Common Types of Plastic Surgery in Canada

Many plastic surgery procedures are designed to enhance, restore, or change the face and body. When surgery is chosen mainly to enhance appearance, it is often called cosmetic surgery. Reconstructive plastic surgery may be used after injury, cancer, birth differences, burns, or medical conditions to help rebuild form or function.

There are many reasons why people in Canada search for plastic surgery. Some people are looking for a more refreshed 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. You will also learn what to think about before scheduling a consultation.

Cosmetic Plastic Surgery Compared With Reconstructive Plastic Surgery

Plastic surgery is often divided into two main categories, cosmetic surgery and reconstructive surgery.

Cosmetic Plastic Surgery Procedures

Cosmetic surgery is used to improve or refine appearance. These procedures are usually elective, meaning they are chosen by the patient and are not medically required.

Cosmetic plastic surgery may be used for goals such as:

Creating better facial balance
Reducing age-related changes
Refining body shape
Restoring volume after weight loss or pregnancy
Improving the nose, eyelids, ears, lips, breasts, abdomen, arms, or thighs
Making clothing feel or fit better
Supporting confidence with natural-looking changes

Cosmetic procedures in Canada are usually not covered by provincial health plans and are often paid for privately. Fees can vary based on the procedure, surgeon, facility, anesthesia, follow-up care, and location.

What Is Reconstructive Plastic Surgery?

Reconstructive plastic surgery is focused on restoring form and function. Patients may need reconstructive surgery after cancer surgery, trauma, burns, infections, birth differences, or medical conditions.

Common examples include:

Breast reconstruction after removal of breast tissue
Skin cancer reconstruction after skin cancer excision
Repair of cleft lip and palate
Burn injury reconstruction
Surgery for hand function or repair
Surgical scar revision
Complex wound repair
Repair after facial trauma
Repair of congenital differences

Some reconstructive plastic surgery may qualify for provincial coverage if it is considered medically necessary. Purely cosmetic changes are usually paid for privately.

Facial Cosmetic Surgery Procedures

Facial plastic surgery can improve facial balance, soften signs of aging, and restore a refreshed look. The goal is usually not to look “different.” The best results often look natural and balanced.

Facelift Surgery, Also Called Rhytidectomy

Sagging in the lower face and jawline may be improved with a facelift, also called rhytidectomy. It can help with jowls, loose facial skin, and deeper folds around the mouth.

Facelift surgery can address concerns such as:

Jawline jowls
Skin laxity in the lower face
Deeper smile lines
Lowered cheek tissue
Loss of definition between the face and neck

Modern facelift surgery often focuses on deeper support layers under the skin. This can create a smoother, longer-lasting result without a pulled look. A facelift is often combined with a neck lift, eyelid surgery, brow lift, or facial fat grafting.

Neck Lift Surgery, Also Called Platysmaplasty

A neck lift improves loose skin, muscle bands, and fullness under the chin. The medical term for tightening the neck muscle is platysmaplasty.

Common reasons for neck lift surgery include:

Vertical neck bands
Loose skin on the neck
Reduced jawline sharpness
Fullness under the chin
A “turkey neck” look

For some people, both the skin and neck muscle need tightening. For patients with extra fat but good skin tone, liposuction under the chin may help. Because the face and neck often age together, a facelift and neck lift may be planned together.

Eyelid Surgery, Also Called Blepharoplasty

Tired-looking eyes may be improved with eyelid surgery, also called blepharoplasty, by adjusting extra skin, fat, or tissue around the eyelids.

Upper eyelid surgery can address:

Heaviness in the upper eyelids
Extra skin on the upper eyelids
A tired-looking or aged appearance
Extra skin that sits against the eyelashes
Functional vision concerns in some patients

Lower blepharoplasty may help with:

Under-eye puffiness or bags
Puffiness
Loose lower eyelid skin
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 (Forehead Lift)

Brow lift surgery, or a forehead lift, is used to raise a low or heavy brow. By lifting the brow, the procedure may improve the upper eyes and soften forehead heaviness.

A brow lift may help with:

Low or drooping eyebrows
Brow-related upper eyelid heaviness
Lines across the forehead
Creases between the eyebrows
A tired, sad, or stern look

Brow lift surgery and eyelid surgery are not the same procedure. Extra eyelid skin is treated with eyelid surgery, while eyebrow position is treated with a brow lift. Depending on anatomy, a patient may need one procedure, the other, or both.

Rhinoplasty for Nose Shape and Breathing

A nose job, medically known as rhinoplasty, changes the shape, size, or structure of the nose. It may be cosmetic, functional, or both.

Rhinoplasty may help with:

A bump on the bridge
A drooping nasal tip
A wide nasal tip
A nose that looks crooked
The size or projection of the nose
Nose asymmetry
Breathing issues related to structure

When breathing is a concern, surgery may include work on the septum, the wall between the nostrils. That procedure is known as septoplasty. A cosmetic rhinoplasty is done for appearance, while functional nasal surgery is done to improve airflow.

Ear Surgery (Otoplasty)

The shape, position, or size of the ears may be changed with ear surgery, also called otoplasty. It is commonly used to correct ears that stick out.

Otoplasty may address:

Ears that sit far from the head
Uneven ears
Large cartilage folds in the ears
Ears with too much projection
Stretched or uneven earlobes

Both adults and children may choose or need otoplasty. For younger patients, ear growth, maturity, and family goals help guide timing.

Surgical Lip Lift

Lip lift surgery shortens the area between the upper lip and the base of the nose. That space is often described as the upper lip length. A lip lift can improve upper lip show without adding dermal filler.

Lip lift surgery can help improve:

A long space between the nose and upper lip
Less upper tooth visibility with a smile
A less visible upper lip
Poor lip balance
Changes around the mouth from aging

A lip lift is different from lip filler. Filler is used to add volume. The purpose of a lip lift is to change the upper lip position and shape rather than just add volume.

Chin, Cheek, and Jawline Implants

Facial implants can improve balance in the chin, cheeks, or jawline. 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 implant surgery
Cheek implant surgery
Jawline implant surgery

Because the nose and chin affect how the face looks from the side, chin surgery may sometimes be combined with rhinoplasty.

Facial Volume Restoration With Fat Grafting

Facial fat transfer restores volume using a patient’s own fat. Fat is usually taken from areas such as the abdomen or thighs, processed, and placed into the face.

Patients may consider facial fat grafting for:

Loss of cheek fullness
Under-eye volume loss
Volume changes caused by aging
Soft tissue volume loss
Imbalance in facial volume

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

Plastic Surgery Procedures for the Breasts

Many patients in Canada consider breast surgery for cosmetic or reconstructive reasons. Breast plastic surgery can address volume, size, position, symmetry, and reconstruction after cancer surgery.

Breast Augmentation in Canada

Breast augmentation increases breast size and shape using implants or fat transfer. Breast implants may be filled with 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
Lost breast volume following pregnancy
Volume loss after weight change
Uneven breast size or shape
More fullness in bras or clothing

Patients often worry that breast augmentation may look too large or unnatural. A careful plan should consider chest width, skin quality, lifestyle, and long-term maintenance.

Mastopexy, or Breast Lift Surgery

Breasts that have dropped can be raised and reshaped with a breast lift, also called mastopexy. The main purpose is not to add volume. The procedure focuses on improving breast position and shape.

Common breast lift concerns include:

Lower breast position
Nipple descent
Stretched nipple-areola areas
Breast skin laxity
Changes after pregnancy, breastfeeding, or weight loss

Some patients choose a breast lift with implants for more upper breast fullness. Others prefer a lift without implants for a natural result.

Breast Reduction Procedure

Extra breast tissue, fat, and skin can be removed with breast reduction to create smaller, lighter, more balanced breasts.

Breast reduction surgery can help improve:

Pain in the neck
Shoulder discomfort
Back strain
Indentations from bra straps
Rashes under the breasts
Problems staying active
Trouble finding clothing that fits

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

Breast Implant Revision

Breast implant revision surgery is used to change, adjust, or replace current breast implants. It may be needed for cosmetic reasons or medical concerns.

Common breast implant revision concerns include:

Wanting smaller or larger implants
Breast implant rupture
Capsular contracture, which means firm scar tissue around an implant
An implant that has shifted
Breast asymmetry
Breast changes over time after augmentation
Choosing to remove implants

Implant removal may be combined with a breast lift. Other patients choose new implants with a different size, shape, or placement.

Breast Reconstruction

The breast may be rebuilt after mastectomy or lumpectomy with breast reconstruction. Breast reconstruction can use implants, natural tissue, or both.

Types of breast reconstruction may include:

Implant breast reconstruction
Breast reconstruction with natural tissue flaps
Rebuilding the nipple and areola
Fat grafting
Revision surgery for symmetry

Breast reconstruction is a very personal decision. Some patients want reconstruction. Others choose to remain flat. Both paths are valid and personal.

Male Chest Reduction Surgery

Gynecomastia surgery is used to reduce enlarged male breast tissue. It may include liposuction, gland removal, or both.

Gynecomastia surgery may help with:

Fullness around the nipples
Extra tissue beneath the areola
Extra chest volume
Male chest asymmetry
Feeling self-conscious at the beach, gym, or in fitted shirts

The cause of fullness, whether fat, gland tissue, loose skin, plastic surgery nearby or a mix, guides the best technique.

Body Contouring 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, known as diastasis recti.

A tummy tuck may help with:

Abdominal skin laxity
A lower belly overhang
Stretch-marked skin under the belly button
Abdominal muscle separation
Body changes from 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

Localized fat can be removed with liposuction using a thin tube called a cannula. It is used for body contouring, not general weight loss.

Common liposuction areas include:

The abdomen
Love handles or flanks
Hips
The thighs
Upper arms
Back rolls
Chin and neck
Male or female chest area
The knees

Skin tone is an important factor. If the skin is loose, liposuction by itself may not be enough. A skin-tightening or skin removal procedure may be needed in that situation.

Post-Pregnancy Body Contouring

A mommy makeover combines procedures to address body changes after pregnancy, breastfeeding, or weight change. A mommy makeover commonly includes surgery for the breasts and abdomen.

Mommy makeover options may include:

A tummy tuck procedure
A breast lift procedure
Surgical breast enhancement
Breast reduction surgery
Surgical fat removal
Fat grafting for contouring

The term can be misleading, since a mommy makeover is not only for mothers. It is really a custom body contouring plan for patients with similar concerns. The best mommy makeover plan should consider health, goals, recovery time, and whether future pregnancy is expected.

Upper Arm Lift Procedure

An arm lift, also known as brachioplasty, removes loose skin from the upper arms.

Patients may consider an arm lift for:

Upper arm skin that hangs
Extra skin after major weight loss
Arm skin changes over time
Avoiding sleeveless clothing
Chafing from upper arm skin

The main trade-off is a scar along the inner or back part of the arm. Because the scar is permanent, patients should carefully discuss whether the improved shape is worth it.

Thigh Lift Procedure

A thigh lift removes loose skin from the thighs. Many patients choose it after major weight loss.

Thigh lift surgery can help improve:

Inner thigh skin laxity
Rubbing in the inner thighs
Poor clothing fit around the thighs
A heavy feeling from extra skin
Changes after bariatric surgery or weight loss

Thigh lift surgery can be done with different patterns. How much skin needs removal and where the looseness sits will guide the best option.

Body Lift Surgery

A body lift removes 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 weight-loss surgery
Post-pregnancy body changes
Aging changes with loose skin

A body lift is a larger procedure and usually has a longer recovery. A stable weight and good overall health are important before body lift surgery.

Body Fat Grafting

Fat transfer, also called fat grafting, moves fat from one part of the body to another. Fat grafting can add natural volume or refine body contour.

Body fat grafting can involve:

Breasts
The buttocks
Hip contour
Facial contour
Contour irregularities after injury or surgery

Fat grafting uses your own tissue, but not all transferred fat survives. Results may change over time, and more than one session may be needed.

Plastic Surgery for Skin and Scars

Skin surface concerns, scars, and soft tissue problems may also be treated with plastic surgery.

Scar Improvement Treatment

A scar that is raised, tight, wide, or noticeable may be improved with scar revision. It may not remove the scar completely, but it can make it less raised, tight, wide, or noticeable.

Patients may consider scar revision for:

Scarring after surgery
Injury scars
Burn scars
Thick scars
Tight scars
Scars that restrict motion

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

Removal of Moles, Cysts, and Skin Lesions

Plastic surgery may be chosen for benign skin lesions, cysts, moles, and lumps when the closure should be as careful as possible. Some lesions require medical assessment to rule out skin cancer.

Removal may be done for:

Skin irritation
A lesion that is getting larger
Bleeding or crusting
Cosmetic reasons
Medical diagnosis
Improved comfort

If a mole changes or a skin lesion looks suspicious, it should be assessed by a qualified medical professional.

Plastic Surgery After Skin Cancer

After skin cancer removal, reconstruction may be needed to close the wound and restore appearance. Skin cancer reconstruction is often needed on the face, nose, eyelids, ears, lips, scalp, and hands.

Reconstruction after skin cancer may include:

Direct surgical closure
Using a skin graft
Reconstruction with local flaps
More complex reconstruction

The goal is to remove the cancer safely while preserving function and appearance as much as possible.

Common Non-Surgical Cosmetic Options

Not all cosmetic concerns require surgery. Non-surgical cosmetic treatments can help with early signs of aging, facial lines, volume loss, and skin quality. Most non-surgical treatments have less downtime, but the results do not last as long as surgery.

Neuromodulator Injections

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

Common areas include:

Glabellar frown lines
Forehead lines
Crow’s feet around the eyes
Nose bunny lines
Peau d’orange chin texture
Selected neck bands

Results are temporary and usually need repeat treatments. The goal is often a softer, rested look, not a frozen face.

Hyaluronic Acid Fillers

Volume can be restored or added with dermal fillers. Many dermal fillers are made with hyaluronic acid, a gel-like substance used to shape and support soft tissue.

Dermal fillers may treat:

Lip volume
Midface fullness
Chin contour
Jawline contour
Tear trough hollowing
Nasolabial folds
Marionette folds

Product choice, technique, anatomy, and goals all affect filler results. Overfilling can look unnatural, so conservative planning is important.

Skin Peels

Chemical peel treatment uses a controlled solution to refresh the outer skin layers.

Common chemical peel concerns include:

Patchy skin tone
Dull-looking skin
Small fine lines
Sun damage
Mild marks from acne
Texture concerns

Peels come in different strengths, from light to deeper options. Downtime depends on how strong the peel is.

Laser Skin Treatments and Energy-Based Procedures

Laser and energy-based procedures can address skin tone, redness, texture, unwanted hair growth, scars, and signs of aging.

Common examples include:

Skin laser resurfacing
IPL skin treatment
Radiofrequency skin treatments
Treatments for mild skin laxity
Laser hair removal or reduction
Laser treatment for redness and broken vessels

A safe plan should match the treatment to skin type, skin tone, and the specific concern. This is especially important for patients with darker skin tones, where pigment changes can be a risk.

Skin Resurfacing With Dermabrasion and Microdermabrasion

Outer skin layers can be removed with dermabrasion, a deeper resurfacing procedure. Microdermabrasion is a lighter, more superficial treatment.

Patients may consider these treatments for:

Surface texture
Mild scars
Dullness
An uneven skin surface
Fine lines

The best treatment depends on the patient’s skin quality, goals, available downtime, and comfort with risk.

How Patients Can Choose the Best Procedure

The right procedure should be chosen based on the concern, not just the procedure name. Many patients come in asking for one treatment, then learn that another option better matches their anatomy.

This can happen in situations such as:

A heavy upper eyelid look may come from extra eyelid skin, brow descent, or both.
Loose skin, neck bands, fat, or chin position may cause a soft jawline.
Abdominal fullness may come from fat, loose skin, separated muscles, or internal weight.
Breasts that look flat may need lifting, added volume, fat grafting, or more than one procedure.
Under-eye bags can 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 treatment is most likely to correct the cause?
What benefits and limits come with that procedure?

Those trade-offs may include scars, downtime, swelling, cost, maintenance, and possible complications.

Plastic Surgery Fears and Questions

Mixed feelings are normal before a plastic surgery procedure. Excitement is common, but so are nerves. Concerns about safety, pain, scars, recovery, cost, and natural results are very common.

“Will Plastic Surgery Change My Face Too Much?”

This concern comes up often. Patients often want a rested look, not a changed identity. Good plastic surgery should respect the patient’s natural features, body frame, age, and style.

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

“How Long Does Plastic Surgery Recovery Take?”

Recovery time depends on the procedure. Non-surgical treatments may require little or no downtime. Procedures such as tummy tuck, body lift, or mommy makeover usually need more recovery planning.

Patients should usually expect:

Swelling and bruising
Restrictions on exercise or lifting
Time away from work
Surgical follow-up care
Scar care
Careful return to exercise
Gradual settling before final results are seen

The body needs time to heal. The appearance often improves over time as swelling settles.

“Will There Be Scars?”

A scar forms whenever an incision is made. A good plan places scars as carefully as possible and supports healing.

Scar healing depends on:

Your genetics
Natural skin tone
Surgical procedure type
Incision placement
Wound tension
Whether you smoke
How much sun the scar gets
Post-surgery aftercare

Most scars fade with time, but they do not fully disappear.

“What Should I Know About Plastic Surgery Safety?”

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.

Safety is influenced by:

Your health
Your current medications
Nicotine or smoking use
The procedure selected
The surgery facility
The anesthesia plan
The surgeon’s skill, training, and experience
Follow-up after surgery

A careful consultation should include benefits, risks, alternatives, and realistic expectations.

Plastic Surgery in Canada

In Canada, plastic surgery is regulated through medical licensing, provincial colleges, hospitals, surgical facilities, and professional standards. Patients should understand the difference between marketing terms 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:

Are you certified in plastic surgery?
Are you licensed to practise in this province?
Do you commonly perform this type of surgery?
What facility will be used for the procedure?
Who manages anesthesia during the procedure?
What risks apply to my specific case?
What happens if a complication occurs?
How often will I be seen after surgery?
May I see before-and-after examples for similar procedures?

This is not about being difficult. It is about knowing what to expect before moving forward.

Canadian Cosmetic Surgery Pricing

Plastic surgery pricing in Canada varies widely. Many factors affect pricing, including procedure complexity, surgeon experience, anesthesia, facility fees, implants or devices, garments, follow-up care, and location.

Fees may be higher in major Canadian cities such as Vancouver, Toronto, Calgary, Edmonton, Ottawa, and Montreal due to overhead and demand. Pricing may be different in smaller cities, but the lowest cost should not be the main deciding factor.

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. Medical tourism can seem attractive, but it adds risks that should be reviewed.

Concerns with medical tourism may include:

Limited follow-up care
Flying or travelling soon after surgery
Infection risk
Different surgical standards
Difficulty accessing medical records
Difficulty managing complications back in Canada
Language or translation issues
Unexpected revision costs

Surgery closer to home can make follow-up care easier if swelling, healing concerns, or complications happen.

How to Prepare for a Plastic Surgery Consultation

A consultation gives you the chance to learn what is possible, safe, and realistic. The process should feel informative, not rushed or pressured.

It helps to prepare before your consultation:

Make notes about your main concerns.
Bring details about prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, and supplements.
Prepare to discuss your medical history.
Do not hide smoking, vaping, cannabis, or nicotine use.
Bring photos if they help explain your goals.
Ask about recovery, scars, risks, and alternatives.
Talk about realistic results based on your body or face.

Your consultation should include a clear review of your options. The right advice may be to delay surgery, choose a smaller treatment, improve health first, or avoid surgery.

Good Candidates for Plastic Surgery

The best candidates for plastic surgery are often healthy, informed, and realistic. Realistic patients understand that surgery can help appearance, but it cannot make life perfect or solve every issue.

You may be a suitable candidate if:

You have good general health
Your goals are based on a clear concern
You are near a stable weight for body procedures
You do not smoke, or you can stop before and after surgery
You understand healing takes time
You understand the risks and can accept them
You want the procedure for yourself
Your goals are realistic

You may need to delay surgery if you are pregnant, planning major weight loss, using nicotine, managing an unstable medical condition, or feeling pressured by someone else.

Planning More Than One Plastic Surgery Procedure

Some procedures can be combined safely. Some procedures are safer when staged. Combining procedures may reduce total recovery time, but it may also increase surgical time and healing demands.

Common combined surgery plans include:

A facelift with a neck lift
Combining eyelid surgery and brow lift
Nose surgery with chin surgery
Breast lift with breast augmentation
Abdominal contouring with tummy tuck and liposuction
Mommy makeover surgery combinations
Post-weight-loss contouring with body lift and limb contouring
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.

Final Thoughts About Plastic Surgery Procedure Types in Canada

Canadian plastic surgery includes both 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 treatments may also help with wrinkles, volume loss, skin texture, and early aging changes.

The most popular procedure is not always the best fit. It is the one that fits your anatomy, goals, health, and comfort level.

Every plastic surgery plan should put safety, natural-looking results, clear expectations, and proper follow-up care first. 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.