Types of Plastic Surgery Procedures in Canada

Plastic surgery is a broad field with treatments that can refine, restore, or adjust areas of the face and body. When surgery is chosen mainly to enhance appearance, it is often called cosmetic surgery. Others are reconstructive, which means they help rebuild form or function after injury, cancer, birth differences, burns, or medical conditions.

Plastic surgery searches in Canada often come from many individual goals. Some patients want a more natural-looking appearance. Body changes from pregnancy, weight loss, or aging may lead some people to consider surgery. Some people seek care after 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. The guide also explains important points to review before booking a consultation.

The Difference Between Cosmetic and Reconstructive Plastic Surgery

The two main types of plastic surgery are usually cosmetic surgery and reconstructive surgery.

Cosmetic Plastic Surgery Procedures

The main focus of cosmetic plastic surgery is appearance. These procedures are usually elective, which means they are planned by choice and are not medically required.

Cosmetic plastic surgery may be used for goals such as:

Refining facial balance
Improving visible signs of aging
Creating a more balanced body shape
Replacing volume lost after weight change or pregnancy
Changing the shape of the nose, eyelids, ears, lips, breasts, abdomen, arms, or thighs
Making clothing feel or fit better
Creating natural-looking changes that may support confidence

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

Reconstructive Plastic Surgery Procedures

Reconstructive plastic surgery is focused on restoring form and function. It may be needed after cancer surgery, trauma, burns, infections, birth differences, or medical conditions.

Common examples include:

Breast reconstruction after removal of breast tissue
Skin cancer reconstruction following tumour removal
Cleft lip and palate surgery
Burn scar reconstruction
Surgery for hand function or repair
Scar revision
Repair of wounds
Facial trauma reconstruction
Repair of congenital differences

Some reconstructive procedures may be covered by a provincial health plan when they are medically necessary. Procedures done only to improve appearance are usually not covered.

Plastic Surgery Procedures for the Face

Facial procedures may be used to improve balance, soften aging changes, and restore a rested look. The goal is often not to look “different.” Good facial plastic surgery should often look natural and balanced.

Facelift Surgery for the Lower Face

Facelift surgery, or rhytidectomy, is used to improve sagging in the lower face and jawline. A facelift can address jowls, loose facial skin, and deeper folds around the mouth.

Common facelift concerns include:

Jowls along the jawline
Sagging skin in the lower face
Deeper smile lines
Drooping cheek tissue
Less clear separation between the face and neck

Modern facelift surgery often focuses on deeper support layers under the skin. That deeper support can help create a smoother result that lasts longer and avoids a pulled look. A facelift may be combined with a neck lift, eyelid surgery, brow lift, or facial fat grafting.

Platysmaplasty and Neck Lift Surgery

Loose skin, muscle bands, and fullness under the chin may be improved with a neck lift. When the neck muscle is tightened, the procedure is called platysmaplasty.

Neck lift surgery can help improve:

Neck bands
Loose skin on the neck
Reduced jawline sharpness
Fullness below the chin
A neck that looks loose or heavy

Some patients need skin and muscle tightening. Other patients may benefit from liposuction under the chin. In many cases, the face and neck age together, so a facelift and neck lift may be planned at the same time.

Eyelid Surgery for Tired-Looking Eyes

Eyelid surgery, also known as blepharoplasty, improves tired-looking eyes by removing or adjusting extra skin, fat, or tissue around the eyelids.

Upper eyelid surgery may help with:

Heavy upper lids
Redundant upper eyelid skin
A more tired or older eye appearance
Upper eyelid skin that touches the lashes
Functional vision concerns in some patients

Lower eyelid surgery can address:

Under-eye bags
Puffy lower eyelids
Loose skin under the eyes
Shadowing beneath the lower lids
A fatigued look that remains after sleep

Eyelid surgery is one of the most common facial procedures because small eye-area changes can make the face look more rested.

Brow Lift, Also Called Forehead Lift

A brow lift, also called a forehead lift, raises a low or heavy brow. It can improve the upper eye area and reduce forehead heaviness.

A brow lift may help with:

Brow descent
Brow-related upper eyelid heaviness
Horizontal forehead lines
Frown lines in the glabella area
A tired, sad, or stern look

Brow lift surgery and eyelid surgery are not the same procedure. Eyelid surgery treats extra eyelid skin, while a brow lift treats the position of the eyebrows. A consultation can help decide whether eyelid surgery, a brow lift, or both is the better fit.

Nose Surgery (Rhinoplasty)

The shape, size, or structure of the nose can be changed with rhinoplasty, often called a nose job. Depending on the patient, rhinoplasty can be cosmetic, functional, or a combination.

Rhinoplasty may address:

A dorsal hump on the nose
A nasal tip that droops
Tip width or boxiness
A nose that looks crooked
Nasal size or projection
Nasal asymmetry
Structural breathing concerns

Structural breathing issues may require work on the septum, the wall between the nostrils. This part advanced cosmetic plastic surgery of surgery is called septoplasty. Appearance is the focus of cosmetic rhinoplasty, while airflow is the focus of functional nasal surgery.

Ear Surgery Procedure (Otoplasty)

Ear surgery, also known as otoplasty, changes the shape, position, or size of the ears. Otoplasty is often chosen for ears that stick out.

Common otoplasty concerns include:

Protruding ears
Ear asymmetry
Large ear cartilage folds
Ears with too much projection
Earlobe concerns

This procedure is performed for both adults and children. For children, the timing depends on ear growth, maturity, and family goals.

Upper Lip Lift Surgery

A lip lift is designed to shorten the space between the upper lip and the nose. The distance is called the upper lip length. By changing lip position, a lip lift can make the upper lip more visible without adding volume with filler.

A lip lift may help with:

A long space between the nose and upper lip
Less upper tooth visibility with a smile
An upper lip that looks thin
Lip proportions that feel unbalanced
Changes around the mouth from aging

A lip lift is not the same as lip filler. Filler is used to add volume. Lip lift surgery adjusts the position and shape of the upper lip.

Facial Implants for Balance

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.

Facial implant options may include:

Surgical chin implants
Implants for the cheeks
Jawline augmentation implants

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

Facial Fat Grafting

With facial fat grafting, fat from the patient’s own body is used to restore facial volume. 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:

Sunken-looking cheeks
Hollowing under the eyes
Lost facial volume due to aging
Thin facial soft tissue
Facial volume 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

In Canada, breast surgery is one of the most common forms of cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery. Breast plastic surgery can address volume, size, position, symmetry, and reconstruction after cancer surgery.

Breast Augmentation

Breast augmentation improves breast size and shape using implants or fat transfer. Breast implants may be saline or silicone gel. The right implant option is based on body type, breast tissue, goals, and professional surgical guidance.

Patients may consider breast augmentation for:

Small natural breast size
Lost breast volume following pregnancy
Lost breast volume after weight changes
Breasts that do not match well
A desire for more breast fullness in clothing

A common concern is whether breast augmentation will look too large or unnatural. Planning should account for chest width, skin quality, lifestyle, and future maintenance.

Breast Lift Surgery, Also Called Mastopexy

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

Breast lift surgery can help improve:

Sagging breasts
Nipples that face downward
Enlarged or stretched areolas
Breast skin laxity
Changes after pregnancy, breastfeeding, or weight loss

For patients who want more fullness, implants may be added to a breast lift. For a natural result without added implant volume, some patients choose a breast lift alone.

Breast Reduction Procedure

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

Breast reduction may help with:

Neck strain
Pain in the shoulders
Back pain
Grooves from bra straps
Skin rubbing beneath the breasts
Trouble exercising
Difficulty fitting bras or clothes

In certain Canadian cases, breast reduction may qualify as medically necessary. Provincial rules, symptoms, and medical assessment all affect coverage.

Breast Implant Revision Surgery

Breast implant revision is surgery to adjust or replace existing breast implants. This surgery may address cosmetic concerns, medical concerns, or both.

Common breast implant revision concerns include:

Desire to change implant size
Breast implant rupture
Capsular contracture, where scar tissue around an implant becomes firm
An implant that has moved out of position
Asymmetry between the breasts
Aging changes after breast augmentation
A desire for implant removal

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

Breast Reconstruction Surgery

Breast reconstruction surgery helps rebuild the breast after mastectomy or lumpectomy. It may use implants, natural tissue, or a combination.

The breast reconstruction process may involve:

Breast reconstruction with implants
Natural tissue flap reconstruction
Rebuilding the nipple and areola
Fat transfer as part of reconstruction
Revision surgery for symmetry

This is a deeply personal choice. For some patients, reconstruction feels right. Some patients choose a flat closure instead. Both choices are valid.

Gynecomastia Surgery

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

Common gynecomastia concerns include:

Fullness around the nipples
Extra tissue under the areola
Chest tissue fullness
Uneven male chest shape
Feeling self-conscious 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.

Common Body Contouring Options

Body contouring surgery improves shape by removing extra skin, reducing stubborn fat, or tightening tissue. Pregnancy, aging, and major weight loss are common reasons people consider body contouring.

Tummy Tuck Procedure

Extra abdominal skin and a weakened abdominal wall may be improved with a tummy tuck, also called abdominoplasty. The procedure may also repair diastasis recti, which means separated abdominal muscles.

Tummy tuck surgery can help improve:

Loose skin on the abdomen
A lower stomach apron
Stretch marks on skin below the belly button
Separated core muscles
Stomach changes after pregnancy or weight loss

Abdominoplasty is used for contouring, not for major weight loss. The best candidates are often near a stable weight and want better abdominal contour.

Liposuction for Body Contouring

Liposuction removes localized fat with a thin tube called a cannula. It is used for body contouring rather than general weight loss.

Patients may consider liposuction for:

Belly area
Flanks, also called love handles
Hip contours
The thighs
The upper arms
Back rolls
The chin and neck
Male or female chest area
Knees

Firm, elastic skin is important. If the skin is loose, liposuction alone may not be enough. A skin-tightening or skin removal procedure may be needed in that situation.

Mommy Makeover Surgery

Body changes after pregnancy, breastfeeding, or weight change may be treated with a custom mommy makeover plan. It often includes both breast and abdominal procedures.

A customized mommy makeover may involve:

Abdominoplasty
Surgical breast lifting
Surgical breast enhancement
Breast reduction
Liposuction surgery
Fat grafting

The name can be misleading because the procedure is not limited to 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.

Arm Lift Surgery, Also Called Brachioplasty

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

Patients may consider an arm lift for:

Loose hanging skin on the upper arms
Loose upper arm skin after weight loss
Aging changes in the arms
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

Loose thigh skin can be removed with a thigh lift. Major weight loss is a common reason for thigh lift surgery.

Common thigh lift concerns include:

Extra inner thigh skin
Skin friction between the thighs
Pants that do not fit well
Extra skin that feels heavy
Loose thigh skin after bariatric surgery or weight loss

There are different thigh lift patterns. The best thigh lift pattern depends on skin amount and the location of the looseness.

Body Contouring 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:

Large weight loss
Post-bariatric body changes
Pregnancy-related skin looseness
Age-related skin laxity

This is a more involved surgery with a longer recovery. Patients should have a stable weight and good overall health.

Fat Grafting to the Body

Fat grafting transfers fat from one area of the body to another. It can be used to add natural volume or improve contour.

Body fat grafting can involve:

The breasts
Buttock volume
Hips
Facial contour
Uneven contours 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. Because transferred fat can change over time, more than one session may be needed.

Plastic Surgery for Skin and Scars

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

Scar Improvement Treatment

Scar revision improves the look or feel of a scar. The scar will not usually disappear, but revision may make it flatter, softer, narrower, or less noticeable.

Scar revision may help with:

Post-surgical scars
Injury-related scars
Scarring after burns
Bulky scars
Scars that feel tight
Scars that affect range of motion

Treatment may include 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 moles or lesions need proper medical review to make sure skin cancer is not present.

Patients may seek removal for:

Skin irritation
Growth
A lesion that bleeds
A cosmetic concern
A need for diagnosis
Comfort in daily life

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

Skin Cancer Reconstruction

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

Skin cancer reconstruction can involve:

A direct closure
Skin grafts
A local flap
Complex reconstruction

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

Non-Surgical Cosmetic Treatments

Some patients can meet their goals without surgery. Early signs of aging, facial lines, volume loss, and skin quality concerns may be improved with non-surgical cosmetic treatments. Compared with surgery, non-surgical treatments often have less downtime but need maintenance.

Neuromodulator Injections

BOTOX and other neuromodulators relax selected facial muscles. Expression lines are a common reason for BOTOX and neuromodulator treatment.

Patients may consider neuromodulators for:

Glabellar frown lines
Lines across the forehead
Crow’s feet
Small nose wrinkles
Chin texture from muscle movement
Neck bands for some patients

Neuromodulator results are temporary, so maintenance appointments are often part of the plan. Most patients want a softer, rested look rather than a frozen face.

Injectable Dermal Fillers

Dermal filler treatments are used to restore or add soft tissue volume. Dermal fillers often contain hyaluronic acid, which is a gel-like substance that supports and shapes soft tissue.

Patients may consider fillers for:

Lips
Cheek volume
The chin
Jawline
Under-eye hollowing
Lines from the nose to the mouth
Mouth-corner lines

Product choice, technique, anatomy, and goals all affect filler results. A conservative plan matters because overfilling can create an unnatural look.

Chemical Peels for Skin Texture and Tone

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

Patients may consider chemical peels for:

Skin tone irregularity
Dull skin
Early fine lines
Photoaging
Acne-related marks
Uneven texture

The strength of a peel may be light, medium, or deeper depending on the goal. Recovery depends on the type of peel.

Laser, IPL, and Radiofrequency Skin Treatments

These treatments may improve concerns such as uneven tone, redness, texture, hair growth, scars, and visible aging.

Laser and energy-based options may include:

Laser resurfacing
Intense pulsed light treatment
Radiofrequency energy treatments
Skin tightening procedures
Laser hair reduction
Laser treatment for small visible 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

Dermabrasion removes outer skin layers as a deeper resurfacing treatment. Compared with dermabrasion, microdermabrasion is lighter and more superficial.

Common concerns include:

Uneven texture
Mild scarring
Dullness
Uneven surface
Mild lines

Choosing between these treatments depends on skin quality, goals, recovery time, and risk tolerance.

Finding the Right Plastic Surgery Option

Choosing the right procedure begins with the concern, not the procedure name. Many patients ask for one treatment and later learn that another option better matches their anatomy.

Common examples include:

Heavy upper lids can be caused by extra eyelid skin, a low brow, 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.
A flat breast appearance may require a lift, implants, fat grafting, or combined treatment.
A baggy under-eye look may be related to fat, hollowing, loose skin, or skin colour changes.

A clear plastic surgery plan should answer three key questions:

What is causing the concern?
What procedure addresses the cause most directly?
What trade-offs come with that option?

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

What Patients Often Worry About Before Surgery

Before plastic surgery, many patients feel both excited and nervous. Patients may feel excited, but they may also feel nervous. Concerns about safety, pain, scars, recovery, cost, and natural results are very common.

“Will I Look Refreshed or Different?”

This is one of the most common patient concerns. The goal for many people is to look refreshed while still looking like themselves. A natural result should match your facial features, body frame, age, and personal style.

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

“When Can I Return to Normal Activities?”

The recovery period depends on which procedure is done. Non-surgical options often involve minimal downtime. A tummy tuck, body lift, or mommy makeover is more involved and needs more planning.

Plastic surgery recovery often involves:

Temporary swelling and bruising
Limits on activity
Planned time away from work
Surgical follow-up care
Scar healing support
Gradual return to exercise
A result that improves as swelling settles

Recovery does not happen instantly. The appearance often improves over time as swelling settles.

“How Noticeable Will Scars Be?”

Any surgery that uses an incision creates a scar. The goal is not scar-free surgery, but careful scar placement and good healing.

The final scar can depend on:

How your body naturally scars
Your skin tone
Surgical procedure type
Where the incision is placed
Tension along the incision
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.

“What Are the Risks of Plastic Surgery?”

Every surgery has risk. Risks may 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:

General health
Your medications
Whether you smoke or use nicotine
The planned procedure
The surgical facility
The anesthesia approach
Surgeon training and experience
Your aftercare and follow-up

During consultation, patients should learn about benefits, risks, alternatives, and realistic expectations.

Canadian Plastic Surgery Considerations

Canadian 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

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.

Important consultation questions include:

Are you formally certified in the specialty of plastic surgery?
Are you licensed to perform surgery in this province?
How much experience do you have with this procedure?
What facility will be used for the procedure?
Who provides anesthesia?
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?

This is not about being demanding. It is about making an informed choice.

Canadian Cosmetic Surgery Pricing

Cosmetic surgery costs in Canada can vary widely. Procedure complexity, surgeon experience, anesthesia, facility fees, implants or devices, garments, follow-up care, and location can all affect price.

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 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 vs. Surgery in Canada

Some Canadians think about 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 follow-up care
Long travel after surgery
Infection risk
Different health care standards
Harder access to records
Difficulty finding care for complications at home
Possible language barriers
Possible costs for corrective surgery

When surgery is done closer to home, follow-up may be easier if concerns or complications occur.

Getting Ready 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 the visit, preparation can help:

Make notes about your main concerns.
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.
Make sure you ask about recovery time, scars, risks, and alternatives.
Talk about realistic results based on your body or face.

A helpful consultation should explain your options clearly. 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?

A good candidate is usually someone who is 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 good candidate if:

You are in good general health
Your goals are based on a clear concern
You are at a stable weight for body contouring
You do not smoke or can stop 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 understand what is 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.

Combining Plastic Surgery Procedures

Some procedures may 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 combinations include:

Combining facelift and neck lift
Upper facial rejuvenation with eyelid surgery and brow lift
Nose surgery with chin surgery
Breast lift plus volume enhancement
Combining tummy tuck and liposuction
A customized mommy makeover
Body lift with thigh lift or arm lift
Fat grafting with facial surgery

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. Many cosmetic procedures focus on the face, breasts, or body. 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 best procedure is not always the procedure people ask about first. The best choice is the one that fits your anatomy, goals, health, and comfort level.

The strongest treatment plan should focus on safety, natural-looking results, clear expectations, and proper follow-up care. For procedures such as eyelid surgery, rhinoplasty, breast augmentation, tummy tuck, liposuction, facelift surgery, or reconstructive plastic surgery, the first step is education about benefits and limits.