermabrasion and Microdermabrasion
Outer skin layers can be removed with dermabrasion, a deeper resurfacing procedure. Microdermabrasion is lighter and more superficial.
Dermabrasion and microdermabrasion may help with:
- Uneven texture
- Surface-level scars
- Dull-looking skin
- Rough or uneven skin
- Small fine lines
Skin quality, goals, downtime, and risk tolerance help determine the right choice.
How to Choose the Right Plastic Surgery Procedure
Choosing the right procedure starts with the concern, not the procedure name. A patient may request one procedure, then find out that a different option fits their anatomy better.
Common examples include:
- 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.
- 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.
A good treatment plan should answer three questions:
- What is causing the concern?
- What procedure addresses the cause most directly?
- What are the trade-offs of that option?
Patients should consider trade-offs such as scars, downtime, swelling, cost, maintenance, and possible complications.
Patient Concerns Before Plastic Surgery
Mixed feelings are normal before a plastic surgery procedure. Patients may feel excited, but they may also feel nervous. Many patients worry about safety, pain, scars, recovery, cost, and whether the outcome will look natural.
“Will I Look Refreshed or Different?”
This concern comes up often. Patients often want a rested look, not a changed identity. Plastic surgery that looks natural should fit the patient’s facial features, body frame, age, and personal style.
A healthy goal is often improved balance instead of perfection.
“How Long Is the Recovery?”
Downtime varies by procedure. Non-surgical treatments may require little or no downtime. Larger surgeries, such as tummy tuck, body lift, or mommy makeover, require more planning.
Most patients should prepare for:
- Swelling or bruising
- Temporary activity restrictions
- Planned time away from work
- Appointments after surgery
- Care for scars
- Gradual return to exercise
- Gradual settling before final results are seen
Recovery does not happen instantly. Results often look better as weeks and months pass.
“Can Plastic Surgery Scars Be Hidden?”
Any surgical cut leaves some type of scar. The goal is to place scars as carefully as possible and help them heal well.
Scar quality depends on:
- Genetics
- Skin colour and tone
- Procedure type
- Incision placement
- Tension on the wound
- Smoking and vaping status
- UV exposure
- Scar aftercare
Scars usually fade over time, but they do not disappear completely.
“Is Plastic Surgery Safe?”
All surgery has risk. Complications can include bleeding, infection, poor scarring, anesthesia problems, asymmetry, delayed healing, numbness, fluid buildup, or disappointment with the result.
Surgical safety depends on several factors, including:
- General health
- Your medications
- Use of tobacco or nicotine
- The planned procedure
- The accredited surgical setting
- The planned anesthesia
- The surgeon’s skill, training, and experience
- Care after the procedure
A careful consultation should include benefits, risks, alternatives, and realistic expectations.
What Canadians Should Know About Plastic Surgery
In Canada, plastic surgery is regulated through medical licensing, provincial colleges, hospital systems, surgical facilities, and professional standards. Understanding medical credentials is important because marketing terms can be confusing.
How to Choose a Qualified Plastic Surgeon
When researching plastic surgery in Canada, look for proper training and credentials. A plastic surgeon should have medical training, surgical training, and certification in plastic surgery.
Before choosing a surgeon, patients can ask:
- Are you certified as a plastic surgeon?
- Are you licensed to practise in this province?
- Is this a procedure you perform regularly?
- Which surgical facility will be used?
- Who is responsible for anesthesia care?
- What are the risks for my specific case?
- Who do I contact if I have a complication?
- What follow-up care is included?
- May I see before-and-after examples for similar procedures?
Asking questions is not being difficult. It is about protecting your health and making an informed decision.
Cost of Cosmetic Surgery in Canada
Fees for cosmetic plastic surgery in Canada can differ greatly. 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. Smaller markets may offer different pricing, but cost alone should not guide the decision.
A very low price may be a warning sign if safety, training, facility standards, or aftercare are being reduced.
Surgery Abroad vs. Plastic Surgery in Canada
Some Canadians think about travelling outside the country for lower-cost surgery. Although this may sound appealing, extra risks should be considered.
Concerns with medical tourism may include:
- Less access to follow-up care
- Flying or travelling soon after surgery
- Infection risk
- Medical standards that may differ
- Harder access to records
- Difficulty managing complications back in Canada
- Possible language barriers
- Unexpected revision costs
When surgery is done closer to home, follow-up may be easier if concerns or complications occur.
Preparing for a Plastic Surgery Consultation
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.
- Bring details about prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, and supplements.
- Share your health and medical history honestly.
- Do not hide smoking, vaping, cannabis, or nicotine use.
- Bring photos if they help show your goals.
- Discuss recovery, scarring, risks, and other options.
- Ask what can realistically be achieved for your face or body.
A good consultation should include a clear discussion of options. The right advice may be to delay surgery, choose a smaller treatment, improve health first, or avoid surgery.
Good Candidates for Plastic Surgery
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.
You may be a good candidate if:
- You are generally healthy
- You have a specific concern
- You are at a stable weight for body contouring
- You are nicotine-free or can stop before and after surgery
- You are prepared for the recovery process
- You accept the risks and trade-offs
- You want the procedure for yourself
- Your goals are realistic
Surgery may need to wait if you are pregnant, planning major weight loss, using nicotine, managing an unstable medical condition, or feeling pressured by another person.
Planning More Than One Plastic Surgery Procedure
It may be safe to combine some procedures. Others should be staged. A combined plan may save recovery time, but it also needs careful planning because surgery time and healing demands may increase.
Plastic surgery procedures that are often combined include:
- A facelift with a neck lift
- Eyelid surgery with a brow lift
- Rhinoplasty with chin surgery
- Breast lift with breast augmentation
- Tummy tuck and liposuction
- Mommy makeover surgery combinations
- Body lift plus thigh or arm contouring
- Facial surgery combined with fat grafting
The safest plan depends on health, procedure length, anesthesia, recovery support, and risk level.
Summary of Plastic Surgery Procedures in Canada
Plastic surgery in Canada includes many cosmetic and reconstructive procedures. Some procedures improve the face, breasts, or body. Other procedures focus on repair after cancer, injury, burns, or medical conditions. Wrinkles, volume loss, skin texture, and early aging changes may also be improved with non-surgical treatments.
The right procedure is not always the most popular option. The right option should match your anatomy, goals, health, and comfort level.
A good plan should focus on safety, natural-looking results, clear expectations, and proper follow-up care. For procedures such as eyelid surgery, rhinoplasty, breast augmentation, tummy tuck, liposuction, facelift surgery, or reconstructive plastic surgery, the first step is education about benefits and limits.