Common Types of Plastic Surgery in Canada

Many plastic surgery procedures are designed to enhance, repair, or reshape the face and body. When surgery is chosen mainly to improve appearance, it is often called cosmetic surgery. Other procedures are reconstructive, meaning they help repair form or function after injury, cancer, birth differences, burns, or medical conditions.

There are many concerns 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. Plastic surgery may also 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 Plastic Surgery Compared With Reconstructive Plastic Surgery

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

Cosmetic Plastic Surgery Procedures

Cosmetic plastic surgery deals with appearance-related goals. These procedures are usually elective, which means they are planned by choice and are not medically required.

Common cosmetic goals may include:

Creating better facial balance
Reducing signs of aging
Changing body proportions
Restoring fullness after weight loss, pregnancy, or aging
Addressing concerns with the nose, eyelids, ears, lips, breasts, abdomen, arms, or thighs
Helping patients feel better in clothing
Improving self-confidence while keeping results natural-looking

In Canada, most cosmetic procedures are paid for privately. Fees can vary based on the procedure, top cosmetic plastic surgery surgeon, facility, anesthesia, follow-up care, and location.

Reconstructive Plastic Surgery Procedures

In reconstructive plastic surgery, the focus is on restoring form, function, or both. Patients may need reconstructive surgery after cancer surgery, trauma, burns, infections, birth differences, or medical conditions.

Common types of reconstructive surgery include:

Breast reconstruction after a mastectomy
Skin cancer reconstruction after removal of a tumour
Repair of cleft lip and palate
Burn injury reconstruction
Hand surgery
Scar treatment and revision
Wound reconstruction
Repair after facial trauma
Surgery for congenital differences

Provincial health plans may cover some reconstructive procedures when they are medically necessary. Purely cosmetic changes are usually paid for privately.

Common Facial Plastic Surgery Options

Many facial plastic surgery procedures focus on balance, aging changes, and a refreshed appearance. The goal is often not to look “different.” Good facial plastic surgery should often look natural and balanced.

Rhytidectomy, Commonly Called Facelift Surgery

A facelift, also known as rhytidectomy, improves sagging in the lower face and jawline. It can help with jowls, loose facial skin, and deeper folds around the mouth.

A facelift may address:

Jawline jowls
Loose skin in the lower face
Deeper smile lines
Cheek tissue that has dropped
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 is often combined with a neck lift, eyelid surgery, brow lift, or facial fat grafting.

Neck Lift Surgery, Also Called Platysmaplasty

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

A neck lift may address:

Visible neck bands
Loose skin on the neck
A jawline that looks less defined
Submental fullness
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 (Blepharoplasty)

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

Upper blepharoplasty may help with:

Heavy upper eyelids
Redundant upper eyelid skin
Eyes that look tired or aged
Skin resting on the eyelashes
Vision concerns in select medical cases

Lower eyelid surgery can address:

Visible under-eye bags
Lower eyelid puffiness
Extra skin below the eyes
Under-eye shadowing
A fatigued look that remains after sleep

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

Brow Lift Procedure

A brow lift, also called a forehead lift, raises a low or heavy brow. This can help improve the upper eye area and ease a heavy forehead look.

Patients may consider a brow lift for:

Drooping eyebrows
A heavy upper eyelid look caused by brow position
Horizontal forehead lines
Frown lines between the brows
A tired, sad, or stern expression

A brow lift is different from eyelid surgery. Eyelid surgery addresses extra eyelid skin, while a brow lift changes the position of the eyebrows. Many patients need one or the other, and some benefit from both.

Rhinoplasty for Nose Shape and Breathing

Rhinoplasty, commonly called a nose job, changes the shape, size, or structure of the nose. Depending on the patient, rhinoplasty can be cosmetic, functional, or a combination.

Common rhinoplasty concerns include:

A dorsal hump on the nose
A drooping nasal tip
Tip width or boxiness
Nasal crookedness
The size or projection of the nose
Nose asymmetry
Breathing problems related to nasal structure

If breathing is part of the problem, the septum, which is the wall between the nostrils, may need treatment. That procedure is known as septoplasty. A cosmetic rhinoplasty changes appearance, while functional nasal surgery focuses on airflow.

Ear Surgery Procedure (Otoplasty)

Ear surgery, also known as otoplasty, changes the shape, position, or size of the ears. This procedure is often used when the ears project away from the head.

Patients may consider otoplasty for:

Prominent ears
Uneven ears
Ear folds that look large
Ears with too much projection
Stretched or uneven earlobes

Ear surgery can be considered for adults as well as children. When otoplasty is considered for a child, timing is based on ear growth, maturity, and family goals.

Lip Lift for Upper Lip Balance

A lip lift shortens the space between the upper lip and the nose. Clinically, this measurement is often called the upper lip length. A lip lift can improve upper lip show without adding dermal filler.

Common lip lift concerns include:

A lengthened upper lip area
Upper teeth that show less when smiling
An upper lip that looks thin
Uneven lip balance
Mouth-area aging changes

Lip lift surgery differs from lip filler. Lip filler adds volume. A lip lift changes the position and shape of the upper lip.

Chin, Jawline, and Facial Implant Surgery

Facial implants may improve balance in the chin, cheeks, or jawline. A chin implant may be considered when the chin looks small compared with the nose or other facial features.

Common facial implant procedures include:

Chin implant surgery
Implants for the cheeks
Jawline 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

A patient’s own fat can be used in facial fat grafting to restore volume. Areas such as the abdomen or thighs are often used as the fat source before the fat is processed and placed into the face.

Facial fat grafting may help with:

Loss of cheek fullness
Under-eye hollowing
Volume loss after aging
Soft tissue volume loss
Uneven facial fullness

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

Plastic Surgery Procedures for the Breasts

Cosmetic and reconstructive breast surgery are common parts of plastic surgery in Canada. Patients may want to increase breast volume, reduce breast size, lift the breasts, improve symmetry, or restore the breast after cancer surgery.

Breast Enlargement Surgery

Implants or fat transfer may be used in breast augmentation to increase breast size and improve shape. Breast implants may be filled with saline or silicone gel. Choosing an implant depends on the patient’s body type, breast tissue, goals, and guidance from the surgeon.

Breast augmentation may help with:

A naturally small breast shape
Volume loss after pregnancy
Less breast fullness after weight change
Breasts that do not match well
A desire for more breast fullness in clothing

Patients often worry about looking too large or unnatural. Planning should account for chest width, skin quality, lifestyle, and future maintenance.

Breast Lift (Mastopexy)

A breast lift, also known as mastopexy, raises and reshapes breasts that have dropped. It does not mainly add volume. A breast lift is designed to improve where the breasts sit and how they are shaped.

Common breast lift concerns include:

Lower breast position
Downward-pointing nipples
Areolas that have stretched
Loose breast skin
Post-pregnancy, breastfeeding, or weight-loss breast changes

Some patients combine a breast lift with implants for more upper breast fullness. A lift without implants may be preferred by patients who do not want added implant volume.

Breast Reduction Procedure

Breast reduction surgery makes the breasts smaller and lighter by removing extra breast tissue, fat, and skin.

Breast reduction surgery can help improve:

Neck strain
Shoulder pain
Back discomfort
Bra strap marks
Skin rubbing beneath 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.

Breast Implant Revision

Breast implant revision is surgery to adjust or replace existing breast implants. It may be done for cosmetic reasons or medical concerns.

Common reasons include:

A change in preferred implant size
Breast implant rupture
Firm scar tissue around an implant, called capsular contracture
Implant shifting
Breast size or shape imbalance
Aging changes after breast augmentation
No longer wanting breast implants

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

Breast Reconstruction

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

Breast reconstruction may use:

Implant-supported breast reconstruction
Breast reconstruction with natural tissue flaps
Nipple and areola reconstruction
Fat grafting
Breast reconstruction revision for symmetry

The choice around breast reconstruction is personal. Some patients want reconstruction. Others choose to stay flat. Either choice can be valid.

Male Chest Reduction Surgery

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

Patients may consider gynecomastia surgery for:

Puffy-looking nipples
Extra tissue beneath the areola
Chest tissue fullness
Male chest asymmetry
Self-consciousness at the beach, gym, or in fitted shirts

The best technique depends on whether the fullness is caused by fat, gland tissue, loose skin, or a mix of these.

Body Plastic Surgery Procedures

Body contouring focuses on improving shape through skin removal, fat reduction, or tissue tightening. Body contouring is common after changes from pregnancy, aging, or major weight loss.

Tummy Tuck Surgery, Also Called Abdominoplasty

A tummy tuck, also known as abdominoplasty, removes extra abdominal skin and tightens the abdominal wall. A tummy tuck may include repair of separated abdominal muscles, known as diastasis recti.

Common tummy tuck concerns include:

Extra abdominal skin
A lower stomach apron
Stretch-marked skin under the belly button
A weakened or separated abdominal wall
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 Surgery

A cannula, which is a thin tube, is used in liposuction to remove localized fat. It is used for body contouring rather than general weight loss.

Common liposuction areas include:

Abdominal area
Flanks, often called love handles
Hip area
Thigh contours
Upper arms
Back rolls
The chin and neck
Chest fullness
Knees

Good skin tone is important. 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.

Customized Mommy Makeover

A mommy makeover is a customized plan for body changes after pregnancy, breastfeeding, or weight change. It often combines breast and abdominal procedures.

Common mommy makeover procedures include:

Abdominoplasty
Surgical breast lifting
Breast augmentation
Breast reduction surgery
Fat reduction with liposuction
Fat grafting for contouring

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

Arm Lift Surgery, Also Called Brachioplasty

An arm lift or brachioplasty improves upper arm shape by removing loose skin.

Common arm lift concerns include:

Upper arm skin that hangs
Extra skin after major weight loss
Arm skin changes over time
Difficulty wearing sleeveless tops
Skin rubbing or irritation

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 Lift Surgery

Thigh lift surgery improves thigh contour by removing loose skin. It is often considered after major weight loss.

Patients may consider a thigh lift for:

Loose skin on the inner thighs
Skin rubbing
Poor clothing fit around the thighs
Thigh heaviness caused by extra skin
Post-weight-loss or post-bariatric thigh changes

Several surgical patterns are available for thigh lift surgery. The best thigh lift pattern depends on skin amount and the location of the looseness.

Body Contouring Lift

A body lift removes loose skin around the lower body. It can improve the abdomen, hips, outer thighs, buttocks, and lower back.

Common reasons for body lift surgery include:

A major weight change
Surgery for weight loss
Pregnancy-related 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 Contouring With Fat Transfer

With fat grafting, fat is removed from one area and placed in another. It can be used to add natural volume or improve contour.

Body fat grafting can involve:

Breast shape
Buttock volume
The hips
Face
Surface irregularities after surgery or injury

Although fat grafting uses your own fat, not all transferred fat will survive. Results may change over time, and more than one session may be needed.

Skin Lesion, Scar, and Surface Treatments

Plastic surgery also includes treatments for the skin surface, scars, and soft tissue.

Scar Revision

The look or feel of a scar may be improved with scar revision. Scar revision may not erase a scar, but it can improve scars that are raised, tight, wide, or noticeable.

Scar revision surgery can help improve:

Surgery-related scars
Scars from injury
Burn injury scars
Scars that feel thick
Scars that limit comfort
Scars that restrict motion

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

Plastic Surgery for Moles, Cysts, and Skin Lesions

When careful closure is important, plastic surgeons may remove benign skin lesions, cysts, moles, and lumps. Certain lesions should be checked medically to rule out skin cancer.

Removal may be done for:

A lesion that gets irritated
Noticeable growth
Bleeding
Cosmetic concern
Diagnostic testing
Improved comfort

Any changing mole or suspicious skin lesion should be checked by a qualified medical professional.

Plastic Surgery After Skin Cancer

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.

Skin cancer reconstruction may involve:

Direct closure
Skin graft reconstruction
Local tissue flaps
Complex reconstruction

The aim is to remove the cancer safely and preserve function and appearance as much as possible.

Non-Surgical Aesthetic Procedures

Surgery is not needed for every patient. Early signs of aging, facial lines, volume loss, and skin quality concerns may be improved with non-surgical cosmetic treatments. These treatments usually have less downtime, but results are more temporary.

BOTOX and Other Neuromodulators

BOTOX and other neuromodulators relax selected facial muscles. Neuromodulators are commonly chosen for lines caused by facial movement.

BOTOX and neuromodulators may treat:

Expression lines between the brows
Forehead wrinkles
Lines at the outer corners of the eyes
Expression lines on the nose
Peau d’orange chin texture
Neck muscle bands in some situations

Neuromodulator results are temporary, so maintenance appointments are often part of the plan. A natural neuromodulator result should look softer and rested, not stiff or frozen.

Dermal Fillers

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

Patients may consider fillers for:

Lip shape
Cheeks
Chin shape
Jawline contour
Hollows beneath the eyes
Deeper smile lines
Marionette lines

Dermal filler results depend on product choice, injection technique, facial anatomy, and treatment goals. Overfilling can look unnatural, so conservative planning is important.

Skin Peels

A chemical peel uses a controlled solution to improve the outer layers of skin.

Chemical peel treatments can help improve:

Uneven tone
Dull-looking skin
Fine surface lines
Photoaging
Mild acne marks
Uneven texture

Chemical peels can range from light treatments to deeper treatments. Downtime depends on how strong the peel is.

Laser, IPL, and Radiofrequency Skin Treatments

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

Common examples include:

Laser resurfacing for texture
Photofacial treatment with IPL
Radiofrequency-based treatments
Treatments for mild skin laxity
Laser-based hair reduction
Vascular laser treatment for redness or broken vessels

The right laser or energy treatment depends on skin type, skin tone, and the concern. This is especially important for patients with darker skin tones, where pigment changes can be a risk.

Dermabrasion and Microdermabrasion

Dermabrasion is a deeper skin resurfacing procedure that removes outer skin layers. Microdermabrasion is a lighter, more superficial treatment.

Common concerns include:

Rough texture
Mild scars
Tired-looking skin
An uneven skin surface
Small fine lines

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

Finding the Right Plastic Surgery Option

Choosing the right procedure begins with the concern, not the procedure name. Sometimes patients come in wanting one treatment, but another procedure is a better match for their anatomy.

Examples include:

Heavy upper lids can be caused by extra eyelid skin, a low brow, or both.
A soft jawline may be caused by loose skin, neck bands, fat, or chin position.
Abdominal fullness may come from fat, loose skin, separated muscles, or internal weight.
Flat-looking breasts may be improved with a lift, implants, fat grafting, or a combination.
Fat pads, hollowing, skin laxity, or pigmentation may contribute to under-eye bags.

A helpful treatment plan should answer these three questions:

What is causing the concern?
Which procedure treats that cause best?
What are the trade-offs of that option?

Patients should consider trade-offs such as scars, downtime, swelling, cost, maintenance, and possible complications.

Common Questions and Concerns Before Plastic Surgery

Most patients feel a mix of emotions before plastic surgery. It is normal to feel excited and nervous at the same time. Patients often have questions about safety, discomfort, scarring, healing, cost, and whether results will look natural.

“Will the Result Still Look Like Me?”

This is one of the most common concerns. Many patients want to look refreshed rather than changed. Natural-looking plastic surgery should respect your facial features, body frame, age, and personal style.

For many patients, the goal is better balance, not a perfect or unrealistic look.

“How Long Does Plastic Surgery Recovery Take?”

Downtime varies by 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.

In general, patients should plan for:

Post-surgery swelling and bruising
Activity limits
Time off work
Follow-up visits
Care for scars
A staged return to physical activity
A result that improves as swelling settles

Healing takes time. Results often look better as weeks and months pass.

“What Should I Know About Plastic Surgery Scars?”

Any surgical cut leaves some type of scar. The goal is careful scar placement and strong scar healing.

Scar healing depends on:

Your genetics
Skin tone
The kind of surgery performed
Incision placement
Tension along the incision
Smoking and vaping status
Sun protection during healing
How the scar is cared for

Scars usually fade over time, but they do not disappear completely.

“What Should I Know About Plastic Surgery Safety?”

All surgery has risk. Possible risks include bleeding, infection, poor scarring, anesthesia problems, asymmetry, delayed healing, numbness, fluid buildup, and dissatisfaction with the result.

Many factors affect plastic surgery safety, including:

Your medical condition
Prescription and non-prescription medications
Smoking or nicotine use
The procedure being done
The accredited surgical setting
The planned anesthesia
The surgeon’s training and experience
Follow-up after surgery

Benefits, risks, alternatives, and realistic expectations should all be discussed during a consultation.

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. It is important to understand the difference between marketing language and recognized medical training.

Choosing a Plastic Surgeon in Canada

If you are researching plastic surgery in Canada, look closely at training and credentials. The surgeon should have medical training, surgical training, and certification in the specialty of plastic surgery.

Important consultation questions include:

Are you formally certified in the specialty of plastic surgery?
Are you licensed to practise in this province?
How much experience do you have with this procedure?
Where would my surgery be done?
What type of anesthesia is used and who provides it?
What risks apply to my specific case?
What happens if I have a complication?
How many follow-up visits are included?
Do you have examples of patients with similar concerns?

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

Plastic Surgery Costs in Canada

The cost of cosmetic surgery in Canada can vary a lot. Many factors affect pricing, including procedure complexity, surgeon experience, anesthesia, facility fees, implants or devices, garments, follow-up care, and location.

In major Canadian cities such as Vancouver, Toronto, Calgary, Edmonton, Ottawa, and Montreal, fees may be higher because of overhead and demand. Smaller cities may have different fees, but cost should not be the only factor.

A very low price may be a warning sign if safety, training, facility standards, or aftercare are being reduced.

Medical Tourism for Plastic Surgery

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

Concerns with medical tourism may include:

Limited post-surgery follow-up
Travel during early recovery
Higher concern about infection
Medical standards that may differ
Less access to surgical records
Complications that are harder to manage back in Canada
Possible language barriers
Unexpected revision costs

Staying closer to home for surgery can help with follow-up, especially if swelling, healing problems, or complications need attention.

How to Prepare 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 pressured.

Before a consultation, consider preparing in these ways:

Prepare a short list of your main concerns.
Prepare your medication and supplement list.
Share your medical history.
Tell the truth about smoking, vaping, cannabis, and nicotine use.
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 good consultation should include a clear discussion of options. The right advice may be to delay surgery, choose a smaller treatment, improve health first, or avoid surgery.

Who Is a Good Candidate for Plastic Surgery?

Good candidates for plastic surgery are usually healthy, informed, and realistic. A good candidate understands that surgery may improve appearance, but it cannot create perfection or fix every life problem.

You may be a good candidate if:

Your overall health is good
You can explain a clear concern
Your weight has been stable before body surgery
You can avoid smoking and nicotine before and after surgery
You know what to expect during recovery
You understand the risks and can accept them
The choice is based on your own goals
You have reasonable expectations

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

Can Plastic Surgery Procedures Be Combined?

Some procedures can be combined safely. 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.

Common procedure combinations include:

Facelift and neck lift surgery
Upper facial rejuvenation with eyelid surgery and brow lift
Profile balancing with rhinoplasty and chin surgery
Breast lift with augmentation
Tummy tuck and liposuction
A customized mommy makeover
Body lift with thigh or arm contouring
Fat grafting with facial surgery

Your health, procedure length, anesthesia, recovery support, and risk level all affect the safest plan.

A Final Word on Canadian Plastic Surgery Procedures

Plastic surgery in Canada includes many cosmetic and reconstructive procedures. Many cosmetic procedures focus on the face, breasts, or body. Reconstructive options may repair 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 right procedure is not always the most popular option. A good procedure choice fits the patient’s anatomy, goals, health, and comfort level.

A responsible approach should be built around safety, natural-looking results, clear expectations, and proper follow-up care. If you are considering eyelid surgery, rhinoplasty, breast augmentation, tummy tuck, liposuction, facelift surgery, or reconstructive plastic surgery, start by learning what each option can and cannot do.