In Canada, plastic surgery covers many surgical options that may change, restore, or support the face and body. Some procedures are known as cosmetic, meaning they are chosen to improve how a person looks. When plastic surgery helps restore form or function after injury, cancer, birth differences, burns, or medical conditions, it is called reconstructive surgery.
People across Canada consider plastic surgery for many personal goals. Some want to look more rested. Some want to restore their body after pregnancy, weight loss, or aging. For some patients, the need is related to trauma, skin cancer, breast cancer, or a congenital concern. A safe plan should be based on your anatomy, goals, health, lifestyle, and recovery time.
This page explains the main types of plastic surgery procedures in Canada, with sections on facial surgery, breast surgery, body contouring, reconstructive surgery, and non-surgical cosmetic treatments. It also explains what to think about before booking a consultation.
The Difference Between Cosmetic and Reconstructive Plastic Surgery
The two main types of plastic surgery are usually cosmetic surgery and reconstructive surgery.
Cosmetic Surgery
Cosmetic plastic surgery deals with appearance-related goals. Elective cosmetic procedures are chosen by the patient and are not usually required for health reasons.
Patients often choose cosmetic surgery to help with:
- Improving facial balance
- Reducing signs of aging
- Improving body contours
- Restoring volume after weight loss or pregnancy
- Changing the shape of the nose, eyelids, ears, lips, breasts, abdomen, arms, or thighs
- Helping patients feel better in clothing
- Creating natural-looking changes that may support confidence
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 Surgery
Reconstructive plastic surgery focuses on restoring normal form and function. It may be needed after cancer surgery, trauma, burns, infections, birth differences, or medical conditions.
Common types of reconstructive surgery include:
- Breast reconstruction after removal of breast tissue
- Skin cancer reconstruction after tumour removal
- Cleft lip and palate surgery
- Reconstruction after burns
- Surgery for hand function or repair
- Scar repair or revision
- Surgical wound repair
- Repair after facial trauma
- Congenital reconstruction
Some reconstructive plastic surgery may qualify for provincial coverage if it is considered medically necessary. Changes done only for cosmetic reasons are usually not covered.
Common Facial Plastic Surgery Options
Plastic surgery for the face can help improve balance, reduce visible aging, and create a more refreshed appearance. The goal is usually not to look “different.” The best results often look natural and balanced.
Facelift Surgery, Also Called Rhytidectomy
A facelift, also known as rhytidectomy, improves sagging in the lower face and jawline. This procedure may soften jowls, tighten loose facial skin, and improve deeper folds around the mouth.
Facelift surgery can address concerns such as:
- Jowls near the jawline
- Sagging skin in the lower face
- Deep smile lines
- Cheek tissue that has dropped
- Loss of definition between the face and neck
Many modern facelift techniques focus on deeper support layers under the skin. This may create a smoother, longer-lasting result without a pulled appearance. 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. Platysmaplasty is the medical term for tightening the neck muscle.
Neck lift surgery can help improve:
- Neck bands
- Extra neck skin
- A soft or undefined jawline
- Submental fullness
- A loose “turkey neck” appearance
Some patients need skin and muscle tightening. Some patients may only need liposuction under the chin. A facelift and neck lift are often planned together because the face and neck commonly age as a unit.
Eyelid Surgery, Also Called Blepharoplasty
Blepharoplasty, commonly called eyelid surgery, can improve tired-looking eyes by removing or adjusting extra eyelid skin, fat, or tissue.
Upper eyelid surgery may help with:
- Upper lids that feel heavy
- Extra skin on the upper eyelids
- Eyes that look tired or aged
- Upper eyelid skin that touches the lashes
- Functional vision concerns in some patients
Common lower eyelid concerns include:
- Visible under-eye bags
- Under-eye swelling or fullness
- Extra lower eyelid skin
- Shadowing under the eyes
- A fatigued look that remains after sleep
Eyelid surgery is one of the most common facial procedures because small eye-area changes can make the face look more rested.
Brow Lift, Also Called Forehead Lift
A brow lift, also known as a forehead lift, raises a low or heavy brow. It may improve the upper eye area and reduce forehead heaviness.
Brow lift surgery can improve:
- Drooping eyebrows
- Brow-related upper eyelid heaviness
- Horizontal forehead lines
- 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. Depending on anatomy, a patient may need one procedure, the other, or both.
Nose Surgery (Rhinoplasty)
A nose job, medically known as rhinoplasty, changes the shape, size, or structure of the nose. Rhinoplasty may focus on appearance, breathing, or both.
Nose surgery can address concerns such as:
- A bump on the bridge
- A nasal tip that droops
- A boxy nasal tip
- A nose that looks crooked
- The size or projection of the nose
- Nose asymmetry
- Airflow issues caused by nasal structure
If breathing is part of the problem, the septum, which is the wall between the nostrils, may need treatment. The medical term for septum surgery is septoplasty. Cosmetic rhinoplasty changes appearance, while functional nasal surgery focuses on airflow.
Otoplasty, Also Called Ear Surgery
Otoplasty, commonly called ear surgery, can change the shape, position, or size of the ears. It is often used to correct ears that stick out.
Patients may consider otoplasty for:
- Prominent ears
- Ear asymmetry
- Prominent ear cartilage folds
- Ears that sit far from the head
- Stretched or uneven earlobes
Ear surgery can be considered for adults as well as children. For children, timing depends on ear growth, maturity, and family goals.
Upper Lip Lift Surgery
A lip lift shortens the space between the upper lip and the nose. The distance is called the upper lip length. This surgery may reveal more of the upper lip without using filler.
A lip lift may help with:
- A long upper lip
- Less upper tooth visibility with a smile
- An upper lip that looks thin
- Lip proportions that feel unbalanced
- Aging in the lip and mouth area
Lip lift surgery differs from lip filler. Lip filler adds volume. A lip lift improves the upper lip by changing its position and visible shape.
Chin, Jawline, and Facial Implant Surgery
Balance in the chin, cheeks, or jawline may be improved with facial implants. When the chin appears small in relation to the nose or other features, chin surgery may help.
Facial implant options may include:
- Chin implants
- Cheek implants
- Jawline augmentation implants
For profile balance, chin surgery and rhinoplasty may be combined in select cases.
Facial 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.
Patients may consider facial fat grafting for:
- Sunken-looking cheeks
- Tear trough hollowing
- Facial volume loss from aging
- Soft tissue volume loss
- Facial volume imbalance
Fat grafting can be used alone or with facelift surgery, eyelid surgery, or other facial procedures.
Breast Cosmetic and Reconstructive Surgery
Breast surgery is among the most common areas of cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery in Canada. Patients may want to increase volume, reduce size, lift the breasts, improve symmetry, or restore the breast after cancer surgery.
Breast Augmentation
Implants or fat transfer may be used in breast augmentation to increase breast size and improve shape. Implants used for breast augmentation may be saline or silicone gel. Implant choice depends on body type, breast tissue, goals, and surgeon guidance.
Common breast augmentation goals include:
- Small natural breast size
- Lost breast volume following pregnancy
- Volume loss after weight change
- Asymmetry between the breasts
- Improved breast shape in fitted clothing
Patients often worry about looking too large or unnatural. A careful plan should consider chest width, skin quality, lifestyle, and long-term maintenance.
Breast Lift (Mastopexy)
Mastopexy, commonly called a breast lift, raises and reshapes breasts that sit lower than desired. The main purpose is not to add volume. A breast lift is designed to improve where the breasts sit and how they are shaped.
Patients may consider a breast lift for:
- Dropped breasts
- Downward-pointing nipples
- Areola stretching
- Loose breast skin
- Changes after pregnancy, breastfeeding, or weight loss
Some patients choose a breast lift with implants for more upper breast fullness. Others prefer a lift without implants for a natural result.
Breast Reduction for Comfort and Shape
To reduce breast size and weight, breast reduction removes extra tissue, fat, and skin.
Breast reduction may address:
- Neck discomfort
- Shoulder pain
- Back discomfort
- Shoulder grooves from bra straps
- Rashes under the breasts
- Limited comfort during physical activity
- Trouble finding clothing that fits
Breast reduction may be viewed as medically necessary in Canada in certain cases. Coverage depends on provincial rules, symptoms, and medical assessment.
Breast Implant Revision Procedure
Existing breast implants may be adjusted or replaced with breast implant revision. This surgery may address cosmetic concerns, medical concerns, or both.
Common reasons for plastic surgery procedures breast implant revision include:
- Changing breast implant size
- A ruptured implant
- Capsular contracture, which is firm scar tissue around an implant
- Implant position changes
- Breasts that look uneven
- Age-related changes after breast augmentation
- No longer wanting breast implants
Implant removal may be combined with a breast lift. Other patients choose new implants with a different size, shape, or placement.
Breast Reconstruction Procedure
The breast may be rebuilt after mastectomy or lumpectomy with breast reconstruction. Implants, natural tissue, or a mix of both may be used for breast reconstruction.
Breast reconstruction may use:
- Implant-supported breast reconstruction
- Tissue flap reconstruction
- Nipple-areola reconstruction
- Fat transfer to the breast
- Revision surgery for symmetry
This is a deeply personal choice. Some patients choose reconstruction. Others choose to remain flat. Both choices are valid.
Male Breast Reduction (Gynecomastia Surgery)
Gynecomastia surgery treats enlarged breast tissue in men. Liposuction, gland removal, or a combination may be used.
Male breast reduction can help improve:
- Puffy nipples
- Fullness under the areola
- A fuller male chest
- Uneven shape across the male chest
- Discomfort being shirtless, exercising, or wearing fitted shirts
The best technique depends on whether the fullness is caused by fat, gland tissue, loose skin, or a mix of these.
Body Contouring Plastic Surgery Procedures
Body contouring surgery improves body shape by removing extra skin, reducing stubborn fat, or tightening tissue. It is often considered after pregnancy, aging, or major weight loss.
Tummy Tuck Surgery, Also Called Abdominoplasty
A tummy tuck, also called abdominoplasty, removes extra abdominal skin and tightens the abdominal wall. Separated abdominal muscles, called diastasis recti, can also be repaired during the procedure.
Patients may consider a tummy tuck for:
- Extra abdominal skin
- A lower stomach apron
- Lower abdominal skin with stretch marks
- Abdominal muscle separation
- Body changes from pregnancy or weight loss
A tummy tuck is not meant to be 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
Liposuction removes localized fat with a thin tube called a cannula. It is used for body contouring, not general weight loss.
Common liposuction areas include:
- Abdominal area
- Flanks, often called love handles
- Hips
- Thighs
- Upper arm contours
- Back rolls
- Under the chin and neck
- The chest
- Inner knee area
Good skin tone is important. If the skin is loose, liposuction by itself may not be enough. Skin removal surgery may be needed if loose skin is the main concern.
Post-Pregnancy Body Contouring
A mommy makeover is a custom plan that treats body changes after pregnancy, breastfeeding, or weight change. It often includes both breast and abdominal procedures.
A mommy makeover may include:
- A tummy tuck procedure
- Mastopexy
- Breast augmentation surgery
- Surgical breast size reduction
- Surgical fat removal
- Fat transfer for volume
Although the name suggests otherwise, the procedure is not only for mothers. Anyone with similar changes may consider this type of plan. The right plan depends on health, goals, recovery time, and whether future pregnancy is planned.
Upper Arm Lift Procedure
Loose upper arm skin can be removed with an arm lift, also called brachioplasty.
Common arm lift concerns include:
- Loose skin along the upper arms
- Extra skin after major weight loss
- Arm skin changes over time
- Difficulty wearing sleeveless tops
- Irritation from loose arm skin
The main trade-off is a scar along the inner or back part of the arm. For many patients, the improved shape is worth the scar, but this should be discussed carefully.
Thigh Lift Surgery
A thigh lift is used to remove loose skin and improve thigh shape. Major weight loss is a common reason for thigh lift surgery.
A thigh lift may help with:
- Inner thigh skin laxity
- Skin rubbing
- Poor fit in pants
- Heaviness in the thighs from loose skin
- Loose thigh skin after bariatric surgery or weight loss
There are several thigh lift patterns. How much skin needs removal and where the looseness sits will guide the best option.
Lower Body Lift
A body lift removes loose skin around the lower body. Body lift surgery can reshape the abdomen, hips, outer thighs, buttocks, and lower back.
A body lift may be considered after:
- A major weight change
- Bariatric surgery
- Pregnancy-related body changes
- 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 Transfer to the Body
Fat grafting transfers fat from one area of the body to another. Fat grafting can add natural volume or refine body contour.
Common areas for fat grafting include:
- Breast contour
- Buttocks
- Hip shape
- Face
- Uneven contours after surgery or injury
Your own tissue is used in fat grafting, but not every transferred fat cell survives. The result can shift over time, and some patients may need more than one session.
Plastic Surgery for Skin and Scars
Skin surface concerns, scars, and soft tissue problems may also be treated with plastic surgery.
Scar Revision Surgery
The look or feel of a scar may be improved with scar revision. It may not erase the scar, but it can make it less raised, tight, wide, or noticeable.
Scar revision may help with:
- Scarring after surgery
- Injury scars
- Burn injury scars
- Thickened scars
- Scars that limit comfort
- Scars that pull during movement
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 need medical assessment to rule out skin cancer.
Patients may seek removal for:
- Irritated skin
- Growth
- Recurrent bleeding
- Appearance concerns
- Medical diagnosis
- Relief from discomfort
Changing moles or suspicious skin lesions should be reviewed by a qualified medical professional.
Plastic Surgery After Skin Cancer
Skin cancer reconstruction can help close the treated area and restore appearance after cancer removal. Skin cancer reconstruction is often needed on the face, nose, eyelids, ears, lips, scalp, and hands.
Skin cancer reconstruction can involve:
- A direct closure
- Using a skin graft
- Local tissue flaps
- More 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 options can address early aging changes, facial lines, lost volume, and skin quality. These treatments usually involve less downtime, but results are more temporary.
BOTOX Cosmetic Treatments
BOTOX and other neuromodulators relax selected facial muscles. They are commonly used for expression lines.
BOTOX and neuromodulators may treat:
- Lines between the eyebrows
- Lines across the forehead
- Crow’s feet around the eyes
- Lines on the sides of the nose
- Dimpling in the chin
- Selected neck bands
The results do not last forever and usually need maintenance treatments. The goal is usually a softer, rested look, not a frozen face.
Facial Fillers
Dermal fillers restore or add volume. Dermal fillers often contain hyaluronic acid, which is a gel-like substance that supports and shapes soft tissue.
Common filler areas include:
- Lip volume
- Cheeks
- Chin contour
- The jawline
- Tear trough hollowing
- Nasolabial folds
- Lines below the corners of the mouth
The result from filler depends on the product, injection technique, facial anatomy, and treatment goals. Overfilling may look unnatural, so conservative planning is important.
Skin Peels
A chemical peel uses a controlled chemical solution to improve the outer layers of skin.
Common chemical peel concerns include:
- Patchy skin tone
- Skin dullness
- Early fine lines
- Photoaging
- Mild post-acne marks
- Texture concerns
Peels come in different strengths, from light to deeper options. Recovery depends on peel type.
Laser, IPL, and Radiofrequency Skin Treatments
These treatments may improve concerns such as uneven tone, redness, texture, hair growth, scars, and visible aging.
Laser and energy-based options may include:
- Skin laser resurfacing
- Photofacial treatment with IPL
- Radiofrequency treatments
- Treatments for mild skin laxity
- Laser treatment for unwanted hair
- Vascular laser treatment for redness or broken vessels
These treatments should be matched to skin type, skin tone, and the concern being treated. Patients with darker skin tones need careful treatment planning because pigment changes can be a concern.
Dermabrasion and Light Skin Resurfacing
A deeper resurfacing option called dermabrasion removes outer layers of skin. Microdermabrasion is lighter and more surface-level.
Patients may consider these treatments for:
- Surface texture
- Mild scarring
- Tired-looking skin
- Uneven surface
- Small fine lines
The right option depends on skin quality, goals, downtime, and risk tolerance.
How Patients Can Choose the Best Procedure
The best place to start is the concern itself, not the name of a procedure. A patient may request one procedure, then find out that a different option fits their anatomy better.
Examples include:
- A heavy upper eyelid look may come from extra eyelid skin, brow descent, or both.
- A soft jawline can come from loose skin, neck bands, fat, or chin position.
- A full abdomen can be caused by fat, loose skin, muscle separation, or internal weight.
- A flat breast appearance may require a lift, implants, fat grafting, or combined treatment.
- Under-eye bags may be caused by fat pads, hollowing, skin laxity, or pigmentation.
The best plan usually starts with three questions:
- What is creating the concern?
- Which option is the best match for that cause?
- What trade-offs should be expected with that choice?
Patients should consider trade-offs such as scars, downtime, swelling, cost, maintenance, and possible complications.
Common Questions and Concerns Before Plastic Surgery
Mixed feelings are normal before a plastic surgery procedure. Patients may feel excited, but they may also feel nervous. Concerns about safety, pain, scars, recovery, cost, and natural results are very common.
“Will I Look Refreshed or Different?”
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.
Plastic surgery should often improve balance rather than chase perfection.
“What Is the Recovery Like?”
Downtime varies by procedure. Non-surgical treatments may need little or no downtime. More extensive surgeries like tummy tuck, body lift, and mommy makeover require a more detailed recovery plan.
Patients should usually expect:
- Swelling or bruising
- Temporary activity restrictions
- Time away from work
- Follow-up appointments
- Care for scars
- A gradual return to exercise
- Results that take time to settle
Healing is not instant. Many procedures improve over weeks and months.
“Will There Be Scars?”
A scar forms whenever an incision is made. The goal is careful scar placement and strong scar healing.
Many factors affect scar quality, including:
- Your genetics
- Skin colour and tone
- The type of procedure
- The incision location
- Pulling on the healing incision
- Nicotine exposure
- Exposure to the sun
- Scar aftercare
A scar often becomes less noticeable over time, but it will not vanish completely.
“How Safe Is Plastic Surgery?”
Every operation has possible risks. Possible risks include bleeding, infection, poor scarring, anesthesia problems, asymmetry, delayed healing, numbness, fluid buildup, and dissatisfaction with the result.
Surgical safety depends on several factors, including:
- Your medical condition
- Medications you take
- Smoking, vaping, or nicotine exposure
- The procedure selected
- The surgery facility
- The type of anesthesia
- The training and experience of the surgeon
- Your post-operative care
A good consultation should explain benefits, risks, alternatives, and what is realistic.
Plastic Surgery in Canada
Canadian plastic surgery is regulated through medical licensing, provincial colleges, hospital systems, surgical facilities, and professional standards. Understanding medical credentials is important because marketing terms can be confusing.
Finding a Qualified Plastic Surgeon
Training and credentials should be a major part of choosing a plastic surgeon in Canada. Proper plastic surgery training includes medical training, surgical training, and specialty certification in plastic surgery.
Before choosing a surgeon, patients can ask:
- Are you certified in plastic surgery?
- Are you licensed to practise medicine in this province?
- Do you commonly perform this type of surgery?
- Where will the procedure take place?
- Who is responsible for anesthesia care?
- Which risks are most relevant to me?
- Who do I contact if I have a complication?
- How many follow-up appointments are included?
- May I see before-and-after examples for similar procedures?
Asking questions is not being difficult. It is about protecting your health and making an informed decision.
Cosmetic Surgery Costs in Canada
The cost of cosmetic surgery in Canada can vary a lot. Pricing depends on 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 because of overhead and demand. Pricing may be different in smaller cities, but the lowest cost should not be the main deciding factor.
A very low price can be a warning sign if it means corners are being cut on safety, training, facility standards, or aftercare.
Medical Tourism for Plastic Surgery
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.
Risks or challenges with medical tourism may include:
- Difficulty getting follow-up care
- Travel during early recovery
- Risk of infection
- Different health care standards
- Less access to surgical records
- Difficulty finding care for complications at home
- Language or translation issues
- Unexpected revision costs
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. It should not feel rushed or pressured.
You can prepare for the visit by doing the following:
- Write down your main concerns.
- Take a list of all medications and supplements you use.
- Share your health and medical history honestly.
- Be honest about smoking, vaping, cannabis use, and nicotine exposure.
- Reference photos can be helpful if they explain your goals.
- Discuss recovery, scarring, risks, and other options.
- Ask what can realistically be achieved for your face or body.
A strong consultation includes clear discussion of treatment options. The right advice may be to delay surgery, choose a smaller treatment, improve health first, or avoid surgery.
Who May Be a Good Candidate?
The best candidates for plastic surgery are often healthy, informed, and realistic. Realistic patients understand that surgery can help appearance, but it cannot make life perfect or solve every issue.
You may be ready for plastic surgery if:
- You are in good general health
- You have a clear concern
- Your weight is stable for body surgery
- You do not smoke, or you can stop before and after surgery
- You are prepared for the recovery process
- You understand and accept the trade-offs
- You are not doing it because of pressure from another person
- You have realistic goals
You may need to postpone surgery if you are pregnant, planning major weight loss, using nicotine, managing an unstable medical condition, or feeling pressured by someone else.
Can Plastic Surgery Procedures Be Combined?
Certain procedures can be safely combined. Others should be staged. A combined plan may save recovery time, but it also needs careful planning because surgery time and healing demands may increase.
Examples of combined procedures include:
- Facelift with neck lift
- Blepharoplasty with brow lift
- Profile balancing with rhinoplasty and chin surgery
- Combining breast lift and implants
- Abdominal contouring with tummy tuck and liposuction
- Mommy makeover procedures
- Combining body lift with arm or thigh surgery
- Facial fat grafting as part of facial surgery
Your health, procedure length, anesthesia, recovery support, and risk level all affect the safest plan.
Summary of Plastic Surgery Procedures in Canada
Plastic surgery in Canada includes a wide range of cosmetic and reconstructive procedures. Certain procedures are used to improve the face, breasts, or body. Some procedures restore tissue after cancer, injury, burns, or medical conditions. Wrinkles, volume loss, skin texture, and early aging changes may also be improved with non-surgical treatments.
The right procedure is not always the most popular option. It is the one that fits your anatomy, goals, health, and comfort level.
The strongest treatment plan should focus on safety, natural-looking results, clear expectations, and proper follow-up care. For procedures such as eyelid surgery, rhinoplasty, breast augmentation, tummy tuck, liposuction, facelift surgery, or reconstructive plastic surgery, the first step is education about benefits and limits.