Plastic Surgery Procedure Types in Canada

Across Canada, plastic surgery includes many different procedures that can refine, rebuild, or improve the face and body. A procedure may be cosmetic when the main goal is to enhance appearance. Others are reconstructive, which means they help rebuild form or function after injury, cancer, birth differences, burns, or medical conditions.

In Canada, people search for plastic surgery for many different goals. Some people are looking for a more balanced look. Some patients hope to restore their body after changes from pregnancy, weight loss, or aging. Other patients need help after trauma, skin cancer, breast cancer, or a congenital concern. The right procedure depends on your anatomy, goals, health, lifestyle, and 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. It also explains what to think about 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.

What Is Cosmetic Plastic Surgery?

Cosmetic plastic surgery focuses on appearance. 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:

Supporting better facial harmony
Reducing age-related changes
Improving body contours
Restoring fullness after weight loss, pregnancy, or aging
Improving the nose, eyelids, ears, lips, breasts, abdomen, arms, or thighs
Improving the way clothing fits
Supporting confidence with natural-looking changes

Across Canada, cosmetic plastic surgery is usually paid for by the patient. Fees are affected by factors such as the procedure, surgeon, facility, anesthesia plan, follow-up care, and city or province.

What Is Reconstructive Plastic Surgery?

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

Examples of reconstructive plastic surgery include:

Breast reconstruction after mastectomy
Skin cancer reconstruction following tumour removal
Cleft lip or palate repair
Burn scar reconstruction
Hand surgery
Scar repair or revision
Wound repair
Surgery for facial trauma repair
Congenital reconstruction

Some reconstructive plastic surgery may qualify for provincial coverage if it is considered 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. Most patients do not want to look “different.” Strong results usually look natural, balanced, and personal to the patient.

Facelift Surgery, Also Called Rhytidectomy

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

Common facelift concerns include:

Sagging jowls along the jawline
Sagging skin in the lower face
Deeper smile lines
Sagging cheek tissue
A blurred face and neck transition

Modern facelift surgery often treats deeper support layers below the skin. This approach may help produce a smoother, longer-lasting result without making the face look pulled. A facelift may be combined with a neck lift, eyelid surgery, brow lift, or facial fat grafting.

Neck Lift Procedure (Platysmaplasty)

Loose skin, muscle bands, and fullness under the chin may be improved with a neck lift. The medical term for tightening the neck muscle is platysmaplasty.

A neck lift may help with:

Prominent neck bands
Neck skin laxity
A soft or undefined jawline
Under-chin 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, Also Called Blepharoplasty

Eyelid surgery or blepharoplasty helps refresh the eyes by removing or repositioning extra skin, fat, or tissue around the eyelids.

Common upper eyelid concerns include:

Upper lids that feel heavy
Extra eyelid skin
A tired or aged look
Upper eyelid skin that touches the lashes
Vision concerns in some medical cases

Lower blepharoplasty may help with:

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

Many patients choose eyelid surgery because small improvements around the eyes can make the whole face look more awake and rested.

Brow Lift Procedure

A low or heavy brow may be raised with a brow lift, also called a forehead lift. By lifting the brow, the procedure may improve the upper eyes and soften forehead heaviness.

A brow lift may help with:

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

A brow lift should not be confused with eyelid surgery. A brow lift focuses on eyebrow position, while eyelid surgery focuses on extra eyelid skin. Depending on anatomy, a patient may need one procedure, the other, or both.

Nose Surgery Procedure (Rhinoplasty)

The shape, size, or structure of the nose can be changed with rhinoplasty, often called a nose job. Rhinoplasty may focus on appearance, breathing, or both.

Rhinoplasty may address:

A bump along the bridge of the nose
A drooping nasal tip
A boxy nasal tip
A nose that looks crooked
Overall nose size or projection
Uneven nasal shape
Airflow issues caused by nasal structure

If breathing is part of the problem, the septum, which is the wall between the nostrils, may need treatment. This part of surgery is called septoplasty. Cosmetic rhinoplasty refines how the nose looks, while functional nasal surgery focuses on breathing and airflow.

Cosmetic Ear Surgery

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:

Ears that stick out
Uneven ear shape or position
Ear folds that look large
Ears that sit far from the head
Earlobe appearance concerns

This procedure is common for adults and children. In children, timing depends on ear development, maturity, and family goals.

Surgical Lip Lift

The space between the upper lip and the nose can be shortened with a lip lift. Clinically, this measurement is often called the upper lip length. By changing lip position, a lip lift can make the upper lip more visible without adding volume with filler.

Common lip lift concerns include:

A long space between the nose and upper lip
Reduced tooth show in the upper smile
An upper lip that looks thin
Poor balance between the upper and lower lips
Aging in the lip and mouth area

A surgical lip lift and lip filler are different treatments. Dermal filler increases volume. A lip lift changes upper lip position and shape.

Chin, Cheek, and Jawline Implants

Facial implants may improve balance in the chin, cheeks, or jawline. Chin surgery is often used when the chin looks small compared with the nose or other facial features.

Common facial implant procedures include:

Chin implant surgery
Cheek implant surgery
Jawline implant surgery

In some cases, chin surgery may be combined with rhinoplasty because the nose and chin affect facial balance in profile view.

Facial Volume Restoration With Fat Grafting

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

Fat grafting to the face can help improve:

Loss of cheek fullness
Hollowing under the eyes
Volume changes caused by aging
Thin facial soft tissue
Reduced facial harmony

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

Types of Breast Plastic Surgery

Breast surgery is one of the most common areas of cosmetic and reconstructive 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

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.

Common breast augmentation goals include:

A naturally small breast shape
Less breast fullness after pregnancy
Less breast fullness after weight change
Asymmetry between the breasts
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 for Sagging Breasts

A breast lift, also known as mastopexy, raises and reshapes breasts that have dropped. A lift changes position and shape rather than mainly adding volume. The procedure focuses on improving breast position and shape.

Patients may consider a breast lift for:

Breasts that sag
Nipples that sit low or point down
Stretched nipple-areola areas
Breast skin laxity
Breast changes after pregnancy, breastfeeding, or weight changes

For patients who want more fullness, implants may be added to a breast lift. A lift without implants may be preferred by patients who do not want added implant volume.

Reduction Mammoplasty

To reduce breast size and weight, breast reduction removes extra tissue, fat, and skin.

Breast reduction surgery can help improve:

Chronic neck pain
Shoulder pain
Back pain
Indentations from bra straps
Under-breast skin irritation
Difficulty exercising
Trouble finding clothing that fits

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

Breast Implant Revision Procedure

Breast implant revision adjusts or replaces existing breast implants. It may be needed for cosmetic reasons or medical concerns.

Patients may consider revision for:

Changing breast implant size
Breast implant rupture
Capsular contracture, where scar tissue around an implant becomes firm
Implant shifting
Breast size or shape imbalance
Changes from aging after breast augmentation
Breast implant removal

Some patients benefit from implant removal together with a breast lift. Others choose new implants with a different size, shape, or placement.

Breast Reconstruction Procedure

Breast reconstruction surgery helps rebuild the breast after mastectomy or lumpectomy. The procedure may be done with implants, natural tissue, or a combined approach.

Breast reconstruction may involve:

Reconstruction using implants
Reconstruction using tissue flaps
Nipple and areola reconstruction
Fat transfer to the breast
Surgery to refine breast symmetry

The choice around breast reconstruction is personal. For some patients, reconstruction feels right. Others choose to stay flat. Both choices are valid.

Gynecomastia Surgery

Gynecomastia surgery treats enlarged breast tissue in men. Liposuction, gland removal, or a combination may be used.

Gynecomastia surgery may help with:

Puffy-looking nipples
Fullness under the areola
Fullness in the chest
An uneven male chest shape
Self-consciousness 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.

Types of Body Contouring Surgery

Body contouring surgery improves body shape by removing extra skin, reducing stubborn fat, or tightening tissue. Many patients consider body contouring 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. The procedure may also repair diastasis recti, which means separated abdominal muscles.

A tummy tuck may help with:

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

A tummy tuck is not meant to be a weight-loss procedure. It is best for patients who are near a stable weight and want to improve abdominal shape.

Fat Reduction With Liposuction

Liposuction surgery uses a thin tube called a cannula to remove localized fat. It is used for body contouring rather than general weight loss.

Liposuction may treat:

Belly area
Flanks, also called love handles
Hip contours
Thigh areas
Upper arm contours
The back
Under the chin and neck
Chest area
Knee area

Skin tone is an important factor. If the skin is loose, liposuction by itself may not be enough. In that case, skin removal surgery may be needed.

Mommy Makeover

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

Mommy makeover options may include:

Abdominal contouring with tummy tuck
Mastopexy
Breast augmentation
Breast reduction
Liposuction
Fat transfer for volume

The name “mommy makeover” can be misleading because similar body changes can affect many patients. It may be suitable 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 (Brachioplasty)

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

An arm lift may address:

Upper arm skin that hangs
Extra skin after major weight loss
Upper arm changes from aging
Difficulty wearing sleeveless tops
Skin rubbing and irritation

The trade-off is a scar along the inner or back part of the arm. For many patients, the improved shape is worth the scar, but this should be discussed carefully.

Thigh Lift Procedure

A thigh lift removes loose skin from the thighs. Thigh lift surgery is common after significant weight loss.

A thigh lift may help with:

Extra inner thigh skin
Chafing from loose thigh skin
Pants that do not fit well
A heavy feeling from extra skin
Thigh changes after weight loss or bariatric surgery

Several surgical patterns are available for thigh lift surgery. The right option depends on the amount of skin to remove and where the looseness is located.

Body Contouring Lift

A body lift removes loose skin around the lower body. The procedure may improve several areas, including the abdomen, hips, outer thighs, buttocks, and lower back.

Body lift surgery may be helpful after:

Major weight loss
Surgery for weight loss
Changes in body shape after pregnancy
Aging-related lower-body skin looseness

Because it is a larger surgery, recovery takes more time. Patients should have a stable weight and good overall health.

Fat Transfer to the Body

Fat transfer, also called fat grafting, moves fat from one part of the body to another. It may be used to add natural volume or improve contour.

Patients may consider fat grafting for:

Breast shape
Buttock volume
Hip contour
The face
Contour changes after surgery or injury

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

Skin and Scar Plastic Surgery Procedures

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

Surgical Scar Revision

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

Scar revision may address:

Scars from surgery
Injury-related scars
Burn injury scars
Bulky scars
Tight scars
Movement-limiting scars

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

Plastic surgery may be chosen for benign skin lesions, cysts, moles, and lumps when the closure should be as careful as possible. Certain lesions should be checked medically to rule out skin cancer.

Patients may seek removal for:

Irritated skin
A lesion that is getting larger
A lesion that bleeds
Concern about how it looks
Pathology or diagnosis
Physical comfort

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

Skin Cancer Repair and Reconstruction

Reconstruction may be cosmetic treatments needed after skin cancer removal to close the area and restore appearance. Common areas include the face, nose, eyelids, ears, lips, scalp, and hands.

Common skin cancer reconstruction methods include:

Closing the area directly
Using a skin graft
Local tissue flaps
Complex reconstruction

Skin cancer reconstruction aims to support safe cancer removal while protecting function and appearance.

Non-Surgical Cosmetic Treatments

Not every patient needs 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.

BOTOX and Neuromodulators

Selected facial muscles can be relaxed with BOTOX and other neuromodulators. They are commonly used for expression lines.

Patients may consider neuromodulators for:

Frown lines between the brows
Lines across the forehead
Lines at the outer corners of the eyes
Expression lines on the nose
Peau d’orange chin texture
Mild neck bands in certain cases

Neuromodulator results are temporary, so maintenance appointments are often part of the plan. The goal is usually a softer, rested look, not a frozen face.

Dermal Fillers

Dermal filler treatments are used to restore or add soft tissue volume. They are often made with hyaluronic acid, a gel-like substance used to shape and support soft tissue.

Dermal fillers may treat:

Lip enhancement
Cheeks
Chin shape
Jawline definition
Hollowing under the eyes
Deeper smile lines
Mouth-corner lines

Good filler planning depends on the right product, careful injection technique, facial anatomy, and clear goals. A conservative plan matters because overfilling can create an unnatural look.

Chemical Peels for Skin Texture and Tone

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

Common chemical peel concerns include:

Skin tone irregularity
A dull complexion
Mild lines
Photoaging
Mild marks from acne
Skin texture concerns

Peel strength can range from light to deeper treatments. Recovery depends on peel type.

Laser Skin Treatments and Energy-Based Procedures

Skin tone, redness, texture, hair growth, scars, and aging changes may be treated with laser and energy-based treatments.

Common treatment options may include:

Resurfacing laser treatment
IPL, or intense pulsed light
RF skin treatments
Skin tightening procedures
Laser treatment for unwanted hair
Vascular lasers for visible redness

These treatments should be matched to skin type, skin tone, and the concern being treated. Patients with darker skin tones need careful treatment planning because pigment changes can be a concern.

Dermabrasion vs. Microdermabrasion

Dermabrasion removes outer skin layers as a deeper resurfacing treatment. Microdermabrasion is lighter and more superficial.

Common concerns include:

Rough texture
Minor acne scarring
Dull-looking skin
Uneven surface
Fine surface lines

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

Choosing the Right Plastic Surgery Procedure

Choosing the right procedure starts with the concern, not the procedure name. Many patients come in asking for one treatment, then learn that another option better matches their anatomy.

This can happen in situations such as:

Heavy upper lids may be caused by extra eyelid skin, a low brow, or both.
Loose skin, neck bands, fat, or chin position may cause a soft jawline.
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.
Under-eye bags can be caused by fat pads, hollowing, skin laxity, or pigmentation.

A strong treatment plan should answer three questions:

What is behind the concern?
Which procedure treats that cause best?
What trade-offs should be expected with that choice?

Trade-offs can include scars, recovery time, swelling, cost, maintenance, and possible complications.

Common Patient Concerns Before Plastic Surgery

Before plastic surgery, many patients feel both excited and nervous. Excitement is common, but nervousness is common too. Many patients worry about safety, pain, scars, recovery, cost, and whether the outcome will look natural.

“Will the Result Still Look Like Me?”

Many patients ask this question. Most people want to look like a refreshed version of themselves, not like someone else. A natural result should match your facial features, body frame, age, and personal style.

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

“How Much Downtime Will I Need?”

Downtime varies by procedure. Some non-surgical treatments have little or no downtime. Larger surgeries, such as tummy tuck, body lift, or mommy makeover, require more planning.

Patients should usually expect:

Swelling and bruising
Temporary activity restrictions
Recovery time before returning to work
Appointments after surgery
Scar management
A gradual return to exercise
Results that take time to settle

Surgical healing is gradual. Results often look better as weeks and months pass.

“How Noticeable Will Scars Be?”

Any surgery that uses an incision creates a scar. Surgeons aim to place scars carefully and support good healing.

Scar healing depends on:

Genetic healing patterns
Skin colour and tone
The kind of surgery performed
Incision placement
How much tension is on the wound
Nicotine exposure
UV exposure
How the scar is cared for

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

“How Safe Is Plastic Surgery?”

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.

Many factors affect plastic surgery safety, including:

General health
Medications you take
Use of tobacco or nicotine
The procedure being done
The surgical facility
The anesthesia approach
Surgeon training and experience
Care after the procedure

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

What Canadians Should Know About Plastic Surgery

Plastic surgery in Canada is guided by medical licensing, provincial colleges, hospital systems, surgical facilities, and professional standards. Patients should know the difference between marketing terms and recognized medical training.

Finding a Qualified Plastic Surgeon

When researching plastic surgery in Canada, patients should look for proper training and credentials. A plastic surgeon should have medical training, surgical training, and certification in plastic surgery.

Helpful questions include:

Are you certified as a plastic surgeon?
Are you licensed to practise medicine in this province?
Is this a procedure you perform regularly?
Where would my surgery be done?
Who will provide the anesthesia?
What are the risks for my specific case?
What is the plan if there is a complication?
What does post-operative follow-up include?
Can I review examples of similar cases?

These questions are not meant to be difficult. It is about making an informed choice.

Plastic Surgery Costs in Canada

Plastic surgery pricing in Canada varies widely. The final cost may include procedure complexity, surgeon experience, anesthesia, facility fees, implants or devices, garments, follow-up care, and location.

Large Canadian cities, including Vancouver, Toronto, Calgary, Edmonton, Ottawa, and Montreal, may have higher fees because overhead and demand are higher. Pricing may be different in smaller cities, but the lowest cost should not be the main deciding factor.

Low pricing can be concerning when it reflects shortcuts in safety, training, facility standards, or aftercare.

Medical Tourism for Plastic Surgery

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 post-surgery follow-up
Long travel after surgery
Possible infection
Medical standards that may differ
Difficulty accessing medical records
Difficulty managing complications back in Canada
Communication barriers
Unexpected revision costs

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

Plastic Surgery Consultation Preparation

Your consultation is the time to understand what can be done safely and realistically. You should not feel rushed or pressured during the consultation.

Before your visit, it helps to prepare:

Make notes about your main concerns.
Bring details about prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, and supplements.
Be ready to share your medical history.
Do not hide smoking, vaping, cannabis, or nicotine use.
Photos may help explain your goals.
Make sure you ask about recovery time, scars, risks, and alternatives.
Find out what result is realistic for your anatomy.

A good consultation should include a clear discussion of options. In some cases, the best recommendation is to wait, choose a smaller treatment, improve health first, or avoid surgery.

Who Is a Good Candidate for Plastic Surgery?

Plastic surgery candidates should usually be 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:

You are medically well enough for surgery
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
Your decision is for you, not someone else
You have reasonable expectations

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

Can Plastic Surgery Procedures Be Combined?

Certain procedures can be safely combined. In some cases, procedures should be separated into different surgeries. Combined surgery can reduce overall downtime, but it can also increase surgical time and recovery demands.

Common procedure combinations include:

Combining facelift and neck lift
Upper facial rejuvenation with eyelid surgery and brow lift
Profile balancing with rhinoplasty and chin surgery
Combining breast lift and implants
Tummy tuck and liposuction
Mommy makeover surgery combinations
Body lift with thigh or arm contouring
Combining facial rejuvenation and fat grafting

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

Final Thoughts About Plastic Surgery Procedure Types in Canada

In Canada, plastic surgery covers a wide range of cosmetic and reconstructive options. Some procedures improve the face, breasts, or body. Some procedures restore tissue after cancer, injury, burns, or medical conditions. Injectable and skin treatments may help with wrinkles, volume loss, texture concerns, and early signs of aging.

The best procedure is not always the most popular one. The best plan is based on anatomy, goals, health, and personal comfort.

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