Common Types of Plastic Surgery in Canada

Plastic surgery is a broad field with surgical options that can enhance, restore, or reshape areas of the face and body. When surgery is chosen mainly to refine appearance, it is often called cosmetic surgery. Others are reconstructive, which means they help restore form or function after injury, cancer, birth differences, burns, or medical conditions.

There are many reasons why people in Canada search for plastic surgery. Some people are looking for a more rested look. Some patients hope to restore their body after changes from pregnancy, weight loss, or aging. For some patients, the need is related to trauma, skin cancer, breast cancer, or a congenital concern. Choosing the right procedure depends on anatomy, goals, health, lifestyle, and recovery needs.

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

In general, plastic surgery is grouped into cosmetic surgery and reconstructive surgery.

Cosmetic Plastic Surgery in Canada

Cosmetic surgery is used to improve or refine appearance. These procedures are usually elective, which means they are planned by choice and are not medically required.

Common reasons for cosmetic plastic surgery include:

Creating better facial balance
Softening signs of aging
Creating a more balanced body shape
Restoring lost volume after pregnancy or weight loss
Addressing concerns with the nose, eyelids, ears, lips, breasts, abdomen, arms, or thighs
Making clothing feel or fit better
Supporting confidence with natural-looking changes

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

Reconstructive Plastic Surgery

Reconstructive plastic surgery focuses on restoring normal form and function. This type of surgery may help after cancer surgery, trauma, burns, infections, birth differences, or other medical conditions.

Common reconstructive procedures include:

Breast reconstruction following mastectomy
Skin cancer reconstruction after tumour removal
Repair of cleft lip and palate
Burn scar reconstruction
Reconstructive hand surgery
Scar improvement surgery
Wound reconstruction
Repair after facial trauma
Surgery for congenital differences

Provincial health plans may cover some reconstructive procedures when they are medically necessary. Cosmetic procedures are usually not covered.

Common Facial Plastic Surgery Options

Facial plastic surgery may improve facial balance, soften signs of aging, and help restore a refreshed look. Most patients do not want to look “different.” The best results often look natural and balanced.

Facelift Surgery for the Lower Face

A facelift, also known as rhytidectomy, improves sagging in the lower face and jawline. This procedure may soften jowls, tighten loose facial skin, and improve deeper folds around the mouth.

A facelift may help with:

Softness or jowling at the jawline
Lower-face loose skin
Deeper smile lines
Lowered cheek tissue
A blurred face and neck transition

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 Surgery, Also Called Platysmaplasty

Neck lift surgery may treat loose skin, visible muscle bands, and fullness below the chin. Tightening the neck muscle may be described medically as platysmaplasty.

Patients may consider a neck lift for:

Muscle bands in the neck
Sagging neck skin
Reduced jawline sharpness
A heavy area under the chin
A loose “turkey neck” appearance

For some people, both the skin and neck muscle need tightening. Others may benefit from liposuction under the chin. Because the face and neck often age together, a facelift and neck lift may be planned together.

Eyelid Surgery for Tired-Looking Eyes

Blepharoplasty, commonly called eyelid surgery, can improve tired-looking eyes by removing or adjusting extra eyelid skin, fat, or tissue.

Patients may choose upper eyelid surgery for:

Heaviness in the upper eyelids
Extra skin on the upper eyelids
An aged or fatigued look
Eyelid skin that hangs over the lashes
Vision concerns in select medical cases

Lower eyelid surgery may help with:

Under-eye puffiness or bags
Puffiness
Loose lower eyelid skin
Shadowing under the eyes
Eyes that still look tired after rest

Many patients choose eyelid surgery because small improvements around the eyes can make the whole face look more awake and rested.

Brow Lift, Also Called Forehead Lift

A forehead lift, commonly called a brow lift, helps lift a low or heavy brow. This can help improve the upper eye area and ease a heavy forehead look.

A brow lift may address:

Low or drooping eyebrows
Heavy upper eyelids caused by brow descent
Forehead lines
Frown lines between the brows
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. The eyelids and brows are different structures, so eyelid surgery treats extra eyelid skin and a brow lift treats brow position. Some patients need only a brow lift or eyelid surgery, while others benefit from both procedures.

Rhinoplasty for Nose Shape and Breathing

The shape, size, or structure of the nose can be changed with rhinoplasty, often called a nose job. It can be cosmetic, functional, or both.

Rhinoplasty may help with:

A bump on the bridge
A nasal tip that droops
A boxy nasal tip
A nose that is not straight
The size or projection of the nose
Uneven nasal shape
Structural breathing concerns

If breathing is part of the problem, the septum, which is the wall between the nostrils, may need treatment. This part of surgery is called septoplasty. Appearance is the focus of cosmetic rhinoplasty, while airflow is the focus of functional nasal surgery.

Cosmetic Ear Surgery

The shape, position, or size of the ears may be changed with ear surgery, also called otoplasty. This procedure is often used when the ears project away from the head.

Otoplasty may help with:

Ears that stick out
Uneven ear shape or position
Large cartilage folds in the ears
Ears that stand out from the head
Stretched or uneven earlobes

This procedure is common for adults and children. In children, timing depends on ear development, maturity, and family goals.

Lip Lift for Upper Lip Balance

The space between the upper lip and the nose can be shortened with a lip lift. Clinically, this measurement is often called the upper lip length. The procedure may make the upper lip look more visible without adding filler.

A lip lift may help with:

A longer upper lip
Upper teeth that show less when smiling
A thin-looking upper lip
Uneven lip balance
Aging in the lip and mouth area

A lip lift is not the same as lip filler. Lip filler mainly adds fullness. Lip lift surgery adjusts the position and shape of the upper lip.

Facial Implants for Balance

Facial implant surgery can refine the chin, cheeks, or jawline for better balance. A chin implant may be considered when the chin looks small compared with the nose or other facial features.

Common facial implant procedures include:

Chin augmentation implants
Cheek augmentation implants
Jawline augmentation implants

In some cases, chin surgery is combined with rhinoplasty because the nose and chin both affect facial balance in profile view.

Facial Volume Restoration With Fat Grafting

With facial fat grafting, fat from the patient’s own body is used to restore facial volume. Areas such as the abdomen or thighs are often used as the fat source before the fat is processed and placed into the face.

Facial fat grafting may address:

Sunken-looking cheeks
Under-eye hollowing
Lost facial volume due to aging
Soft tissue volume loss
Reduced facial harmony

Fat grafting can be used alone or with facelift surgery, eyelid surgery, or other facial procedures.

Types of Breast Plastic Surgery

Breast surgery is one of the most common areas of cosmetic and reconstructive 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 implants may be saline or silicone gel. The choice of implant depends on body type, breast tissue, goals, and surgeon guidance.

Breast augmentation may address:

A naturally small breast shape
Volume loss after pregnancy
Volume loss after weight change
Breasts that do not match well
Desire for more fullness in clothing

A common concern is whether breast augmentation will 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 mainly add volume. Its main goal is better breast position and shape.

Patients may consider a breast lift for:

Breast sagging
Downward-pointing nipples
Enlarged or stretched areolas
Extra breast skin
Breast changes after pregnancy, breastfeeding, or weight loss

A breast lift may be combined with implants when more upper breast fullness is desired. Some patients choose a breast lift without implants for a more natural result.

Breast Reduction Procedure

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

Breast reduction may address:

Neck pain
Shoulder strain
Upper back pain
Bra strap marks
Skin irritation under the breasts
Difficulty exercising
Clothing fit challenges

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

Breast Implant Replacement or Removal

Existing breast implants may be adjusted or replaced with breast implant revision. Patients may need it for cosmetic goals or medical concerns.

Patients may consider revision for:

Wanting smaller or larger implants
A ruptured implant
Capsular contracture, where scar tissue around an implant becomes firm
Implant shifting
Breast size or shape imbalance
Age-related changes after breast augmentation
Desire to remove implants

Some patients choose implant removal with a lift. Others choose new implants with a different size, shape, or placement.

Breast Reconstruction Procedure

Breast reconstruction restores breast shape after mastectomy or lumpectomy. It may use implants, natural tissue, or a combination.

Types of breast reconstruction may include:

Implant breast reconstruction
Tissue flap reconstruction
Nipple-areola reconstruction
Fat transfer as part of reconstruction
Revision surgery to improve symmetry

This is a deeply personal choice. Many patients want breast reconstruction. Other people prefer to remain flat. Both decisions deserve respect.

Gynecomastia Surgery for Male Breast Reduction

Gynecomastia surgery is used to reduce enlarged male breast tissue. The procedure may use liposuction, gland removal, or both methods.

Patients may consider gynecomastia surgery for:

Puffy-looking nipples
Firm tissue beneath the nipple-areola area
Fullness in the chest
Uneven shape across the male chest
Feeling self-conscious at the beach, gym, or in fitted shirts

The best technique depends on whether the fullness is caused by fat, gland tissue, loose skin, or a mix of these.

Body Plastic Surgery Procedures

Body contouring surgery improves shape by removing extra skin, reducing stubborn fat, or tightening tissue. Many patients consider body contouring after pregnancy, aging, or major weight loss.

Tummy Tuck Procedure

Abdominoplasty, commonly called a tummy tuck, removes extra abdominal skin and tightens the abdominal wall. It can also repair separated abdominal muscles, which are known as diastasis recti.

Common tummy tuck concerns include:

Loose skin on the abdomen
A hanging lower abdomen
Stretch-marked skin below the belly button
Diastasis recti
Body changes from pregnancy or weight loss

Tummy tuck surgery is not a general 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

Localized fat can be removed with liposuction using a thin tube called a cannula. The goal is contouring, not general weight loss.

Liposuction may be used on areas such as:

Belly area
Side waist areas, often called love handles
Hips
Thighs
The upper arms
Back rolls
Chin-neck contour
Chest area
Fat around the knees

Skin tone is an important factor. If the skin is loose, liposuction alone may not be enough. Skin removal surgery may be needed if loose skin is the main concern.

Mommy Makeover Surgery

A mommy makeover is a custom plan that treats body changes after pregnancy, breastfeeding, or weight change. It often includes both breast and abdominal procedures.

A mommy makeover can include:

Tummy tuck surgery
Breast lift
A breast augmentation procedure
Surgical breast size reduction
Fat reduction with liposuction
Fat grafting for contouring

The name can be misleading because the procedure is not only for mothers. Anyone with similar changes may consider this type of plan. Health, goals, recovery time, and future pregnancy plans all help guide the best approach.

Brachioplasty, or Arm Lift Surgery

Brachioplasty, commonly called an arm lift, removes extra skin from the upper arms.

An arm lift may help with:

Loose skin along the upper arms
Loose upper arm skin after weight loss
Arm skin changes over time
Difficulty wearing sleeveless tops
Skin rubbing or irritation

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.

Thigh Lift Surgery

Loose thigh skin can be removed with a thigh lift. Thigh lift surgery is common after significant weight loss.

Patients may consider a thigh lift for:

Sagging skin on the inner thighs
Thigh skin rubbing
Pants that do not fit well
Heaviness in the thighs from loose skin
Changes after bariatric surgery or weight loss

Several surgical patterns are available for thigh lift surgery. The best thigh lift pattern depends on skin amount and the location of the looseness.

Body Lift

A body lift improves lower-body contour by removing excess skin. Body lift surgery can reshape the abdomen, hips, outer thighs, buttocks, and lower back.

Body lift surgery may be helpful after:

Significant weight loss
Post-bariatric body changes
Body changes related to pregnancy
Age-related skin laxity

This is a more involved surgery with a longer recovery. Before a body lift, patients should be healthy overall and close to a stable weight.

Fat Grafting for Body Contouring

Fat can be moved from one body area to another with fat grafting. Fat grafting can add natural volume or refine body contour.

Fat grafting may be used in areas such as:

Breast volume
The buttocks
Hip contour
Facial contour
Contour changes after surgery or injury

Although fat grafting uses your own fat, not all transferred fat will survive. The result can shift over time, and some patients may need more than one session.

Skin and Scar Plastic Surgery Procedures

Plastic surgery also includes treatments for the skin surface, scars, and soft tissue.

Scar Improvement Treatment

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 surgery can help improve:

Surgery-related scars
Scarring after an injury
Burn injury scars
Thick scars
Restrictive scars
Scars that pull during movement

Depending on the scar, treatment may include surgery, copyright injections, laser treatment, silicone therapy, or combined care.

Skin Lesion, Mole, and Cyst Removal

Plastic surgeons often remove benign skin lesions, cysts, moles, and lumps when a careful closure is important. Some lesions require medical assessment to rule out skin cancer.

Removal may be done for:

A lesion that gets irritated
A growing lesion
Bleeding from the lesion
Cosmetic concern
Diagnosis
Comfort

A qualified medical professional should assess any changing mole or suspicious skin lesion.

Plastic Surgery After Skin Cancer

When skin cancer is removed, plastic surgery reconstruction may help close the area and restore appearance. Common areas include the face, nose, eyelids, ears, lips, scalp, and hands.

Common skin cancer reconstruction methods include:

A direct closure
Skin grafts
Moving nearby tissue with a local flap
More advanced reconstruction

The aim is to remove the cancer safely and preserve function and appearance as much as possible.

Injectable and Skin Treatments

Not every patient requires surgery. Non-surgical cosmetic treatments may help with early signs of aging, facial lines, volume loss, and skin quality. These treatments usually have less downtime, but results are more temporary.

BOTOX and Other Neuromodulators

BOTOX and other neuromodulators work by relaxing selected facial muscles. They are commonly used for expression lines.

BOTOX and neuromodulators may treat:

Frown lines between the brows
Forehead lines
Lines at the outer corners of the eyes
Small nose wrinkles
Chin dimpling
Neck bands in some cases

The results do not last forever and usually need maintenance treatments. Most patients want a softer, rested look rather than a frozen face.

Injectable Dermal 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.

Common filler areas include:

Lip enhancement
Cheeks
Chin
Jawline contour
Tear trough hollowing
Smile lines
Marionette folds

The result from filler depends on the product, injection technique, facial anatomy, and treatment goals. Overfilling can look unnatural, so conservative planning is important.

Chemical Peels for Skin Texture and Tone

The outer layers of skin can be improved with a chemical peel using a controlled solution.

Chemical peel treatments can help improve:

Uneven skin tone
Dull skin
Early fine lines
Sun-damaged skin
Mild post-acne marks
Rough skin texture

Peel strength may range from light to deeper treatments. The type of peel affects recovery time.

Laser and Energy Treatments for Skin

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

Laser and energy-based options may include:

Skin laser resurfacing
Intense pulsed light (IPL)
Radiofrequency energy treatments
Non-surgical skin tightening
Laser hair removal or reduction
Laser treatment for small visible vessels

The right laser or energy treatment depends on skin type, skin tone, and the 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 a lighter, more superficial treatment.

Dermabrasion and microdermabrasion may help with:

Rough texture
Surface-level scars
Dullness
Rough or uneven skin
Mild lines

Skin quality, goals, downtime, and risk tolerance help determine the right choice.

How Patients Can Choose the Best Procedure

The best place to start is the concern itself, not the name of a procedure. Sometimes patients come in wanting one treatment, but another procedure is a better match for their anatomy.

Examples include:

A heavy upper eyelid look may come from extra eyelid skin, brow descent, or both.
Jawline softness may be related to skin laxity, neck bands, fat, or chin position.
Abdominal fullness may come from fat, loose skin, separated muscles, or internal weight.
A flat breast shape may be treated with a breast lift, breast augmentation, fat grafting, or a combined plan.
Under-eye bags can be caused by fat pads, hollowing, skin laxity, or pigmentation.

The best plan usually starts with three questions:

What is the cause of the concern?
What procedure addresses the cause most directly?
What trade-offs should be expected with that choice?

Every procedure has trade-offs, which may include scars, downtime, swelling, cost, maintenance, and possible complications.

What Patients Often Worry About Before Surgery

Most patients feel a mix of emotions before plastic surgery. It is normal to feel excited and nervous at the same time. It is normal to worry about safety, pain, scars, recovery, cost, and natural-looking results.

“Will the Result Still Look Like Me?”

This is one of the most common concerns. Many patients want to look refreshed rather than changed. A natural result should match your facial features, body frame, age, and personal style.

The goal is usually to improve balance, not chase perfection.

“How Long Does Plastic Surgery Recovery Take?”

Downtime varies by procedure. Little or no downtime may be needed after many non-surgical treatments. Larger surgeries, such as tummy tuck, body lift, or mommy makeover, need more planning.

In general, recovery planning may include:

Swelling or bruising
Activity limits
Recovery time before returning to work
Surgical follow-up care
Scar healing support
Gradual return to exercise
Final results that take time to settle

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

“Will I Have Scars?”

Any surgical cut leaves some type of scar. The goal is to place scars as carefully as possible and help them heal well.

Scar appearance may be affected by:

Genetic healing patterns
Natural skin tone
Surgical procedure type
Where the incision is placed
Tension along the incision
Smoking and vaping status
Exposure to the sun
How the scar is cared for

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

“Is Plastic Surgery Safe?”

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.

A safe procedure depends on factors such as:

Your overall health
Your medications
Whether you smoke or use nicotine
The procedure selected
The surgical facility
The planned anesthesia
Surgeon training and experience
Follow-up after surgery

Benefits, risks, alternatives, and realistic expectations should all be discussed during a consultation.

Canadian Plastic Surgery Considerations

Across Canada, plastic surgery is overseen through licensing, provincial colleges, hospital systems, surgical facilities, and professional standards. Patients should know the difference between marketing terms and recognized medical training.

Choosing a Qualified Plastic Surgeon

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.

Helpful questions include:

Are you formally certified in the specialty of plastic surgery?
Are you licensed by the provincial medical college?
Is this a procedure you perform regularly?
What facility will be used for the procedure?
Who is responsible for anesthesia care?
What are my personal risks with this procedure?
What happens if I have a complication?
How often will I be seen after surgery?
Can I review examples of similar cases?

Asking questions is not being difficult. It is about understanding your options.

Cosmetic Surgery Costs in Canada

Cosmetic surgery costs in Canada can vary widely. 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 vs. Surgery in Canada

Some Canadians consider travelling outside the country for lower-cost surgery. medical aesthetics Although this may sound appealing, extra risks should be considered.

Possible concerns with surgery abroad include:

Less access to follow-up care
Travel soon after surgery
Possible infection
Different health care standards
Challenges getting procedure records
Trouble getting complications treated after returning to Canada
Communication barriers
Cost of revision surgery

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

Plastic Surgery Consultation Preparation

A plastic surgery consultation helps clarify what is possible, safe, and realistic for your case. You should not feel rushed or pressured during the consultation.

Before the visit, preparation can help:

Make notes about your main concerns.
Take a list of all medications and supplements you use.
Share your medical history.
Be honest about smoking, vaping, cannabis use, and nicotine exposure.
Bring photos if they help explain your goals.
Review recovery, scars, risks, and alternative treatments.
Ask what can realistically be achieved for your face or body.

A helpful consultation should explain your options clearly. Sometimes the best advice is to wait, choose a smaller treatment, improve health first, or avoid surgery.

Is Plastic Surgery Right for You?

Plastic surgery candidates should usually be healthy, informed, and realistic. Plastic surgery can improve appearance, but good candidates know it cannot create perfection or solve every concern.

Good candidate signs include:

You are medically well enough for surgery
You have a specific concern
You are at a stable weight for body contouring
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
The choice is based on your own goals
You have realistic goals

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.

Can Plastic Surgery Procedures Be Combined?

Combining procedures can be appropriate in selected cases. Other surgeries may need to be done in stages. Combining procedures may reduce total recovery time, but it may also increase surgical time and healing demands.

Examples of combined procedures include:

Lower face and neck rejuvenation
Upper facial rejuvenation with eyelid surgery and brow lift
Combining rhinoplasty and chin surgery
Breast lift with augmentation
Tummy tuck and liposuction
Breast and body procedures in a mommy makeover
Combining body lift with arm or thigh surgery
Facial surgery with fat grafting

The right approach depends on the patient’s health, how long the procedure takes, anesthesia, recovery support, and overall risk.

Understanding Your Plastic Surgery Options in Canada

Plastic surgery in Canada includes a wide range of cosmetic and reconstructive procedures. Some options are designed to refine facial, breast, or body shape. Others help repair tissue after cancer, injury, burns, or medical conditions. Non-surgical cosmetic options can help soften wrinkles, restore volume, improve texture, and address early aging changes.

The best procedure is not always the most popular one. 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. Whether the procedure is eyelid surgery, rhinoplasty, breast augmentation, tummy tuck, liposuction, facelift surgery, or reconstructive plastic surgery, the first step is understanding what each option can and cannot do.