Canadian Plastic Surgery Procedure Guide

Across Canada, plastic surgery includes several major types of procedures that can change, rebuild, or improve the face and body. Cosmetic procedures are usually chosen to improve appearance. When plastic surgery helps restore form or function after injury, cancer, birth differences, burns, or medical conditions, it is called reconstructive surgery.

Canadians may look into plastic surgery for many reasons. Some patients want a more natural-looking appearance. For others, the goal is to restore body shape 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 reviews what to consider before booking a consultation.

The Difference Between Cosmetic and Reconstructive Plastic Surgery

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

Cosmetic Surgery

Cosmetic plastic surgery is focused on appearance. These procedures are usually elective, meaning they are chosen by the patient and are not medically required.

Common cosmetic goals may include:

Supporting better facial harmony
Softening signs of aging
Improving body shape
Replacing volume lost after weight change or pregnancy
Changing the shape of the nose, eyelids, ears, lips, breasts, abdomen, arms, or thighs
Supporting a better fit in clothing
Helping confidence through natural-looking improvements

Most cosmetic procedures in Canada are paid for privately. Fees can vary based on the procedure, surgeon, facility, anesthesia, follow-up care, and location.

Reconstructive Plastic Surgery Procedures

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.

Examples of reconstructive plastic surgery include:

Breast reconstruction following mastectomy
Skin cancer reconstruction after removal of a tumour
Cleft lip and palate reconstruction
Burn reconstruction
Hand surgery
Scar revision
Repair of wounds
Reconstruction after facial trauma
Correction of congenital concerns

When reconstructive procedures are medically necessary, some may be covered by a provincial health plan. Changes done only for cosmetic reasons are usually not covered.

Facial Plastic Surgery Procedures

Plastic surgery for the face can help improve balance, reduce visible aging, and create a more refreshed appearance. For many patients, the goal is not to look like another person. The best results often look natural and balanced.

Facelift Procedure (Rhytidectomy)

Facelift surgery, or rhytidectomy, is used to improve sagging in the lower face and jawline. Patients may choose facelift surgery for jowls, loose facial skin, and deeper folds near the mouth.

A facelift may address:

Jowls near the jawline
Loose skin in the lower face
Deeper smile lines
Descent of cheek tissue
Less clear separation between the face and neck

Today, facelift surgery often works on deeper support layers below the skin. This can create a smoother, longer-lasting result without a pulled look. A facelift is often combined with a neck lift, eyelid surgery, brow lift, or facial fat grafting.

Neck Lift Procedure (Platysmaplasty)

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

Neck lift surgery can help improve:

Neck bands
Loose skin on the neck
A soft or undefined jawline
Fullness below the chin
A “turkey neck” look

Skin and muscle tightening may both be needed in certain patients. Some patients may only need liposuction under the chin. Because the face and neck often age together, a facelift and neck lift may be planned together.

Eyelid Surgery for Tired-Looking Eyes

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

Upper blepharoplasty may help with:

Upper lids that feel heavy
Extra eyelid skin
An aged or fatigued look
Skin resting on the eyelashes
Vision concerns in select medical cases

Patients may choose lower eyelid surgery for:

Lower eyelid bags
Under-eye swelling or fullness
Extra lower eyelid skin
Shadowing under the eyes
A tired look that does not improve with rest

Eyelid surgery is one of the most common facial procedures because small changes around the eyes can make the whole face look more rested.

Brow Lift Procedure

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

A brow lift may help with:

Brow descent
A heavy upper eyelid look caused by brow position
Forehead creases
Frown lines between the brows
An expression that looks tired, sad, or stern

Although they can affect a similar area, a brow lift is not the same as eyelid surgery. Eyelid surgery addresses extra eyelid skin, while a brow lift changes the position of the eyebrows. Many patients need either one procedure or the other, while some benefit from both.

Cosmetic and Functional Rhinoplasty

Rhinoplasty is nose surgery that can change nasal shape, size, or structure. Rhinoplasty may focus on appearance, breathing, or both.

Rhinoplasty may address:

A bump along the bridge of the nose
A lowered nose tip
A wide nasal tip
A nose that is not straight
Overall nose size or projection
Nose asymmetry
Breathing issues related to structure

For patients with breathing concerns, rhinoplasty may include work on the septum, which separates the nostrils. That procedure is known as 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. Prominent ears that stick out may be improved with otoplasty.

Otoplasty may address:

Ears that sit far from the head
Uneven ears
Prominent ear cartilage folds
Ears that sit far from the head
Concerns with the earlobes

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

Upper 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. A lip lift can improve upper lip show without adding dermal filler.

Patients may consider a lip lift for:

Upper lip length that looks long
Reduced tooth show in the upper smile
A less visible upper lip
Poor balance between the upper and lower lips
Changes around the mouth from aging

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

Chin and Jawline Implant Surgery

Implants can be used to improve facial 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.

Types of facial implant surgery may include:

Chin implants
Cheek implant surgery
Jawline implants

Because the nose and chin affect how the face looks from the side, chin surgery may sometimes be combined with rhinoplasty.

Facial Fat Grafting

Facial fat grafting uses the patient’s own fat to restore volume. cosmetic treatments Fat is usually taken from areas such as the abdomen or thighs, processed, and placed into the face.

Facial fat grafting may address:

Sunken-looking cheeks
Under-eye hollowing
Lost facial volume due to aging
Thinning soft tissue
Imbalance in facial volume

Facial fat grafting can be performed by itself or with procedures such as facelift surgery, eyelid surgery, or other facial surgery.

Plastic Surgery Procedures for the Breasts

Cosmetic and reconstructive breast surgery are common parts of plastic surgery in Canada. Breast procedures may increase volume, reduce size, lift the breasts, improve symmetry, or restore breast shape after cancer surgery.

Breast Augmentation in Canada

Breast augmentation surgery uses implants or fat transfer to increase breast size and shape. Implants used for breast augmentation may be saline or silicone gel. Body type, breast tissue, personal goals, and surgeon guidance all help determine implant choice.

Breast augmentation surgery can help improve:

Small natural breast size
Volume loss after pregnancy
Weight-related breast volume loss
Breast asymmetry
Desire for more fullness in clothing

Some patients feel nervous about results that may look too large or unnatural. Chest width, skin quality, lifestyle, and long-term maintenance should all be part of the plan.

Breast Lift Procedure

Mastopexy, commonly called a breast lift, raises and reshapes breasts that sit lower than desired. A breast lift does not mainly increase breast volume. Its main goal is better breast position and shape.

Breast lift surgery can help improve:

Sagging breasts
Nipples that face downward
Stretched nipple-areola areas
Stretched breast skin
Changes after pregnancy, breastfeeding, or weight loss

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

Breast Reduction

To reduce breast size and weight, breast reduction removes extra tissue, fat, and skin.

Common breast reduction concerns include:

Neck discomfort
Shoulder discomfort
Pain in the back
Bra strap grooves
Skin irritation under the breasts
Trouble exercising
Trouble finding clothing that fits

In Canada, breast reduction may be considered medically necessary for some patients. Coverage depends on provincial requirements, symptoms, and medical assessment.

Revision Breast Implant 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.

Breast implant revision may be needed for:

Changing breast implant size
Rupture of an implant
Capsular contracture, which means firm scar tissue around an implant
Breast implant movement
Asymmetry between the breasts
Aging changes after breast augmentation
Breast implant removal

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

Breast Reconstruction After Cancer Surgery

The breast may be rebuilt after mastectomy or lumpectomy with breast reconstruction. It may involve implants, natural tissue, or a combination.

Breast reconstruction options may include:

Implant-based reconstruction
Natural tissue flap reconstruction
Rebuilding the nipple and areola
Fat transfer to the breast
Revision surgery to improve symmetry

Choosing reconstruction is deeply personal. Some people prefer to have reconstruction. Some patients choose a flat closure instead. Both options are valid.

Gynecomastia Surgery

Gynecomastia surgery treats enlarged breast tissue in men. Treatment may involve liposuction, gland tissue removal, or both.

Patients may consider gynecomastia surgery for:

Puffy nipples
Gland tissue under the areola
Chest tissue fullness
Male chest asymmetry
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

Extra skin, stubborn fat, or loose tissue may be improved with body contouring surgery. It is common 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.

Tummy tuck surgery can help improve:

Extra abdominal skin
A lower abdominal overhang
Lower abdominal skin with stretch marks
Abdominal muscle separation
Abdominal changes after pregnancy or weight loss

A tummy tuck is not meant to be a weight-loss procedure. It is usually best for patients near a stable weight who want to improve abdominal shape.

Surgical Liposuction

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

Liposuction may be used on areas such as:

Abdomen
Flanks, often called love handles
The hips
Thigh areas
The upper arms
Back
Submental area and neck
Chest fullness
Inner knee area

Good skin tone matters. When loose skin is present, liposuction alone may not create the desired contour. In that case, skin removal surgery may be needed.

Mommy Makeover

Body changes after pregnancy, breastfeeding, or weight change may be treated with a custom mommy makeover plan. This plan often brings together breast surgery and abdominal contouring.

Mommy makeover options may include:

Abdominal contouring with tummy tuck
Surgical breast lifting
Breast augmentation
A breast reduction procedure
Liposuction
Fat transfer

The name “mommy makeover” can be misleading because similar body changes can affect many patients. It is for anyone with similar body changes. 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 called brachioplasty, removes loose skin from the upper arms.

An arm lift may help with:

Hanging upper arm skin
Extra skin after major weight loss
Upper arm changes from aging
Trouble wearing sleeveless tops
Skin rubbing and irritation

The improved arm shape comes with a scar along the inner or back portion of the arm. Many patients feel the improved arm contour is worth the scar, but careful discussion is important.

Thigh Lift Procedure

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
Thigh skin rubbing
Difficulty fitting pants
Extra skin that feels heavy
Changes after bariatric surgery or major weight loss

There are different thigh lift patterns. The right option depends on how much skin needs to be removed and where the looseness is located.

Body Contouring Lift

Loose skin around the lower body can be removed with a body lift. A body lift can address the abdomen, hips, outer thighs, buttocks, and lower back.

Body lift surgery may be helpful after:

Large weight loss
Surgery for weight loss
Body changes related to pregnancy
Aging-related lower-body skin looseness

Because it is a larger surgery, recovery takes more time. The best candidates are usually in good health and at a stable weight.

Fat Transfer to the Body

With fat grafting, fat is removed from one area and placed in another. This procedure may improve contour or add volume using the patient’s own fat.

Common treatment areas include:

Breast volume
The buttocks
Hips
Facial soft tissue
Surface irregularities 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.

Skin Lesion, Scar, and Surface Treatments

Plastic surgery also includes treatments for the skin surface, scars, and soft tissue.

Surgical Scar Revision

The look or feel of a scar may be improved with scar revision. Scar revision cannot guarantee an erased scar, but it may make the scar less raised, tight, wide, or visible.

Scar revision may address:

Surgical scars
Injury-related scars
Scars from burns
Scars that feel thick
Scars that limit comfort
Movement-limiting scars

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

Plastic Surgery for Moles, Cysts, and Skin Lesions

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

Removal may be considered for:

A lesion that gets irritated
Noticeable growth
Bleeding
Concern about how it looks
A need for diagnosis
Physical comfort

Changing moles or suspicious skin lesions should be reviewed by a qualified medical professional.

Plastic Surgery After Skin Cancer

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

Skin cancer reconstruction may involve:

Simple direct closure
A skin graft
Reconstruction with local flaps
Complex reconstruction

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. Early signs of aging, facial lines, volume loss, and skin quality concerns may be improved with non-surgical cosmetic treatments. Compared with surgery, non-surgical treatments often have less downtime but need maintenance.

BOTOX Cosmetic Treatments

Neuromodulators such as BOTOX reduce movement in selected facial muscles. They are often used for expression lines.

BOTOX and neuromodulators may treat:

Lines between the eyebrows
Lines across the forehead
Lines at the outer corners of the eyes
Bunny lines on the nose
Chin dimpling
Neck muscle bands in some situations

Neuromodulator results are temporary, so maintenance appointments are often part of the plan. Most patients want a softer, rested look rather than a frozen face.

Dermal Filler Treatments

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

Dermal fillers may treat:

Lip enhancement
Midface fullness
Chin contour
Lower-face contour
Hollowing under the eyes
Deeper smile lines
Lines from the mouth corners toward the chin

Filler results depend on product choice, injection technique, facial anatomy, and treatment goals. Overfilling may look unnatural, so conservative planning is important.

Chemical Peels for Skin Texture and Tone

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

Chemical peels may help with:

Patchy skin tone
Skin dullness
Mild lines
Sun damage
Mild marks from acne
Uneven texture

Peel strength can range from light to deeper treatments. Recovery depends on the type of peel.

Laser and Energy-Based Skin Treatments

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

Patients may consider options such as:

Laser resurfacing for texture
IPL skin treatment
RF skin treatments
Energy-based skin tightening
Laser-based hair reduction
Vascular laser treatment for redness or broken vessels

These treatments should be matched to skin type, skin tone, and the concern being treated. This is especially important for patients with darker skin tones, where pigment changes can be a risk.

Dermabrasion vs. Microdermabrasion

Outer skin layers can be removed with dermabrasion, a deeper resurfacing procedure. Microdermabrasion is lighter and more surface-level.

Common concerns include:

Uneven texture
Mild scarring
Tired-looking skin
An uneven skin surface
Early fine lines

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

Choosing the Right Plastic Surgery Procedure

The right procedure should be chosen based on the concern, not just the procedure name. A patient may request one procedure, then find out that a different option fits their anatomy better.

For instance:

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.
Abdominal fullness may come from fat, loose skin, separated muscles, 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.

A good treatment plan should answer three questions:

What is behind the concern?
Which option is the best match for that cause?
What must be accepted with that option?

Every procedure has trade-offs, which may include scars, downtime, swelling, cost, maintenance, and possible complications.

What Patients Often Worry About Before Surgery

Most patients have mixed feelings before plastic surgery. Excitement is common, but so are nerves. It is normal to worry about safety, pain, scars, recovery, cost, and natural-looking results.

“Will the Result Still Look Like Me?”

This is one of the most common patient concerns. Many patients want to look refreshed rather than changed. Natural-looking plastic surgery should respect your facial features, body frame, age, and personal style.

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

“How Long Is the Recovery?”

Recovery depends on the procedure. Non-surgical treatments may require little or no downtime. Procedures such as tummy tuck, body lift, or mommy makeover usually need more recovery planning.

Patients should usually expect:

Swelling and bruising
Restrictions on exercise or lifting
A break from work
Appointments after surgery
Scar management
A staged return to physical activity
Final results that take time to settle

The body needs time to heal. Many procedures look better over weeks and months.

“What Should I Know About Plastic Surgery Scars?”

A scar forms whenever an incision is made. A good plan places scars as carefully as possible and supports healing.

Scar healing depends on:

Family scar tendencies
Pigment response in the skin
Surgical procedure type
Where the incision is placed
Wound tension
Smoking or nicotine use
Exposure to the sun
How the scar is cared for

Most scars fade with time, but they do not fully disappear.

“What Should I Know About Plastic Surgery Safety?”

Every surgery has risk. Patients should understand possible risks such as bleeding, infection, poor scarring, anesthesia issues, asymmetry, delayed healing, numbness, fluid buildup, and dissatisfaction.

Safety is influenced by:

Your health
Medication use
Smoking, vaping, or nicotine exposure
The planned procedure
Where the procedure takes place
The anesthesia approach
The surgeon’s skill, training, and experience
Your post-operative care

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

Plastic Surgery in Canada

In Canada, plastic surgery is regulated through medical 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

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

Important consultation questions include:

Do you have certification in plastic surgery?
Are you licensed by the provincial medical college?
Do you commonly perform this type of surgery?
Where would my surgery be done?
Who is responsible for anesthesia care?
What are the risks for my specific case?
Who do I contact if I have a complication?
How many follow-up visits are included?
Can I see examples of similar cases?

This is not about challenging the surgeon. It is about understanding your options.

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.

In major Canadian cities such as Vancouver, Toronto, Calgary, Edmonton, Ottawa, and Montreal, fees may be higher because of overhead and demand. Costs may vary in smaller Canadian cities, but price should not outweigh safety, training, and follow-up care.

If a very low price means less attention to safety, training, facility standards, or aftercare, it can be a warning sign.

Medical Tourism for Plastic Surgery

Travelling abroad for lower-cost plastic surgery is something some Canadians consider. This may seem appealing, but there are added risks to consider.

Possible concerns with surgery abroad include:

Limited post-surgery follow-up
Long travel after surgery
Infection-related complications
Different health care standards
Difficulty accessing medical records
Difficulty managing complications back in Canada
Communication barriers
Revision surgery costs

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

During a consultation, you can learn what is possible, what is safe, and what results are realistic. It should not feel rushed or high-pressure.

Before the visit, preparation can help:

Write down the main concerns you want to discuss.
Bring a list of your medications and supplements.
Share your medical history.
Do not hide smoking, vaping, cannabis, or nicotine use.
Bring photos if they help explain your goals.
Ask about recovery, scars, risks, and alternatives.
Ask what result is realistic for your body or face.

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 altogether.

Good Candidates for Plastic Surgery

A good candidate is usually someone who is healthy, informed, and realistic. A good candidate understands that surgery may improve appearance, but it cannot create perfection or fix every life problem.

You may be ready for plastic surgery if:

You have good general health
You have a clear concern
You are at a stable weight for body contouring
You do not smoke, or you can stop before and after surgery
You understand healing takes time
You accept the risks and trade-offs
The choice is based on your own goals
Your goals are realistic

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.

Combined Plastic Surgery Procedures

It may be safe to combine some procedures. 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 combinations include:

Lower face and neck rejuvenation
Eyelid surgery with brow lift
Combining rhinoplasty and chin surgery
Breast lift with breast augmentation
Abdominoplasty with liposuction
Breast and body procedures in a mommy makeover
Body lift with thigh or arm contouring
Fat grafting with facial surgery

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

Understanding Your Plastic Surgery Options in Canada

In Canada, plastic surgery covers a wide range of cosmetic and reconstructive options. Some options are designed to refine facial, breast, or body shape. Reconstructive options may 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. A good procedure choice fits the patient’s anatomy, goals, health, and comfort level.

A good 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.