Types of Plastic Surgery Procedures in Canada

Plastic surgery is a broad field with procedures that can refine, rebuild, or reshape areas of the face and body. When surgery is chosen mainly to enhance appearance, it is often called cosmetic surgery. Reconstructive procedures are used to help rebuild form or function after concerns such as injury, cancer, birth differences, burns, or medical conditions.

Plastic surgery searches in Canada often come from many personal reasons. Some want to look more rested. For others, the goal is to restore body shape after pregnancy, weight loss, or aging. Other patients need help after trauma, skin cancer, breast cancer, or a congenital concern. Choosing the right procedure depends on anatomy, goals, health, lifestyle, and recovery needs.

Use this guide to understand the main types of plastic surgery procedures in Canada, including 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 and Reconstructive Plastic Surgery

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

What Is Cosmetic Plastic Surgery?

Cosmetic plastic surgery is focused on appearance. Most cosmetic procedures are elective, which means they are planned by choice rather than medical need.

Common goals include:

Creating a more balanced face
Reducing age-related changes
Improving body contours
Restoring fullness after weight loss, pregnancy, or aging
Changing the shape of the nose, eyelids, ears, lips, breasts, abdomen, arms, or thighs
Helping patients feel better in clothing
Helping confidence through natural-looking improvements

Most cosmetic procedures in Canada are paid for privately. Costs may vary based on the procedure, surgeon, surgical facility, anesthesia, follow-up care, and location.

What Is Reconstructive Plastic Surgery?

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

Common reconstructive procedures include:

Breast reconstruction after a mastectomy
Skin cancer reconstruction after removal of a tumour
Cleft lip or palate repair
Surgical treatment for burn-related changes
Reconstructive hand surgery
Scar repair or revision
Wound reconstruction
Facial injury reconstruction
Congenital difference repair

When reconstructive procedures are medically necessary, some may be covered by a provincial health plan. Changes done only for cosmetic reasons are usually not covered.

Common Facial Plastic Surgery Options

Plastic surgery for the face can help improve balance, reduce visible aging, and create a more refreshed appearance. The goal is usually not to look “different.” The most pleasing results are often natural-looking and balanced.

Rhytidectomy, Commonly Called Facelift Surgery

A facelift, also known as rhytidectomy, improves sagging in the lower face and jawline. Patients may choose facelift surgery for jowls, loose facial skin, and deeper folds near the mouth.

A facelift may help with:

Jawline jowls
Sagging skin in the lower face
Deeper smile lines
Lowered 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. Depending on the patient, a facelift may be planned with a neck lift, eyelid surgery, brow lift, or facial fat grafting.

Neck Lift Surgery (Platysmaplasty)

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

A neck lift may address:

Visible neck bands
Extra neck skin
A soft or undefined jawline
A heavy area under the chin
A hanging neck appearance

For some people, both the skin and neck muscle need tightening. Some patients may only need liposuction under the chin. A facelift and neck lift are often planned together because the face and neck commonly age as a unit.

Upper and Lower Eyelid Surgery

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

Upper blepharoplasty may help with:

Heaviness in the upper eyelids
Loose upper eyelid skin
An aged or fatigued look
Extra skin that sits against the eyelashes
Vision concerns in some medical cases

Patients may choose lower eyelid surgery for:

Under-eye bags
Lower eyelid puffiness
Extra lower eyelid skin
Dark-looking shadows under the eyes
A tired appearance that does not improve with sleep

Blepharoplasty is common because even subtle changes around the eyes can make the face look more rested.

Forehead Lift and Brow Lift Surgery

A forehead lift, commonly called a brow lift, helps lift a low or heavy brow. By lifting the brow, the procedure may improve the upper eyes and soften forehead heaviness.

A brow lift may address:

Low or drooping eyebrows
Upper eyelid heaviness caused by a low brow
Forehead creases
Vertical lines between the brows
An expression that looks tired, sad, or stern

A brow lift should not be confused with eyelid surgery. The eyelids and brows are different structures, so eyelid surgery treats extra eyelid skin and a brow lift treats brow position. Many patients need one or the other, and some benefit from both.

Rhinoplasty, Also Called Nose Surgery

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

Rhinoplasty may help with:

A dorsal hump on the nose
A downward-pointing nasal tip
A boxy nasal tip
Nasal crookedness
How far the nose projects
Nasal asymmetry
Nasal breathing concerns linked to anatomy

When breathing is a concern, surgery may include work on the septum, the wall between the nostrils. Surgery on the septum is called septoplasty. Appearance is the focus of cosmetic rhinoplasty, while airflow is the focus of functional nasal surgery.

Otoplasty, Also Called Ear Surgery

The shape, position, or size of the ears may be changed with ear surgery, also called otoplasty. Prominent ears that stick out may be improved with otoplasty.

Ear surgery can help improve:

Noticeably prominent ears
Ear asymmetry
Large cartilage folds in the ears
Ears that project away from the head
Concerns with the earlobes

Otoplasty is common in adults and children. For children, timing depends on ear growth, maturity, and family goals.

Lip Lift Surgery

A lip lift shortens the space between the upper lip and the nose. The distance 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
Limited upper tooth show when smiling
A thin upper lip appearance
Uneven lip balance
Age-related changes around the mouth

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

Facial Implants for Balance

Facial implants may improve balance in the chin, cheeks, or jawline. When the chin appears small in relation to the nose or other features, chin surgery may help.

Facial implant surgery may include:

Implants for the chin
Cheek implant surgery
Jawline augmentation implants

Chin surgery may be planned with rhinoplasty when the nose and chin both influence profile balance.

Fat Transfer for Facial Volume

Facial fat grafting uses a patient’s own fat to restore volume. Fat is usually removed from areas such as the abdomen or thighs, processed, and placed into the face.

Patients may consider facial fat grafting for:

Hollows in the cheeks
Under-eye hollowing
Volume loss after aging
Loss of soft tissue fullness
Imbalance in facial volume

Fat grafting can support facial rejuvenation on its own or be combined with facelift surgery, eyelid surgery, or other facial procedures.

Breast Plastic Surgery Procedures

In Canada, breast surgery is one of the most common forms of cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery. Patients may want to increase breast volume, reduce breast size, lift the breasts, improve symmetry, or restore the breast after cancer surgery.

Breast Augmentation

Breast augmentation increases breast size and shape using implants or fat transfer. Breast implants may be saline or silicone gel. The choice of implant depends on body type, breast tissue, goals, and surgeon guidance.

Breast augmentation may help with:

Naturally smaller breast volume
Pregnancy-related breast volume loss
Lost breast volume after weight changes
Breast size or shape imbalance
More fullness in bras or 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 (Mastopexy)

Mastopexy, commonly called a breast lift, raises and reshapes breasts that sit lower than desired. A breast lift does not mainly increase breast volume. A breast lift is designed to improve where the breasts sit and how they are shaped.

Common breast lift concerns include:

Breast sagging
Nipples that sit low or point down
Enlarged or stretched areolas
Loose breast skin
Post-pregnancy, breastfeeding, or weight-loss breast changes

For patients who want more fullness, implants may be added to a breast lift. Others prefer a lift without implants for a natural result.

Breast Reduction Surgery

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

Common breast reduction concerns include:

Neck strain
Shoulder pain
Upper back pain
Bra strap marks
Irritated skin under the breasts
Exercise discomfort
Problems with clothing fit

Some breast reduction procedures in Canada may be considered medically necessary. Coverage depends on provincial requirements, symptoms, and medical assessment.

Breast Implant Revision Procedure

Breast implant revision adjusts or replaces expert cosmetic plastic surgery existing breast implants. Breast implant revision may be chosen for appearance-related reasons or medical issues.

Patients may consider revision for:

A change in preferred implant size
Breast implant rupture
Capsular contracture, which is firm scar tissue around an implant
An implant that has shifted
Breast size or shape imbalance
Breast changes over time after augmentation
Choosing to remove implants

Implant removal may be combined with a breast lift. Some patients replace their implants with a different size, shape, or placement.

Breast Reconstruction Procedure

Breast reconstruction surgery helps rebuild the breast after mastectomy or lumpectomy. Implants, natural tissue, or a mix of both may be used for breast reconstruction.

Breast reconstruction may involve:

Reconstruction using implants
Flap-based reconstruction
Rebuilding the nipple and areola
Fat grafting
Symmetry-focused revision surgery

This can be a deeply personal choice. Some patients want reconstruction. Others choose to stay flat. Both paths are valid and personal.

Gynecomastia Surgery for Male Breast Reduction

Enlarged male breast tissue may be treated with gynecomastia surgery. It may involve liposuction, gland removal, or both.

Patients may consider gynecomastia surgery for:

A puffy nipple appearance
Fullness under the areola
Extra chest volume
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.

Body Plastic Surgery Procedures

Body contouring surgery improves body shape by removing extra skin, reducing stubborn fat, or tightening tissue. Body contouring is common after changes from pregnancy, aging, or major weight loss.

Abdominoplasty, or Tummy Tuck Surgery

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.

Common tummy tuck concerns include:

Extra abdominal skin
A lower stomach apron
Stretch-marked lower belly skin
A weakened or separated abdominal wall
Stomach changes after pregnancy or weight loss

A tummy tuck should not be viewed as weight-loss surgery. Patients usually do best when they are close to a stable weight and want to improve abdominal shape.

Surgical Liposuction

A cannula, which is a thin tube, is used in liposuction to remove localized fat. It is used for body contouring, not general weight loss.

Liposuction can treat:

The abdomen
Flank areas
Hip area
Thigh contours
Upper arm area
The back
Submental area and neck
Chest
The knees

Good skin tone matters. When loose skin is present, liposuction alone may not create the desired contour. When skin laxity is significant, surgery to remove skin may be a better option.

Mommy Makeover

A mommy makeover is tailored to the patient and may treat changes from pregnancy, breastfeeding, or weight change. This plan often brings together breast surgery and abdominal contouring.

Common mommy makeover procedures include:

Abdominoplasty
Surgical breast lifting
Surgical breast enhancement
A breast reduction procedure
Liposuction
Body fat grafting

The name can be misleading because the procedure is not limited to mothers. The procedure can apply to anyone with similar body concerns. The best mommy makeover plan should consider health, goals, recovery time, and whether future pregnancy is expected.

Upper Arm Lift Procedure

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

An arm lift may address:

Hanging upper arm skin
Skin laxity after weight loss
Aging-related arm laxity
Trouble wearing sleeveless tops
Chafing from upper arm skin

A scar along the inner or back arm is the key trade-off with brachioplasty. Because the scar is permanent, patients should carefully discuss whether the improved shape is worth it.

Thigh Lift

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

A thigh lift may help with:

Sagging skin on the inner thighs
Thigh skin rubbing
Trouble with pants fit
A heavy feeling from extra skin
Changes after bariatric surgery or weight loss

Different thigh lift incision patterns may be used. A surgeon chooses the pattern based on how much loose skin is present and where it is located.

Body Lift After Weight Loss

Loose skin around the lower body can be removed with a body lift. A body lift can address the abdomen, hips, outer thighs, buttocks, and lower back.

Patients may consider a body lift after:

Significant weight loss
Bariatric weight-loss surgery
Body changes related to pregnancy
Aging-related lower-body skin looseness

This is a more involved surgery with a longer recovery. 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. The goal may be natural volume, smoother contour, or both.

Common treatment areas include:

Breast shape
Buttock volume
Hip shape
Facial soft tissue
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

Beyond face, breast, and body surgery, plastic surgery may include skin, scar, and soft tissue procedures.

Scar Revision

The look or feel of a scar may be improved with scar revision. The scar will not usually disappear, but revision may make it flatter, softer, narrower, or less noticeable.

Patients may consider scar revision for:

Scars from surgery
Trauma scars
Burn injury scars
Bulky scars
Scars that feel tight
Movement-limiting scars

Treatment may involve surgery, copyright injections, laser treatment, silicone therapy, or a combination.

Skin Lesion, Mole, and Cyst Removal

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:

Ongoing irritation
A growing lesion
Bleeding or crusting
Appearance concerns
Pathology or diagnosis
Comfort

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

Skin Cancer Reconstruction

After skin cancer removal, reconstruction may be needed to close the wound and restore appearance. Common areas include the face, nose, eyelids, ears, lips, scalp, and hands.

A skin cancer reconstruction plan may use:

Simple direct closure
Skin graft reconstruction
A local flap
A more complex repair

The goal is safe cancer removal while preserving function and appearance as much as possible.

Non-Surgical Cosmetic Procedures

Not every patient needs surgery. Non-surgical options can address early aging changes, facial lines, lost volume, and skin quality. Compared with surgery, non-surgical treatments often have less downtime but need maintenance.

Neuromodulator Injections

BOTOX and other neuromodulators relax selected facial muscles. These treatments are often used to soften expression lines.

Common neuromodulator treatment areas include:

Glabellar frown lines
Forehead expression lines
Crow’s feet
Lines on the sides of the nose
Dimpling in the chin
Neck bands for some patients

Because results are temporary, repeat treatments are usually needed. Most patients want a softer, rested look rather than a frozen face.

Dermal Filler Treatments

Volume can be restored or added with dermal fillers. Dermal fillers often contain hyaluronic acid, which is a gel-like substance that supports and shapes soft tissue.

Common filler areas include:

Lip volume
The cheeks
Chin shape
Jawline
Hollows beneath the eyes
Smile line folds
Marionette lines

Filler results depend on product choice, injection technique, facial anatomy, and treatment goals. To avoid an overfilled look, filler treatment should be planned carefully and conservatively.

Skin Peels

A chemical peel applies a controlled solution to improve the surface layers of the skin.

Chemical peels may address:

Patchy skin tone
A dull complexion
Fine lines
Sun-damaged skin
Acne-related marks
Uneven texture

Peel strength may range from light to deeper treatments. Healing time varies based on the peel depth and type.

Laser, IPL, and Radiofrequency Skin Treatments

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

Patients may consider options such as:

Skin laser resurfacing
IPL, or intense pulsed light
Radiofrequency skin treatments
Treatments for mild skin laxity
Hair reduction with laser
Vascular lasers for visible redness

A safe plan should match the treatment to skin type, skin tone, and the specific concern. Patients with darker skin tones need careful treatment planning because pigment changes can be a concern.

Dermabrasion and Light Skin Resurfacing

Dermabrasion is a deeper resurfacing procedure that removes outer skin layers. Microdermabrasion treats the surface more gently and is not as deep.

Patients may consider these treatments for:

Uneven texture
Mild scarring
Skin dullness
Surface irregularity
Small fine lines

The right option depends on skin quality, goals, downtime, and risk tolerance.

Choosing a Procedure That Fits Your Goals

Choosing the right procedure starts with the concern, not the procedure name. It is common for patients to ask about one procedure and discover that another option may better suit their anatomy.

For example:

A heavy upper eyelid look may come from extra eyelid skin, brow descent, or both.
A soft jawline may be caused by loose skin, neck bands, fat, or chin position.
A full abdomen may be caused by fat, loose skin, muscle separation, or internal weight.
Breasts that look flat may need lifting, added volume, fat grafting, or more than one procedure.
Fat pads, hollowing, skin laxity, or pigmentation may contribute to under-eye bags.

The best plan usually starts with three questions:

What anatomy is causing the issue?
Which procedure best treats that cause?
What trade-offs come with that option?

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

Patient Concerns Before Plastic Surgery

Most patients feel a mix of emotions before plastic surgery. Excitement is common, but so are nerves. Concerns about safety, pain, scars, recovery, cost, and natural results are very common.

“Will the Result Still Look Like Me?”

This concern comes up often. Patients often want a rested look, not a changed identity. Natural-looking plastic surgery should respect your facial features, body frame, age, and personal style.

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

“How Much Downtime Will I Need?”

Healing time is different for every procedure. Little or no downtime may be needed after many non-surgical treatments. A tummy tuck, body lift, or mommy makeover is more involved and needs more planning.

Plastic surgery recovery often involves:

Temporary swelling and bruising
Reduced activity
Planned time away from work
Follow-up appointments
Post-surgery scar care
Careful return to exercise
Final results that take time to settle

Recovery does not happen instantly. Results often look better as weeks and months pass.

“Can Plastic Surgery Scars Be Hidden?”

Any surgical cut leaves some type of scar. The goal is not scar-free surgery, but careful scar placement and good healing.

Scar quality depends on:

Genetics
Your skin tone
Which procedure is done
Where the incision is placed
Wound tension
Smoking or nicotine use
How much sun the scar gets
Scar aftercare

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

“What Are the Risks of Plastic Surgery?”

All surgery has risk. Risks may 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 overall health
Medication use
Use of tobacco or nicotine
The planned procedure
The surgery facility
How anesthesia is managed
The training and experience of the surgeon
Your follow-up 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. Understanding medical credentials is important because marketing terms can be confusing.

Choosing a Plastic Surgeon in Canada

Training and credentials should be a major part of choosing a plastic surgeon in Canada. A plastic surgeon should have medical training, surgical training, and certification in plastic surgery.

Patients should ask:

What plastic surgery certification do you hold?
Are you licensed to perform surgery in this province?
Do you commonly perform this type of surgery?
Where will the procedure take place?
What type of anesthesia is used and who provides it?
What complications should I understand for my situation?
What happens if a complication occurs?
How many follow-up visits are included?
Can I review examples of similar cases?

These questions are not meant to be difficult. It is about protecting your health and making an informed decision.

Cosmetic Surgery Costs in Canada

Cosmetic surgery costs in Canada can vary widely. Pricing depends on procedure complexity, surgeon experience, anesthesia, facility fees, implants or devices, garments, follow-up care, and location.

Overhead and demand may increase fees in major Canadian centres such as Vancouver, Toronto, Calgary, Edmonton, Ottawa, and Montreal. Smaller cities may have different pricing, but cost should not be the only factor.

A very low price can be a warning sign if it means corners are being cut on safety, training, facility standards, or aftercare.

Medical Tourism Compared With Plastic Surgery in Canada

Some Canadians consider travelling outside the country for lower-cost surgery. This may seem appealing, but there are added risks to consider.

Medical tourism concerns may include:

Reduced follow-up access
Travelling before healing is complete
Risk of infection
Medical standards that may differ
Harder access to records
Challenges managing post-surgery problems in Canada
Possible language barriers
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 plastic surgery consultation helps clarify what is possible, safe, and realistic for your case. A consultation should not feel rushed or pressured.

Before the visit, preparation can help:

Prepare a short list of your main concerns.
Bring details about prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, and supplements.
Prepare to discuss your medical history.
Tell the truth about smoking, vaping, cannabis, and nicotine use.
If photos make your goals clearer, bring them to the consultation.
Ask questions about recovery, scars, risks, and alternatives.
Ask what result is realistic for your body or face.

A good consultation should clearly discuss your options. The right advice may be to delay surgery, choose a smaller treatment, improve health first, or avoid surgery.

Plastic Surgery Candidate Guidelines

A good candidate is usually someone who is healthy, informed, and realistic. They understand surgery can improve appearance, but it cannot create perfection or solve every life concern.

You may be ready for plastic surgery if:

You have good general health
Your goals are based on a clear concern
Your weight has been stable before body surgery
You are nicotine-free or can stop before and after surgery
You understand healing takes time
You are comfortable with the risks and limits
You are not doing it because of pressure from another person
You understand what is realistic

A safer plan may involve waiting if you are pregnant, planning major weight loss, using nicotine, managing unstable health, or feeling pressured.

Can Plastic Surgery Procedures Be Combined?

Combining procedures can be appropriate in selected cases. In some cases, procedures should be separated into different surgeries. Doing more than one procedure at once may shorten total recovery, but it can increase surgery length and healing stress.

Examples of combined procedures include:

Facelift with neck lift
Combining eyelid surgery and brow lift
Combining rhinoplasty and chin surgery
Breast lift plus volume enhancement
Combining tummy tuck and liposuction
Breast and body procedures in a mommy makeover
Body lift with thigh lift or arm lift
Facial fat grafting as part of facial surgery

A safe combined plan should consider health, surgery length, anesthesia, recovery support, and risk.

Final Thoughts on Types of Plastic Surgery Procedures in Canada

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

A trending procedure is not always the right procedure. The right option should match your anatomy, goals, health, and comfort level.

A responsible approach should be built around safety, natural-looking results, clear expectations, and proper follow-up care. Whether 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.