Types of Plastic Surgery Procedures in Canada

In Canada, plastic surgery covers many surgical options that may change, restore, or enhance the face and body. A procedure may be cosmetic when the main goal is to improve 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 rested look. For others, the goal is to restore body shape after pregnancy, weight loss, or aging. Others want 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 vs. Reconstructive Plastic Surgery

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

What Is Cosmetic Plastic Surgery?

The main focus of cosmetic plastic surgery is appearance. Most cosmetic procedures are elective, which means they are planned by choice rather than medical need.

Common goals include:

Creating better facial balance
Reducing age-related changes
Changing body proportions
Replacing volume lost after weight change or pregnancy
Changing the shape of the nose, eyelids, ears, lips, breasts, abdomen, arms, or thighs
Helping patients feel better in clothing
Supporting confidence with natural-looking changes

In Canada, most cosmetic procedures are paid for privately. Costs plastic surgery options may vary based on the procedure, surgeon, surgical facility, anesthesia, follow-up care, and location.

What Is Reconstructive Plastic Surgery?

Reconstructive surgery helps repair or restore form and function. It may be needed after cancer surgery, trauma, burns, infections, birth differences, or medical conditions.

Common types of reconstructive surgery include:

Breast reconstruction after breast cancer surgery
Skin cancer reconstruction after tumour removal
Cleft lip and palate surgery
Reconstruction after burns
Hand repair surgery
Scar treatment and revision
Wound reconstruction
Facial trauma reconstruction
Surgery for congenital differences

Some reconstructive plastic surgery may qualify for provincial coverage if it is considered medically necessary. Procedures done only to improve appearance 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. In many cases, the goal is not a dramatic change. Good facial plastic surgery should often look natural and balanced.

Rhytidectomy, Commonly Called Facelift Surgery

Facelift surgery, or rhytidectomy, is used to improve sagging in the lower face and jawline. Patients may choose facelift surgery for jowls, loose facial skin, and deeper folds near the mouth.

Facelift surgery can address concerns such as:

Jawline jowls
Loose skin in the lower face
Deeper smile lines
Descent of cheek tissue
A blurred face and neck transition

A modern facelift commonly addresses the deeper support layers beneath 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 (Platysmaplasty)

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

Patients may consider a neck lift for:

Visible neck bands
Sagging neck skin
Reduced jawline sharpness
Fullness below the chin
A loose “turkey neck” appearance

In some cases, the plan includes tightening both skin and muscle. Other patients may benefit from liposuction under the chin. The face and neck often change at the same time, so facelift and neck lift surgery may be combined.

Blepharoplasty, or Eyelid Surgery

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:

Heavy upper lids
Extra eyelid skin
An aged or fatigued look
Eyelid skin that hangs over the lashes
Vision concerns in some medical cases

Patients may choose lower eyelid surgery for:

Under-eye puffiness or bags
Puffiness beneath the eyes
Loose skin under the eyes
Dark-looking shadows under the eyes
Tired-looking eyes that do not improve with rest

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

Forehead Lift and Brow Lift Surgery

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

Patients may consider a brow lift for:

Brow descent
Brow-related upper eyelid heaviness
Horizontal forehead lines
Lines between the brows
A tired, sad, or stern look

A brow lift is different from eyelid surgery. Extra eyelid skin is treated with eyelid surgery, while eyebrow position is treated with a brow lift. Many patients need either one procedure or the other, while some benefit from both.

Nose Surgery (Rhinoplasty)

A nose job, medically known as rhinoplasty, changes the shape, size, or structure of the nose. It may be cosmetic, functional, or both.

Rhinoplasty may help with:

A raised bridge bump
A nasal tip that droops
Tip width or boxiness
A crooked nose
Nasal size or projection
Uneven nasal shape
Airflow issues caused by nasal structure

When breathing is a concern, surgery may include work on the septum, the wall between the nostrils. The medical term for septum surgery is septoplasty. A cosmetic rhinoplasty changes appearance, while functional nasal surgery focuses on airflow.

Ear Surgery Procedure (Otoplasty)

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

Patients may consider otoplasty for:

Prominent ears
Ear asymmetry
Large ear cartilage folds
Ears positioned far from the head
Earlobe shape concerns

Ear surgery can be considered for adults as well as children. For younger patients, ear growth, maturity, and family goals help guide timing.

Lip Lift Surgery

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

A lip lift may address:

A long space between the nose and upper lip
Reduced tooth show in the upper smile
An upper lip that looks thin
Lip proportions that feel unbalanced
Age-related changes around the mouth

Lip lift surgery differs from lip filler. 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.

Facial implants may involve:

Chin implant surgery
Cheek implant surgery
Jawline implant surgery

For profile balance, chin surgery and rhinoplasty may be combined in select cases.

Facial Volume Restoration With Fat Grafting

Facial fat grafting uses the patient’s own fat to restore volume. The process usually involves taking fat from the abdomen or thighs, processing it, and placing it into selected facial areas.

Fat grafting to the face can help improve:

Sunken-looking cheeks
Tear trough hollowing
Volume loss after aging
Thinning soft tissue
Uneven facial fullness

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

Common Breast Surgery Options

Many patients in Canada consider breast surgery for cosmetic or reconstructive reasons. Some patients want more volume, less size, a breast lift, better symmetry, or breast restoration after cancer surgery.

Breast Augmentation Surgery

Breast size and shape can be increased with breast augmentation using implants or fat transfer. Breast implants may be saline or silicone gel. Implant choice depends on body type, breast tissue, goals, and surgeon guidance.

Breast augmentation may help with:

Naturally smaller breast volume
Less breast fullness after pregnancy
Volume loss after weight change
Asymmetry between the breasts
Improved breast shape in fitted clothing

Patients often worry that breast augmentation may look too large or unnatural. Planning should account for chest width, skin quality, lifestyle, and future maintenance.

Breast Lift Procedure

Breasts that have dropped can be raised and reshaped with a breast lift, also called mastopexy. It does not primarily add volume. Its main goal is better breast position and shape.

A breast lift may address:

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

A breast lift may be combined with implants when more upper breast fullness is desired. Other patients prefer a lift without implants for a natural result.

Breast Reduction Surgery

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
Upper back pain
Indentations from bra straps
Rashes under the breasts
Difficulty exercising
Clothing fit challenges

Some breast reduction procedures in Canada may be considered medically necessary. Health plan coverage is based on provincial rules, patient symptoms, and medical assessment.

Breast Implant Revision Surgery

Existing breast implants may be adjusted or replaced with breast implant revision. It may be done for cosmetic reasons or medical concerns.

Common breast implant revision concerns include:

Desire to change implant size
Breast implant rupture
Firm scar tissue around an implant, called capsular contracture
An implant that has shifted
Breast size or shape imbalance
Changes from aging after breast augmentation
Breast implant removal

Some patients choose implant removal with a lift. Some patients replace their implants with a different size, shape, or placement.

Breast Reconstruction

Breast reconstruction rebuilds the breast after mastectomy or lumpectomy. Breast reconstruction can use implants, natural tissue, or both.

Breast reconstruction may use:

Implant-supported breast reconstruction
Tissue flap reconstruction
Nipple and areola reconstruction
Fat grafting
Revision surgery for symmetry

Breast reconstruction is a very personal decision. Some patients choose reconstruction. Some patients choose a flat closure instead. Both options are valid.

Male Breast Reduction (Gynecomastia Surgery)

Gynecomastia surgery treats enlarged male breast tissue. Treatment may involve liposuction, gland tissue removal, or both.

Male breast reduction can help improve:

Fullness around the nipples
Gland tissue under the areola
A fuller male chest
Male chest asymmetry
Feeling self-conscious at the beach, gym, or in fitted shirts

A surgeon chooses the technique based on whether the chest fullness is due to fat, gland tissue, loose skin, or more than one factor.

Types of Body Contouring Surgery

Body contouring procedures can improve shape by removing extra skin, reducing stubborn fat, or tightening tissue. It is often considered after pregnancy, aging, or major weight loss.

Tummy Tuck Procedure

A tummy tuck, also known as abdominoplasty, removes extra abdominal skin and tightens the abdominal wall. Separated abdominal muscles, called diastasis recti, can also be repaired during the procedure.

A tummy tuck may address:

Loose abdominal skin
An overhang in the lower belly
Lower abdominal skin with stretch marks
Separated core muscles
Stomach changes after pregnancy or weight loss

A tummy tuck should not be viewed as weight-loss surgery. A tummy tuck is most suitable for patients at a stable weight who want a flatter, better-shaped abdomen.

Liposuction

A cannula, which is a thin tube, is used in liposuction to remove localized fat. Liposuction is not a weight-loss method, it is a contouring procedure.

Liposuction can treat:

Abdomen
Love handles or flanks
Hip contours
Inner or outer thighs
Upper arms
Back rolls
The chin and neck
Chest area
Inner knee area

Good skin tone matters. Liposuction alone may not be enough when the skin is loose. In those cases, skin removal surgery may be needed.

Mommy Makeover Procedure

A mommy makeover combines procedures to address body changes after pregnancy, breastfeeding, or weight change. Breast and abdominal procedures are often combined in a mommy makeover.

Common mommy makeover procedures include:

Abdominal contouring with tummy tuck
Breast lift surgery
Breast implants or fat transfer augmentation
Breast reduction
Body contouring with liposuction
Fat transfer for volume

The name can be misleading because the procedure is not only for mothers. It may be suitable for anyone with similar body changes. A safe plan depends on the patient’s health, goals, recovery time, and plans for future pregnancy.

Arm Lift (Brachioplasty)

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

An arm lift may address:

Hanging upper arm skin
Skin laxity after weight loss
Aging changes in the arms
Trouble wearing sleeveless tops
Skin rubbing or irritation

The trade-off is a scar along the inner or back part of the arm. The scar may be worthwhile for patients who want better arm shape, but it should be reviewed carefully.

Thigh Lift Procedure

Thigh lift surgery improves thigh contour by removing loose skin. Thigh lift surgery is common after significant weight loss.

Common thigh lift concerns include:

Extra inner thigh skin
Rubbing in the inner thighs
Poor clothing fit around the thighs
Thigh heaviness caused by extra skin
Loose thigh skin after bariatric surgery or weight loss

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.

Lower Body Lift

Body lift surgery is used to remove loose skin around the lower body. A body lift can address the abdomen, hips, outer thighs, buttocks, and lower back.

Body lift surgery may be helpful after:

Large weight loss
Post-bariatric body changes
Pregnancy-related body changes
Aging changes with loose skin

A body lift is a larger procedure and usually has a longer recovery. 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:

The breasts
Buttocks
The hips
Facial volume
Surface irregularities after surgery or injury

Fat grafting uses your own tissue, but not all transferred fat survives. Results can change over time, and more than one session may be needed.

Procedures for Skin, Scars, and Surface Concerns

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

Surgical Scar Revision

Scar revision can improve the appearance or feel of a scar. It may not erase the scar, but it can make it less raised, tight, wide, or noticeable.

Scar revision surgery can help improve:

Post-surgical scars
Scars from injury
Burn scars
Bulky scars
Tight scars
Scars that affect range of motion

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

Skin Lesion Removal Procedures

When careful closure is important, plastic surgeons may remove benign skin lesions, cysts, moles, and lumps. Some lesions require medical assessment to rule out skin cancer.

Removal may be considered for:

Irritation
A lesion that is getting larger
Recurrent bleeding
Appearance concerns
Pathology or diagnosis
Comfort in daily life

If a mole changes or a skin lesion looks suspicious, it should be assessed by a qualified medical professional.

Plastic Surgery After Skin Cancer

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

A skin cancer reconstruction plan may use:

Simple direct closure
Skin grafts
Reconstruction with local flaps
Complex reconstruction

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

Non-Surgical Cosmetic Procedures

Not every patient needs surgery. For some patients, non-surgical treatments help soften early aging signs, facial lines, volume loss, and skin concerns. Non-surgical care often means less recovery time, but the results are usually temporary.

Wrinkle Relaxing Injections

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

Common treatment areas include:

Expression lines between the brows
Horizontal forehead lines
Crow’s feet around the eyes
Nose bunny lines
A dimpled chin appearance
Neck muscle bands in some situations

Results are temporary and usually require repeat treatments. The goal is often a softer, rested look, not a frozen face.

Injectable Dermal Fillers

Dermal fillers restore or add volume. Many dermal fillers are made with hyaluronic acid, a gel-like substance used to shape and support soft tissue.

Fillers may treat:

Lip volume
Midface fullness
Chin contour
The jawline
Hollows beneath the eyes
Smile lines
Lines from the mouth corners toward the chin

Filler results depend on product choice, injection technique, facial anatomy, and treatment goals. A conservative plan matters because overfilling can create an unnatural look.

Chemical Peels for Skin Texture and Tone

Chemical peel treatment uses a controlled solution to refresh the outer skin layers.

Chemical peels may address:

Uneven tone
Tired-looking skin
Fine surface lines
Visible sun damage
Mild marks from acne
Uneven texture

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

Laser and Energy-Based Skin Treatments

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

Common examples include:

Resurfacing laser treatment
IPL, or intense pulsed light
Radiofrequency skin treatments
Skin tightening treatments
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. Careful selection matters for darker skin tones, where unwanted pigment changes may be a risk.

Dermabrasion and Microdermabrasion

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

Common concerns include:

Uneven texture
Light scarring
Dullness
Uneven skin feel
Early fine lines

The best treatment depends on the patient’s skin quality, goals, available downtime, and comfort with risk.

How to Choose 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.

This can happen in situations such as:

Extra eyelid skin, a low brow, or both may cause heavy upper lids.
Loose skin, neck bands, fat, or chin position may cause a soft jawline.
Fat, loose skin, muscle separation, or internal weight may cause abdominal fullness.
A flat breast shape may be treated with a breast lift, breast augmentation, fat grafting, or a combined plan.
Under-eye bags may be caused by fat pads, hollowing, skin laxity, or pigmentation.

A good treatment plan should answer three questions:

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

Patients should consider trade-offs such as 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. Many patients worry about safety, pain, scars, recovery, cost, and whether the outcome will look natural.

“Will the Result Still Look Like Me?”

This is one of the most common concerns. Patients often want a rested look, not a changed identity. Plastic surgery that looks natural should fit the patient’s facial features, body frame, age, and personal style.

Plastic surgery should often improve balance rather than chase perfection.

“How Much Downtime Will I Need?”

Healing time is different for every 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:

Temporary swelling and bruising
Restrictions on exercise or lifting
A break from work
Appointments after surgery
Scar management
Slow return to workouts
Gradual settling before final results are seen

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. A good plan places scars as carefully as possible and supports healing.

Scar appearance may be affected by:

Genetics
Your skin tone
Which procedure is done
Where the incision is placed
How much tension is on the wound
Smoking status
Sun exposure
Post-surgery aftercare

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

“Is Cosmetic Surgery Safe?”

Every surgery has risk. Plastic surgery risks may include bleeding, infection, poor scarring, anesthesia concerns, asymmetry, delayed healing, numbness, fluid buildup, and dissatisfaction.

Surgical safety depends on several factors, including:

General health
Prescription and non-prescription medications
Whether you smoke or use nicotine
The type of procedure
The surgery facility
The type of anesthesia
The surgeon’s skill, training, and experience
Care after the procedure

A good consultation should explain benefits, risks, alternatives, and what is realistic.

Canadian Plastic Surgery Considerations

Across Canada, plastic surgery is overseen through licensing, provincial colleges, hospital systems, surgical facilities, and professional standards. Patients should know the difference between marketing terms and recognized medical training.

Choosing a Plastic Surgeon in Canada

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

Before choosing a surgeon, patients can ask:

Are you certified as a plastic surgeon?
Are you licensed by the provincial medical college?
Do you perform this procedure often?
Where will the procedure take place?
Who provides anesthesia?
What are my personal risks with this procedure?
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 being demanding. It is about making an informed choice.

Canadian Cosmetic Surgery Pricing

The cost of cosmetic surgery in Canada can vary a lot. Procedure complexity, surgeon experience, anesthesia, facility fees, implants or devices, garments, follow-up care, and location can all affect price.

Overhead and demand may increase fees in major Canadian centres such as Vancouver, Toronto, Calgary, Edmonton, Ottawa, and Montreal. Pricing may be different in smaller cities, but the lowest cost should not be the main deciding 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:

Difficulty getting follow-up care
Long travel after surgery
Infection-related complications
Different facility or safety standards
Challenges getting procedure records
Trouble getting complications treated after returning to Canada
Possible language barriers
Unexpected revision costs

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

Plastic Surgery Consultation Preparation

A consultation is your chance to learn what is possible, what is safe, and what is realistic. The process should feel informative, not rushed or pressured.

You can prepare for the visit by doing the following:

Write down the main concerns you want to discuss.
Bring details about prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, and supplements.
Prepare to discuss your medical history.
Do not hide smoking, vaping, cannabis, or nicotine use.
Bring photos if they help show your goals.
Ask questions about recovery, scars, risks, and alternatives.
Ask what result is realistic for your body or face.

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

Is Plastic Surgery Right for You?

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

Good candidate signs include:

Your overall health is good
You have a specific concern
You are near a stable weight for body procedures
You can avoid smoking and nicotine before and after surgery
You know what to expect during recovery
You are comfortable with the risks and limits
You are not doing it because of pressure from another person
You have reasonable expectations

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.

Planning More Than One Plastic Surgery Procedure

Combining procedures can be appropriate in selected cases. Other procedures should be staged. Combined surgery can reduce overall downtime, but it can also increase surgical time and recovery demands.

Common combinations include:

A facelift with a neck lift
Upper facial rejuvenation with eyelid surgery and brow lift
Combining rhinoplasty and chin surgery
Breast lift with breast augmentation
Abdominal contouring with tummy tuck and liposuction
Mommy makeover procedures
Post-weight-loss contouring with body lift and limb contouring
Combining facial rejuvenation and fat grafting

The safest plan depends on your health, procedure length, anesthesia, recovery support, and risk level.

Final Thoughts About Plastic Surgery Procedure Types in Canada

Plastic surgery in Canada includes many cosmetic and reconstructive procedures. Certain procedures are used to improve the face, breasts, or body. Others 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 most popular procedure is not always the best fit. The best plan is based on anatomy, goals, health, and personal comfort.

The strongest treatment plan should focus on safety, natural-looking results, clear expectations, and proper follow-up care. Before choosing eyelid surgery, rhinoplasty, breast augmentation, tummy tuck, liposuction, facelift surgery, or reconstructive plastic surgery, it helps to understand what each option can and cannot do.