Across Canada, plastic surgery includes a wide range of procedures that can change, restore, or enhance the face and body. A procedure may be cosmetic when the main goal is to improve appearance. Reconstructive plastic surgery may be used after injury, cancer, birth differences, burns, or medical conditions to help rebuild form or function.
There are many goals why people in Canada search for plastic surgery. Some want to look more balanced. Some want to restore their body after pregnancy, weight loss, or aging. For some patients, the need is related to trauma, skin cancer, breast cancer, or a congenital concern. The best procedure depends on your anatomy, goals, health, lifestyle, and available recovery time.
This page explains the main types of plastic surgery procedures in Canada, with sections on facial surgery, breast surgery, body contouring, reconstructive surgery, and non-surgical cosmetic treatments. It also covers key questions to consider before a plastic surgery consultation.
Cosmetic Plastic Surgery Compared With Reconstructive Plastic Surgery
The two main types of plastic surgery are usually 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:
- Supporting better facial harmony
- Improving visible signs of aging
- Refining body shape
- 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
- Creating natural-looking changes that may support confidence
Most cosmetic procedures in Canada are paid for privately. The total fee can depend on the procedure, surgeon, facility, anesthesia, follow-up visits, and location.
Reconstructive Plastic Surgery Procedures
Reconstructive surgery helps repair or restore form and function. Reconstructive procedures may be recommended after cancer surgery, trauma, burns, infections, birth differences, or medical conditions.
Reconstructive plastic surgery may include:
- Breast reconstruction following mastectomy
- Skin cancer reconstruction after a skin tumour is removed
- Cleft lip and palate reconstruction
- Burn injury reconstruction
- Reconstructive hand surgery
- Scar repair or revision
- Complex wound repair
- Repair after facial trauma
- Correction of congenital concerns
When reconstructive procedures are medically necessary, some may be covered by a provincial health plan. Purely cosmetic changes are usually paid for privately.
Types of Facial Plastic Surgery
Facial plastic surgery can improve facial balance, soften signs of aging, and restore a refreshed look. In many cases, the goal is not a dramatic change. The best results often look natural and balanced.
Facelift Surgery (Rhytidectomy)
Sagging in the lower face and jawline may be improved with a facelift, also called rhytidectomy. It may help with jowls, loose facial skin, and deeper folds around the mouth.
Common facelift concerns include:
- Sagging jowls along the jawline
- Lower-face loose skin
- Prominent smile lines
- Drooping 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. A facelift is often combined with a neck lift, eyelid surgery, brow lift, or facial fat grafting.
Neck Lift Procedure (Platysmaplasty)
A neck lift can improve loose skin, muscle bands, and fullness under the chin. The medical term for tightening the neck muscle is platysmaplasty.
Neck lift surgery can help improve:
- Visible neck bands
- Sagging neck skin
- A jawline that looks less defined
- Fullness below the chin
- A “turkey neck” look
Skin and muscle tightening may both be needed in certain patients. For patients with extra fat but good skin tone, liposuction under the chin may help. The face and neck often change at the same time, so facelift and neck lift surgery may be combined.
Eyelid Surgery, Also Called Blepharoplasty
Eyelid surgery or blepharoplasty helps refresh the eyes by removing or repositioning extra skin, fat, or tissue around the eyelids.
Patients may choose upper eyelid surgery for:
- Heavy upper eyelids
- Loose upper eyelid skin
- A tired-looking or aged appearance
- Skin resting on the eyelashes
- Vision blockage in certain medical cases
Lower eyelid surgery may help with:
- Under-eye puffiness or bags
- Lower eyelid puffiness
- Loose skin under the eyes
- Shadowing under the eyes
- Eyes that still look tired after rest
Because small changes around the eyes can refresh the whole face, eyelid surgery is one of the most common facial procedures.
Brow Lift Surgery for a Heavy Brow
A brow lift, also known as a forehead lift, raises a low or heavy brow. It may improve the upper eye area and reduce forehead heaviness.
Patients may consider a brow lift for:
- Brow descent
- Heavy upper eyelids caused by brow descent
- Forehead lines
- Frown lines in the glabella area
- A facial expression that appears tired, sad, or serious
Brow lift surgery and eyelid surgery are not the same procedure. Eyelid surgery addresses extra eyelid skin, while a brow lift changes the position of the eyebrows. A consultation can help decide whether eyelid surgery, a brow lift, or both is the better fit.
Cosmetic and Functional Rhinoplasty
A nose job, medically known as rhinoplasty, changes the shape, size, or structure of the nose. The procedure can address cosmetic goals, functional concerns, or both.
Nose surgery can address concerns such as:
- A bump on the bridge
- A nasal tip that droops
- A wide or boxy tip
- A crooked nose
- The size or projection of the nose
- Nasal asymmetry
- Structural breathing concerns
When breathing is a concern, surgery may include work on the septum, the wall between the nostrils. Surgery on the septum is called septoplasty. A cosmetic rhinoplasty changes appearance, while functional nasal surgery focuses on airflow.
Cosmetic Ear Surgery
Ear surgery, also called otoplasty, changes the shape, position, or size of the ears. This procedure is often used when the ears project away from the head.
Otoplasty may help with:
- Ears that stick out
- Asymmetry between the ears
- Overdeveloped ear cartilage folds
- Ears that project away from the head
- Earlobe appearance concerns
Both adults and children may choose or need otoplasty. For younger patients, ear growth, maturity, and family goals help guide timing.
Lip Lift for Upper Lip Balance
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. A lip lift can improve upper lip show without adding dermal filler.
A lip lift may help with:
- Upper lip length that looks long
- Upper teeth that show less when smiling
- A less visible upper lip
- Uneven lip balance
- Age-related changes around the mouth
A surgical lip lift and lip filler are different treatments. Lip filler mainly adds fullness. A lip lift improves the upper lip by changing its position and visible shape.
Facial Implant Surgery for the Chin, Cheeks, and Jawline
Facial implants can improve balance in the chin, cheeks, or jawline. A chin implant may be considered when the chin looks small compared with the nose or other facial features.
Types of facial implant surgery may include:
- Implants for the chin
- Cheek augmentation implants
- Jawline augmentation implants
In some cases, chin surgery may be combined with rhinoplasty because the nose and chin affect facial balance in profile view.
Fat Grafting to the Face
A patient’s own fat can be used in facial fat grafting to restore volume. The fat is often taken from the abdomen or thighs, prepared, and then placed into the face.
Facial fat grafting may help with:
- Hollow cheeks
- Hollowing under the eyes
- Lost facial volume due to aging
- Thin facial soft tissue
- Reduced facial harmony
Facial fat grafting can be performed by itself or with procedures such as facelift surgery, eyelid surgery, or other facial surgery.
Common Breast Surgery Options
Breast surgery is among 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 Enlargement Surgery
Breast augmentation improves breast size and shape using implants or fat transfer. Implants used for breast augmentation may be saline or silicone gel. Implant choice depends on body type, breast tissue, goals, and surgeon guidance.
Breast augmentation surgery can help improve:
- Small natural breast size
- Breast volume loss after pregnancy
- Weight-related breast volume loss
- Asymmetry between the breasts
- A desire for more breast fullness in clothing
A common concern is whether breast augmentation will look too large or unnatural. A careful plan should consider chest width, skin quality, lifestyle, and long-term maintenance.
Breast Lift Procedure
A breast lift, also called mastopexy, raises and reshapes breasts that have dropped. It does not mainly add volume. Instead, the goal is to improve breast position and shape.
Common breast lift concerns include:
- Lower breast position
- Nipples that face downward
- Areolas that have stretched
- Loose skin on the breasts
- Changes after pregnancy, breastfeeding, or weight loss
A lift and implants may be combined to improve position and add upper breast fullness. Some patients choose a breast lift without implants for a more natural result.
Reduction Mammoplasty
To reduce breast size and weight, breast reduction removes extra tissue, fat, and skin.
Breast reduction may help with:
- Neck strain
- Pain in the shoulders
- Upper back pain
- Bra strap marks
- Skin rubbing beneath the breasts
- Problems staying active
- Trouble finding clothing that fits
Some breast reduction procedures in Canada may be considered medically necessary. Whether coverage applies depends on the province, symptoms, and medical assessment.
Breast Implant Revision
Breast implant revision surgery is used to change, adjust, or replace current breast implants. It may be done for cosmetic reasons or medical concerns.
Common reasons include:
- A change in preferred implant size
- Breast implant rupture
- Firm scar tissue around an implant, called capsular contracture
- Breast implant movement
- Breasts that look uneven
- Aging changes after breast augmentation
- A desire for implant removal
A breast lift may be done when implants are removed. Others choose new implants with a different size, shape, or placement.
Reconstructive Breast Surgery
The breast may be rebuilt after mastectomy or lumpectomy with breast reconstruction. The procedure may be done with implants, natural tissue, or a combined approach.
Breast reconstruction may use:
- Implant-supported breast reconstruction
- Breast reconstruction with natural tissue flaps
- Reconstruction of the nipple and areola
- Fat transfer to the breast
- Surgery to refine breast symmetry
The choice around breast reconstruction is personal. Some patients choose reconstruction. Others choose to remain flat. Both choices are valid.
Gynecomastia Surgery for Male Breast Reduction
Male breast reduction, also called gynecomastia surgery, treats enlarged male breast tissue. Liposuction, gland removal, or a combination may be used.
Gynecomastia surgery may address:
- Puffy nipples
- Extra tissue under the areola
- Chest tissue fullness
- An uneven male chest shape
- Self-consciousness at the beach, gym, or in fitted shirts
The right technique depends on whether the fullness comes from fat, gland tissue, loose skin, or a combination.
Types of Body Contouring Surgery
Body contouring surgery improves shape by removing extra skin, reducing stubborn fat, or tightening tissue. It is often considered after pregnancy, aging, or major weight loss.
Abdominoplasty, or Tummy Tuck Surgery
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.
A tummy tuck may help with:
- Extra abdominal skin
- A lower abdominal overhang
- Lower abdominal skin with stretch marks
- Separated abdominal muscles
- Abdominal changes 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
Liposuction removes localized fat using a thin tube called a cannula. Liposuction is meant for body contouring, not overall weight loss.
Liposuction may be used on areas such as:
- Belly area
- Side waist areas, often called love handles
- Hip contours
- The thighs
- Upper arms
- The back
- Under the chin and neck
- Chest area
- Knee area
Good skin elasticity helps improve results. 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
A mommy makeover is a custom plan that treats body changes after pregnancy, breastfeeding, or weight change. Breast and abdominal procedures are often combined in a mommy makeover.
A customized mommy makeover may involve:
- Tummy tuck
- Breast lift
- Breast augmentation
- A breast reduction procedure
- Liposuction surgery
- Fat transfer
Although the name suggests otherwise, the procedure is not only for mothers. It is for anyone with similar body changes. The best plan depends on health, goals, recovery time, and whether future pregnancy is planned.
Brachioplasty, or Arm Lift Surgery
Brachioplasty, commonly called an arm lift, removes extra skin from the upper arms.
Arm lift surgery can help improve:
- Loose hanging skin on the upper arms
- Weight-loss-related arm skin looseness
- Arm skin changes over time
- Avoiding sleeveless clothing
- Irritation from loose arm skin
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 considered after major weight loss.
Patients may consider a thigh lift for:
- Sagging skin on the inner thighs
- Skin rubbing
- Poor fit in pants
- Heaviness from extra skin
- Loose thigh skin after bariatric surgery or weight loss
There are several thigh lift patterns. The right option depends on how much skin needs to be removed and where the looseness is located.
Body Lift After Weight Loss
Loose skin around the lower body can be removed with a body lift. It may improve the abdomen, hips, outer thighs, buttocks, and lower back.
Body lift surgery may be helpful after:
- Significant weight loss
- Bariatric weight-loss surgery
- Pregnancy-related body changes
- Age-related skin laxity
This is a larger surgery with a longer recovery. A stable weight and good overall health are important before body lift surgery.
Fat Grafting for Body Contouring
With fat grafting, fat is removed from one area and placed in another. Fat grafting can add natural volume or refine body contour.
Common treatment areas include:
- Breasts
- The buttocks
- Hips
- Facial soft tissue
- Uneven contours after surgery or injury
Fat grafting uses your own tissue, but not all transferred fat survives. Fat grafting results can evolve, so repeat treatment may be needed for some patients.
Procedures for Skin, Scars, and Surface Concerns
Skin surface concerns, scars, and soft tissue problems may also be treated with plastic surgery.
Surgical Scar Revision
Scar revision improves the look 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:
- Scars from surgery
- Injury scars
- Burn 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. Some lesions need medical assessment to rule out skin cancer.
Skin lesion removal may be done for:
- Skin irritation
- A growing lesion
- Bleeding from the lesion
- A cosmetic concern
- Medical diagnosis
- Relief from discomfort
Any changing mole or suspicious skin lesion should be assessed by a qualified medical professional.
Skin Cancer Reconstruction Procedures
When skin cancer is removed, plastic surgery reconstruction may help close the area and restore appearance. This is common on the face, nose, eyelids, ears, lips, scalp, and hands.
Skin cancer reconstruction may involve:
- Closing the area directly
- Reconstruction with a skin graft
- A local flap
- Complex reconstruction
The aim is to remove the cancer safely and preserve function and appearance as much as possible.
Non-Surgical Cosmetic Procedures
Some patients can meet their goals without surgery. For some patients, non-surgical treatments help soften early aging signs, facial lines, volume loss, and skin concerns. Most non-surgical treatments have less downtime, but the results do not last as long as surgery.
Neuromodulator Injections
Selected facial muscles can be relaxed with BOTOX and other neuromodulators. Neuromodulators are commonly chosen for lines caused by facial movement.
Common neuromodulator treatment areas include:
- Frown lines
- Forehead wrinkles
- Crow’s feet
- Expression lines on the nose
- Chin dimpling
- Neck bands in some cases
Because results are temporary, repeat treatments are usually needed. A natural neuromodulator result should look softer and rested, not stiff or frozen.
Dermal Filler Treatments
Dermal fillers can restore or add volume. Hyaluronic acid, a gel-like substance used to shape and support soft tissue, is common in dermal fillers.
Fillers may treat:
- Lip volume
- The cheeks
- Chin
- Jawline contour
- Hollowing under the eyes
- Smile lines
- Lines below the corners of the mouth
Dermal filler results depend on product choice, injection technique, facial anatomy, and treatment goals. A conservative plan matters because overfilling can create an unnatural look.
Skin Peels
A chemical peel uses a controlled chemical solution to improve the outer layers of skin.
Common chemical peel concerns include:
- Uneven skin tone
- Tired-looking skin
- Mild lines
- Visible sun damage
- Mild acne marks
- Skin texture concerns
The strength of a peel may be light, medium, or deeper depending on the goal. Healing time varies based on the peel depth and type.
Laser and Energy Treatments for Skin
These treatments may improve concerns such as uneven tone, redness, texture, hair growth, scars, and visible body contouring cosmetic plastic surgery aging.
Common options may include:
- Laser resurfacing
- Intense pulsed light (IPL)
- Radiofrequency skin treatments
- Skin tightening treatments
- Hair reduction with laser
- Vascular laser treatment for redness or broken vessels
The right laser or energy treatment depends on skin type, skin tone, and the concern. Careful selection matters for darker skin tones, where unwanted pigment changes may be a risk.
Microdermabrasion and Dermabrasion Treatments
Dermabrasion is a deeper skin resurfacing procedure that removes outer skin layers. Microdermabrasion is a lighter, more superficial treatment.
Patients may consider these treatments for:
- Rough texture
- Mild scars
- Tired-looking skin
- Uneven surface
- Fine surface lines
Skin quality, goals, downtime, and risk tolerance help determine the right choice.
Finding the Right Plastic Surgery Option
Choosing the right procedure begins with the concern, not the procedure name. Many patients ask for one treatment and later learn that another option better matches 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.
- A full belly can involve extra fat, loose skin, diastasis recti, or internal weight.
- A flat breast shape may be treated with a breast lift, breast augmentation, fat grafting, or a combined plan.
- A baggy under-eye look may be related to fat, hollowing, loose skin, or skin colour changes.
The best plan usually starts with three questions:
- What is the cause of the concern?
- Which treatment is most likely to correct the cause?
- What benefits and limits come with that procedure?
Every procedure has trade-offs, which may include scars, downtime, swelling, cost, maintenance, and possible complications.
Common Questions and Concerns Before Plastic Surgery
Mixed feelings are normal before a plastic surgery procedure. Patients may feel excited, but they may also feel nervous. It is normal to worry about safety, pain, scars, recovery, cost, and natural-looking results.
“Will Plastic Surgery Change My Face Too Much?”
This is one of the most common patient concerns. The goal for many people is to look refreshed while still looking like themselves. Plastic surgery that looks natural should fit the patient’s 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?”
Healing time is different for every 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
- Temporary activity restrictions
- Recovery time before returning to work
- Follow-up appointments
- Scar healing support
- Slow return to workouts
- A result that improves as swelling settles
Healing takes time. Results often look better as weeks and months pass.
“What Should I Know About Plastic Surgery Scars?”
Surgery that involves an incision will create a scar. The goal is not scar-free surgery, but careful scar placement and good healing.
Many factors affect scar quality, including:
- How your body naturally scars
- Skin tone
- The type of procedure
- The incision location
- Tension along the incision
- Smoking or nicotine use
- UV exposure
- Scar aftercare
Scars tend to soften and fade, but they usually remain to some degree.
“Is Cosmetic Surgery Safe?”
Every surgery has risk. Plastic surgery risks may include bleeding, infection, poor scarring, anesthesia concerns, asymmetry, delayed healing, numbness, fluid buildup, and dissatisfaction.
A safe procedure depends on factors such as:
- General health
- Medication use
- Smoking, vaping, or nicotine exposure
- Which surgery is performed
- The accredited surgical setting
- The anesthesia plan
- The qualifications of the surgeon
- Follow-up after surgery
A careful consultation should include benefits, risks, alternatives, and realistic expectations.
Canadian Plastic Surgery Considerations
Canadian plastic surgery is regulated through medical licensing, provincial colleges, hospital systems, surgical facilities, and professional standards. Patients should not rely only on marketing terms, because recognized medical training matters.
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 the specialty of plastic surgery.
Before choosing a surgeon, patients can ask:
- Are you certified as a plastic surgeon?
- Do you hold a medical licence in this province?
- Do you perform this procedure often?
- Where will the procedure take place?
- Who provides anesthesia?
- What complications should I understand for my situation?
- What happens if I have a complication?
- How often will I be seen after surgery?
- Do you have examples of patients with similar concerns?
This is not about challenging the surgeon. It is about protecting your health and making an informed decision.
Canadian Cosmetic Surgery Pricing
Cosmetic surgery costs in Canada can vary widely. Pricing may depend on procedure complexity, surgeon experience, anesthesia, facility fees, implants or devices, garments, follow-up care, and location.
Large Canadian cities, including Vancouver, Toronto, Calgary, Edmonton, Ottawa, and Montreal, may have higher fees because overhead and demand are higher. 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.
Medical Tourism vs. Surgery in Canada
Some patients in Canada consider medical tourism to save money on surgery. Lower cost may be appealing, but surgery abroad can come with extra risks.
Patients should think about medical tourism concerns such as:
- Less access to follow-up care
- Travelling before healing is complete
- Risk of infection
- Different facility or safety standards
- Less access to surgical records
- Difficulty managing complications back in Canada
- Possible language barriers
- Possible costs for corrective surgery
Having surgery closer to home may make follow-up easier, especially if swelling, healing concerns, or complications occur.
Plastic Surgery Consultation Preparation
Your consultation is the time to understand what can be done safely and realistically. The process should feel informative, not rushed or pressured.
Before your visit, it helps to prepare:
- Write down your main concerns.
- Bring a list of medications and supplements.
- Tell the surgeon about your medical history.
- Be honest about smoking, vaping, cannabis, and nicotine use.
- Bring photos if they help show your goals.
- Ask questions about recovery, scars, risks, and alternatives.
- Ask what result is realistic for your own body or face.
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.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Plastic Surgery?
The best candidates for plastic surgery are often 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 in good general health
- You have a specific concern
- Your weight is stable for body surgery
- You can follow smoking and nicotine restrictions
- You are prepared for the recovery process
- You understand and accept the trade-offs
- You want the procedure for yourself
- You have reasonable expectations
A safer plan may involve waiting if you are pregnant, planning major weight loss, using nicotine, managing unstable health, or feeling pressured.
Combined Plastic Surgery Procedures
Some procedures may be combined safely. Others should be staged. Combining procedures may reduce total recovery time, but it can also increase surgical time and healing demands.
Common combined surgery plans include:
- Combining facelift and neck lift
- Upper facial rejuvenation with eyelid surgery and brow lift
- Combining rhinoplasty and chin surgery
- Breast lift with augmentation
- Abdominal contouring with tummy tuck and liposuction
- Mommy makeover procedures
- Body lift with thigh lift or arm lift
- Facial fat grafting as part of facial surgery
The right approach depends on the patient’s health, how long the procedure takes, anesthesia, recovery support, and overall risk.
Summary of Plastic Surgery Procedures in Canada
Plastic surgery in Canada includes a wide range of cosmetic and reconstructive procedures. Some procedures improve the face, breasts, or body. Others repair tissue after cancer, injury, burns, or medical conditions. Non-surgical treatments may also help with wrinkles, volume loss, skin texture, and early aging changes.
The best procedure is not always the procedure people ask about first. A good procedure choice fits the patient’s anatomy, goals, health, and comfort level.
A thoughtful plan should focus on safety, natural-looking results, clear expectations, and proper follow-up care. Before choosing eyelid surgery, rhinoplasty, breast augmentation, tummy tuck, liposuction, facelift surgery, or reconstructive plastic surgery, it helps to understand what each option can and cannot do.