Across Canada, plastic surgery includes many different procedures that can refine, repair, or support 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 repair form or function after injury, cancer, birth differences, burns, or medical conditions.
There are many goals why people in Canada search for plastic surgery. Some people are looking for a more balanced look. For others, the goal is to restore body shape after pregnancy, weight loss, or aging. For some patients, the need is related to trauma, skin cancer, breast cancer, or a congenital concern. Your anatomy, goals, health, lifestyle, and recovery time all help guide the right procedure.
This guide explains the main types of plastic surgery procedures in Canada, including facial surgery, breast surgery, body contouring, reconstructive surgery, and non-surgical cosmetic treatments. The guide also explains important points to review before booking a consultation.
Cosmetic Plastic Surgery vs. Reconstructive Plastic Surgery
In general, plastic surgery is grouped into cosmetic surgery and reconstructive surgery.
Cosmetic Surgery
Cosmetic plastic surgery is focused on 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:
- Improving facial balance
- Softening signs of aging
- Refining body shape
- Restoring lost volume after pregnancy or weight loss
- Enhancing areas such as the nose, eyelids, ears, lips, breasts, abdomen, arms, or thighs
- Improving the way clothing fits
- Improving self-confidence while keeping results natural-looking
Across Canada, cosmetic plastic surgery is usually paid for by the patient. Pricing may change based on procedure complexity, surgeon experience, facility costs, anesthesia, follow-up care, and location.
Reconstructive Surgery
In reconstructive plastic surgery, the focus is on restoring form, function, or both. Reconstructive procedures may be recommended after cancer surgery, trauma, burns, infections, birth differences, or medical conditions.
Examples of reconstructive plastic surgery include:
- Breast reconstruction after mastectomy
- Skin cancer reconstruction after a skin tumour is removed
- Cleft lip and palate surgery
- Burn reconstruction
- Hand reconstruction
- Scar treatment and revision
- Complex wound repair
- Facial trauma reconstruction
- Repair of congenital differences
Some reconstructive procedures may be covered by a provincial health plan when they are medically necessary. Changes done only for cosmetic reasons are usually not covered.
Facial Plastic Surgery Procedures
Facial procedures may be used to improve balance, soften aging changes, and restore a rested look. For many patients, the goal is not to look like another person. Strong results usually look natural, balanced, and personal to the patient.
Rhytidectomy, Commonly Called Facelift Surgery
A facelift, also called rhytidectomy, improves sagging in the lower face and jawline. It may help with jowls, loose facial skin, and deeper folds around the mouth.
Common facelift concerns include:
- Softness or jowling at the jawline
- Skin laxity in the lower face
- Deeper smile lines
- Descent of cheek tissue
- Reduced definition from the jawline into the neck
Many modern facelift techniques focus on deeper support layers under the skin. That deeper support can help create a smoother result that lasts longer and avoids a pulled look. Many patients combine facelift surgery with a neck lift, eyelid surgery, brow lift, or facial fat grafting.
Neck Lift Procedure (Platysmaplasty)
Loose skin, muscle bands, and fullness under the chin may be improved with a neck lift. Tightening the neck muscle may be described medically as platysmaplasty.
Neck lift surgery can help improve:
- Neck bands
- Extra neck skin
- A jawline that looks less defined
- Fullness below the chin
- A hanging neck appearance
In some cases, the plan includes tightening both skin and muscle. For patients with extra fat but good skin tone, liposuction under the chin may help. In many cases, the face and neck age together, so a facelift and neck lift may be planned at the same time.
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.
Common upper eyelid concerns include:
- Heavy upper lids
- Redundant upper eyelid skin
- A tired-looking or aged appearance
- Eyelid skin that hangs over the lashes
- Functional vision concerns in some patients
Lower eyelid surgery may help with:
- Visible under-eye bags
- Puffy lower eyelids
- Extra skin below the eyes
- Shadowing beneath the lower lids
- A fatigued look that remains after sleep
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 Surgery (Forehead Lift)
A brow lift, also called a forehead lift, raises a low or heavy brow. By lifting the brow, the procedure may improve the upper eyes and soften forehead heaviness.
Common brow lift concerns include:
- Brow descent
- Heavy upper lids from brow descent
- Horizontal forehead lines
- Vertical lines between the brows
- A tired, sad, or stern expression
Brow lift surgery and eyelid surgery are not the same procedure. Eyelid surgery treats extra eyelid skin, while a brow lift treats the position of the eyebrows. Some patients need only a brow lift or eyelid surgery, while others benefit from both procedures.
Nose Surgery (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.
Common rhinoplasty concerns include:
- A dorsal hump on the nose
- A drooping nasal tip
- A broad or boxy tip
- A crooked nasal shape
- Nose size or projection
- Uneven nasal shape
- Structural breathing concerns
Structural breathing issues may require work on the septum, the wall between the nostrils. The medical term for septum surgery is septoplasty. A cosmetic rhinoplasty changes appearance, while functional nasal surgery focuses on airflow.
Otoplasty, Also Called Ear Surgery
Otoplasty, commonly called ear surgery, can change the shape, position, or size of the ears. Otoplasty is often chosen for ears that stick out.
Common otoplasty concerns include:
- Prominent ears
- Ear asymmetry
- Large ear cartilage folds
- Ears that project away from the head
- Earlobe shape concerns
Ear surgery can be considered for adults as well as children. For younger patients, ear growth, maturity, and family goals help guide timing.
Upper Lip Lift Surgery
A lip lift is designed to shorten the space between the upper lip and the nose. This space is called the upper lip length. The procedure may make the upper lip look more visible without adding filler.
Lip lift surgery can help improve:
- A long upper lip
- Less visible upper teeth when smiling
- An upper lip that looks thin
- Poor balance between the upper and lower lips
- Aging changes around the mouth
A lip lift is different from lip filler. Lip filler adds volume. A lip lift changes the position and shape of the upper lip.
Chin and Jawline Implant Surgery
Balance in the chin, cheeks, or jawline may be improved with facial implants. Chin surgery is often used when the chin looks small compared with the nose or other facial features.
Types of facial implant surgery may include:
- Chin implants
- Cheek implants
- Jawline implant surgery
In some cases, chin surgery may be combined with rhinoplasty because the nose and chin affect facial balance in profile view.
Facial Fat Grafting
A patient’s own fat can be used in facial fat grafting to restore 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 help with:
- Sunken-looking cheeks
- Hollowing under the eyes
- Volume loss after aging
- Soft tissue thinning
- Facial volume imbalance
Fat grafting can support facial rejuvenation on its own or be combined with facelift surgery, eyelid surgery, or other facial procedures.
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 Augmentation in Canada
Breast size and shape can be increased with breast augmentation using implants or fat transfer. Implants used for breast augmentation may be saline or silicone gel. The choice of implant depends on body type, breast tissue, goals, and surgeon guidance.
Patients may consider breast augmentation for:
- Naturally smaller breast volume
- Breast volume loss after pregnancy
- Breast volume loss after weight change
- Breasts that do not match well
- Improved breast shape in fitted clothing
Patients often worry about looking too large or unnatural. A careful surgical plan should consider chest width, skin quality, lifestyle, and long-term maintenance.
Breast Lift Procedure
A breast lift, also known as mastopexy, raises and reshapes breasts that have dropped. A breast lift does not mainly increase breast volume. The procedure focuses on improving breast position and shape.
Breast lift surgery can help improve:
- Breasts that sag
- Nipple descent
- Stretched nipple-areola areas
- Loose breast skin
- Changes after pregnancy, breastfeeding, or weight loss
A breast lift may be combined with implants when more upper breast fullness is desired. Others prefer a lift without implants for a natural result.
Breast Reduction
Breast reduction surgery makes the breasts smaller and lighter by removing extra breast tissue, fat, and skin.
Breast reduction may address:
- Chronic neck pain
- Shoulder pain
- Back pain
- Shoulder grooves from bra straps
- Rashes under the breasts
- Limited comfort during physical activity
- Clothing fit challenges
In certain Canadian cases, breast reduction may qualify as medically necessary. Coverage depends on provincial requirements, symptoms, and medical assessment.
Revision Breast Implant Surgery
Existing breast implants may be adjusted or replaced with breast implant revision. It may be needed for cosmetic reasons or medical concerns.
Common reasons for breast implant revision include:
- Wanting smaller or larger implants
- Rupture of an implant
- Firm scar tissue around an implant, called capsular contracture
- Implant shifting
- Asymmetry between the breasts
- Natural aging changes after breast implants
- Breast implant removal
A breast lift may be done when implants are removed. New implants may be chosen with a changed size, shape, or position.
Breast Reconstruction
Breast reconstruction rebuilds the breast after mastectomy or lumpectomy. It may use implants, natural tissue, or a combination.
Breast reconstruction may involve:
- Breast reconstruction with implants
- Natural tissue flap reconstruction
- Reconstruction of the nipple and areola
- Breast fat grafting
- Surgery to refine breast symmetry
This can be a deeply personal choice. For some patients, reconstruction feels right. Some patients decide not to rebuild the breast and remain flat. Both decisions deserve respect.
Male Breast Reduction Surgery
Male breast reduction, also called gynecomastia surgery, treats enlarged male breast tissue. Liposuction, gland removal, or a combination may be used.
Patients may consider gynecomastia surgery for:
- Puffy-looking nipples
- Fullness under the areola
- Chest fullness
- Uneven shape across the male chest
- Feeling self-conscious at the beach, gym, or in fitted shirts
A surgeon chooses the technique based on whether the chest fullness is due to fat, gland tissue, loose skin, or more than one factor.
Common Body Contouring Options
Body contouring surgery improves body shape by removing extra skin, reducing stubborn fat, or tightening tissue. It is often considered after pregnancy, aging, or major weight loss.
Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty)
A tummy tuck, also known as abdominoplasty, removes extra abdominal skin and tightens the abdominal wall. It can also repair separated abdominal muscles, known as diastasis recti.
A tummy tuck may address:
- Loose skin on the abdomen
- A lower abdominal overhang
- Stretch marks on skin below the belly button
- Diastasis recti
- Loose abdominal tissue after pregnancy or weight loss
A tummy tuck is not meant to be a weight-loss procedure. Patients usually do best when they are close to a stable weight and want to improve abdominal shape.
Liposuction
Liposuction removes localized fat with a thin tube called a cannula. It is used for body contouring, not general weight loss.
Liposuction may be used on areas such as:
- Abdomen
- Side waist areas, often called love handles
- Hip contours
- Thigh contours
- Upper arms
- Back fullness
- The chin and neck
- The chest
- The knees
Good skin elasticity helps improve results. If the skin is loose, liposuction by itself may not be enough. In those cases, skin removal surgery may be needed.
Mommy Makeover
A mommy makeover is tailored to the patient and may treat changes from pregnancy, breastfeeding, or weight change. A mommy makeover commonly includes surgery for the breasts and abdomen.
Common mommy makeover procedures include:
- Abdominoplasty
- A breast lift procedure
- A breast augmentation procedure
- Breast reduction
- Fat reduction with liposuction
- Fat transfer
The name can be misleading because the procedure is not limited to mothers. The procedure can apply to anyone with similar body concerns. A safe plan depends on the patient’s health, goals, recovery time, and plans for future pregnancy.
Arm Lift Surgery, Also Called Brachioplasty
An arm lift, also known as brachioplasty, removes loose skin from the upper arms.
Patients may consider an arm lift for:
- Loose hanging skin on the upper arms
- Loose skin after weight loss
- Upper arm changes from aging
- Trouble wearing sleeveless tops
- Skin rubbing and irritation
A scar along the inner or back arm is the key trade-off with brachioplasty. Many patients feel the improved arm contour is worth the scar, but careful discussion is important.
Inner Thigh Lift
A thigh lift removes loose skin from the thighs. It is often chosen after major weight loss.
Thigh lift surgery can help improve:
- Loose skin on the inner thighs
- Chafing from loose thigh skin
- Trouble with pants fit
- Thigh heaviness caused by extra skin
- Loose thigh skin after bariatric surgery or weight loss
Thigh lift surgery can be done with different patterns. The best thigh lift pattern depends on skin amount and the location of the looseness.
Body Contouring Lift
A body lift removes extra loose skin around the lower body. Body lift surgery can reshape the abdomen, hips, outer thighs, buttocks, and lower back.
A body lift may be chosen after:
- Substantial weight loss
- Bariatric surgery
- Post-pregnancy body changes
- Major loose skin from aging
Body lift surgery is more extensive, so recovery is usually longer. Patients should be at a stable weight and in good overall health.
Fat Grafting to the Body
Fat can be moved from one body area to another with fat grafting. It may be used to add natural volume or improve contour.
Body fat grafting can involve:
- The breasts
- Buttock volume
- Hip contour
- Facial contour
- Contour changes after surgery or injury
Fat grafting uses your own tissue, but some transferred fat may not survive. Results may change over time, and more than one session may be needed.
Procedures for Skin, Scars, and Surface Concerns
Beyond face, breast, and body surgery, plastic surgery may include skin, scar, and soft tissue procedures.
Scar Revision
Scar revision can improve the appearance or feel of a scar. The scar will not usually disappear, but revision may make it flatter, softer, narrower, or less noticeable.
Patients may consider scar revision for:
- Post-surgical scars
- Scarring after an injury
- Burn injury scars
- Thickened scars
- Tight scars
- Scars that restrict motion
Scar treatment can include surgery, copyright injections, laser treatment, silicone therapy, or several methods together.
Skin Lesion Removal Procedures
Benign skin lesions, cysts, moles, and lumps may be removed by plastic surgeons when a precise closure is needed. Some lesions require medical assessment to rule out skin cancer.
Removal may be considered for:
- Irritated skin
- Growth or change
- Bleeding from the lesion
- Concern about how it looks
- Diagnostic testing
- Relief from discomfort
Any changing mole or suspicious skin lesion should be checked by a qualified medical professional.
Skin Cancer Repair and Reconstruction
Skin cancer reconstruction can help close the treated area and restore appearance after cancer removal. Skin cancer reconstruction is often needed on the face, nose, eyelids, ears, lips, scalp, and hands.
A skin cancer reconstruction plan may use:
- Closing the area directly
- Reconstruction with a skin graft
- Local flaps
- More advanced reconstruction
Skin cancer reconstruction aims to support safe cancer removal while protecting function and appearance.
Non-Surgical Cosmetic Treatments
Not every patient requires surgery. Non-surgical cosmetic treatments can help with early signs of aging, facial lines, volume loss, and skin quality. These treatments usually involve less downtime, but results are more temporary.
BOTOX and Neuromodulators
BOTOX and other neuromodulators relax selected facial muscles. They are often used for expression lines.
Patients may consider neuromodulators for:
- Glabellar frown lines
- Forehead expression lines
- Eye-area smile lines
- Expression lines on the nose
- Peau d’orange chin texture
- Selected neck bands
Neuromodulator results are temporary, so maintenance appointments are often part of the plan. The goal is often a softer, rested look, not a frozen face.
Dermal Filler Treatments
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:
- The lips
- Midface fullness
- Chin shape
- The jawline
- Hollows beneath the eyes
- Smile lines
- Marionette folds
The result from filler depends on the product, injection technique, facial anatomy, and treatment goals. Overfilling may 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 help with:
- Uneven colour
- Dull skin
- Small fine lines
- Sun-damaged skin
- Light acne marks
- Skin texture concerns
Peels come in different strengths, from light to deeper options. Recovery depends on peel type.
Laser and Energy-Based Skin Treatments
These treatments may improve concerns such as uneven tone, redness, texture, hair growth, scars, and visible aging.
Common examples include:
- Laser resurfacing for texture
- Intense pulsed light (IPL)
- RF skin treatments
- Energy-based skin tightening
- Laser-based hair reduction
- Vascular laser 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 removes outer skin layers as a deeper resurfacing treatment. Compared with dermabrasion, microdermabrasion is lighter and more superficial.
Dermabrasion and microdermabrasion may help with:
- Skin texture
- Light scarring
- Dullness
- Uneven surface
- Fine surface lines
The best treatment depends on the patient’s skin quality, goals, available downtime, and comfort with risk.
Choosing the Right Plastic Surgery Procedure
A good plastic surgery plan starts by identifying the concern instead of choosing a procedure name first. Many patients ask for one treatment and later learn that another option better matches their anatomy.
Common examples include:
- Heavy upper lids may be caused by extra eyelid skin, a low brow, or both.
- A soft jawline can come from loose skin, neck bands, fat, or chin position.
- A full belly can involve extra fat, loose skin, diastasis recti, or internal weight.
- Breasts that look flat may need lifting, added volume, fat grafting, or more than one procedure.
- Under-eye concerns may come from fat pads, hollows, loose skin, or pigmentation.
The best plan usually starts with three questions:
- What anatomy is causing the issue?
- Which treatment is most likely to correct the cause?
- What trade-offs come with that option?
Trade-offs can include scars, recovery time, swelling, cost, maintenance, and possible complications.
Plastic Surgery Fears and Questions
Mixed feelings are normal before a plastic surgery procedure. Patients may feel excited, but they may also feel nervous. Patients often have questions about safety, discomfort, scarring, healing, cost, and whether results will look natural.
“Will I Look Natural After Surgery?”
This is one of the most common concerns. Most people want to look like a refreshed version cosmetic plastic surgeons near me of themselves, not like someone else. Natural-looking plastic surgery should respect your facial features, body frame, age, and personal style.
A healthy goal is often improved balance instead of perfection.
“How Much Downtime Will I Need?”
Downtime varies by procedure. Non-surgical treatments may need little or no downtime. A tummy tuck, body lift, or mommy makeover is more involved and needs more planning.
In general, recovery planning may include:
- Bruising and swelling
- Activity limits
- Time away from work
- Surgical follow-up care
- Post-surgery scar care
- A staged return to physical activity
- A result that improves as swelling settles
Healing is not instant. Many procedures improve over weeks and months.
“Can Plastic Surgery Scars Be Hidden?”
Surgery that involves an incision will create a scar. The goal is careful scar placement and strong scar healing.
Scar quality depends on:
- Your genetics
- Skin tone
- The type of procedure
- Where the incision is placed
- Pulling on the healing incision
- Smoking status
- Sun exposure
- Aftercare
Scars tend to soften and fade, but they usually remain to some degree.
“What Should I Know About Plastic Surgery Safety?”
Every surgery has risk. Plastic surgery risks may include bleeding, infection, poor scarring, anesthesia concerns, asymmetry, delayed healing, numbness, fluid buildup, and dissatisfaction.
Many factors affect plastic surgery safety, including:
- Your health
- Your medications
- Whether you smoke or use nicotine
- The planned procedure
- The facility where surgery is done
- The planned anesthesia
- The surgeon’s training and experience
- Care after the procedure
During consultation, patients should learn about benefits, risks, alternatives, and realistic expectations.
Important Plastic Surgery Information for Canadian Patients
Across Canada, plastic surgery is overseen through licensing, provincial colleges, hospital systems, surgical facilities, and professional standards. It is important to understand the difference between marketing language and recognized medical training.
Choosing a Qualified Plastic Surgeon
When researching plastic surgery in Canada, patients should look for proper training and credentials. Proper plastic surgery training includes medical training, surgical training, and specialty certification in plastic surgery.
Patients should ask:
- Do you have certification in plastic surgery?
- Do you hold a medical licence in this province?
- How often do you perform this procedure?
- Where is the procedure performed?
- Who manages anesthesia during the procedure?
- What complications should I understand for my situation?
- 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 being difficult. It is about making an informed choice.
Plastic Surgery Costs in Canada
Cosmetic surgery costs in Canada can vary widely. Procedure complexity, surgeon experience, anesthesia, facility fees, implants or devices, garments, follow-up care, and location can all affect price.
Overhead and demand may increase fees in major Canadian centres such as Vancouver, Toronto, Calgary, Edmonton, Ottawa, and Montreal. Smaller cities may have different pricing, but cost should not be the only factor.
If a very low price means less attention to safety, training, facility standards, or aftercare, it can be a warning sign.
Surgery Abroad vs. Plastic Surgery in Canada
Lower-cost surgery outside Canada may appeal to some Canadians. This may seem appealing, but there are extra risks to think about.
Risks or challenges with medical tourism may include:
- Less access to follow-up care
- Travel during early recovery
- Infection-related complications
- Different surgical standards
- Less access to surgical records
- Difficulty finding care for complications at home
- Language or translation issues
- Revision surgery costs
Surgery closer to home can make follow-up care easier if swelling, healing concerns, or complications happen.
What to Bring to a Plastic Surgery Consultation
A consultation gives you the chance to learn what is possible, safe, and realistic. A consultation should not feel rushed or pressured.
Before your visit, it helps to prepare:
- List your main concerns before the visit.
- Prepare your medication and supplement list.
- Share your medical history.
- Be honest about smoking, vaping, cannabis, and nicotine use.
- If photos make your goals clearer, bring them to the consultation.
- Make sure you ask about recovery time, scars, risks, and alternatives.
- Talk about realistic results based on your body or face.
A good consultation should include a clear discussion of options. In some cases, the best recommendation is to wait, choose a smaller treatment, improve health first, or avoid surgery.
Is Plastic Surgery Right for You?
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 ready for plastic surgery if:
- You are generally healthy
- You have a clear concern
- You are at a stable weight for body contouring
- You do not smoke, or you 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 expectations are realistic
A safer plan may involve waiting if you are pregnant, planning major weight loss, using nicotine, managing unstable health, or feeling pressured.
Procedure Combinations in Plastic Surgery
Certain procedures can be safely combined. 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:
- A facelift with a neck lift
- Eyelid surgery with brow lift
- Profile balancing with rhinoplasty and chin surgery
- Mastopexy with augmentation
- Abdominoplasty with liposuction
- Breast and body procedures in a mommy makeover
- Body lift plus 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.
Summary of Plastic Surgery Procedures in Canada
In Canada, plastic surgery covers a wide range of cosmetic and reconstructive options. Many cosmetic procedures focus on the face, breasts, or body. Some procedures restore tissue after cancer, injury, burns, or medical conditions. Non-surgical treatments can also help with wrinkles, volume loss, skin texture, and early aging changes.
The best procedure is not always the procedure people ask about first. The best plan is based on anatomy, goals, health, and personal comfort.
The strongest treatment 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.