Across Canada, plastic surgery includes a wide range of procedures that can refine, restore, or improve the face and body. Some procedures are cosmetic, which means they are chosen to refine appearance. Reconstructive procedures are used to help restore form or function after concerns such as injury, cancer, birth differences, burns, or medical conditions.
There are many concerns why people in Canada search for plastic surgery. Some people are looking for a more balanced look. Body changes from pregnancy, weight loss, or aging may lead some people to consider surgery. 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 covers key questions to consider before a plastic surgery consultation.
Understanding Cosmetic vs. Reconstructive Plastic Surgery
Most plastic surgery procedures fall into two broad groups, cosmetic surgery and reconstructive surgery.
Cosmetic Plastic Surgery
Cosmetic plastic surgery deals with appearance-related goals. Because cosmetic surgery is usually elective, it is planned by choice and is not normally medically required.
Common goals include:
- Creating a more balanced face
- Softening signs of aging
- Changing body proportions
- Replacing volume lost after weight change or pregnancy
- Refining the nose, eyelids, ears, lips, breasts, abdomen, arms, or thighs
- Making clothing feel or fit better
- Supporting confidence with natural-looking changes
Most cosmetic procedures in Canada are paid for privately. Fees are affected by factors such as the procedure, surgeon, facility, anesthesia plan, follow-up care, and city or province.
Reconstructive Plastic Surgery in Canada
Reconstructive surgery helps repair or restore form and function. It may be needed after cancer surgery, trauma, burns, infections, birth differences, or medical conditions.
Common types of reconstructive surgery include:
- Breast reconstruction following mastectomy
- Skin cancer reconstruction following tumour removal
- Cleft lip or palate repair
- Burn injury reconstruction
- Hand repair surgery
- Scar repair or revision
- Wound repair
- Facial trauma reconstruction
- Congenital reconstruction
Provincial health plans may cover some reconstructive procedures when they are medically necessary. Purely cosmetic changes are usually paid for privately.
Types of Facial Plastic Surgery
Plastic surgery for the face can help improve balance, reduce visible aging, and create a more refreshed appearance. For many patients, the goal is not to look like another person. The most pleasing results are often natural-looking and balanced.
Facelift Procedure (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:
- Jowls near the jawline
- Loose lower facial skin
- Deeper folds around the mouth
- Sagging cheek tissue
- Poor definition between the face and neck
A modern facelift commonly addresses the deeper support layers beneath the skin. That deeper support can help create a smoother result that lasts longer and avoids a pulled look. A facelift can be part of a larger facial rejuvenation plan that includes a neck lift, eyelid surgery, brow lift, or facial fat grafting.
Platysmaplasty and Neck Lift Surgery
A neck lift can improve loose skin, muscle bands, and fullness under the chin. Tightening the neck muscle may be described medically as platysmaplasty.
A neck lift may address:
- Neck bands
- Neck skin laxity
- Reduced jawline sharpness
- Fullness below the chin
- A “turkey neck” appearance
In some cases, the plan includes tightening both skin and muscle. Others may benefit from 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 or blepharoplasty helps refresh the eyes by removing or repositioning extra skin, fat, or tissue around the eyelids.
Common upper eyelid concerns include:
- Heavy upper lids
- Loose upper eyelid skin
- A more tired or older eye appearance
- Skin resting on the eyelashes
- Visual field concerns in some medical situations
Lower eyelid surgery may help with:
- Under-eye bags
- Lower eyelid puffiness
- Loose skin under the eyes
- Under-eye shadowing
- A tired look that does not improve with rest
Eyelid surgery is one of the most common facial procedures because small changes around the eyes can make the whole face look more rested.
Brow Lift, Also Called Forehead Lift
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.
Common brow lift concerns include:
- Brow descent
- Heavy upper eyelids caused by brow descent
- Lines across the forehead
- Frown lines in the glabella area
- A heavy expression that seems tired or stern
Although they can affect a similar area, a brow lift is not the same as eyelid surgery. A brow lift focuses on eyebrow position, while eyelid surgery focuses on extra eyelid skin. A consultation can help decide whether eyelid surgery, a brow lift, or both is the better fit.
Rhinoplasty, Also Called Nose Surgery
A nose job, medically known as rhinoplasty, changes the shape, size, or structure of the nose. It may be cosmetic, functional, or both.
Nose surgery can address concerns such as:
- A bump along the bridge of the nose
- A nasal tip that droops
- A wide or boxy tip
- Nasal crookedness
- Overall nose size or projection
- Nose asymmetry
- Breathing problems related to nasal structure
For patients with breathing concerns, rhinoplasty may include work on the septum, which separates the nostrils. The medical term for septum surgery is septoplasty. A cosmetic rhinoplasty changes appearance, while functional nasal surgery focuses on airflow.
Cosmetic Ear Surgery
Otoplasty, commonly called ear surgery, can change the shape, position, or size of the ears. This procedure is often used when the ears project away from the head.
Ear surgery can help improve:
- Noticeably prominent ears
- Asymmetry between the ears
- Large ear cartilage folds
- Ears with too much projection
- Concerns with the earlobes
Both adults and children may choose or need otoplasty. When otoplasty is considered for a child, timing is based on ear growth, maturity, and family goals.
Lip Lift Surgery
A lip lift reduces the space between the upper lip and the nose. The distance 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 lengthened upper lip area
- Upper teeth that show less when smiling
- An upper lip that looks thin
- Uneven lip balance
- Mouth-area aging changes
A surgical lip lift cosmetic plastic surgery treatments and lip filler are different treatments. Filler adds volume. A lip lift improves the upper lip by changing its position and visible shape.
Facial Implants for Balance
Facial implant surgery can refine the chin, cheeks, or jawline for better balance. Chin surgery may be used when the chin looks small compared with the nose or other facial features.
Common facial implant procedures include:
- Chin implants
- Surgical cheek implants
- 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 removed from areas such as the abdomen or thighs, processed, and placed into the face.
Fat grafting to the face can help improve:
- Sunken-looking cheeks
- Hollows beneath the eyes
- Age-related facial volume loss
- 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.
Types of Breast Plastic Surgery
Cosmetic and reconstructive breast surgery are common parts of plastic surgery in Canada. Patients may want to increase volume, reduce size, lift the breasts, improve symmetry, or restore the breast after cancer surgery.
Breast Augmentation in Canada
Breast augmentation increases breast size and shape using implants or fat transfer. Saline and silicone gel are common breast implant options. The right implant option is based on body type, breast tissue, goals, and professional surgical guidance.
Breast augmentation surgery can help improve:
- A naturally small breast shape
- Less breast fullness after pregnancy
- Weight-related breast volume loss
- Asymmetry between the breasts
- 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 for Sagging Breasts
Breasts that have dropped can be raised and reshaped with a breast lift, also called mastopexy. It does not mainly add volume. Instead, the goal is to improve breast position and shape.
Breast lift surgery can help improve:
- Breasts that sag
- Downward-pointing nipples
- Areola stretching
- Breast skin laxity
- Post-pregnancy, breastfeeding, or weight-loss breast changes
A breast lift may be combined with implants when more upper breast fullness is desired. A lift without implants may be preferred by patients who do not want added implant volume.
Reduction Mammoplasty
Breast reduction surgery makes the breasts smaller and lighter by removing extra breast tissue, fat, and skin.
Patients may consider breast reduction for:
- Neck strain
- Shoulder pain
- Back strain
- Indentations from bra straps
- Skin irritation under the breasts
- Trouble exercising
- Trouble finding clothing that fits
In certain Canadian cases, breast reduction may qualify as medically necessary. Coverage depends on provincial rules, symptoms, and medical assessment.
Breast Implant Revision
Surgery to adjust or replace existing breast implants is called breast implant revision. It may be done for cosmetic reasons or medical concerns.
Common reasons for breast implant revision include:
- Desire to change implant size
- An implant that has ruptured
- Capsular contracture, which is firm scar tissue around an implant
- Implant shifting
- Breast size or shape imbalance
- Changes from aging after breast augmentation
- No longer wanting breast implants
Some patients benefit from implant removal together with a breast lift. Some patients replace their implants with a different size, shape, or placement.
Breast Reconstruction After Cancer Surgery
The breast may be rebuilt after mastectomy or lumpectomy with breast reconstruction. It may use implants, natural tissue, or a combination.
Breast reconstruction options may include:
- Implant breast reconstruction
- Reconstruction using tissue flaps
- Reconstruction of the nipple and areola
- Fat grafting
- Revision surgery to improve symmetry
This can be a deeply personal choice. Many patients want breast reconstruction. Some patients choose a flat closure instead. Both paths are valid and personal.
Male Breast Reduction Surgery
Male breast reduction, also called gynecomastia surgery, treats enlarged male breast tissue. Treatment may involve liposuction, gland tissue removal, or both.
Gynecomastia surgery may help with:
- Nipple puffiness
- Extra tissue beneath the areola
- A fuller male chest
- Uneven shape across the male chest
- Discomfort being shirtless, exercising, or wearing fitted shirts
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 surgery improves shape by removing extra skin, reducing stubborn fat, or tightening tissue. Pregnancy, aging, and major weight loss are common reasons people consider body contouring.
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.
Common tummy tuck concerns include:
- Loose abdominal skin
- A lower stomach apron
- Lower abdominal skin with stretch marks
- Abdominal muscle separation
- Changes after pregnancy or weight loss
A tummy tuck is not meant to be a weight-loss procedure. It is usually best for patients near a stable weight who want to improve abdominal shape.
Fat Reduction With Liposuction
Localized fat can be removed with liposuction using a thin tube called a cannula. Liposuction is not a weight-loss method, it is a contouring procedure.
Common liposuction areas include:
- Abdomen
- Flanks, also called love handles
- Outer hip area
- The thighs
- The upper arms
- Back rolls
- Submental area and neck
- Chest
- The knees
Firm, elastic skin is important. If the skin is loose, liposuction by itself may not be enough. Skin removal surgery may be needed if loose skin is the main concern.
Mommy Makeover
Body changes after pregnancy, breastfeeding, or weight change may be treated with a custom mommy makeover plan. It often includes both breast and abdominal procedures.
A mommy makeover may include:
- Tummy tuck surgery
- A breast lift procedure
- A breast augmentation procedure
- A breast reduction procedure
- Body contouring with liposuction
- Fat transfer for volume
The name can be misleading because the procedure is not only for mothers. It may be suitable for anyone with similar body changes. The best mommy makeover plan should consider health, goals, recovery time, and whether future pregnancy is expected.
Brachioplasty, or Arm Lift Surgery
An arm lift, also known as brachioplasty, removes loose skin from the upper arms.
Common arm lift concerns include:
- Upper arm skin that hangs
- Loose upper arm skin after weight loss
- Age-related changes in the arms
- Avoiding sleeveless clothing
- Skin rubbing or irritation
Arm lift surgery leaves 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 loose skin from the thighs. It is often chosen after major weight loss.
Patients may consider a thigh lift for:
- Loose skin on the inner thighs
- Thigh skin rubbing
- Trouble with pants fit
- Thigh heaviness caused by extra skin
- Thigh changes after weight loss or bariatric surgery
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. It can improve the abdomen, hips, outer thighs, buttocks, and lower back.
Patients may consider a body lift after:
- Significant weight loss
- Surgery for weight loss
- Pregnancy-related body changes
- Aging-related lower-body skin looseness
This is a more involved surgery with a longer recovery. Patients should be at a stable weight and in good overall health.
Body Contouring With Fat Transfer
Fat can be moved from one body area to another with fat grafting. Fat grafting can add natural volume or refine body contour.
Patients may consider fat grafting for:
- The breasts
- Buttocks
- Hip contour
- Facial soft tissue
- Contour irregularities after surgery or injury
Fat grafting uses your own tissue, but not all transferred fat survives. The result can shift over time, and some patients may need more than one session.
Procedures for Skin, Scars, and Surface Concerns
Plastic surgery also includes treatments for the skin surface, scars, and soft tissue.
Scar Revision
Scar revision can improve the appearance or feel of a scar. 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
- Scars from injury
- Scarring after burns
- Scars that feel thick
- Tight or pulling scars
- Scars that pull during movement
Treatment may include surgery, copyright injections, laser treatment, silicone therapy, or a combination.
Plastic Surgery for Moles, Cysts, and Skin Lesions
Benign skin lesions, cysts, moles, and lumps may be removed by plastic surgeons when a precise closure is needed. A medical assessment may be needed for some lesions to rule out skin cancer.
Common reasons for removal include:
- Ongoing irritation
- Noticeable growth
- Bleeding from the lesion
- Appearance concerns
- A need for diagnosis
- Relief from discomfort
A qualified medical professional should assess any changing mole or suspicious skin lesion.
Plastic Surgery After Skin Cancer
Skin cancer reconstruction can help close the treated area and restore appearance after cancer removal. Reconstruction is especially common on visible or delicate areas such as the face, nose, eyelids, ears, lips, scalp, and hands.
A skin cancer reconstruction plan may use:
- Closing the area directly
- A skin graft
- Reconstruction with local flaps
- Complex reconstruction
The goal is safe cancer removal while preserving function and appearance as much as possible.
Common Non-Surgical Cosmetic Options
Not every patient requires surgery. Non-surgical cosmetic treatments can help with early signs of aging, facial lines, volume loss, and skin quality. Non-surgical care often means less recovery time, but the results are usually temporary.
Wrinkle Relaxing Injections
Neuromodulators such as BOTOX reduce movement in selected facial muscles. Expression lines are a common reason for BOTOX and neuromodulator treatment.
Common treatment areas include:
- Frown lines
- Forehead wrinkles
- Outer eye wrinkles
- Nose bunny lines
- Peau d’orange chin texture
- Neck bands for some patients
Because results are temporary, repeat treatments are usually needed. Most patients want a softer, rested look rather than a frozen face.
Dermal Filler Treatments
Dermal fillers can restore or add volume. They are often made with hyaluronic acid, a gel-like substance that shapes and supports soft tissue.
Fillers may treat:
- Lips
- Cheek contour
- Chin projection
- Jawline
- Under-eye volume loss
- Nasolabial folds
- Lines from the mouth corners toward the chin
Filler results depend on product choice, injection technique, facial anatomy, and treatment goals. Overfilling can look unnatural, so conservative planning is important.
Chemical Peels for Skin Texture and Tone
Chemical peel treatment uses a controlled solution to refresh the outer skin layers.
Chemical peels may address:
- Uneven tone
- Tired-looking skin
- Early fine lines
- Sun-damaged skin
- Mild marks from acne
- Rough skin texture
Peel strength may range from light to deeper treatments. Recovery depends on peel type.
Laser and Energy-Based 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 skin treatment
- Radiofrequency skin treatments
- Non-surgical skin tightening
- Laser hair reduction
- Vascular laser for redness or broken vessels
These treatments should be matched to the patient’s skin type, skin tone, and concern. Careful selection matters for darker skin tones, where unwanted pigment changes may be a risk.
Dermabrasion and Microdermabrasion
A deeper resurfacing option called dermabrasion removes outer layers of skin. Microdermabrasion is lighter and more surface-level.
Common concerns include:
- Texture
- Light scarring
- A dull complexion
- Uneven surface
- Early fine lines
The right choice depends on skin quality, goals, downtime, and risk tolerance.
Choosing the Right Plastic Surgery Procedure
Choosing the right procedure begins with the concern, not the procedure name. A patient may request one procedure, then find out that a different option fits their anatomy better.
For instance:
- Heavy upper lids can be caused by extra eyelid skin, a low brow, or both.
- Loose skin, neck bands, fat, or chin position may cause a soft jawline.
- A full abdomen can 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 helpful treatment plan should answer these three questions:
- What is behind the concern?
- Which procedure best treats that cause?
- What must be accepted with that option?
Patients should consider trade-offs such as scars, downtime, swelling, cost, maintenance, and possible complications.
Common Patient Concerns Before Plastic Surgery
Most patients feel a mix of emotions before plastic surgery. Excitement is common, but so are nerves. Concerns about safety, pain, scars, recovery, cost, and natural results are very common.
“Will I Look Refreshed or Different?”
Many patients ask this question. Patients often want a rested look, not a changed identity. A natural result should match your facial features, body frame, age, and personal 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. More extensive surgeries like tummy tuck, body lift, and mommy makeover require a more detailed recovery plan.
In general, patients should plan for:
- Bruising and swelling
- Reduced activity
- A break from work
- Surgical follow-up care
- Post-surgery scar care
- A staged return to physical activity
- Final results that develop over time
Healing is not instant. Results often look better as weeks and months pass.
“Can Plastic Surgery Scars Be Hidden?”
Any surgery that uses an incision creates a scar. Surgeons aim to place scars carefully and support good healing.
Scar healing depends on:
- Family scar tendencies
- Your skin tone
- Which procedure is done
- Where the incision is placed
- Tension along the incision
- Whether you smoke
- Exposure to the sun
- How the scar is cared for
Scars tend to soften and fade, but they usually remain to some degree.
“How Safe Is Plastic Surgery?”
Every operation has possible risks. Possible risks include bleeding, infection, poor scarring, anesthesia problems, asymmetry, delayed healing, numbness, fluid buildup, and dissatisfaction with the result.
Many factors affect plastic surgery safety, including:
- Your overall health
- Prescription and non-prescription medications
- Nicotine or smoking use
- The planned procedure
- The surgical facility
- The type of anesthesia
- The surgeon’s training and experience
- Your follow-up care
A good consultation should explain benefits, risks, alternatives, and what is realistic.
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.
Choosing a Plastic Surgeon in Canada
If you are researching plastic surgery in Canada, look closely at training and credentials. A plastic surgeon should have medical training, surgical training, and certification in plastic surgery.
Important consultation questions include:
- Are you formally certified in the specialty of plastic surgery?
- Are you licensed to practise medicine in this province?
- How much experience do you have with this procedure?
- Which surgical facility will be used?
- What type of anesthesia is used and who provides it?
- Which risks are most relevant to me?
- What is the plan if there is a complication?
- What follow-up care is included?
- Can I review examples of similar cases?
This is not about challenging the surgeon. It is about understanding your options.
Cosmetic Surgery Costs in Canada
Cosmetic surgery costs can vary widely across Canada. Pricing depends on procedure complexity, surgeon experience, anesthesia, facility fees, implants or devices, garments, follow-up care, and location.
Overhead and demand may increase fees in major Canadian centres such as Vancouver, Toronto, Calgary, Edmonton, Ottawa, and Montreal. Costs may vary in smaller Canadian cities, but price should not outweigh safety, training, and follow-up care.
If a very low price means less attention to safety, training, facility standards, or aftercare, it can be a warning sign.
Medical Tourism Compared With Plastic Surgery in Canada
Lower-cost surgery outside Canada may appeal to some Canadians. Although this may sound appealing, extra risks should be considered.
Risks or challenges with medical tourism may include:
- Reduced follow-up access
- Long travel after surgery
- Higher concern about infection
- Medical standards that may differ
- Less access to surgical records
- Difficulty finding care for complications at home
- Communication barriers
- Unexpected revision costs
Staying closer to home for surgery can help with follow-up, especially if swelling, healing problems, or complications need attention.
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 the visit, preparation can help:
- Write down your main concerns.
- Bring a list of your medications and supplements.
- Tell the surgeon about your medical history.
- Tell the truth about smoking, vaping, cannabis, and nicotine use.
- If photos make your goals clearer, bring them to the consultation.
- Ask about recovery, scars, risks, and alternatives.
- Ask what result is realistic for your own body or face.
A good consultation should clearly discuss your options. Sometimes the best advice is to wait, choose a smaller treatment, improve health first, or avoid surgery.
Who May Be a Good Candidate?
The best candidates for plastic surgery are often healthy, informed, and realistic. They understand that surgery can improve appearance, but it cannot create perfection or solve every life concern.
You may be a suitable candidate if:
- You have good general health
- You know what concern you want to address
- Your weight is stable if you are considering body surgery
- You are nicotine-free or can stop before and after surgery
- You know what to expect during recovery
- You understand the risks and can accept them
- Your decision is for you, not someone else
- Your goals are realistic
It may be better to delay surgery if pregnancy, major weight loss plans, nicotine use, unstable health, or outside pressure are present.
Combined Plastic Surgery Procedures
Some procedures can be combined safely. Other surgeries may need to be done in stages. Combined surgery can reduce overall downtime, but it can also increase surgical time and recovery demands.
Examples of combined procedures include:
- Facelift and neck lift surgery
- Eyelid surgery with a brow lift
- Rhinoplasty with chin surgery
- Breast lift with breast augmentation
- Tummy tuck with liposuction
- Mommy makeover procedures
- Body lift with thigh or arm contouring
- Facial surgery combined with fat grafting
Your health, procedure length, anesthesia, recovery support, and risk level all affect the safest plan.
A Final Word on Canadian Plastic Surgery Procedures
Canadian plastic surgery includes both cosmetic and reconstructive procedures. Some options are designed to refine facial, breast, or body shape. 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 most popular procedure is not always the best fit. It is the one that fits your anatomy, goals, health, and comfort level.
A good plan should focus on safety, natural-looking results, clear expectations, and proper follow-up care. Whether you are considering eyelid surgery, rhinoplasty, breast augmentation, tummy tuck, liposuction, facelift surgery, or reconstructive plastic surgery, the first step is learning what each option can and cannot do.