Across Canada, plastic surgery includes many different procedures that can refine, restore, or support the face and body. A procedure may be cosmetic when the main goal is to refine appearance. Reconstructive procedures are used to help rebuild form or function after concerns such as injury, cancer, birth differences, burns, or medical conditions.
People across Canada consider plastic surgery for many different concerns. Some want to look more refreshed. 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. Your anatomy, goals, health, lifestyle, and recovery time all help guide the right procedure.
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.
Cosmetic Plastic Surgery Compared With 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.
Patients often choose cosmetic surgery to help with:
- Refining facial balance
- Softening signs of aging
- Improving body contours
- Improving volume changes after weight loss or pregnancy
- Addressing concerns with the nose, eyelids, ears, lips, breasts, abdomen, arms, or thighs
- Helping patients feel better in clothing
- Helping confidence through natural-looking improvements
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 Surgery
The goal of reconstructive plastic surgery is to help restore normal form and function. Patients may need reconstructive surgery after cancer surgery, trauma, burns, infections, birth differences, or medical conditions.
Common reconstructive procedures include:
- Breast reconstruction after a mastectomy
- Skin cancer reconstruction after a skin tumour is removed
- Cleft lip and palate reconstruction
- Surgical treatment for burn-related changes
- Hand repair surgery
- Scar repair or revision
- Surgical wound repair
- Facial injury reconstruction
- Correction of congenital concerns
Provincial health plans may cover some reconstructive procedures when they are medically necessary. Procedures done only to improve appearance are usually not covered.
Plastic Surgery Procedures for the Face
Facial plastic surgery can improve facial balance, soften signs of aging, and restore a refreshed look. Most patients do not want to look “different.” Good facial plastic surgery should often look natural and balanced.
Facelift Surgery for the Lower Face
Facelift surgery, or rhytidectomy, is used to improve sagging in the lower face and jawline. It may help with jowls, loose facial skin, and deeper folds around the mouth.
Facelift surgery can address concerns such as:
- Jowls along the jawline
- Skin laxity in the lower face
- Deep facial folds near the mouth
- Sagging cheek tissue
- Reduced definition from the jawline into the neck
Modern facelift surgery often treats deeper support layers below the skin. This may create a smoother, longer-lasting result without a pulled appearance. 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 is used to improve neck skin laxity, muscle bands, and under-chin fullness. The clinical term for tightening the neck muscle is platysmaplasty.
Neck lift surgery can help improve:
- Muscle bands in the neck
- Neck skin laxity
- Reduced jawline sharpness
- A heavy area under the chin
- A “turkey neck” appearance
For some people, both the skin and neck muscle need tightening. Some patients may only need liposuction under the chin. Because the face and neck often age together, a facelift and neck lift may be planned together.
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.
Patients may choose upper eyelid surgery for:
- A weighted upper eyelid look
- Extra eyelid skin
- A tired-looking or aged appearance
- Skin that sits on the eyelashes
- Vision concerns in select medical cases
Common lower eyelid concerns include:
- Under-eye puffiness or bags
- Puffiness beneath the eyes
- Extra lower eyelid skin
- Under-eye shadowing
- A tired look that does not improve with rest
Eyelid surgery is one of the most common facial procedures because small eye-area changes can make the face look more rested.
Brow Lift Surgery for a Heavy Brow
A brow lift, also known as a forehead lift, raises a low or heavy brow. It can improve the upper eye area and reduce forehead heaviness.
A brow lift may help with:
- Eyebrows that sit too low
- Heavy upper lids from brow descent
- Forehead wrinkles
- Frown lines in the glabella area
- A tired, sad, or stern look
A brow lift is not the same as eyelid surgery. Extra eyelid skin is treated with eyelid surgery, while eyebrow position is treated with a brow lift. Many patients need either one procedure or the other, while some benefit from 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.
Rhinoplasty may address:
- A bump on the bridge
- A lowered nose tip
- A wide nasal tip
- A crooked nasal shape
- How far the nose projects
- Nasal asymmetry
- Breathing problems related to nasal structure
When breathing is a concern, surgery may include work on the septum, the wall between the nostrils. The medical term for septum surgery is septoplasty. A cosmetic rhinoplasty is done for appearance, while functional nasal surgery is done to improve airflow.
Ear Surgery (Otoplasty)
The shape, position, or size of the ears may be changed with ear surgery, also called otoplasty. Otoplasty is often chosen for ears that stick out.
Common otoplasty concerns include:
- Prominent ears
- Ears that do not match well
- Prominent ear cartilage folds
- Ears that stand out from the head
- Stretched or uneven earlobes
Otoplasty is common in adults and children. In children, timing depends on ear development, maturity, and family goals.
Surgical Lip Lift
A lip lift is designed to shorten the space between the upper lip and the nose. That space is often described as the upper lip length. This surgery may reveal more of the upper lip without using filler.
Lip lift surgery can help improve:
- Upper lip length that looks long
- Upper teeth that show less when smiling
- A thin-looking upper lip
- Lip proportions that feel unbalanced
- Changes around the mouth from aging
A lip lift should not be confused with lip filler. Lip filler mainly adds fullness. A lip lift changes upper lip position and shape.
Facial Implant Surgery for the Chin, Cheeks, and Jawline
Facial implants may improve balance in the chin, cheeks, or jawline. When the chin appears small in relation to the nose or other features, chin surgery may help.
Facial implant surgery may include:
- Surgical chin implants
- Cheek implant surgery
- Jawline implants
In some cases, chin surgery is combined with rhinoplasty because the nose and chin both affect facial balance in profile view.
Fat Grafting to the Face
With facial fat grafting, fat from the patient’s own body is used to restore facial volume. The process usually involves taking fat from the abdomen or thighs, processing it, and placing it into selected facial areas.
Facial fat grafting may address:
- Cheek hollowing
- Hollowing under the eyes
- Lost facial volume due to aging
- Soft tissue volume loss
- Facial volume imbalance
Fat grafting can be used alone or with facelift surgery, eyelid surgery, or other facial procedures.
Breast Plastic Surgery Procedures
Breast surgery is among the most common areas of cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery in Canada. Some patients want more volume, less size, a breast lift, better symmetry, or breast restoration after cancer surgery.
Breast Augmentation in Canada
Breast augmentation improves 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.
Common breast augmentation goals include:
- Naturally small breasts
- Less breast fullness after pregnancy
- Breast volume loss after weight change
- Breast size or shape imbalance
- Improved breast shape in fitted clothing
Some patients feel nervous about results that may look too large or unnatural. A natural-looking plan should consider chest width, skin quality, lifestyle, and long-term maintenance.
Breast Lift (Mastopexy)
Breasts that have dropped can be raised and reshaped with a breast lift, also called mastopexy. It does not mainly add volume. A breast lift is designed to improve where the breasts sit and how they are shaped.
A breast lift may address:
- Breast sagging
- Downward-pointing nipples
- Stretched nipple-areola areas
- Stretched breast skin
- Changes after pregnancy, breastfeeding, or weight loss
Some patients choose a breast lift with implants for more upper breast fullness. Other patients prefer a lift without implants for a 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 may address:
- Chronic neck pain
- Shoulder discomfort
- Upper back pain
- Grooves from bra straps
- Rashes under the breasts
- Difficulty exercising
- Problems with clothing fit
Some breast reduction procedures in Canada may be considered medically necessary. Provincial rules, symptoms, and medical assessment all affect coverage.
Breast Implant Replacement or Removal
Breast implant revision adjusts or replaces existing breast implants. It may be needed for cosmetic reasons or medical concerns.
Patients may consider revision for:
- Changing breast implant size
- Breast implant rupture
- Capsular contracture, which means firm scar tissue around an implant
- An implant that has moved out of position
- Breasts that look uneven
- Age-related changes after breast augmentation
- No longer wanting breast implants
A breast lift may be done when implants are removed. New implants may be chosen with a changed size, shape, or position.
Reconstructive Breast Surgery
The breast may be rebuilt after mastectomy or lumpectomy with breast reconstruction. Breast reconstruction can use implants, natural tissue, or both.
Breast reconstruction may involve:
- Implant-based reconstruction
- Breast reconstruction with natural tissue flaps
- Reconstruction of the nipple and areola
- Fat transfer to the breast
- Revision surgery for symmetry
Breast reconstruction is a very personal decision. Some patients want reconstruction. Some patients choose a flat closure instead. Both options are valid.
Gynecomastia Surgery for Male Breast Reduction
Male breast reduction, also called gynecomastia surgery, treats enlarged male breast tissue. The procedure may use liposuction, gland removal, or both methods.
Male breast reduction can help improve:
- A puffy nipple appearance
- Extra tissue beneath the areola
- Fullness in the chest
- Uneven shape across the male chest
- Concern about the chest in fitted shirts, at the gym, or at the beach
The best technique depends on whether the fullness is caused by fat, gland tissue, loose skin, or a mix of these.
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, or Tummy Tuck Surgery
A tummy tuck, also known as abdominoplasty, removes extra abdominal skin and tightens the abdominal wall. It can also repair separated abdominal muscles, which are known as diastasis recti.
Patients may consider a tummy tuck for:
- Loose skin on the abdomen
- An overhang in the lower belly
- Stretch marks on skin below the belly button
- A weakened or separated abdominal wall
- Loose abdominal tissue after pregnancy or weight loss
Tummy tuck surgery is not a general 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. It is used for body contouring rather than general weight loss.
Liposuction may treat:
- Belly area
- Flank areas
- Outer hip area
- The thighs
- Arm fullness
- Back contour areas
- Chin and neck
- Chest fullness
- Inner knee area
Good skin elasticity helps improve results. Liposuction alone may not be enough when the skin is loose. In that case, skin removal surgery may be needed.
Mommy Makeover Surgery
A mommy makeover combines procedures to address body changes after pregnancy, breastfeeding, or weight change. A mommy makeover commonly includes surgery for the breasts and abdomen.
Mommy makeover options may include:
- A tummy tuck procedure
- Surgical breast lifting
- Breast augmentation
- Breast reduction
- 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 best plan depends on health, goals, recovery time, and whether future pregnancy is planned.
Arm Lift for Loose Upper Arm Skin
Brachioplasty, commonly called an arm lift, removes extra skin from the upper arms.
Arm lift surgery can help improve:
- Hanging skin under the arms
- Skin laxity after weight loss
- Arm skin changes over time
- Feeling uncomfortable in sleeveless tops
- Skin friction in the upper arms
The main trade-off is a scar along the inner or back part of the arm. Because the scar is permanent, patients should carefully discuss whether the improved aesthetic treatments shape is worth it.
Thigh Lift Procedure
Loose thigh skin can be removed with a thigh lift. Many patients choose it after major weight loss.
Common thigh lift concerns include:
- Inner thigh skin laxity
- Thigh skin rubbing
- Difficulty fitting pants
- Thigh heaviness caused by extra skin
- Changes after bariatric surgery or major weight loss
There are several thigh lift patterns. How much skin needs removal and where the looseness sits will guide the best option.
Body Contouring Lift
Body lift surgery is used to remove loose skin around the lower body. The procedure may improve several areas, including the abdomen, hips, outer thighs, buttocks, and lower back.
Body lift surgery may be helpful after:
- Large weight loss
- Post-bariatric body changes
- Pregnancy-related body changes
- Aging changes with loose skin
Because it is a larger surgery, recovery takes more time. A stable weight and good overall health are important before body lift surgery.
Fat Transfer to the Body
With fat grafting, fat is removed from one area and placed in another. It may be used to add natural volume or improve contour.
Fat grafting may be used in areas such as:
- Breast contour
- The buttocks
- The hips
- The face
- Uneven contours after surgery or injury
Although fat grafting uses your own fat, not all transferred fat will survive. Results can change over time, and more than one session may be needed.
Plastic Surgery for Skin and Scars
Beyond face, breast, and body surgery, plastic surgery may include skin, scar, and soft tissue procedures.
Scar Treatment and Revision
The look or feel of a scar may be improved with scar revision. Scar revision may not erase a scar, but it can improve scars that are raised, tight, wide, or noticeable.
Scar revision may help with:
- Surgical scars
- Injury scars
- Burn-related scars
- Thick scars
- Scars that feel tight
- Scars that limit movement
Depending on the scar, treatment may include surgery, copyright injections, laser treatment, silicone therapy, or combined care.
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. Certain lesions should be checked medically to rule out skin cancer.
Patients may seek removal for:
- Ongoing irritation
- Noticeable growth
- Recurrent bleeding
- Cosmetic concern
- Diagnosis
- Improved comfort
If a mole changes or a skin lesion looks suspicious, it should be assessed by a qualified medical professional.
Skin Cancer Reconstruction Procedures
Skin cancer reconstruction can help close the treated area and restore appearance after cancer removal. This is common in areas such as 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
- More advanced reconstruction
Skin cancer reconstruction aims to support safe cancer removal while protecting function and appearance.
Non-Surgical Cosmetic 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. Most non-surgical treatments have less downtime, but the results do not last as long as surgery.
BOTOX Cosmetic Treatments
BOTOX and other neuromodulators relax selected facial muscles. Expression lines are a common reason for BOTOX and neuromodulator treatment.
BOTOX and neuromodulators may treat:
- Expression lines between the brows
- Forehead expression lines
- Eye-area smile lines
- Bunny lines on the nose
- Peau d’orange chin texture
- Neck muscle bands in some situations
Results are temporary and usually need repeat treatments. A natural neuromodulator result should look softer and rested, not stiff or frozen.
Facial Fillers
Dermal filler treatments are used to restore or add soft tissue volume. They are often made with hyaluronic acid, a gel-like substance used to shape and support soft tissue.
Dermal filler treatment may involve:
- Lip volume
- The cheeks
- Chin projection
- Jawline definition
- Tear trough hollowing
- Lines from the nose to the mouth
- Marionette lines
The result from filler depends on the product, injection technique, facial anatomy, and treatment goals. A conservative plan matters because overfilling can create an unnatural look.
Chemical Peel Treatments
A chemical peel applies a controlled solution to improve the surface layers of the skin.
Common chemical peel concerns include:
- Uneven tone
- Dull skin
- Mild lines
- Skin changes from sun exposure
- Mild acne marks
- Texture concerns
Peel strength can range from light to deeper treatments. 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 options may include:
- Laser resurfacing
- IPL, or intense pulsed light
- Radiofrequency-based treatments
- Energy-based skin tightening
- Laser hair removal or reduction
- Vascular lasers for visible redness
These treatments should be matched to the patient’s skin type, skin tone, and concern. This is especially important for patients with darker skin tones, where pigment changes can be a risk.
Dermabrasion and Light Skin Resurfacing
Outer skin layers can be removed with dermabrasion, a deeper resurfacing procedure. Microdermabrasion is lighter and more surface-level.
These treatments may help with:
- Texture
- Mild scarring
- Skin dullness
- Surface irregularity
- Fine lines
The best treatment depends on the patient’s skin quality, goals, available downtime, and comfort with risk.
How Patients Can Choose the Best Procedure
A good plastic surgery plan starts by identifying the concern instead of choosing a procedure name first. It is common for patients to ask about one procedure and discover that another option may better suit their anatomy.
Examples include:
- 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.
- A full abdomen may be caused by fat, loose skin, muscle separation, or internal weight.
- Flat-looking breasts may be improved with a lift, implants, fat grafting, or a combination.
- Under-eye bags may be caused by fat pads, hollowing, skin laxity, or pigmentation.
A strong treatment plan should answer three questions:
- What anatomy is causing the issue?
- What procedure addresses the cause most directly?
- What trade-offs come with that option?
Every procedure has trade-offs, which may include scars, downtime, swelling, cost, maintenance, and possible complications.
Common Questions and Concerns Before Plastic Surgery
Before plastic surgery, many patients feel both excited and nervous. 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 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.
Plastic surgery should often improve balance rather than chase perfection.
“What Is the Recovery Like?”
Recovery depends on the procedure. Little or no downtime may be needed after many non-surgical treatments. More extensive surgeries like tummy tuck, body lift, and mommy makeover require a more detailed recovery plan.
Most patients should prepare for:
- Swelling and bruising
- Reduced activity
- Recovery time before returning to work
- Post-operative follow-up visits
- Scar management
- Slow return to workouts
- Final results that take time to settle
Healing takes time. Many procedures improve over weeks and months.
“Can Plastic Surgery Scars Be Hidden?”
A scar forms whenever an incision is made. The goal is careful scar placement and strong scar healing.
Many factors affect scar quality, including:
- How your body naturally scars
- Your skin tone
- The kind of surgery performed
- Placement of the incision
- Tension on the wound
- Nicotine exposure
- UV exposure
- How the scar is cared for
Scars tend to soften and fade, but they usually remain to some degree.
“How Safe Is Plastic Surgery?”
All surgery has risk. Patients should understand possible risks such as bleeding, infection, poor scarring, anesthesia issues, asymmetry, delayed healing, numbness, fluid buildup, and dissatisfaction.
Many factors affect plastic surgery safety, including:
- Your medical condition
- Medication use
- Nicotine or smoking use
- The procedure being done
- Where the procedure takes place
- The type of anesthesia
- The surgeon’s training and experience
- Your follow-up care
During consultation, patients should learn about benefits, risks, alternatives, and realistic expectations.
Plastic Surgery in Canada, What Patients Should Know
Canadian 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. The surgeon should have medical training, surgical training, and certification in the specialty of plastic surgery.
Patients should ask:
- Are you formally certified in the specialty of plastic surgery?
- Do you hold a medical licence in this province?
- Is this a procedure you perform regularly?
- Which surgical facility will be used?
- Who will provide the anesthesia?
- What risks apply to my specific case?
- What is the plan if there is a complication?
- How often will I be seen after surgery?
- May I see before-and-after examples for similar procedures?
This is not about being difficult. It is about protecting your health and making an informed decision.
Cost of Cosmetic Surgery in Canada
The cost of cosmetic surgery in Canada can vary a lot. Pricing depends on procedure complexity, surgeon experience, anesthesia, facility fees, implants or devices, garments, follow-up care, and location.
In major Canadian cities such as Vancouver, Toronto, Calgary, Edmonton, Ottawa, and Montreal, fees may be higher due to overhead and demand. Smaller cities may have different pricing, but cost should not be the only factor.
A very low price can be a warning sign if it means corners are being cut on safety, training, facility standards, or aftercare.
Medical Tourism for Plastic Surgery
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.
Patients should think about medical tourism concerns such as:
- Difficulty getting follow-up care
- Travelling before healing is complete
- Infection risk
- Different health care standards
- Hard-to-get records
- Challenges managing post-surgery problems in Canada
- Language or translation issues
- Additional costs if revision surgery is needed
Surgery closer to home can make follow-up care easier if swelling, healing concerns, or complications happen.
How to Prepare for a Plastic Surgery Consultation
A plastic surgery consultation helps clarify what is possible, safe, and realistic for your case. The process should feel informative, not rushed or pressured.
Before a consultation, consider preparing in these ways:
- Make notes about your main concerns.
- Bring details about prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, and supplements.
- Share your medical history.
- Do not hide smoking, vaping, cannabis, or nicotine use.
- Bring photos if they help show your goals.
- Review recovery, scars, risks, and alternative treatments.
- Ask what result is realistic for your body or face.
A strong consultation includes clear discussion of treatment options. A responsible plan may involve waiting, starting with a smaller treatment, improving health, or deciding against surgery.
Good Candidates for Plastic Surgery
A good candidate is usually someone who is healthy, informed, and realistic. Plastic surgery can improve appearance, but good candidates know it cannot create perfection or solve every concern.
Plastic surgery may be appropriate if:
- You are medically well enough for surgery
- Your goals are based on a clear concern
- You are near a stable weight for body procedures
- You are nicotine-free or can stop before and after surgery
- You know what to expect during recovery
- You accept the risks and trade-offs
- You are not doing it because of pressure from another person
- Your goals are realistic
You may need to postpone surgery if you are pregnant, planning major weight loss, using nicotine, managing an unstable medical condition, or feeling pressured by someone else.
Combined Plastic Surgery Procedures
Combining procedures can be appropriate in selected cases. 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.
Examples of combined procedures include:
- Facelift with neck lift
- Eyelid surgery with brow lift
- Combining rhinoplasty and chin surgery
- Breast lift with augmentation
- Abdominal contouring with tummy tuck and liposuction
- Mommy makeover procedures
- Post-weight-loss contouring with body lift and limb contouring
- Fat grafting with facial surgery
Your health, procedure length, anesthesia, recovery support, and risk level all affect the safest plan.
A Final Word on Canadian Plastic Surgery Procedures
Plastic surgery in Canada includes many cosmetic and reconstructive procedures. Some procedures improve the face, breasts, or body. Others help 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. It 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. 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.