Plastic surgery is a broad field with procedures that can refine, repair, or change areas of the face and body. Cosmetic procedures are usually chosen to improve appearance. 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. For some people, the goal is to look more rested. Some want to restore their body after pregnancy, weight loss, or aging. Others want help after 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. The guide also explains important points to review before booking a consultation.
Cosmetic and Reconstructive Plastic Surgery
Plastic surgery is commonly divided into two main categories, cosmetic surgery and reconstructive surgery.
Cosmetic Plastic Surgery Procedures
Cosmetic plastic surgery deals with appearance-related goals. These procedures are usually elective, meaning they are chosen by the patient and are not medically required.
Patients often choose cosmetic surgery to help with:
- Refining facial balance
- Improving visible signs of aging
- Creating a more balanced body shape
- Restoring fullness after weight loss, pregnancy, or aging
- Enhancing areas such as the nose, eyelids, ears, lips, breasts, abdomen, arms, or thighs
- Helping patients feel better in clothing
- Creating natural-looking changes that may support confidence
Across Canada, cosmetic plastic surgery is usually paid for by the patient. Fees can vary based on the procedure, surgeon, facility, anesthesia, follow-up care, and location.
Reconstructive Plastic Surgery in Canada
Reconstructive surgery helps repair or restore form and function. It may be used after cancer surgery, trauma, burns, infections, birth differences, or medical conditions.
Examples of reconstructive plastic surgery include:
- Breast reconstruction after a mastectomy
- Skin cancer reconstruction after tumour removal
- Cleft lip and palate surgery
- Burn reconstruction
- Hand repair surgery
- Scar improvement surgery
- Repair of wounds
- Reconstruction after facial trauma
- Repair of congenital differences
Provincial health plans may cover some reconstructive procedures when they are medically necessary. Changes done only for cosmetic reasons are usually not covered.
Common Facial Plastic Surgery Options
Facial plastic surgery can improve facial balance, soften signs of aging, and restore a refreshed look. Most patients do not want to look “different.” The best facial surgery results often look natural and balanced.
Facelift Surgery for the Lower Face
Sagging in the lower face and jawline may be improved with a facelift, also called rhytidectomy. Patients may choose facelift surgery for jowls, loose facial skin, and deeper folds near the mouth.
A facelift may help with:
- Sagging jowls along the jawline
- Skin laxity in the lower face
- Deep facial folds near the mouth
- Drooping cheek tissue
- Poor definition between the face and neck
Many modern facelift techniques focus on deeper support layers under the skin. By supporting deeper tissues, the result may look smoother, more natural, and longer-lasting. A facelift may be combined with a neck lift, eyelid surgery, brow lift, or facial fat grafting.
Platysmaplasty and Neck Lift Surgery
A neck lift improves loose skin, muscle bands, and fullness under the chin. Platysmaplasty is the medical term for tightening the neck muscle.
A neck lift may help with:
- Neck bands
- Loose neck skin
- A jawline that looks less defined
- Under-chin fullness
- A loose “turkey neck” appearance
Some patients need skin and muscle tightening. 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
Tired-looking eyes may be improved with eyelid surgery, also called blepharoplasty, by adjusting extra skin, fat, or tissue around the eyelids.
Common upper eyelid concerns include:
- A weighted upper eyelid look
- Excess eyelid skin
- An aged or fatigued look
- Skin resting on the eyelashes
- Vision concerns in select medical cases
Lower blepharoplasty may help with:
- Under-eye puffiness or bags
- Puffiness
- Loose lower eyelid skin
- Under-eye shadowing
- Eyes that still look tired after rest
Eyelid surgery is one of the most common facial procedures because small eye-area changes can make the face look more rested.
Brow Lift, Also Called Forehead Lift
Brow lift surgery, or a forehead lift, is used to raise a low or heavy brow. This can help improve the upper eye area and ease a heavy forehead look.
Common brow lift concerns include:
- Drooping eyebrows
- Brow-related upper eyelid heaviness
- Forehead lines
- Lines between the brows
- A heavy expression that seems tired or stern
A brow lift should not be confused with eyelid surgery. Eyelid surgery addresses extra eyelid skin, while a brow lift changes the position of the eyebrows. Some patients need only a brow lift or eyelid surgery, while others benefit from both procedures.
Rhinoplasty for Nose Shape and Breathing
Rhinoplasty is nose surgery that can change nasal shape, size, or structure. It may be cosmetic, functional, or both.
Nose surgery can address concerns such as:
- A dorsal hump on the nose
- A drooping nasal tip
- A broad or boxy tip
- A crooked nasal shape
- Overall nose size or projection
- Asymmetry in the nose
- Structural breathing concerns
When breathing is a concern, surgery may include 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.
Cosmetic Ear Surgery
Ear surgery, also known as otoplasty, changes the shape, position, or size of the ears. It is commonly used to correct ears that stick out.
Common otoplasty concerns include:
- Prominent ears
- Ears that do not match well
- Overdeveloped ear cartilage folds
- Ears with too much projection
- Concerns with the earlobes
Both adults and children may choose or need otoplasty. For children, timing depends on ear growth, maturity, and family goals.
Upper Lip Lift Surgery
A lip lift shortens 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.
A lip lift may address:
- A long space between the nose and upper lip
- Reduced tooth show in the upper smile
- Limited visible upper lip
- Poor balance between the upper and lower lips
- Aging changes around the mouth
A lip lift should not be confused with lip filler. Dermal filler increases volume. A lip lift improves the upper lip by changing its position and visible shape.
Chin, Cheek, and Jawline Implants
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.
Common facial implant procedures include:
- Chin augmentation implants
- Cheek 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 Transfer for Facial Volume
Facial fat transfer restores volume using a patient’s own fat. The process usually involves taking fat from the abdomen or thighs, processing it, and placing it into selected facial areas.
Patients may consider facial fat grafting for:
- Loss of cheek fullness
- Hollows beneath the eyes
- Volume changes caused by aging
- Soft tissue thinning
- Facial imbalance
Facial fat grafting can be performed by itself or with procedures such as facelift surgery, eyelid surgery, or other facial surgery.
Breast Plastic Surgery Procedures
Cosmetic and reconstructive breast surgery are common parts of plastic surgery in Canada. Some patients want more volume, less size, a breast lift, better symmetry, or breast restoration after cancer surgery.
Breast Augmentation in Canada
Breast augmentation increases breast size and shape using implants or fat transfer. Implants used for breast augmentation may be saline or silicone gel. The right implant option is based on body type, breast tissue, goals, and professional surgical guidance.
Breast augmentation may address:
- Breasts that are naturally small
- Less breast fullness after pregnancy
- Lost breast volume after weight changes
- Breast size or shape imbalance
- More fullness in bras or 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.
Mastopexy, or Breast Lift Surgery
Mastopexy, commonly called a breast lift, raises and reshapes breasts that sit lower than desired. It does not primarily add volume. A breast lift is designed to improve where the breasts sit and how they are shaped.
A breast lift may help with:
- Dropped breasts
- Nipples that face downward
- Areolas that have stretched
- Stretched breast skin
- Changes after pregnancy, breastfeeding, or weight loss
Some patients combine a breast lift with implants for more upper breast fullness. 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 help with:
- Neck pain
- Shoulder pain
- Back discomfort
- Bra strap marks
- Under-breast skin irritation
- Trouble exercising
- Difficulty finding clothing that fits
In certain Canadian cases, breast reduction may qualify as medically necessary. Health plan coverage is based on provincial rules, patient symptoms, and medical assessment.
Breast Implant Revision
Breast implant revision adjusts or replaces existing breast implants. Patients may need it for cosmetic goals or medical concerns.
Common reasons include:
- Desire to change implant size
- An implant that has ruptured
- Capsular contracture, which is firm scar tissue around an implant
- Implant position changes
- Breast size or shape imbalance
- Changes from aging after breast augmentation
- Breast implant removal
Some patients choose implant removal with a lift. Other patients prefer implant replacement with a new size, shape, or placement.
Reconstructive Breast Surgery
Breast reconstruction restores breast shape after mastectomy or lumpectomy. It may involve implants, natural tissue, or a combination.
The breast reconstruction process may involve:
- Reconstruction using implants
- Reconstruction using tissue flaps
- Nipple-areola reconstruction
- Fat transfer as part of reconstruction
- Breast reconstruction revision for symmetry
Choosing reconstruction is deeply personal. Some patients want reconstruction. Others choose to stay flat. Both decisions deserve respect.
Male Chest Reduction Surgery
Gynecomastia surgery is used to reduce enlarged male breast tissue. Liposuction, gland removal, or a combination may be used.
Gynecomastia surgery may help with:
- A puffy nipple appearance
- Extra tissue under the areola
- Extra chest volume
- A chest that looks uneven
- Feeling self-conscious at the beach, gym, or in fitted shirts
Treatment choice depends on whether fat, gland tissue, loose skin, or a mix of these is causing the fullness.
Body Contouring Plastic Surgery Procedures
Body contouring procedures can improve shape by removing extra skin, reducing stubborn fat, or tightening tissue. It is common after pregnancy, aging, or major weight loss.
Abdominoplasty for Abdominal Contouring
Extra abdominal skin and a weakened abdominal wall may be improved with a tummy tuck, also called abdominoplasty. Separated abdominal muscles, called diastasis recti, can also be repaired during the procedure.
A tummy tuck may address:
- Loose abdominal skin
- A lower abdominal overhang
- Stretch-marked skin below the belly button
- Separated abdominal muscles
- 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
Liposuction removes localized fat using a thin tube called a cannula. The goal is contouring, not general weight loss.
Liposuction may treat:
- Abdomen
- Love handles or flanks
- Outer hip area
- Thigh areas
- Upper arms
- Back fullness
- The chin and neck
- Chest
- Fat around the knees
Good skin elasticity helps improve results. Liposuction alone may not be enough when the skin is loose. Skin removal surgery may be needed if loose skin is the main concern.
Post-Pregnancy Body Contouring
Body changes after pregnancy, breastfeeding, or weight change may be treated with a custom mommy makeover plan. Breast and abdominal procedures are often combined in a mommy makeover.
A mommy makeover can include:
- Tummy tuck
- Breast lift
- Surgical breast enhancement
- Breast reduction surgery
- Body contouring with liposuction
- Fat grafting
Although the name suggests otherwise, the procedure is not only for mothers. It is really a custom body contouring plan for patients with similar 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 or brachioplasty improves upper arm shape by removing loose skin.
An arm lift may help with:
- Loose skin along the upper arms
- Loose skin after weight loss
- Age-related changes in the arms
- Trouble feeling comfortable in sleeveless shirts
- Irritation from loose arm skin
A scar along the inner or back arm is the key trade-off with brachioplasty. The scar may be worthwhile for patients who want better arm shape, but it should be reviewed carefully.
Thigh Contouring Surgery
A thigh lift removes extra loose skin from the thighs. Major weight loss is a common reason for thigh lift surgery.
A thigh lift may help with:
- Extra inner thigh skin
- Chafing from loose thigh skin
- Pants that do not fit well
- Extra skin that feels heavy
- Changes after bariatric surgery or major weight loss
Different thigh lift incision patterns may be used. How much skin needs removal and where the looseness sits will guide the best option.
Lower Body Lift
Loose skin around the lower body can be removed with a body lift. It can improve the abdomen, hips, outer thighs, buttocks, and lower back.
Common reasons for body lift surgery include:
- Substantial weight loss
- Bariatric weight-loss surgery
- Post-pregnancy body changes
- Aging with major skin laxity
Body lift surgery is more extensive, so recovery is usually longer. The best candidates are usually in good health and at a stable weight.
Fat Transfer to the Body
Fat grafting moves fat from one area of the body to another. It can be used to add natural volume or improve contour.
Common areas for fat grafting include:
- Breasts
- Buttocks
- Hip shape
- Facial volume
- Contour changes after surgery or injury
Fat grafting is natural in the sense that it uses your own tissue, but not all of the fat remains long term. The result can shift over time, and some patients may need more than one session.
Plastic Surgery for Skin and Scars
Plastic surgery also includes treatments for the skin surface, scars, and soft tissue.
Surgical Scar Revision
Scar revision surgery is used to improve how a scar looks or feels. It may not erase the scar, but it can make it less raised, tight, wide, or noticeable.
Scar revision may help with:
- Post-surgical scars
- Injury scars
- Burn scars
- Thickened scars
- Scars that feel tight
- Scars that limit movement
Scar treatment can include surgery, copyright injections, laser treatment, silicone therapy, or several methods together.
Plastic Surgery for Moles, Cysts, and Skin Lesions
When careful closure is important, plastic surgeons may remove benign skin lesions, cysts, moles, and lumps. Some lesions need medical assessment to rule out skin cancer.
Removal may be done for:
- Irritated skin
- Growth
- A lesion that bleeds
- A cosmetic concern
- Pathology or diagnosis
- Relief from discomfort
Any changing mole or suspicious skin lesion should be assessed by a qualified medical professional.
Plastic Surgery After Skin Cancer
Reconstruction may be needed after skin cancer removal to close the area and restore appearance. This is common in areas such as the face, nose, eyelids, ears, lips, scalp, and hands.
Common skin cancer reconstruction methods include:
- Closing the area directly
- Skin graft reconstruction
- Reconstruction with local flaps
- A more complex repair
The goal is to remove the cancer safely while preserving 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. Non-surgical care often means less recovery time, but the results are usually temporary.
BOTOX and Other Neuromodulators
BOTOX and other neuromodulators work by relaxing selected facial muscles. Expression lines are a common reason for BOTOX and neuromodulator treatment.
Common neuromodulator treatment areas include:
- Glabellar frown lines
- Horizontal forehead lines
- Crow’s feet around the eyes
- Expression lines on the nose
- Peau d’orange chin texture
- Neck bands for some patients
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.
Injectable Dermal Fillers
Dermal fillers can restore or add volume. Many dermal fillers are made with hyaluronic acid, a gel-like substance used to shape and support soft tissue.
Dermal filler treatment may involve:
- The lips
- Midface fullness
- Chin shape
- Jawline definition
- Tear trough hollowing
- Smile lines
- Marionette folds
The result from filler depends on the product, injection technique, facial anatomy, and treatment goals. A conservative plan matters because overfilling can create an unnatural look.
Medical Chemical Peels
A chemical peel applies a controlled solution to improve the surface layers of the skin.
Common chemical peel concerns include:
- Skin tone irregularity
- Tired-looking skin
- Fine lines
- Skin changes from sun exposure
- Light acne marks
- Rough skin texture
Peel strength may range from light to deeper treatments. Downtime depends on how strong the peel is.
Energy-Based Aesthetic Skin Treatments
Laser and energy-based treatments may improve skin tone, redness, texture, hair growth, scars, and signs of aging.
Common treatment options may include:
- Skin laser resurfacing
- IPL, or intense pulsed light
- Radiofrequency-based treatments
- Skin tightening procedures
- Laser hair reduction
- Laser treatment for small visible vessels
These treatments should be matched to skin type, skin tone, and the concern being treated. This is especially important for patients with darker skin tones because pigment changes can be a risk.
Skin Resurfacing With Dermabrasion and Microdermabrasion
Dermabrasion removes outer skin layers as a deeper resurfacing treatment. Microdermabrasion is lighter and more surface-level.
Common concerns include:
- Texture
- Minor acne scarring
- Dullness
- An uneven skin surface
- Mild lines
The right option depends on skin quality, goals, downtime, and risk tolerance.
Choosing the Right Plastic Surgery Procedure
A good plastic surgery plan starts by identifying the concern instead of choosing a procedure name first. Sometimes patients come in wanting one treatment, but another procedure is a better match for their anatomy.
This can happen in situations such as:
- Extra eyelid skin, a low brow, or both may cause heavy upper lids.
- A soft jawline can come from loose skin, neck bands, fat, or chin position.
- A full abdomen may be caused by fat, loose skin, muscle separation, or internal weight.
- Flat-looking breasts may be improved with a lift, implants, fat grafting, or a combination.
- Under-eye bags may be caused by fat pads, hollowing, skin laxity, or pigmentation.
A helpful treatment plan should answer these three questions:
- What is the cause of the concern?
- Which procedure best treats that cause?
- What must be accepted with that option?
Trade-offs can include scars, recovery time, swelling, cost, maintenance, and possible complications.
Common Patient Concerns Before Plastic Surgery
Mixed feelings are normal before a plastic cosmetic surgeon surgery procedure. Feeling excited and anxious at the same time is common. Many patients worry about safety, pain, scars, recovery, cost, and whether the outcome will look natural.
“Will I Look Natural After Surgery?”
This is a very common worry. Patients often want a rested look, not a changed identity. Plastic surgery that looks natural should fit the patient’s facial features, body frame, age, and personal style.
Plastic surgery should often improve balance rather than chase perfection.
“What Is the Recovery Like?”
Recovery depends on the procedure. Non-surgical treatments may need little or no downtime. Procedures such as tummy tuck, body lift, or mommy makeover usually need more recovery planning.
Patients should usually expect:
- Temporary swelling and bruising
- Activity limits
- Planned time away from work
- Follow-up visits
- Scar management
- Slow return to workouts
- A result that improves as swelling settles
Surgical healing is gradual. For many procedures, results continue to refine over weeks and months.
“Will There Be Scars?”
Any procedure with an incision creates a scar. The goal is not scar-free surgery, but careful scar placement and good healing.
Scar quality depends on:
- Genetic healing patterns
- Skin tone
- The kind of surgery performed
- Incision placement
- How much tension is on the wound
- Smoking or nicotine use
- Sun exposure
- How the scar is cared for
A scar often becomes less noticeable over time, but it will not vanish completely.
“Is Plastic Surgery Safe?”
No surgery is completely risk-free. Possible risks include bleeding, infection, poor scarring, anesthesia problems, asymmetry, delayed healing, numbness, fluid buildup, and dissatisfaction with the result.
Surgical safety depends on several factors, including:
- Your medical condition
- Medications you take
- Smoking or nicotine use
- The procedure being done
- The surgical facility
- How anesthesia is managed
- The surgeon’s skill, training, and experience
- Your post-operative care
A careful consultation should include benefits, risks, alternatives, and realistic expectations.
Plastic Surgery in Canada, What Patients Should Know
In Canada, 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.
How to Choose a Qualified Plastic Surgeon
When researching plastic surgery in Canada, look for proper training and credentials. A plastic surgeon should have medical training, surgical training, and certification in plastic surgery.
Important consultation questions include:
- Are you certified in plastic surgery?
- Are you licensed to perform surgery in this province?
- How much experience do you have with this procedure?
- Where would my surgery be done?
- Who will provide the anesthesia?
- What complications should I understand for my situation?
- What happens if I have a complication?
- How many follow-up appointments are included?
- Can I see examples of similar cases?
These questions are not meant to be 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. Costs may vary in smaller Canadian cities, but price should not outweigh safety, training, and follow-up care.
A very low price may be a warning sign if safety, training, facility standards, or aftercare are being reduced.
Surgery Abroad vs. Plastic Surgery in Canada
Travelling abroad for lower-cost plastic surgery is something some Canadians consider. Lower cost may be appealing, but surgery abroad can come with extra risks.
Risks or challenges with medical tourism may include:
- Difficulty getting follow-up care
- Long travel after surgery
- Infection risk
- Different surgical standards
- Hard-to-get records
- Trouble getting complications treated after returning to Canada
- Communication barriers
- Additional costs if revision surgery is needed
When surgery is done closer to home, follow-up may be easier if concerns or complications occur.
Preparing for a Plastic Surgery Consultation
During a consultation, you can learn what is possible, what is safe, and what results are realistic. It should not feel rushed or high-pressure.
Before a consultation, consider preparing in these ways:
- List your main concerns before the visit.
- Bring a list of your medications and supplements.
- Prepare to discuss your medical history.
- Share whether you smoke, vape, use cannabis, or use nicotine.
- Photos may help explain your goals.
- Discuss recovery, scarring, risks, and other options.
- Ask what result is realistic for your own body or face.
A helpful consultation should explain your options clearly. A responsible plan may involve waiting, starting with a smaller treatment, improving health, or deciding against surgery.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Plastic Surgery?
A good candidate is usually someone who is 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 have good general health
- You have a specific concern
- You are near a stable weight for body procedures
- You do not smoke or can stop before and after surgery
- You know what to expect during recovery
- You accept the risks and trade-offs
- You want the procedure for yourself
- You have realistic goals
It may be better to delay surgery if pregnancy, major weight loss plans, nicotine use, unstable health, or outside pressure are present.
Combined Plastic Surgery Procedures
Some procedures may be combined safely. Other procedures should be staged. Doing more than one procedure at once may shorten total recovery, but it can increase surgery length and healing stress.
Common combinations include:
- Facelift with neck lift
- Eyelid surgery with a brow lift
- Profile balancing with rhinoplasty and chin surgery
- Breast lift with breast augmentation
- Abdominal contouring with tummy tuck and liposuction
- Combined mommy makeover procedures
- 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.
A Final Word on Canadian Plastic Surgery Procedures
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. Wrinkles, volume loss, skin texture, and early aging changes may also be improved with non-surgical treatments.
The right procedure is not always the most popular option. The best plan is based on anatomy, goals, health, and personal comfort.
A thoughtful plan should focus on 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.