Plastic Surgery Procedure Types in Canada

Plastic surgery is a broad field with procedures that can enhance, rebuild, or adjust areas of the face and body. A procedure may be cosmetic when the main goal is to enhance appearance. Reconstructive plastic surgery may be used after injury, cancer, birth differences, burns, or medical conditions to help repair form or function.

There are many reasons why people in Canada search for plastic surgery. Some people are looking for a more balanced look. Some patients hope to restore their body after changes from pregnancy, weight loss, or aging. For some patients, the need is related to trauma, skin cancer, breast cancer, or a congenital concern. Your anatomy, goals, health, lifestyle, and recovery time all help guide the right procedure.

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.

Cosmetic Plastic Surgery Compared With Reconstructive Plastic Surgery

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

Cosmetic Plastic Surgery in Canada

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:

Refining facial balance
Helping the face or body look more refreshed
Refining body shape
Improving volume changes after weight loss or pregnancy
Enhancing areas such as the nose, eyelids, ears, lips, breasts, abdomen, arms, or thighs
Helping clothing fit better
Supporting confidence with natural-looking changes

Across Canada, cosmetic plastic surgery is usually paid for by the patient. The total fee can depend on the procedure, surgeon, facility, anesthesia, follow-up visits, and location.

Reconstructive Plastic Surgery Procedures

Reconstructive plastic surgery focuses on restoring normal form and function. Patients may need reconstructive surgery after cancer surgery, trauma, burns, infections, birth differences, or medical conditions.

Reconstructive plastic surgery may include:

Breast reconstruction after removal of breast tissue
Skin cancer reconstruction after tumour removal
Cleft lip or palate repair
Reconstruction after burns
Hand repair surgery
Surgical scar revision
Repair of wounds
Repair after facial trauma
Surgery for congenital differences

Some reconstructive procedures may be covered by a provincial health plan when they are medically necessary. Cosmetic changes are usually not covered.

Facial Cosmetic Surgery Procedures

Facial plastic surgery may improve facial balance, soften signs of aging, and help restore a refreshed look. For many patients, the goal is not to look like another person. The best results often look natural and balanced.

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.

Patients often consider facelift surgery for:

Jawline jowls
Loose skin in the lower face
Prominent smile lines
Drooping cheek tissue
Loss of definition between the face and neck

Many modern facelift techniques focus on deeper support layers under the skin. This can create a smoother, longer-lasting result without a pulled look. Many patients combine facelift surgery with a neck lift, eyelid surgery, brow lift, or facial fat grafting.

Neck Lift Surgery (Platysmaplasty)

Loose skin, muscle bands, and fullness under the chin may be improved with a neck lift. Tightening the neck muscle may be described medically as platysmaplasty.

Neck lift surgery can help improve:

Visible neck bands
Extra neck skin
A jawline that looks less defined
Under-chin fullness
A hanging neck appearance

Some patients benefit from both skin and muscle tightening. Other patients may benefit from liposuction under the chin. Because the face and neck often age together, a facelift and neck lift may be planned together.

Eyelid Surgery (Blepharoplasty)

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

Upper blepharoplasty may help with:

A weighted upper eyelid look
Redundant upper eyelid skin
A more tired or older eye appearance
Extra skin that sits against the eyelashes
Vision concerns in select medical cases

Lower blepharoplasty may help with:

Lower eyelid bags
Lower eyelid puffiness
Loose lower eyelid skin
Under-eye shadowing
Eyes that still look tired after rest

Eyelid surgery is one of the most common facial procedures because small changes around the eyes can make the whole 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 may improve the upper eye area and reduce forehead heaviness.

Patients may consider a brow lift for:

A heavy, lowered brow
Heavy upper lids from brow descent
Forehead wrinkles
Frown lines between the brows
A facial expression that appears tired, sad, or serious

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. Depending on anatomy, a patient may need one procedure, the other, or both.

Nose Surgery Procedure (Rhinoplasty)

Rhinoplasty is nose surgery that can change nasal shape, size, or structure. Depending on the patient, rhinoplasty can be cosmetic, functional, or a combination.

Patients may consider rhinoplasty for:

A raised bridge bump
A nasal tip that droops
A wide nasal tip
A nose that looks crooked
Nasal size or projection
Asymmetry in the nose
Airflow issues caused by nasal structure

When breathing is part of the concern, the procedure may include work on the septum, which is the wall between the nostrils. This part 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 called otoplasty, changes the shape, position, or size of the ears. It is commonly used to correct ears that stick out.

Patients may consider otoplasty for:

Protruding ears
Asymmetry between the ears
Prominent ear cartilage folds
Ears that stand out from the head
Earlobe concerns

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

Surgical Lip Lift

A lip lift shortens the space between the upper lip and the nose. That space is often described as the upper lip length. A lip lift can improve upper lip show without adding dermal filler.

Lip lift surgery can help improve:

A long space between the nose and upper lip
Less upper tooth visibility with a smile
A thin upper lip appearance
Uneven lip balance
Changes around the mouth from aging

Lip lift surgery differs from lip filler. Filler is used to add volume. A lip lift changes the position and shape of the upper lip.

Chin, Cheek, and Jawline Implants

Balance in the chin, cheeks, or jawline may be improved with facial implants. Chin surgery can improve facial profile balance when the chin looks small compared with the nose or other features.

Types of facial implant surgery may include:

Chin implant surgery
Surgical cheek implants
Jawline augmentation implants

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

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:

Cheek hollowing
Hollows beneath the eyes
Age-related facial volume loss
Thin facial soft tissue
Uneven facial fullness

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

Many patients in Canada consider breast surgery for cosmetic or reconstructive reasons. Patients may want to increase breast volume, reduce breast size, lift the breasts, improve symmetry, or restore the breast after cancer surgery.

Breast Augmentation Surgery

Breast augmentation surgery uses implants or fat transfer to increase breast size and shape. Saline and silicone gel are common breast implant options. The choice of implant depends on body type, breast tissue, goals, and surgeon guidance.

Breast augmentation may address:

Breasts that are naturally small
Lost breast volume following pregnancy
Weight-related breast volume loss
Uneven breast size or shape
Desire for more fullness in clothing

Some patients feel nervous about results that may look too large or unnatural. A careful surgical plan should consider chest width, skin quality, lifestyle, and long-term maintenance.

Breast Lift (Mastopexy)

A breast lift, also called mastopexy, raises and reshapes breasts that have dropped. A breast lift does not mainly increase breast volume. Instead, the goal is to improve breast position and shape.

Breast lift surgery can help improve:

Lower breast position
Nipples that face downward
Stretched nipple-areola areas
Breast skin laxity
Changes after pregnancy, breastfeeding, or weight loss

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

Breast reduction may help with:

Pain in the neck
Heavy shoulder pressure
Back strain
Bra strap marks
Skin rubbing beneath the breasts
Difficulty exercising
Clothing fit challenges

Some breast reduction procedures in Canada may be considered medically necessary. Whether coverage applies depends on the province, symptoms, and medical assessment.

Revision Breast Implant Surgery

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

Common reasons for breast implant revision include:

Wanting smaller or larger implants
An implant that has ruptured
Capsular contracture, where scar tissue around an implant becomes firm
Implant position changes
Asymmetry between the breasts
Age-related changes after breast augmentation
A desire for implant removal

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. The procedure may be done with implants, natural tissue, or a combined approach.

Breast reconstruction may use:

Breast reconstruction with implants
Reconstruction using tissue flaps
Rebuilding the nipple and areola
Fat transfer as part of reconstruction
Revision surgery to improve symmetry

This can be a deeply personal choice. Some patients want reconstruction. Others choose to stay flat. Both decisions deserve respect.

Male Breast Reduction (Gynecomastia Surgery)

Gynecomastia surgery is used to reduce enlarged male breast tissue. The procedure may use liposuction, gland removal, or both methods.

Patients may consider gynecomastia surgery for:

A puffy nipple appearance
Gland tissue under the areola
Chest fullness
An uneven male chest shape
Discomfort being shirtless, exercising, or wearing fitted shirts

The cause of fullness, whether fat, gland tissue, loose skin, or a mix, guides the best technique.

Types of Body Contouring Surgery

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

Abdominoplasty, commonly called a tummy tuck, removes extra abdominal skin and tightens the abdominal wall. A tummy tuck may include repair of separated abdominal muscles, known as diastasis recti.

A tummy tuck may address:

Abdominal skin laxity
An overhang in the lower belly
Stretch-marked lower belly skin
Abdominal muscle separation
Abdominal changes after pregnancy or weight loss

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

Surgical Liposuction

Liposuction removes localized fat with a thin tube called a cannula. The goal is contouring, not general weight loss.

Liposuction may treat:

Abdomen
Side waist areas, often called love handles
Hip contours
Thigh contours
Upper arm contours
Back
Submental area and neck
Chest
The knees

Good skin tone matters. Liposuction alone may not be enough when the skin is loose. A skin-tightening or skin removal procedure may be needed in that situation.

Mommy Makeover Surgery

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

Mommy makeover options may include:

Tummy tuck surgery
Breast lift surgery
Breast implants or fat transfer augmentation
Surgical breast size reduction
Liposuction
Body fat grafting

The name can be misleading because the procedure is not limited to mothers. It may be suitable for anyone with similar body changes. The right plan depends on health, goals, recovery time, and whether future pregnancy is planned.

Arm Lift Surgery, Also Called Brachioplasty

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

An arm lift may help with:

Upper arm skin that hangs
Loose upper arm skin after weight loss
Age-related changes in the arms
Difficulty wearing sleeveless tops
Skin friction in the upper arms

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

Inner Thigh Lift

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

Thigh lift surgery can help improve:

Loose skin on the inner thighs
Rubbing in the inner thighs
Poor clothing fit around the thighs
Heaviness in the thighs from loose skin
Thigh changes after weight loss or bariatric surgery

Thigh lift surgery can be done with different patterns. The right option depends on how much skin needs to be removed and where the looseness is located.

Lower Body Lift

A body lift improves lower-body contour by removing excess skin. The procedure may improve several areas, including the abdomen, hips, outer thighs, buttocks, and cosmetic plastic surgery options lower back.

Common reasons for body lift surgery include:

A major weight change
Bariatric weight-loss surgery
Pregnancy-related skin looseness
Age-related skin laxity

Because it is a larger surgery, recovery takes more time. Before a body lift, patients should be healthy overall and close to a stable weight.

Fat Grafting to the Body

Fat grafting transfers fat from one area of the body to another. This procedure may improve contour or add volume using the patient’s own fat.

Body fat grafting can involve:

Breasts
Buttock volume
Hip contour
The face
Uneven contours after surgery or injury

Your own tissue is used in fat grafting, but not every transferred fat cell survives. Fat grafting results can evolve, so repeat treatment may be needed for some patients.

Procedures for Skin, Scars, and Surface Concerns

Plastic surgeons may also treat scars, skin surface concerns, and soft tissue issues.

Scar Revision Surgery

Scar revision surgery is used to improve how a scar looks or feels. It may not erase the scar, but it can make it less raised, tight, wide, or noticeable.

Scar revision may help with:

Scars from surgery
Scarring after an injury
Burn injury scars
Scars that feel thick
Scars that feel tight
Scars that limit movement

Scar treatment can include surgery, copyright injections, laser treatment, silicone therapy, or several methods together.

Skin Lesion, Mole, and Cyst Removal

Plastic surgeons often remove benign skin lesions, cysts, moles, and lumps when careful closure matters. Certain lesions should be checked medically to rule out skin cancer.

Common reasons for removal include:

Irritated skin
A growing lesion
Bleeding from the lesion
Cosmetic reasons
A need for diagnosis
Improved comfort

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

Reconstruction After Skin Cancer Removal

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

A skin cancer reconstruction plan may use:

Closing the area directly
Skin graft reconstruction
Local tissue flaps
Complex reconstruction

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

Injectable and Skin Treatments

Not every patient needs surgery. Non-surgical cosmetic treatments may help with early signs of aging, facial lines, volume loss, and skin quality. These treatments usually have less downtime, but results are more temporary.

BOTOX Cosmetic Treatments

Neuromodulators such as BOTOX reduce movement in selected facial muscles. Neuromodulators are commonly chosen for lines caused by facial movement.

Common treatment areas include:

Frown lines
Lines across the forehead
Lines at the outer corners of the eyes
Small nose wrinkles
Chin texture from muscle movement
Mild neck bands in certain cases

Results are temporary and usually require repeat treatments. Most patients want a softer, rested look rather than a frozen face.

Facial 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.

Patients may consider fillers for:

Lip volume
Cheeks
Chin shape
The jawline
Tear trough hollowing
Nasolabial folds
Marionette lines

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

Skin Peels

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

Chemical peels may help with:

Uneven tone
A dull complexion
Mild lines
Visible sun damage
Mild marks from acne
Rough skin texture

Chemical peels can range from light treatments to deeper treatments. Recovery depends on the type of peel.

Laser, IPL, and Radiofrequency Skin Treatments

Laser and energy-based procedures can address skin tone, redness, texture, unwanted hair growth, scars, and signs of aging.

Laser and energy-based options may include:

Laser resurfacing
IPL skin treatment
Radiofrequency skin treatments
Non-surgical skin tightening
Laser treatment for unwanted hair
Laser treatment for redness and broken vessels

A safe plan should match the treatment to skin type, skin tone, and the specific concern. For patients with darker skin tones, this is especially important because pigment changes can occur.

Dermabrasion and Microdermabrasion

Outer skin layers can be removed with dermabrasion, a deeper resurfacing procedure. Microdermabrasion is lighter and more surface-level.

These treatments may help with:

Rough texture
Mild scars
Dullness
Rough or uneven skin
Small fine lines

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

Choosing the Right Plastic Surgery Procedure

The best place to start is the concern itself, not the name of a procedure. Sometimes patients come in wanting one treatment, but another procedure is a better match for their anatomy.

Examples include:

Extra eyelid skin, a low brow, or both may cause heavy upper lids.
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.
Flat-looking breasts may need a lift, implants, fat grafting, or a combination.
Under-eye bags may be caused by fat pads, hollowing, skin laxity, or pigmentation.

A clear plastic surgery plan should answer three key questions:

What anatomy is causing the issue?
Which procedure treats that cause best?
What benefits and limits come with that procedure?

Every procedure has trade-offs, which may include scars, downtime, swelling, cost, maintenance, and possible complications.

Plastic Surgery Fears and Questions

Most patients feel a mix of emotions before plastic surgery. Feeling excited and anxious at the same time is common. Many patients worry about safety, pain, scars, recovery, cost, and whether the outcome will look natural.

“Will I Look Natural After Surgery?”

Many patients ask this question. Most people want to look like a refreshed version of themselves, not like someone else. Plastic surgery that looks natural should fit the patient’s facial features, body frame, age, and personal style.

A healthy goal is often improved balance instead of perfection.

“How Long Is the Recovery?”

Downtime varies by procedure. Non-surgical options often involve minimal downtime. More extensive surgeries like tummy tuck, body lift, and mommy makeover require a more detailed recovery plan.

In general, recovery planning may include:

Swelling or bruising
Reduced activity
Time off work
Follow-up visits
Scar management
Gradual return to exercise
A result that improves as swelling settles

The body needs time to heal. Many procedures look better over weeks and months.

“How Noticeable Will Scars Be?”

Surgery that involves an incision will create a scar. Surgeons aim to place scars carefully and support good healing.

Scar healing depends on:

Family scar tendencies
Skin tone
The kind of surgery performed
The incision location
Tension along the incision
Smoking and vaping status
UV exposure
Post-surgery aftercare

Scars tend to soften and fade, but they usually remain to some degree.

“What Should I Know About Plastic Surgery Safety?”

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

Safety depends on many factors, including:

The patient’s health
Prescription and non-prescription medications
Smoking, vaping, or nicotine exposure
The procedure being done
Where the procedure takes place
The anesthesia plan
The qualifications of the surgeon
Your aftercare and follow-up

A careful consultation should include benefits, risks, alternatives, and realistic expectations.

What Canadians Should Know About Plastic Surgery

In Canada, plastic surgery is regulated through medical licensing, provincial colleges, hospitals, surgical facilities, and professional standards. It is important to understand the difference between marketing language and recognized medical training.

Finding a Qualified Plastic Surgeon

When researching plastic surgery in Canada, look for proper training and credentials. The surgeon should have medical training, surgical training, and certification in the specialty of plastic surgery.

Patients may want to ask:

Are you certified as a plastic surgeon?
Are you licensed by the provincial medical college?
Is this a procedure you perform regularly?
Where would my surgery be done?
Who provides anesthesia?
What are the risks for my specific case?
What happens if a complication occurs?
How many follow-up visits are included?
May I see before-and-after examples for similar procedures?

This is not about challenging the surgeon. It is about protecting your health and making an informed decision.

Plastic Surgery Costs in Canada

Fees for cosmetic plastic surgery in Canada can differ greatly. Many factors affect pricing, including procedure complexity, surgeon experience, anesthesia, facility fees, implants or devices, garments, follow-up care, and location.

Fees may be higher in major Canadian cities such as Vancouver, Toronto, Calgary, Edmonton, Ottawa, and Montreal due to overhead and demand. Costs may vary in smaller Canadian cities, but price should not outweigh safety, training, and follow-up care.

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

Choosing Surgery in Canada vs. Abroad

Lower-cost surgery outside Canada may appeal to some Canadians. Lower cost may be appealing, but surgery abroad can come with extra risks.

Medical tourism concerns may include:

Reduced follow-up access
Travel soon after surgery
Risk of infection
Different facility or safety standards
Less access to surgical records
Trouble getting complications treated after returning to Canada
Language or translation issues
Possible costs for corrective surgery

Having surgery closer to home may make follow-up easier, especially if swelling, healing concerns, or complications occur.

How to Prepare for a Plastic Surgery Consultation

A consultation gives you the chance to learn what is possible, safe, and realistic. A consultation should not feel rushed or pressured.

Before your visit, it helps to prepare:

List your main concerns before the visit.
Bring a list of your medications and supplements.
Share your medical history.
Be honest about smoking, vaping, cannabis use, and nicotine exposure.
Bring photos if they help explain your goals.
Discuss recovery, scarring, risks, and other options.
Find out what result is realistic for your anatomy.

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.

Plastic Surgery Candidate Guidelines

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

Good candidate signs include:

You have good general health
You can explain a clear concern
You are at a stable weight for body contouring
You are nicotine-free or can stop before and after surgery
You know what to expect during recovery
You accept the risks, scars, and trade-offs
You want the procedure for yourself
Your goals are realistic

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.

Combining Plastic Surgery Procedures

Some procedures may be combined safely. Other surgeries may need to be done in stages. Combining procedures may reduce total recovery time, but it may also increase surgical time and healing demands.

Common combinations include:

Facelift and neck lift surgery
Combining eyelid surgery and brow lift
Rhinoplasty with chin surgery
Breast lift plus volume enhancement
Combining tummy tuck and liposuction
Mommy makeover procedures
Body lift with thigh lift or arm lift
Combining facial rejuvenation and fat grafting

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

A Final Word on Canadian Plastic Surgery Procedures

In Canada, plastic surgery covers a wide range of cosmetic and reconstructive options. Certain procedures are used to improve the face, breasts, or body. Others help repair 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 procedure people ask about first. It is the one that fits your anatomy, goals, health, and comfort level.

A good plan should focus on 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.