Canadian Plastic Surgery Procedure Guide

Plastic surgery includes many treatments that can reshape, restore, or enhance the face and body. When surgery is chosen mainly to improve appearance, it is often called cosmetic surgery. Others are reconstructive, which means they help rebuild form or function after injury, cancer, birth differences, burns, or medical conditions.

Canadians may look into plastic surgery for many reasons. Some people are looking for a more balanced look. Some want to restore their body after pregnancy, weight loss, or aging. Plastic surgery may also help after trauma, skin cancer, breast cancer, or a congenital concern. Choosing the right procedure depends on anatomy, goals, health, lifestyle, and recovery needs.

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 covers key questions to consider before a plastic surgery consultation.

Cosmetic and Reconstructive Plastic Surgery

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

Cosmetic Plastic Surgery in Canada

Cosmetic plastic surgery is focused on appearance. 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
Reducing age-related changes
Improving body shape
Restoring lost volume after pregnancy or weight loss
Changing the shape of the nose, eyelids, ears, lips, breasts, abdomen, arms, or thighs
Supporting a better fit in clothing
Creating natural-looking changes that may support confidence

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

Reconstructive Plastic Surgery in Canada

In reconstructive plastic surgery, the focus is on restoring form, function, or both. It may be needed after cancer surgery, trauma, burns, infections, birth differences, or medical conditions.

Common types of reconstructive surgery include:

Breast reconstruction following mastectomy
Skin cancer reconstruction after skin cancer excision
Cleft lip and palate reconstruction
Burn reconstruction
Hand surgery
Surgical scar revision
Complex wound repair
Reconstruction after facial trauma
Congenital difference repair

Provincial health plans may cover some reconstructive procedures when they are medically necessary. Cosmetic changes are usually not covered.

Plastic Surgery Procedures for the Face

Facial procedures may be used to improve balance, soften aging changes, and restore a rested look. In many cases, the goal is not a dramatic change. The best facial surgery results often look natural and balanced.

Rhytidectomy, Commonly Called Facelift Surgery

Facelift surgery, or rhytidectomy, is used to improve sagging in the lower face and jawline. This procedure may soften jowls, tighten loose facial skin, and improve deeper folds around the mouth.

Common facelift concerns include:

Softness or jowling at the jawline
Loose skin in the lower face
Deep smile lines
Sagging cheek tissue
Loss of 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. A facelift may be combined with a neck lift, eyelid surgery, brow lift, or facial fat grafting.

Neck Lift Surgery for Jawline and Neck Definition

Neck lift surgery may treat loose skin, visible muscle bands, and fullness below the chin. When the neck muscle is tightened, the procedure is called platysmaplasty.

Common reasons for neck lift surgery include:

Muscle bands in the neck
Loose skin on the neck
An undefined jawline
Under-chin fullness
A “turkey neck” look

In some cases, the plan includes tightening both skin and muscle. Under-chin liposuction may be helpful for certain patients. The face and neck often change at the same time, so facelift and neck lift surgery may be combined.

Eyelid Surgery, Also Called Blepharoplasty

Tired-looking eyes may be improved with eyelid surgery, also called blepharoplasty, by adjusting extra skin, fat, or tissue around the eyelids.

Upper eyelid surgery can address:

Heavy upper eyelids
Extra eyelid skin
A more tired or older eye appearance
Eyelid skin that hangs over the lashes
Visual field concerns in some medical situations

Lower eyelid surgery may help with:

Under-eye bags
Puffiness
Loose lower eyelid skin
Dark-looking shadows under the eyes
A tired appearance that does not improve with sleep

Because small changes around the eyes can refresh the whole face, eyelid surgery is one of the most common facial procedures.

Brow Lift Surgery (Forehead Lift)

A brow lift, also known as a forehead lift, raises a low or heavy brow. It can improve the upper eye area and reduce forehead heaviness.

Brow lift surgery can improve:

A heavy, lowered brow
Heavy upper eyelids caused by brow descent
Forehead wrinkles
Creases between the eyebrows
A tired, sad, or stern look

A brow lift is different from 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

A nose job, medically known as rhinoplasty, changes the shape, size, or structure of the nose. Depending on the patient, rhinoplasty can be cosmetic, functional, or a combination.

Common rhinoplasty concerns include:

A raised bridge bump
A nasal tip that droops
A wide nasal tip
A nose that is not straight
Overall nose size or projection
Nose asymmetry
Airflow issues caused by nasal structure

For patients with breathing concerns, rhinoplasty may include work on the septum, which separates the nostrils. This is called septoplasty. A cosmetic rhinoplasty is done for appearance, while functional nasal surgery is done to improve airflow.

Ear Surgery (Otoplasty)

The shape, position, or size of the ears may be changed with ear surgery, also called otoplasty. Otoplasty is often chosen for ears that stick out.

Patients may consider otoplasty for:

Protruding ears
Asymmetry between the ears
Large cartilage folds in the ears
Ears that stand out from the head
Earlobe shape concerns

Both adults and children may choose or need otoplasty. When otoplasty is considered for a child, timing is based on ear growth, maturity, and family goals.

Lip Lift Surgery

A lip lift is designed to shorten the space between the upper lip and the nose. Clinically, this measurement is often called the upper lip length. The procedure can make the upper lip look more visible without adding filler.

Patients may consider a lip lift for:

A long space between the nose and upper lip
Reduced tooth show in the upper smile
Limited visible upper lip
Uneven lip balance
Aging in the lip and mouth area

A lip lift should not be confused with lip filler. Filler adds volume. Lip lift surgery adjusts the position and shape of the upper lip.

Facial Implant Surgery for the Chin, Cheeks, and Jawline

Facial implants may improve balance in the chin, cheeks, or jawline. Chin surgery can improve facial profile balance when the chin looks small compared with the nose or other features.

Common facial implant procedures include:

Surgical chin implants
Implants for the cheeks
Jawline augmentation implants

Chin surgery may be planned with rhinoplasty when the nose and chin both influence profile balance.

Facial Fat Grafting

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.

Facial fat grafting may address:

Cheek hollowing
Under-eye volume loss
Lost facial volume due to aging
Thin facial soft tissue
Uneven facial fullness

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

Breast Cosmetic and Reconstructive Surgery

Breast surgery is one of the most common areas of cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery in Canada. Breast plastic surgery can address volume, size, position, symmetry, and reconstruction after cancer surgery.

Breast Augmentation Surgery

Breast augmentation increases breast size and shape using implants or fat transfer. Saline and silicone gel are common breast implant options. Body type, breast tissue, personal goals, and surgeon guidance all help determine implant choice.

Breast augmentation surgery can help improve:

Naturally small breasts
Pregnancy-related breast volume loss
Breast volume loss after weight change
Breast size or shape imbalance
Improved breast shape in fitted clothing

Patients often worry about looking too large or unnatural. Chest width, skin quality, lifestyle, and long-term maintenance should all be part of the plan.

Mastopexy, or Breast Lift Surgery

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.

A breast lift may help with:

Breasts that sag
Nipples that sit low or point down
Areola stretching
Breast skin laxity
Breast changes after pregnancy, breastfeeding, or weight changes

A lift and implants may be combined to improve position and add 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 surgery can help improve:

Neck discomfort
Heavy shoulder pressure
Upper back pain
Bra strap marks
Irritated skin under the breasts
Difficulty exercising
Clothing fit challenges

Some breast reduction procedures in Canada may be considered medically necessary. Coverage depends on provincial requirements, symptoms, and medical assessment.

Breast Implant Revision

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

Common reasons include:

A change in preferred implant size
A ruptured 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 to remove implants and have a lift. Other patients choose new implants with a different size, shape, or placement.

Breast Reconstruction Procedure

After mastectomy or lumpectomy, breast reconstruction can rebuild the breast. It may involve implants, natural tissue, or a combination.

Breast reconstruction may involve:

Implant breast reconstruction
Natural tissue flap reconstruction
Nipple and areola reconstruction
Fat transfer to the breast
Revision surgery to improve symmetry

This is a deeply personal choice. Some patients choose reconstruction. Others choose to stay flat. Both decisions deserve respect.

Gynecomastia Surgery

Enlarged male breast tissue may be cosmetic plastic surgery nearby treated with gynecomastia surgery. It may involve liposuction, gland removal, or both.

Male breast reduction can help improve:

Puffy nipples
Gland tissue under the areola
Chest fullness
Uneven shape across the male chest
Self-consciousness in swimwear, gym settings, or fitted clothing

The best technique depends on whether the fullness is caused by fat, gland tissue, loose skin, or a mix of these.

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 Procedure

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

Patients may consider a tummy tuck for:

Extra abdominal skin
A hanging lower abdomen
Lower abdominal skin with stretch marks
Diastasis recti
Body changes from pregnancy or weight loss

Tummy tuck surgery is not a general 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 surgery uses a thin tube called a cannula to remove localized fat. The goal is contouring, not general weight loss.

Common liposuction areas include:

The abdomen
Flanks, also called love handles
The hips
Thighs
Upper arm contours
Back fullness
Chin and neck
Male or female chest area
The knees

Skin tone is an important factor. If the skin is loose, liposuction by itself may not be enough. In those cases, skin removal surgery may be needed.

Mommy Makeover Procedure

A mommy makeover is a custom plan that treats body changes after pregnancy, breastfeeding, or weight change. This plan often brings together breast surgery and abdominal contouring.

A mommy makeover may include:

Tummy tuck
A breast lift procedure
Breast augmentation surgery
Breast reduction surgery
Liposuction
Fat transfer for volume

Although the name suggests otherwise, the procedure is not only for mothers. It is really a custom body contouring plan for patients with similar concerns. The best mommy makeover plan should consider health, goals, recovery time, and whether future pregnancy is expected.

Brachioplasty, or Arm Lift Surgery

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

An arm lift may address:

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

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

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

Patients may consider a thigh lift for:

Inner thigh skin laxity
Skin rubbing
Poor fit in pants
Heaviness in the thighs from loose skin
Thigh changes after weight loss or bariatric surgery

Several surgical patterns are available for thigh lift surgery. How much skin needs removal and where the looseness sits will guide the best option.

Lower Body Lift

A body lift removes extra 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:

Large weight loss
Bariatric weight-loss surgery
Changes in body shape after pregnancy
Age-related skin laxity

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

Body Fat Grafting

Fat grafting transfers fat from one area of the body to another. Fat grafting can add natural volume or refine body contour.

Fat grafting may be used in areas such as:

Breast volume
The buttocks
Hip volume
The face
Surface irregularities after surgery or injury

Fat grafting uses your own tissue, but some transferred fat may not survive. Results can change over time, and 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.

Scar Revision Surgery

Scar revision surgery is used to improve how a scar looks or feels. The scar will not usually disappear, but revision may make it flatter, softer, narrower, or less noticeable.

Scar revision may address:

Surgical scars
Injury-related scars
Burn-related scars
Scars that feel thick
Tight scars
Scars that limit movement

Scar treatment can include surgery, copyright injections, laser treatment, silicone therapy, or several methods together.

Skin Lesion, Mole, and Cyst Removal

Plastic surgeons often remove benign skin lesions, cysts, moles, and lumps when careful closure matters. Some moles or lesions need proper medical review to make sure skin cancer is not present.

Common reasons for removal include:

Ongoing irritation
Growth or change
Bleeding or crusting
Concern about how it looks
Diagnosis
Physical comfort

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

Skin Cancer Reconstruction Procedures

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.

Common skin cancer reconstruction methods include:

Direct surgical closure
Skin grafts
A local flap
Advanced reconstructive techniques

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

Non-Surgical Cosmetic Treatments

Surgery is not needed for every patient. Non-surgical options can address early aging changes, facial lines, lost volume, and skin quality. Compared with surgery, non-surgical treatments often have less downtime but need maintenance.

Wrinkle Relaxing Injections

Neuromodulators such as BOTOX reduce movement in selected facial muscles. These treatments are often used to soften expression lines.

Common neuromodulator treatment areas include:

Expression lines between the brows
Forehead lines
Eye-area smile lines
Bunny lines on the nose
Chin dimpling
Selected neck bands

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

Facial Fillers

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

Dermal filler treatment may involve:

Lip volume
Cheeks
Chin shape
The jawline
Under-eye volume loss
Smile line folds
Mouth-corner lines

Product choice, technique, anatomy, and goals all affect filler results. To avoid an overfilled look, filler treatment should be planned carefully and conservatively.

Skin Peels

A chemical peel uses a controlled chemical solution to improve the outer layers of skin.

Chemical peels may help with:

Uneven colour
Tired-looking skin
Small fine lines
Visible sun damage
Acne-related marks
Rough skin texture

Chemical peels can range from light treatments to deeper treatments. The type of peel affects recovery time.

Energy-Based Aesthetic Skin Treatments

These treatments may improve concerns such as uneven tone, redness, texture, hair growth, scars, and visible aging.

Common options may include:

Laser resurfacing for texture
IPL, or intense pulsed light
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. Patients with darker skin tones need careful treatment planning because pigment changes can be a concern.

Skin Resurfacing With Dermabrasion and Microdermabrasion

A deeper resurfacing option called dermabrasion removes outer layers of skin. Microdermabrasion treats the surface more gently and is not as deep.

Common concerns include:

Rough texture
Minor acne scarring
Skin dullness
Uneven surface
Mild lines

The right choice depends on skin quality, goals, downtime, and risk tolerance.

How Patients Can Choose the Best Procedure

Choosing the right procedure starts with the concern, not the procedure name. 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 may be caused by loose skin, neck bands, fat, or chin position.
Fat, loose skin, muscle separation, or internal weight may cause abdominal fullness.
Breasts that look flat may need lifting, added volume, fat grafting, or more than one procedure.
Under-eye bags may be caused by fat pads, hollowing, skin laxity, or pigmentation.

A helpful treatment plan should answer these three questions:

What is behind the concern?
Which option is the best match for that cause?
What are the trade-offs of that option?

Trade-offs can include scars, recovery time, swelling, cost, maintenance, and possible complications.

What Patients Often Worry About Before Surgery

Mixed feelings are normal before a plastic surgery procedure. Excitement is common, but so are nerves. It is normal to worry about safety, pain, scars, recovery, cost, and whether the result will look natural.

“Will I Look Refreshed or Different?”

This is a very common worry. 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.

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

“When Can I Return to Normal Activities?”

Recovery depends on the procedure. Some non-surgical treatments have little or no downtime. Larger surgeries, such as tummy tuck, body lift, or mommy makeover, require more planning.

Patients should usually expect:

Swelling and bruising
Limits on activity
Planned time away from work
Follow-up appointments
Scar management
Gradual return to exercise
Final results that take time to settle

Healing is not instant. The appearance often improves over time as swelling settles.

“How Noticeable Will Scars Be?”

Surgery that involves an incision will create a scar. The goal is not scar-free surgery, but careful scar placement and good healing.

Scar healing depends on:

How your body naturally scars
Natural skin tone
Surgical procedure type
Where the incision is placed
Tension on the wound
Smoking status
Sun protection during healing
Aftercare

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

“How Safe Is Plastic Surgery?”

No surgery is completely risk-free. Patients should understand possible risks such as bleeding, infection, poor scarring, anesthesia issues, asymmetry, delayed healing, numbness, fluid buildup, and dissatisfaction.

Many factors affect plastic surgery safety, including:

General health
Your current medications
Use of tobacco or nicotine
Which surgery is performed
The surgery facility
The anesthesia plan
The qualifications of the surgeon
Follow-up after surgery

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

Plastic Surgery in Canada

Across Canada, plastic surgery is overseen through licensing, provincial colleges, hospital systems, surgical facilities, and professional standards. Patients should not rely only on marketing terms, because recognized medical training matters.

Plastic Surgeon Credentials in Canada

Proper training and credentials matter when researching plastic surgery in Canada. A plastic surgeon should have medical training, surgical training, and certification in plastic surgery.

Important consultation questions include:

Are you formally certified in the specialty of plastic surgery?
Are you licensed to perform surgery in this province?
Do you commonly perform this type of surgery?
Where will the procedure take place?
Who is responsible for anesthesia care?
What risks apply to my specific case?
What happens if I have a complication?
What does post-operative follow-up include?
Can I see examples of similar cases?

This is not about challenging the surgeon. 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.

Large Canadian cities, including Vancouver, Toronto, Calgary, Edmonton, Ottawa, and Montreal, may have higher fees because overhead and demand are higher. Smaller markets may offer different pricing, but cost alone should not guide the decision.

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 Compared With 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.

Patients should think about medical tourism concerns such as:

Difficulty getting follow-up care
Travel during early recovery
Risk of infection
Different surgical standards
Difficulty accessing medical records
Trouble getting complications treated after returning to Canada
Communication barriers
Unexpected revision costs

Staying closer to home for surgery can help with follow-up, especially if swelling, healing problems, or complications need attention.

Preparing for a Plastic Surgery Consultation

During a consultation, you can learn what is possible, what is safe, and what results are realistic. The process should feel informative, not rushed or pressured.

You can prepare for the visit by doing the following:

Prepare a short list of your main concerns.
Take a list of all medications and supplements you use.
Share your health and medical history honestly.
Share whether you smoke, vape, use cannabis, or use nicotine.
Photos may help explain your goals.
Review recovery, scars, risks, and alternative treatments.
Find out what result is realistic for your anatomy.

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

Good candidates for plastic surgery are typically healthy, informed, and realistic. A good candidate understands that surgery may improve appearance, but it cannot create perfection or fix every life problem.

Plastic surgery may be appropriate if:

You are medically well enough for surgery
You have a specific concern
Your weight is stable for body surgery
You do not smoke or can stop before and after surgery
You understand what recovery involves
You accept the risks, scars, and trade-offs
You are choosing the procedure for yourself
You understand what is realistic

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

Combining procedures can be appropriate in selected cases. Other surgeries may need to be done in stages. Combining procedures may reduce total recovery time, but it may also increase surgical time and healing demands.

Plastic surgery procedures that are often combined include:

Combining facelift and neck lift
Eyelid surgery with a brow lift
Profile balancing with rhinoplasty and chin surgery
Breast lift with breast augmentation
Abdominoplasty with liposuction
Mommy makeover surgery combinations
Combining body lift with arm or thigh surgery
Combining facial rejuvenation and fat grafting

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

Final Thoughts on Types of Plastic Surgery Procedures in Canada

Plastic surgery in Canada includes a wide range of cosmetic and reconstructive procedures. Many cosmetic procedures focus on the face, breasts, or body. Others repair tissue after cancer, injury, burns, or medical conditions. Non-surgical treatments can also help with wrinkles, volume loss, skin texture, and early aging changes.

The 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. 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.