In Canada, plastic surgery covers many surgical options that may change, rebuild, or improve the cosmetic plastic surgeon face and body. A procedure may be cosmetic when the main goal is to improve appearance. Reconstructive plastic surgery may be used after injury, cancer, birth differences, burns, or medical conditions to help repair form or function.
There are many goals why people in Canada search for plastic surgery. For some people, the goal is to look more rested. Others want to restore body shape after pregnancy, weight loss, or aging. Others want help after trauma, skin cancer, breast cancer, or a congenital concern. Your anatomy, goals, health, lifestyle, and recovery time all help guide the right procedure.
This page explains the main types of plastic surgery procedures in Canada, with sections on facial surgery, breast surgery, body contouring, reconstructive surgery, and non-surgical cosmetic treatments. You will also learn what to think about before scheduling a consultation.
Cosmetic and Reconstructive Plastic Surgery
Plastic surgery is often divided into two main categories, cosmetic surgery and reconstructive surgery.
What Is Cosmetic Plastic 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.
Common cosmetic goals may include:
- Supporting better facial harmony
- Improving visible signs of aging
- Improving body shape
- Restoring volume after weight loss or pregnancy
- Addressing concerns with the nose, eyelids, ears, lips, breasts, abdomen, arms, or thighs
- Helping patients feel better in clothing
- Helping confidence through natural-looking improvements
Across Canada, cosmetic plastic surgery is usually paid for by the patient. 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. This type of surgery may help after cancer surgery, trauma, burns, infections, birth differences, or other medical conditions.
Examples of reconstructive plastic surgery include:
- Breast reconstruction after breast cancer surgery
- Skin cancer reconstruction after tumour removal
- Cleft lip and palate repair
- Reconstruction after burns
- Hand repair surgery
- Scar improvement surgery
- Surgical wound repair
- Facial injury reconstruction
- Congenital reconstruction
Some reconstructive procedures may be covered by a provincial health plan when they are medically necessary. Cosmetic procedures are usually not covered.
Plastic Surgery Procedures for the Face
Facial plastic surgery may improve facial balance, soften signs of aging, and help restore a refreshed look. The goal is usually not to look “different.” The best facial surgery results often look natural and balanced.
Facelift Surgery (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.
Patients often consider facelift surgery for:
- Jowls near the jawline
- Sagging skin in the lower face
- Deeper folds around the mouth
- Cheek tissue that has dropped
- Reduced definition from the jawline into the neck
Many modern facelift techniques focus on deeper support layers under the skin. This approach may help produce a smoother, longer-lasting result without making the face look pulled. Many patients combine facelift surgery with a neck lift, eyelid surgery, brow lift, or facial fat grafting.
Neck Lift Surgery (Platysmaplasty)
Neck lift surgery may treat loose skin, visible muscle bands, and fullness below the chin. The clinical term for tightening the neck muscle is platysmaplasty.
Patients may consider a neck lift for:
- Muscle bands in the neck
- Extra neck skin
- Soft jawline definition
- Fullness below the chin
- A “turkey neck” look
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.
Upper and Lower Eyelid Surgery
Eyelid surgery, also called blepharoplasty, improves tired-looking eyes by removing or adjusting extra skin, fat, or tissue around the eyelids.
Upper eyelid surgery can address:
- Heavy upper eyelids
- Extra skin on the upper eyelids
- An aged or fatigued look
- Extra skin that sits against the eyelashes
- Vision concerns in some medical cases
Lower eyelid surgery may help with:
- Under-eye puffiness or bags
- Puffy lower eyelids
- Lower eyelid skin laxity
- Shadowing beneath the lower lids
- A fatigued look that remains after sleep
Many patients choose eyelid surgery because small improvements around the eyes can make the whole face look more awake and rested.
Brow Lift Surgery (Forehead Lift)
A brow lift, also known as a forehead lift, raises a low or heavy brow. By lifting the brow, the procedure may improve the upper eyes and soften forehead heaviness.
A brow lift may address:
- Eyebrows that sit too low
- A heavy upper eyelid look caused by brow position
- Forehead lines
- Frown lines between the brows
- A facial expression that appears tired, sad, or serious
Although they can affect a similar area, a brow lift is not the same as eyelid surgery. A brow lift focuses on eyebrow position, while eyelid surgery focuses on extra eyelid skin. Some patients need only a brow lift or eyelid surgery, while others benefit from both procedures.
Rhinoplasty, Also Called Nose Surgery
Rhinoplasty, commonly called a nose job, changes the shape, size, or structure of the nose. Rhinoplasty may focus on appearance, breathing, or both.
Patients may consider rhinoplasty for:
- A bump along the bridge of the nose
- A drooping nasal tip
- A boxy nasal tip
- A crooked nasal shape
- Overall nose size or projection
- Uneven nasal shape
- Nasal breathing concerns linked to anatomy
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 refines how the nose looks, while functional nasal surgery focuses on breathing and 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.
Otoplasty may help with:
- Protruding ears
- Asymmetry between the ears
- Large cartilage folds in the ears
- Ears that stand out from the head
- Earlobe appearance concerns
Otoplasty is common in adults and children. For children, the timing depends on ear growth, maturity, and family goals.
Lip Lift for Upper Lip Balance
A lip lift reduces the space between the upper lip and the nose. This space is called the upper lip length. A lip lift can improve upper lip show without adding dermal filler.
A lip lift may address:
- A longer upper lip
- Reduced tooth show in the upper smile
- Limited visible upper lip
- Lip proportions that feel unbalanced
- Age-related changes around the mouth
A lip lift is different from lip filler. Filler adds volume. A lip lift changes the position and shape of the upper lip.
Chin and Jawline Implant Surgery
Balance in the chin, cheeks, or jawline may be improved with facial implants. A chin implant may be considered when the chin looks small compared with the nose or other facial features.
Types of facial implant surgery may include:
- Chin augmentation implants
- Cheek implant surgery
- 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 Transfer
Facial fat grafting uses a patient’s own fat to restore volume. Areas such as the abdomen or thighs are often used as the fat source before the fat is processed and placed into the face.
Fat grafting to the face can help improve:
- Cheek hollowing
- Hollows beneath the eyes
- Volume changes caused by aging
- Loss of soft tissue fullness
- Reduced facial harmony
Fat grafting may be used alone or combined with facelift surgery, eyelid surgery, or other facial procedures.
Breast Plastic Surgery Procedures
Cosmetic and reconstructive breast surgery are common parts of plastic surgery in Canada. Breast plastic surgery can address volume, size, position, symmetry, and reconstruction after cancer surgery.
Breast Implants and Fat Transfer Augmentation
Implants or fat transfer may be used in breast augmentation to increase breast size and improve shape. Saline and silicone gel are common breast implant options. Implant choice depends on body type, breast tissue, goals, and surgeon guidance.
Breast augmentation may help with:
- Naturally smaller breast volume
- Lost breast volume following pregnancy
- Less breast fullness after weight change
- Uneven breast size or shape
- Desire for more fullness in clothing
Some patients feel nervous about results that may look too large or unnatural. A careful surgical plan should consider chest width, skin quality, lifestyle, and long-term maintenance.
Mastopexy, or Breast Lift Surgery
Mastopexy, commonly called a breast lift, raises and reshapes breasts that sit lower than desired. It does not primarily add volume. Instead, it improves breast position and shape.
Common breast lift concerns include:
- Sagging breasts
- Nipples that sit low or point down
- Enlarged or stretched areolas
- Extra breast skin
- Breast changes after pregnancy, breastfeeding, or weight loss
A lift and implants may be combined to improve position and add upper breast fullness. For a natural result without added implant volume, some patients choose a breast lift alone.
Breast Reduction
Breast reduction removes excess breast tissue, fat, and skin to make the breasts smaller, lighter, and more balanced.
Breast reduction may address:
- Pain in the neck
- Shoulder strain
- Pain in the back
- Grooves from bra straps
- Skin irritation under the breasts
- Difficulty exercising
- Difficulty fitting bras or clothes
In Canada, breast reduction may be considered medically necessary for some patients. Provincial rules, symptoms, and medical assessment all affect coverage.
Breast Implant Revision
Breast implant revision adjusts or replaces existing breast implants. It may be done for cosmetic reasons or medical concerns.
Common breast implant revision concerns include:
- A desire to change implant size
- Rupture of an implant
- Capsular contracture, where scar tissue around an implant becomes firm
- Implant position changes
- Breast asymmetry
- Breast changes over time after augmentation
- No longer wanting breast implants
Some patients choose implant removal with a lift. New implants may be chosen with a changed size, shape, or position.
Reconstructive Breast Surgery
The breast may be rebuilt after mastectomy or lumpectomy with breast reconstruction. It may involve implants, natural tissue, or a combination.
Breast reconstruction may involve:
- Reconstruction using implants
- Flap-based reconstruction
- Nipple-areola reconstruction
- Fat transfer as part of reconstruction
- Revision surgery to improve symmetry
This can be a deeply personal choice. Some patients want reconstruction. Others choose to stay flat. Either choice can be valid.
Gynecomastia Surgery for Male Breast Reduction
Gynecomastia surgery treats enlarged male breast tissue. Liposuction, gland removal, or a combination may be used.
Common gynecomastia concerns include:
- Nipple puffiness
- Firm tissue beneath the nipple-areola area
- Fullness in the chest
- A chest that looks uneven
- Feeling self-conscious at the beach, gym, or in fitted shirts
The right technique depends on whether the fullness comes from fat, gland tissue, loose skin, or a combination.
Body Plastic Surgery Procedures
Body contouring surgery improves body shape by removing extra skin, reducing stubborn fat, or tightening tissue. Many patients consider body contouring after pregnancy, aging, or major weight loss.
Tummy Tuck Surgery, Also Called 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.
Patients may consider a tummy tuck for:
- Loose skin on the abdomen
- A hanging lower abdomen
- Stretch-marked lower belly skin
- Abdominal muscle separation
- Loose abdominal tissue after pregnancy or weight loss
A tummy tuck should not be viewed as weight-loss surgery. The best candidates are often near a stable weight and want better abdominal contour.
Liposuction for Body Contouring
Liposuction removes localized fat with a thin tube called a cannula. Liposuction is meant for body contouring, not overall weight loss.
Liposuction can treat:
- Abdominal area
- Flanks, often called love handles
- The hips
- Thigh areas
- Upper arms
- Back contour areas
- Submental area and neck
- Chest area
- Knees
Good skin elasticity helps improve results. Loose skin may limit what liposuction alone can achieve. When skin laxity is significant, surgery to remove skin may be a better option.
Customized Mommy Makeover
A mommy makeover is a customized plan for body changes after pregnancy, breastfeeding, or weight change. It often includes both breast and abdominal procedures.
A mommy makeover may include:
- Tummy tuck surgery
- A breast lift procedure
- A breast augmentation procedure
- Reduction mammoplasty
- Liposuction surgery
- Body fat grafting
The name can be misleading because the procedure is not limited to mothers. It is really a custom body contouring plan for patients with similar concerns. The best plan depends on health, goals, recovery time, and whether future pregnancy is planned.
Arm Lift for Loose Upper Arm Skin
An arm lift, also known as brachioplasty, removes loose skin from the upper arms.
An arm lift may help with:
- Hanging skin under the arms
- Skin laxity after weight loss
- Aging changes in the arms
- Feeling uncomfortable in sleeveless tops
- Irritation from loose arm skin
The main trade-off is a scar along the inner or back part of the arm. Many patients feel the improved arm contour is worth the scar, but careful discussion is important.
Inner Thigh Lift
Loose thigh skin can be removed with a thigh lift. It is often chosen after major weight loss.
Thigh lift surgery can help improve:
- Loose inner thigh skin
- Skin friction between the thighs
- Trouble with pants fit
- Extra skin that feels heavy
- Post-weight-loss or post-bariatric thigh changes
There are several thigh lift patterns. The right option depends on how much skin needs to be removed and where the looseness is located.
Body Lift
A body lift removes loose skin around the lower body. It can improve the abdomen, hips, outer thighs, buttocks, and lower back.
Body lift surgery may be helpful after:
- Major weight loss
- Post-bariatric body changes
- Post-pregnancy body changes
- Aging with major skin laxity
This is a larger surgery with a longer recovery. Patients should be at a stable weight and in good overall health.
Fat Grafting to the Body
Fat grafting transfers fat from one area of the body to another. This procedure may improve contour or add volume using the patient’s own fat.
Common treatment areas include:
- Breast volume
- Buttock volume
- Hip contour
- Facial soft tissue
- Uneven contours after surgery or injury
Fat grafting is natural in the sense that it uses your own tissue, but not all of the fat remains long term. Because transferred fat can change over time, more than one session may be needed.
Skin, Scar, and Surface Procedures
Plastic surgery also includes treatments for the skin surface, scars, and soft tissue.
Scar Revision Surgery
Scar revision improves the look or feel of a scar. The scar will not usually disappear, but revision may make it flatter, softer, narrower, or less noticeable.
Scar revision may help with:
- Scars from surgery
- Injury scars
- Scars from burns
- Thickened scars
- Tight or pulling scars
- Scars that affect range of motion
Depending on the scar, treatment may include surgery, copyright injections, laser treatment, silicone therapy, or combined care.
Mole, Cyst, and Skin Lesion Removal
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
- A growing lesion
- Bleeding from the lesion
- Appearance concerns
- Diagnostic testing
- Physical comfort
A qualified medical professional should assess any changing mole or suspicious skin lesion.
Reconstruction After Skin Cancer Removal
After skin cancer removal, reconstruction may be needed to close the wound and restore appearance. This is common on the face, nose, eyelids, ears, lips, scalp, and hands.
Reconstruction after skin cancer may include:
- Direct closure
- Skin grafts
- Reconstruction with local flaps
- Advanced reconstructive techniques
The aim is to remove the cancer safely and preserve function and appearance as much as possible.
Common Non-Surgical Cosmetic Options
Surgery is not needed for every patient. For some patients, non-surgical treatments help soften early aging signs, facial lines, volume loss, and skin concerns. 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.
Common treatment areas include:
- Frown lines between the brows
- Forehead expression lines
- Lines at the outer corners of the eyes
- Nose bunny lines
- Chin dimpling
- Neck bands for some patients
Results are temporary and usually need repeat treatments. Most patients want a softer, rested look rather than a frozen face.
Injectable Dermal Fillers
Dermal fillers may improve facial volume and contour. Hyaluronic acid, a gel-like substance used to shape and support soft tissue, is common in dermal fillers.
Dermal fillers may treat:
- Lip shape
- Cheeks
- Chin contour
- Jawline contour
- Tear trough hollowing
- Smile lines
- Lines below the corners of the mouth
Product choice, technique, anatomy, and goals all affect filler results. A conservative plan matters because overfilling can create an unnatural look.
Skin Peels
A chemical peel uses a controlled solution to improve the outer layers of skin.
Common chemical peel concerns include:
- Patchy skin tone
- A dull complexion
- Small fine lines
- Visible sun damage
- Mild acne marks
- Surface texture issues
Peel strength can range from light to deeper treatments. The type of peel affects recovery time.
Energy-Based Aesthetic Skin Treatments
Laser and energy-based treatments may improve skin tone, redness, texture, hair growth, scars, and signs of aging.
Laser and energy-based options may include:
- Laser resurfacing for texture
- IPL skin treatment
- RF skin treatments
- Treatments for mild skin laxity
- Laser hair removal or reduction
- Laser treatment for small visible vessels
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.
Dermabrasion and Light Skin Resurfacing
Outer skin layers can be removed with dermabrasion, a deeper resurfacing procedure. Microdermabrasion is lighter and more surface-level.
These treatments may help with:
- Surface texture
- Light scarring
- A dull complexion
- Rough or uneven skin
- Fine lines
Choosing between these treatments depends on skin quality, goals, recovery time, and risk tolerance.
Choosing the Right Plastic Surgery Procedure
Choosing the right procedure starts with the concern, not the procedure name. Sometimes patients come in wanting one treatment, but another procedure is a better match for their anatomy.
This can happen in situations such as:
- 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.
- A full abdomen may 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 can 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 treats that cause best?
- What trade-offs should be expected with that choice?
Patients should consider trade-offs such as scars, downtime, swelling, cost, maintenance, and possible complications.
Plastic Surgery Fears and Questions
Most patients feel a mix of emotions before plastic surgery. It is normal to feel excited and nervous at the same time. Concerns about safety, pain, scars, recovery, cost, and natural results are very common.
“Will the Result Still Look Like Me?”
This concern comes up often. Patients often want a rested look, not a changed identity. 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.
“How Long Is the Recovery?”
Recovery depends on the procedure. Non-surgical treatments may need little or no downtime. A tummy tuck, body lift, or mommy makeover is more involved and needs more planning.
In general, recovery planning may include:
- Swelling and bruising
- Reduced activity
- Recovery time before returning to work
- Surgical follow-up care
- Scar management
- Careful return to exercise
- Results that take time to settle
Healing is not instant. Results often look better as weeks and months pass.
“Will There Be Scars?”
A scar forms whenever an incision is made. The goal is careful scar placement and strong scar healing.
Scar quality depends on:
- Genetics
- Skin tone
- Surgical procedure type
- Where the incision is placed
- Pulling on the healing incision
- Smoking or nicotine use
- Exposure to the sun
- Post-surgery aftercare
Scars usually fade with time, but they do not disappear completely.
“What Should I Know About Plastic Surgery Safety?”
All surgery has risk. Plastic surgery risks may include bleeding, infection, poor scarring, anesthesia concerns, asymmetry, delayed healing, numbness, fluid buildup, and dissatisfaction.
Many factors affect plastic surgery safety, including:
- Your medical condition
- Medications you take
- Whether you smoke or use nicotine
- The type of procedure
- The accredited surgical setting
- The type of anesthesia
- The surgeon’s training and experience
- Your follow-up care
Benefits, risks, alternatives, and realistic expectations should all be discussed during a consultation.
Important Plastic Surgery Information for Canadian Patients
In Canada, plastic surgery is regulated through medical licensing, provincial colleges, hospitals, surgical facilities, and professional standards. It is important to understand the difference between marketing language and recognized medical training.
Choosing a Qualified Plastic Surgeon
Proper training and credentials matter when researching plastic surgery in Canada. Plastic surgeons should be trained in medicine, surgery, and the specialty of plastic surgery.
Before choosing a surgeon, patients can ask:
- Are you formally certified in the specialty of plastic surgery?
- Are you licensed to practise medicine in this province?
- How often do you perform this procedure?
- What facility will be used for the procedure?
- Who manages anesthesia during the procedure?
- What are my personal risks with this procedure?
- Who do I contact if I have a complication?
- What follow-up care is included?
- Can I see results from similar cases?
These questions are not meant to be difficult. It is about understanding your options.
Cost of Cosmetic Surgery in Canada
The cost of cosmetic surgery in Canada can vary a lot. Pricing may depend on procedure complexity, surgeon experience, anesthesia, facility fees, implants or devices, garments, follow-up care, and location.
Large Canadian cities, including Vancouver, Toronto, Calgary, Edmonton, Ottawa, and Montreal, may have higher fees because overhead and demand are higher. 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.
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.
Concerns with medical tourism may include:
- Limited follow-up care
- Travelling before healing is complete
- Risk of infection
- Medical standards that may differ
- Difficulty accessing medical records
- Challenges managing post-surgery problems in Canada
- Possible language barriers
- Cost of revision surgery
Surgery closer to home can make follow-up care easier if swelling, healing concerns, or complications happen.
What to Bring to a Plastic Surgery Consultation
A consultation gives you the chance to learn what is possible, safe, and realistic. You should not feel rushed or pressured during the consultation.
Before your visit, it helps to prepare:
- Write down the main concerns you want to discuss.
- Bring a list of medications and supplements.
- Prepare to discuss your medical history.
- Do not hide smoking, vaping, cannabis, or nicotine use.
- Reference photos can be helpful if they explain your goals.
- Review recovery, scars, risks, and alternative treatments.
- Ask what can realistically be achieved for your face or body.
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 surgery can improve appearance, but it cannot create perfection or solve every life concern.
You may be a good candidate if:
- You are generally healthy
- You can explain a clear concern
- Your weight is stable if you are considering body surgery
- You can follow smoking and nicotine restrictions
- You understand the recovery process
- You accept the risks, scars, and trade-offs
- You are choosing the procedure for yourself
- Your goals are realistic
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.
Combining Plastic Surgery Procedures
Combining procedures can be appropriate in selected cases. In some cases, procedures should be separated into different surgeries. Combined surgery can reduce overall downtime, but it can also increase surgical time and recovery demands.
Common procedure combinations include:
- Lower face and neck rejuvenation
- Eyelid surgery with a brow lift
- Profile balancing with rhinoplasty and chin surgery
- Breast lift plus volume enhancement
- Tummy tuck and liposuction
- Combined mommy makeover procedures
- Post-weight-loss contouring with body lift and limb contouring
- Combining facial rejuvenation and fat grafting
A safe combined plan should consider health, surgery length, anesthesia, recovery support, and risk.
A Final Word on Canadian Plastic Surgery Procedures
Plastic surgery in Canada includes many cosmetic and reconstructive procedures. Some improve the face, breasts, or body. Others help 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 best procedure is not always the procedure people ask about first. The best choice is the one that fits your anatomy, goals, health, and comfort level.
A thoughtful 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.