Types of Plastic Surgery Procedures in Canada

Many plastic surgery procedures are designed to improve, repair, or refine the face and body. Some procedures are known as cosmetic, meaning they are chosen to refine how a person looks. Others are reconstructive, which means they help repair form or function after injury, cancer, birth differences, burns, or medical conditions.

People across Canada consider plastic surgery for many different concerns. Some patients want a more rested appearance. Some patients hope to restore their body after changes from pregnancy, weight loss, or aging. Some people seek care after trauma, skin cancer, breast cancer, or a congenital concern. Choosing the right procedure depends on anatomy, goals, health, lifestyle, and recovery needs.

This guide covers the main types of plastic surgery procedures in Canada, including 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 Compared With Reconstructive Plastic Surgery

Plastic surgery is often divided into two main categories, cosmetic surgery and reconstructive surgery.

Cosmetic Plastic Surgery

The main focus of cosmetic plastic surgery is appearance. Elective cosmetic procedures are chosen by the patient and are not usually required for health reasons.

Common goals include:

Supporting better facial harmony
Softening signs of aging
Improving body shape
Restoring lost volume after pregnancy or weight loss
Refining the nose, eyelids, ears, lips, breasts, abdomen, arms, or thighs
Helping patients feel better in clothing
Improving confidence in a natural-looking way

In Canada, most cosmetic procedures are paid for privately. Pricing may change based on procedure complexity, surgeon experience, facility costs, anesthesia, follow-up care, and location.

What Is Reconstructive Plastic Surgery?

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 examples include:

Breast reconstruction after a mastectomy
Skin cancer reconstruction following tumour removal
Cleft lip and palate reconstruction
Burn reconstruction
Reconstructive hand surgery
Scar treatment and revision
Wound reconstruction
Facial trauma reconstruction
Repair of congenital differences

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

Facial Plastic Surgery Procedures

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

Facelift Procedure (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.

A facelift may address:

Jowls near the jawline
Loose lower facial skin
Deep smile lines
Sagging cheek tissue
Poor definition between the face and neck

Modern facelift surgery often focuses on deeper support layers under the skin. By supporting deeper tissues, the result may look smoother, more natural, and longer-lasting. A facelift may be 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. The medical term for tightening the neck muscle is platysmaplasty.

Patients may consider a neck lift for:

Visible neck bands
Sagging neck skin
A jawline that looks less defined
A heavy area under the chin
A hanging neck appearance

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. The face and neck often change at the same time, so facelift and neck lift surgery may be combined.

Eyelid Surgery, Also Called Blepharoplasty

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

Common upper eyelid concerns include:

Heaviness in the upper eyelids
Extra skin on the upper eyelids
A more tired or older eye appearance
Skin resting on the eyelashes
Vision concerns in some medical cases

Common lower eyelid concerns include:

Visible under-eye bags
Lower eyelid puffiness
Extra lower eyelid skin
Dark-looking shadows under the eyes
Tired-looking eyes that do not improve with rest

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

Brow Lift Surgery for a Heavy Brow

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

A brow lift may address:

Drooping eyebrows
Heavy upper eyelids caused by brow descent
Forehead lines
Lines between the brows
A heavy expression that seems tired or stern

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

Cosmetic and Functional Rhinoplasty

Rhinoplasty is nose surgery that can change nasal shape, size, or structure. It may be cosmetic, functional, or both.

Nose surgery can address concerns such as:

A bump on the bridge
A downward-pointing nasal tip
A wide or boxy tip
A nose that is not straight
Overall nose size or projection
Asymmetry in the nose
Breathing issues related to 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.

Ear Surgery (Otoplasty)

Ear surgery, also called otoplasty, changes the shape, position, or size of the ears. Prominent ears that stick out may be improved with otoplasty.

Common otoplasty concerns include:

Ears that stick out
Asymmetry between the ears
Ear folds that look large
Ears with too much projection
Earlobe concerns

Ear surgery can be considered for adults as well as children. In children, timing depends on ear development, maturity, and family goals.

Surgical Lip Lift

A lip lift shortens the space between the upper lip and the nose. This space is called the upper lip length. This surgery may reveal more of the upper lip without using filler.

Lip lift surgery can help improve:

A longer upper lip
Upper teeth that show less when smiling
A less visible upper lip
Lip imbalance
Changes around the mouth from aging

A surgical lip lift and lip filler are different treatments. Lip filler adds volume. The purpose of a lip lift is to change the upper lip position and shape rather than just add volume.

Chin, Cheek, and Jawline Implants

Facial implant surgery can refine the chin, cheeks, or jawline for better balance. When the chin appears small in relation to the nose or other features, chin surgery may help.

Types of facial implant surgery may include:

Surgical chin implants
Cheek augmentation implants
Surgical jawline implants

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

Facial 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.

Common facial fat grafting concerns include:

Cheek hollowing
Tear trough hollowing
Age-related facial volume loss
Soft tissue thinning
Facial volume imbalance

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

Plastic Surgery Procedures for the Breasts

Cosmetic and reconstructive breast surgery are common parts of plastic surgery in Canada. Some patients want more volume, less size, a breast lift, better symmetry, or breast restoration after cancer surgery.

Breast Augmentation

Breast augmentation increases breast size and shape using implants or fat transfer. Saline and silicone gel are common breast implant options. Choosing an implant depends on the patient’s body type, breast tissue, goals, and guidance from the surgeon.

Patients may consider breast augmentation for:

A naturally small breast shape
Pregnancy-related breast volume loss
Breast volume loss after weight change
Breasts that do not match well
Desire for more fullness in clothing

Patients often worry that breast augmentation may look too large or unnatural. A careful plan should consider chest width, skin quality, lifestyle, and long-term maintenance.

Breast Lift for Sagging Breasts

A breast lift or mastopexy improves breast position and shape when the breasts have dropped. A breast lift does not mainly increase breast volume. The procedure focuses on improving breast position and shape.

Patients may consider a breast lift for:

Sagging breasts
Nipples that sit low or point down
Enlarged or stretched areolas
Loose skin on the breasts
Breast shape changes from pregnancy, breastfeeding, or weight loss

Some patients choose a breast lift with implants for more upper breast fullness. For a natural result without added implant volume, some patients choose a breast lift alone.

Breast Reduction for Comfort and Shape

Breast reduction surgery makes the breasts smaller and lighter by removing extra breast tissue, fat, and skin.

Breast reduction may help with:

Neck pain
Shoulder discomfort
Back strain
Bra strap marks
Under-breast skin irritation
Trouble exercising
Trouble finding clothing that fits

In certain Canadian cases, breast reduction may qualify as medically necessary. Health plan coverage is based on provincial rules, patient symptoms, and medical assessment.

Breast Implant Revision Surgery

Breast implant revision surgery is used to change, adjust, or replace current breast implants. Patients may need it for cosmetic goals or medical concerns.

Patients may consider revision for:

Desire to change implant size
An implant that has ruptured
Capsular contracture, a firm scar tissue response around an implant
An implant that has moved out of position
Breast size or shape imbalance
Breast changes over time after augmentation
Desire to remove implants

Some patients choose to remove implants and have a lift. Other patients choose new implants with a different size, shape, or placement.

Breast Reconstruction Surgery

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

Types of breast reconstruction may include:

Implant-based reconstruction
Reconstruction using tissue flaps
Nipple and areola reconstruction
Fat transfer as part of reconstruction
Revision surgery for symmetry

Choosing reconstruction is deeply personal. Some patients choose reconstruction. Some patients decide not to rebuild the breast and remain flat. Both decisions deserve respect.

Male Chest Reduction Surgery

Gynecomastia surgery is used to reduce enlarged male breast tissue. Treatment may involve liposuction, gland tissue removal, or both.

Patients may consider gynecomastia surgery for:

A puffy nipple appearance
Gland tissue under the areola
Extra chest volume
A chest that looks uneven
Feeling self-conscious 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.

Body Contouring Plastic Surgery Procedures

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 Procedure

A tummy tuck, also known as abdominoplasty, removes extra abdominal skin and tightens the abdominal wall. The procedure may also repair diastasis recti, which means separated abdominal muscles.

Tummy tuck surgery can help improve:

Sagging abdominal skin
A hanging lower abdomen
Stretch-marked skin under the belly button
A weakened or separated abdominal wall
Body changes from pregnancy or weight loss

A tummy tuck is not a weight-loss procedure. Patients usually do best when they are close to a stable weight and want to improve abdominal shape.

Liposuction for Body Contouring

Localized fat can be removed with liposuction using a thin tube called a cannula. It is used for body contouring rather than general weight loss.

Liposuction may be used on areas such as:

Belly area
Flank areas
Hip area
Inner or outer thighs
Upper arm contours
Back fullness
The chin and neck
Chest
The knees

Good skin tone matters. If the skin is loose, liposuction by itself may not be enough. In that case, skin removal surgery may be needed.

Mommy Makeover Surgery

A mommy makeover combines procedures to address body changes after pregnancy, breastfeeding, or weight change. It often combines breast and abdominal procedures.

Mommy makeover options may include:

Abdominoplasty
Mastopexy
Surgical breast enhancement
Surgical breast size reduction
Body contouring with liposuction
Body fat grafting

The name can be misleading because the procedure is not only for mothers. The procedure can apply to anyone with similar body concerns. The best plan depends on health, goals, recovery time, and whether future pregnancy is planned.

Brachioplasty, or Arm Lift Surgery

Brachioplasty, commonly called an arm lift, removes extra skin from the upper arms.

Patients may consider an arm lift for:

Loose skin along the upper arms
Loose upper arm skin after weight loss
Aging-related arm laxity
Trouble feeling comfortable in sleeveless shirts
Skin friction in the upper arms

The trade-off is a scar along the inner or back part of the arm. Because the scar is permanent, patients should carefully discuss whether the improved shape is worth it.

Thigh Lift Surgery

A thigh lift removes loose skin from the thighs. It is often chosen after major weight loss.

A thigh lift may address:

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

Thigh lift surgery can be done with different patterns. A surgeon chooses the pattern based on how much loose skin is present and where it is located.

Body Lift After Weight Loss

A body lift removes extra 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:

A major weight change
Surgery for weight loss
Body changes related to pregnancy
Aging changes with loose skin

This is a more involved surgery with a longer recovery. A stable weight and good overall health are important before body lift surgery.

Fat Grafting to the Body

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

Patients may consider fat grafting for:

Breasts
Buttocks
Hip contour
Face
Uneven contours after surgery or injury

Fat grafting uses your own tissue, but not all transferred fat survives. The result can shift over time, and some patients may need more than one session.

Plastic Surgery for Skin and Scars

Plastic surgery also includes procedures that improve the skin surface, scars, and soft tissue.

Surgical Scar Revision

Scar revision can improve the appearance or feel of a scar. Scar revision may not erase a scar, but it can improve scars that are raised, tight, wide, or noticeable.

Patients may consider scar revision for:

Surgical scars
Trauma scars
Burn scars
Raised or thick scars
Restrictive scars
Scars that limit movement

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

Skin Lesion, Mole, and Cyst Removal

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

Patients may seek removal for:

Irritated skin
A growing lesion
Bleeding or crusting
Appearance concerns
Medical diagnosis
Comfort in daily life

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

Skin Cancer Reconstruction

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

Common skin cancer reconstruction methods include:

Simple direct closure
Skin graft reconstruction
A local flap
More complex reconstruction

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

Non-Surgical Cosmetic Treatments

Not all cosmetic concerns require surgery. Early signs of aging, facial lines, volume loss, and skin quality concerns may be improved with non-surgical cosmetic treatments. These treatments usually have less downtime, but results are more temporary.

BOTOX and Neuromodulators

BOTOX and similar neuromodulators are used to relax targeted facial muscles. Neuromodulators are commonly chosen for lines caused by facial movement.

Common neuromodulator treatment areas include:

Glabellar frown lines
Forehead expression lines
Crow’s feet around the eyes
Expression lines on the nose
A dimpled chin appearance
Neck bands in some cases

Because results are temporary, repeat treatments are usually needed. Most patients want a softer, rested look rather than a frozen face.

Facial Fillers

Dermal fillers can restore or add volume. They are often made with hyaluronic acid, a gel-like substance that shapes and supports soft tissue.

Dermal fillers may treat:

Lip enhancement
Midface fullness
Chin projection
Lower-face contour
Tear trough hollowing
Smile lines
Mouth-corner lines

The result from filler depends on the product, injection technique, facial anatomy, and treatment goals. Overfilling may look unnatural, so conservative planning is important.

Medical Chemical Peels

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

Chemical peels may help with:

Uneven colour
Tired-looking skin
Fine surface lines
Sun damage
Mild marks from acne
Skin texture concerns

The strength of a peel may be light, medium, or deeper depending on the goal. Healing time varies based on the peel depth and type.

Laser and Energy-Based Skin Treatments

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 skin treatment
Radiofrequency-based treatments
Skin tightening procedures
Laser hair reduction
Vascular lasers for visible redness

A safe plan should match the treatment to skin type, skin tone, and the specific concern. Careful selection matters for darker skin tones, where unwanted pigment changes may be a risk.

Skin Resurfacing With 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
Mild scars
Tired-looking skin
Uneven surface
Fine lines

Skin quality, goals, downtime, and risk tolerance help determine the right choice.

How to Choose the Right Plastic Surgery Procedure

The best place to start is the concern itself, not the name of a procedure. It is common for patients to ask about one procedure and discover that another option may better suit their anatomy.

For example:

Heavy upper lids can be caused by extra eyelid skin, a low brow, or both.
Loose skin, neck bands, fat, or chin position may cause a soft jawline.
Abdominal fullness may come from fat, loose skin, separated muscles, or internal weight.
A flat breast shape may be treated with a breast lift, breast augmentation, fat grafting, or a combined plan.
Under-eye concerns may come from fat pads, hollows, loose skin, or pigmentation.

The best plan usually starts with three questions:

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

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

What Patients Often Worry About Before Surgery

Before plastic surgery, many patients feel both excited and nervous. Excitement is common, but nervousness is common too. Concerns about safety, pain, scars, recovery, cost, and natural results are very common.

“Will Plastic Surgery Change My Face Too Much?”

Many patients ask this question. 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.

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

“When Can I Return to Normal Activities?”

The recovery period depends on which procedure is done. Little or no downtime may be needed after many non-surgical treatments. Larger surgeries, such as tummy tuck, body lift, or mommy makeover, require more planning.

Plastic surgery recovery often involves:

Temporary swelling and bruising
Restrictions on exercise or lifting
Time away from work
Post-operative follow-up visits
Scar healing support
A gradual return to exercise
Gradual settling before final results are seen

Recovery does not happen instantly. Many procedures look better over weeks and months.

“Will I Have Scars?”

A scar forms whenever an incision is made. Surgeons aim to place scars carefully and support good healing.

Scar healing depends on:

Genetics
Skin colour and tone
The type of procedure
Where the incision is placed
Tension on the wound
Smoking status
Sun exposure
Scar aftercare

A scar often becomes less noticeable over time, but it will not vanish completely.

“What Are the Risks of Plastic Surgery?”

No surgery is completely risk-free. Complications can include bleeding, infection, poor scarring, anesthesia problems, asymmetry, delayed healing, numbness, fluid buildup, or disappointment with the result.

A safe procedure depends on factors such as:

Your health
Your medications
Use of tobacco or nicotine
The procedure being done
The facility where surgery is done
The anesthesia plan
The training and experience of the surgeon
Your aftercare and follow-up

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

Canadian Plastic Surgery Considerations

Canadian plastic surgery is regulated through medical licensing, provincial colleges, hospital systems, surgical facilities, and professional standards. Patients should understand the difference between marketing terms and recognized medical training.

Plastic Surgeon Credentials in Canada

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

Patients should ask:

Are you formally certified in the specialty of plastic surgery?
Do you hold a medical licence in this province?
How often do you perform this procedure?
Which surgical facility will be used?
Who provides anesthesia?
What risks apply to my specific case?
Who do I contact if I have a complication?
What follow-up care is included?
May I see before-and-after examples for similar procedures?

Asking questions is not being difficult. It is about being informed.

Cost of Cosmetic Surgery in Canada

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

Fees may be higher in major Canadian cities such as Vancouver, Toronto, Calgary, Edmonton, Ottawa, and Montreal due to overhead and demand. Smaller cities may have different fees, but cost should not be the only factor.

A very low price may be a warning sign if safety, training, facility standards, or aftercare are being reduced.

Surgery Abroad vs. Plastic Surgery in Canada

Some Canadians consider travelling outside the country for lower-cost surgery. This may seem appealing, but there are extra risks to think about.

Concerns with medical tourism may include:

Reduced follow-up access
Flying or travelling soon after surgery
Risk of infection
Different health care standards
Difficulty accessing medical records
Challenges managing post-surgery problems in Canada
Language or translation issues
Cost of revision surgery

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

Getting Ready for a Plastic Surgery Consultation

A plastic surgery consultation helps clarify what is possible, safe, and realistic for your case. It should not feel rushed or high-pressure.

Before a consultation, consider preparing in these ways:

List your main concerns before the visit.
Bring details about prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, and supplements.
Tell the surgeon about your medical history.
Tell the truth about smoking, vaping, cannabis, and nicotine use.
Bring photos if they help show your goals.
Make sure you ask about recovery time, scars, risks, and alternatives.
Ask what result is realistic for your body or face.

A helpful consultation should explain your options clearly. Sometimes the best advice is to wait, choose a smaller treatment, improve health first, or avoid surgery.

Good Candidates for Plastic Surgery

A good candidate is usually someone who is healthy, informed, and realistic. Realistic patients understand that surgery can help appearance, but it cannot make plastic surgery procedures life perfect or solve every issue.

Plastic surgery may be appropriate if:

Your overall health is good
Your goals are based on a clear concern
Your weight is stable for body surgery
You do not smoke, or you can stop before and after surgery
You understand the recovery process
You accept the risks, scars, and trade-offs
You are not doing it because of pressure from another person
You have realistic goals

Surgery may need to wait if you are pregnant, planning major weight loss, using nicotine, managing an unstable medical condition, or feeling pressured by another person.

Can Plastic Surgery Procedures Be Combined?

Certain procedures can be safely combined. Other surgeries may need to be done in stages. A combined plan may save recovery time, but it also needs careful planning because surgery time and healing demands may increase.

Plastic surgery procedures that are often combined include:

A facelift with a neck lift
Combining eyelid surgery and brow lift
Profile balancing with rhinoplasty and chin surgery
Breast lift with breast augmentation
Abdominal contouring with tummy tuck and liposuction
Breast and body procedures in a mommy makeover
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 on Types of Plastic Surgery Procedures in Canada

Across Canada, plastic surgery includes many procedures for cosmetic and reconstructive needs. Many cosmetic procedures focus on the face, breasts, or body. Some procedures restore tissue after cancer, injury, burns, or medical conditions. Non-surgical treatments may also help with wrinkles, volume loss, skin texture, and early aging changes.

The best procedure is not always the most popular one. The best choice is the one that fits your anatomy, goals, health, and comfort level.

A responsible approach should be built around safety, natural-looking results, clear expectations, and proper follow-up care. 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.