Plastic Surgery Procedure Types in Canada

In Canada, plastic surgery covers many procedures that may change, repair, or improve the face and body. A procedure may be cosmetic when the main goal is to enhance appearance. When plastic surgery helps rebuild form or function after injury, cancer, birth differences, burns, or medical conditions, it is called reconstructive surgery.

Plastic surgery searches in Canada often come from many individual goals. For some people, the goal is to look more refreshed. Body changes from pregnancy, weight loss, or aging may lead some people to consider surgery. 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. It also reviews what to consider before booking a consultation.

Understanding Cosmetic vs. Reconstructive Plastic Surgery

Most plastic surgery procedures fall into two broad groups, cosmetic surgery and reconstructive surgery.

Cosmetic Surgery

Cosmetic plastic surgery is focused on appearance. These procedures are usually elective, which means they are planned by choice and are not medically required.

Common goals include:

Improving facial balance
Reducing age-related changes
Improving body shape
Improving volume changes after weight loss or pregnancy
Improving the nose, eyelids, ears, lips, breasts, abdomen, arms, or thighs
Helping patients feel better in clothing
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 in Canada

Reconstructive surgery helps repair or restore form and function. Patients may need reconstructive surgery after cancer surgery, trauma, burns, infections, birth differences, or medical conditions.

Common types of reconstructive surgery include:

Breast reconstruction after mastectomy
Skin cancer reconstruction after a skin tumour is removed
Cleft lip and palate reconstruction
Burn scar reconstruction
Hand repair surgery
Surgical scar revision
Surgical wound repair
Facial injury reconstruction
Repair of congenital differences

In Canada, some medically necessary reconstructive procedures may be covered by provincial health plans. Cosmetic procedures are usually not covered.

Types of Facial Plastic Surgery

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. Good facial plastic surgery should often look natural and balanced.

Facelift Procedure (Rhytidectomy)

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

A facelift may address:

Sagging jowls along the jawline
Skin laxity in the lower face
Prominent smile lines
Lowered cheek tissue
Poor definition between the face and neck

Today, facelift surgery often works on deeper support layers below the skin. This may create a smoother, longer-lasting result without a pulled appearance. Depending on the patient, a facelift may be planned with a neck lift, eyelid surgery, brow lift, or facial fat grafting.

Neck Lift Procedure (Platysmaplasty)

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

A neck lift may address:

Prominent neck bands
Loose neck skin
Soft jawline definition
Fullness below the chin
A hanging neck appearance

Skin and muscle tightening may both be needed in certain patients. 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 (Blepharoplasty)

Blepharoplasty, commonly called eyelid surgery, can improve tired-looking eyes by removing or adjusting extra eyelid skin, fat, or tissue.

Upper eyelid surgery can address:

Heavy upper lids
Extra skin on the upper eyelids
A tired-looking or aged appearance
Skin resting on the eyelashes
Vision concerns in select medical cases

Lower eyelid surgery may help with:

Bags under the eyes
Puffy lower eyelids
Extra lower eyelid skin
Under-eye shadowing
Eyes that still look tired after rest

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

Brow Lift Surgery (Forehead Lift)

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

Brow lift surgery can improve:

A heavy, lowered brow
A heavy upper eyelid look caused by brow position
Forehead wrinkles
Vertical lines between the brows
A heavy expression that seems tired or stern

Although they can affect a similar area, a brow lift is not the same as eyelid surgery. The eyelids and brows are different structures, so eyelid surgery treats extra eyelid skin and a brow lift treats brow position. Many patients need either one procedure or the other, while some benefit from both.

Rhinoplasty for Nose Shape and Breathing

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 bump along the bridge of the nose
A lowered nose tip
A wide nasal tip
A nose that looks crooked
Nasal size or projection
Asymmetry in the nose
Structural breathing concerns

Structural breathing issues may require work on the septum, the wall between the nostrils. That procedure is known as septoplasty. Cosmetic rhinoplasty changes appearance, while functional nasal surgery focuses on airflow.

Otoplasty for Prominent Ears

Otoplasty, commonly called ear surgery, can change the shape, position, or size of the ears. Prominent ears that stick out may be improved with otoplasty.

Patients may consider otoplasty for:

Noticeably prominent ears
Ears that do not match well
Prominent ear cartilage folds
Ears positioned far from the head
Earlobe concerns

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

Lip Lift Surgery

A lip lift reduces the space between the upper lip and the nose. The distance is called the upper lip length. The procedure can make the upper lip look more visible without adding filler.

A lip lift may address:

A long upper lip
Limited upper tooth show when smiling
A less visible upper lip
Lip proportions that feel unbalanced
Age-related changes around the mouth

A surgical lip lift and lip filler are different treatments. Filler is used to add volume. Lip lift surgery adjusts the position and shape of the upper lip.

Chin, Cheek, and Jawline Implants

Facial implant surgery can refine the chin, cheeks, or jawline for better balance. 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:

Surgical chin implants
Cheek augmentation implants
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 Fat Grafting

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

Patients may consider facial fat grafting for:

Hollow cheeks
Under-eye hollowing
Volume changes caused by aging
Loss of soft tissue fullness
Facial volume imbalance

Depending on the goal, fat grafting may be used alone or as part of a facelift, eyelid surgery, or other facial procedure.

Plastic Surgery Procedures for the Breasts

Many patients in Canada consider breast surgery for cosmetic or reconstructive reasons. Breast plastic surgery can address volume, size, position, symmetry, and reconstruction after cancer surgery.

Breast Augmentation Surgery

Breast augmentation surgery uses implants or fat transfer to increase breast size and shape. Breast augmentation may use either saline implants or silicone gel implants. The choice of implant depends on body type, breast tissue, goals, and surgeon guidance.

Breast augmentation may address:

Small natural breast size
Less breast fullness after pregnancy
Less breast fullness after weight change
Breasts that do not match well
Desire for more fullness in clothing

Many people worry about looking too large, obvious, or unnatural after breast augmentation. A natural-looking plan should consider chest width, skin quality, lifestyle, and long-term maintenance.

Breast Lift Procedure

A breast lift, also known as mastopexy, raises and reshapes breasts that have dropped. The main purpose is not to add volume. Instead, the goal is to improve breast position and shape.

A breast lift may address:

Sagging breasts
Nipples that sit low or point down
Areola stretching
Stretched breast skin
Breast shape changes from pregnancy, breastfeeding, or weight loss

Some patients combine a breast lift with implants for more upper breast fullness. Some patients choose a breast lift without implants for a more natural result.

Breast Reduction Surgery

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

Breast reduction may help with:

Neck pain
Heavy shoulder pressure
Back strain
Grooves from bra straps
Irritated skin under the breasts
Limited comfort during physical activity
Difficulty fitting bras or clothes

Some breast reduction procedures in Canada may be considered medically necessary. Provincial rules, symptoms, and medical assessment all affect coverage.

Revision Breast Implant Surgery

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

Common breast implant revision concerns include:

Desire to change implant size
A ruptured implant
Capsular contracture, a firm scar tissue response around an implant
Breast implant movement
Asymmetry between the breasts
Aging changes after breast augmentation
Desire to remove implants

A breast lift may be done when implants are removed. Other patients prefer implant replacement with a new size, shape, or placement.

Breast Reconstruction Procedure

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

Breast reconstruction may involve:

Implant breast reconstruction
Tissue flap reconstruction
Reconstruction of the nipple and areola
Fat grafting
Surgery to refine breast symmetry

This is a deeply personal choice. Many patients want breast reconstruction. Other people prefer to remain flat. Both paths are valid and personal.

Male Chest Reduction Surgery

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

Gynecomastia surgery may help with:

A puffy nipple appearance
Extra tissue under the areola
Extra chest volume
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 procedures can improve 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 (Abdominoplasty)

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

A tummy tuck may help with:

Loose abdominal skin
A hanging lower abdomen
Stretch-marked lower belly skin
Abdominal muscle separation
Changes after pregnancy or weight loss

A tummy tuck is not meant to be a weight-loss procedure. The best candidates are often near a stable weight and want better abdominal contour.

Liposuction

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

Patients may consider liposuction for:

The abdomen
Flanks, also called love handles
Hip contours
Thighs
Upper arm area
Back
The chin and neck
The chest
Inner knee area

Good skin tone matters. Loose skin may limit what liposuction alone can achieve. A skin-tightening or skin removal procedure may be needed in that situation.

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.

Mommy makeover options may include:

Abdominoplasty
Breast lift
A breast augmentation procedure
Breast reduction
Fat reduction with liposuction
Fat grafting

The term can be misleading, since a mommy makeover is not only for mothers. The procedure can apply to anyone with similar body concerns. The right plan depends on health, goals, recovery time, and whether future pregnancy is planned.

Brachioplasty, or Arm Lift Surgery

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

An arm lift may address:

Loose skin along the upper arms
Loose skin after weight loss
Age-related changes in the arms
Feeling uncomfortable in sleeveless tops
Chafing from upper arm skin

The main 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

Loose thigh skin can be removed with a thigh lift. Many patients choose it after major weight loss.

A thigh lift may address:

Sagging skin on the inner thighs
Skin friction between the thighs
Trouble with pants fit
Extra skin that feels heavy
Post-weight-loss or post-bariatric thigh changes

Different thigh lift incision patterns may be used. The right option depends on how much skin needs to be removed and where the looseness is located.

Body Contouring Lift

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

Body lift surgery may be helpful after:

Major weight loss
Bariatric weight-loss surgery
Pregnancy-related skin looseness
Aging changes with loose skin

This is a more involved surgery with a longer recovery. Before a body lift, patients should be healthy overall and close to a stable weight.

Fat Grafting to the Body

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

Common areas for fat grafting include:

The breasts
Buttocks
Hip shape
The face
Contour irregularities after injury or surgery

Fat grafting uses your own tissue, but some transferred fat may not survive. Because transferred fat can change over time, 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 remove the scar completely, but it can make it less raised, tight, wide, or noticeable.

Common scar revision concerns include:

Surgery-related scars
Trauma scars
Scarring after burns
Thick scars
Tight scars
Scars that pull during movement

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

Removal of Moles, Cysts, and Skin Lesions

Benign skin lesions, cysts, moles, and lumps may be cosmetic surgeons removed by plastic surgeons when a precise closure is needed. Some lesions require medical assessment to rule out skin cancer.

Skin lesion removal may be done for:

Ongoing irritation
Growth or change
A lesion that bleeds
Appearance concerns
A need for diagnosis
Relief from discomfort

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

Skin Cancer Repair and Reconstruction

Reconstruction may be needed after skin cancer removal to close the area and restore appearance. Reconstruction is especially common on visible or delicate areas such as the face, nose, eyelids, ears, lips, scalp, and hands.

Reconstruction after skin cancer may include:

Direct closure
Using a skin graft
Reconstruction with local flaps
More advanced reconstruction

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

Injectable and Skin Treatments

Some patients can meet their goals without surgery. For some patients, non-surgical treatments help soften early aging signs, facial lines, volume loss, and skin concerns. Compared with surgery, non-surgical treatments often have less downtime but need maintenance.

Wrinkle Relaxing Injections

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

Common treatment areas include:

Glabellar frown lines
Forehead lines
Crow’s feet
Expression lines on the nose
Chin dimpling
Neck bands in some cases

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

Hyaluronic Acid Fillers

Volume can be restored or added with dermal fillers. They are often made with hyaluronic acid, a gel-like substance that shapes and supports soft tissue.

Patients may consider fillers for:

Lip enhancement
Cheek contour
Chin shape
The jawline
Tear trough hollowing
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 Peel Treatments

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

Chemical peels may address:

Uneven skin tone
Skin dullness
Fine surface lines
Sun damage
Mild acne marks
Uneven texture

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

Laser and Energy Treatments for Skin

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:

Skin laser resurfacing
IPL skin treatment
Radiofrequency treatments
Treatments for mild skin laxity
Laser treatment for unwanted hair
Vascular lasers for visible redness

These treatments should be matched to the patient’s skin type, skin tone, and concern. Careful selection matters for darker skin tones, where unwanted pigment changes may be a risk.

Dermabrasion vs. Microdermabrasion

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

Common concerns include:

Surface texture
Surface-level scars
Tired-looking skin
An uneven skin surface
Early fine lines

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

Finding the Right Plastic Surgery Option

A good plastic surgery plan starts by identifying the concern instead of choosing a procedure name first. Many patients ask for one treatment and later learn that another option better matches their anatomy.

For instance:

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

The best plan usually starts with three questions:

What is the cause of the concern?
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

It is common to have mixed feelings before plastic surgery. It is normal to feel excited and nervous at the same time. It is normal to worry about safety, pain, scars, recovery, cost, and natural-looking results.

“Will Plastic Surgery Change My Face Too Much?”

This is a very common worry. 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.

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

“What Is the Recovery Like?”

Recovery depends on the procedure. Non-surgical treatments may require little or no downtime. A tummy tuck, body lift, or mommy makeover is more involved and needs more planning.

Patients should usually expect:

Bruising and swelling
Restrictions on exercise or lifting
Time away from work
Follow-up visits
Care for scars
Slow return to workouts
Results that take time to settle

The body needs time to heal. For many procedures, results continue to refine over weeks and months.

“Will I Have Scars?”

A scar forms whenever an incision is made. The goal is not scar-free surgery, but careful scar placement and good healing.

The final scar can depend on:

Your genetics
Your skin tone
The kind of surgery performed
The incision location
Tension along the incision
Smoking and vaping status
Sun exposure
Aftercare

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

“Is Plastic Surgery Safe?”

All surgical procedures carry some risk. Complications can include bleeding, infection, poor scarring, anesthesia problems, asymmetry, delayed healing, numbness, fluid buildup, or disappointment with the result.

Safety depends on many factors, including:

General health
Your current medications
Smoking or nicotine use
Which surgery is performed
The surgical facility
The anesthesia plan
The training and experience of the surgeon
Follow-up after surgery

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

Plastic Surgery in Canada, What Patients Should Know

In Canada, plastic surgery is regulated through medical licensing, provincial colleges, hospitals, surgical facilities, and professional standards. Understanding medical credentials is important because marketing terms can be confusing.

Plastic Surgeon Credentials in Canada

When researching plastic surgery in Canada, patients should look for proper training and credentials. Plastic surgeons should be trained in medicine, surgery, and the specialty of plastic surgery.

Important consultation questions include:

What plastic surgery certification do you hold?
Are you licensed to perform surgery in this province?
Do you perform this procedure often?
Where would my surgery be done?
Who is responsible for anesthesia care?
What complications should I understand for my situation?
Who do I contact if I have a complication?
What follow-up care is included?
Do you have examples of patients with similar concerns?

These questions are not meant to be difficult. It is about being informed.

Canadian Cosmetic Surgery Pricing

Plastic surgery pricing in Canada varies widely. Many factors affect pricing, including procedure complexity, surgeon experience, anesthesia, facility fees, implants or devices, garments, follow-up care, and location.

In major Canadian cities such as Vancouver, Toronto, Calgary, Edmonton, Ottawa, and Montreal, fees may be higher 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.

Surgery Abroad vs. Plastic Surgery in Canada

Some patients in Canada consider medical tourism to save money on surgery. Lower cost may be appealing, but surgery abroad can come with extra risks.

Possible concerns with surgery abroad include:

Difficulty getting follow-up care
Travelling before healing is complete
Infection-related complications
Different facility or safety standards
Harder access to records
Difficulty managing complications back in Canada
Language or translation issues
Additional costs if revision surgery is needed

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

What to Bring to a Plastic Surgery Consultation

Your consultation is the time to understand what can be done safely and realistically. The process should feel informative, not rushed or pressured.

Before the visit, preparation can help:

List your main concerns before the visit.
Take a list of all medications and supplements you use.
Prepare to discuss your medical history.
Be honest about smoking, vaping, cannabis, and nicotine use.
If photos make your goals clearer, bring them to the consultation.
Ask about recovery, scars, risks, and alternatives.
Ask what result is realistic for your own body or face.

A good consultation should clearly discuss your options. A responsible plan may involve waiting, starting with a smaller treatment, improving health, or deciding against surgery.

Plastic Surgery Candidate Guidelines

Plastic surgery candidates should usually be healthy, informed, and realistic. They understand that surgery can improve appearance, but it cannot create perfection or solve every life concern.

Plastic surgery may be appropriate if:

Your overall health is good
You have a specific concern
You are near a stable weight for body procedures
You can follow smoking and nicotine restrictions
You understand what recovery involves
You accept the risks and trade-offs
You are choosing the procedure for yourself
You have realistic goals

It may be better to delay surgery if pregnancy, major weight loss plans, nicotine use, unstable health, or outside pressure are present.

Procedure Combinations in Plastic Surgery

Some procedures can be combined safely. Others should be staged. Combined surgery can reduce overall downtime, but it can also increase surgical time and recovery demands.

Common combined surgery plans include:

A facelift with a neck lift
Combining eyelid surgery and brow lift
Combining rhinoplasty and chin surgery
Breast lift with breast augmentation
Combining tummy tuck and liposuction
Mommy makeover procedures
Body lift with thigh lift or arm lift
Facial surgery with fat grafting

The right approach depends on the patient’s health, how long the procedure takes, anesthesia, recovery support, and overall risk.

Final Thoughts on Types of Plastic Surgery Procedures in Canada

Plastic surgery in Canada includes a wide range of cosmetic and reconstructive procedures. Some improve the face, breasts, or body. Others repair tissue after cancer, injury, burns, or medical conditions. Non-surgical cosmetic options can help soften wrinkles, restore volume, improve texture, and address early aging changes.

The right procedure is not always the most popular option. The right option should match 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 the procedure is eyelid surgery, rhinoplasty, breast augmentation, tummy tuck, liposuction, facelift surgery, or reconstructive plastic surgery, the first step is understanding what each option can and cannot do.