Across Canada, plastic surgery includes several major types of procedures that can change, repair, or support the face and body. Some procedures are cosmetic, which means they are chosen to refine appearance. Reconstructive plastic surgery may be used after injury, cancer, birth differences, burns, or medical conditions to help repair form or function.
Plastic surgery searches in Canada often come from many different needs. Some patients want a more rested appearance. For others, the goal is to restore body shape after pregnancy, weight loss, or aging. Other patients need help after 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 guide explains the main types of plastic surgery procedures in Canada, including facial surgery, breast surgery, body contouring, reconstructive surgery, and non-surgical cosmetic treatments. It also explains what to think about before booking a consultation.
Understanding Cosmetic vs. Reconstructive Plastic Surgery
The two main types of plastic surgery are usually cosmetic surgery and reconstructive surgery.
Cosmetic Plastic Surgery Procedures
Cosmetic surgery is used to improve or refine appearance. Because cosmetic surgery is usually elective, it is planned by choice and is not normally medically required.
Common reasons for cosmetic plastic surgery include:
- Creating a more balanced face
- Improving visible signs of aging
- Changing body proportions
- 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
Cosmetic procedures in Canada are usually not covered by provincial health plans and are often paid for privately. Fees are affected by factors such as the procedure, surgeon, facility, anesthesia plan, follow-up care, and city or province.
Reconstructive Plastic Surgery Procedures
Reconstructive plastic surgery is focused on restoring form and function. Patients may need reconstructive surgery after cancer surgery, trauma, burns, infections, birth differences, or medical conditions.
Reconstructive plastic surgery may include:
- Breast reconstruction after breast cancer surgery
- Skin cancer reconstruction after tumour removal
- Cleft lip or palate repair
- Burn scar reconstruction
- Hand surgery
- Scar treatment and revision
- Complex wound repair
- Reconstruction after facial trauma
- Repair of congenital differences
In Canada, some medically necessary reconstructive procedures may be covered by provincial health plans. Purely cosmetic changes are usually paid for privately.
Facial Plastic Surgery Procedures
Facial plastic elective cosmetic surgery surgery may improve facial balance, soften signs of aging, and help restore a refreshed look. For many patients, the goal is not to look like another person. The best results often look natural and balanced.
Rhytidectomy, Commonly Called Facelift Surgery
A facelift, also called rhytidectomy, improves sagging in the lower face and jawline. It may help with jowls, loose facial skin, and deeper folds around the mouth.
A facelift may address:
- Sagging jowls along the jawline
- Loose skin in the lower face
- Deeper smile lines
- Descent of cheek tissue
- Loss of definition between the face and neck
A modern facelift commonly addresses the deeper support layers beneath the skin. By supporting deeper tissues, the result may look smoother, more natural, and longer-lasting. Depending on the patient, a facelift may be planned with a neck lift, eyelid surgery, brow lift, or facial fat grafting.
Platysmaplasty and Neck Lift Surgery
A neck lift is used to improve neck skin laxity, muscle bands, and under-chin fullness. When the neck muscle is tightened, the procedure is called platysmaplasty.
A neck lift may help with:
- Visible neck bands
- Neck skin laxity
- An undefined jawline
- Submental fullness
- A loose “turkey neck” appearance
Skin and muscle tightening may both be needed in certain patients. Under-chin liposuction may be helpful for certain patients. In many cases, the face and neck age together, so a facelift and neck lift may be planned at the same time.
Eyelid Surgery for Tired-Looking Eyes
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:
- Upper lids that feel heavy
- Loose upper eyelid skin
- A tired or aged look
- Skin resting on the eyelashes
- Visual field concerns in some medical situations
Common lower eyelid concerns include:
- Visible under-eye bags
- Puffiness
- Loose lower eyelid skin
- Hollow shadows under the eyes
- Eyes that still look tired after rest
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 called 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 help with:
- A heavy, lowered brow
- Heavy upper lids from brow descent
- Forehead lines
- Frown lines in the glabella area
- A tired, sad, or stern expression
Although they can affect a similar area, a brow lift is not the same as eyelid surgery. Eyelid surgery treats extra eyelid skin, while a brow lift treats the position of the eyebrows. Many patients need either one procedure or the other, while some benefit from both.
Nose Surgery (Rhinoplasty)
Rhinoplasty, commonly called a nose job, changes the shape, size, or structure of the nose. Rhinoplasty may focus on appearance, breathing, or both.
Rhinoplasty may help with:
- A bump along the bridge of the nose
- A downward-pointing nasal tip
- A boxy nasal tip
- A crooked nose
- Nose size or projection
- An uneven-looking nose
- Nasal breathing concerns linked to anatomy
Structural breathing issues may require work on the septum, the wall between the nostrils. That procedure is known as septoplasty. Appearance is the focus of cosmetic rhinoplasty, while airflow is the focus of functional nasal surgery.
Cosmetic Ear Surgery
Otoplasty, commonly called ear surgery, can change the shape, position, or size of the ears. This procedure is often used when the ears project away from the head.
Patients may consider otoplasty for:
- Noticeably prominent ears
- Ear asymmetry
- Large ear cartilage folds
- Ears with too much projection
- Earlobe appearance concerns
Otoplasty is common in adults and children. For younger patients, ear growth, maturity, and family goals help guide timing.
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. By changing lip position, a lip lift can make the upper lip more visible without adding volume with filler.
A lip lift may help with:
- Upper lip length that looks long
- Upper teeth that show less when smiling
- Limited visible upper lip
- Lip proportions that feel unbalanced
- Mouth-area aging changes
A surgical lip lift and lip filler are different treatments. Filler is used to add volume. Lip lift surgery adjusts the position and shape of the upper lip.
Facial Implant Surgery for the Chin, Cheeks, and Jawline
Balance in the chin, cheeks, or jawline may be improved with facial implants. Chin surgery may be used when the chin looks small compared with the nose or other facial features.
Facial implant surgery may include:
- Implants for the chin
- Implants for the cheeks
- Implants for the jawline
Because the nose and chin affect how the face looks from the side, chin surgery may sometimes be combined with rhinoplasty.
Facial Volume Restoration With Fat Grafting
Facial fat grafting uses the patient’s own fat to restore volume. Fat is usually taken from areas such as the abdomen or thighs, processed, and placed into the face.
Common facial fat grafting concerns include:
- Loss of cheek fullness
- Hollowing under the eyes
- Lost facial volume due to aging
- Thinning soft tissue
- Facial volume imbalance
Fat grafting may be used alone or combined with facelift surgery, eyelid surgery, or other facial procedures.
Breast Plastic Surgery Procedures
Many patients in Canada consider breast surgery for cosmetic or reconstructive reasons. Breast procedures may increase volume, reduce size, lift the breasts, improve symmetry, or restore breast shape after cancer surgery.
Breast Implants and Fat Transfer Augmentation
Breast augmentation surgery uses implants or fat transfer to increase breast size and shape. Saline and silicone gel are common breast implant options. The choice of implant depends on body type, breast tissue, goals, and surgeon guidance.
Patients may consider breast augmentation for:
- A naturally small breast shape
- Pregnancy-related breast volume loss
- Lost breast volume after weight changes
- Uneven breast size or shape
- More fullness in bras or clothing
A common concern is whether breast augmentation will look too large or unnatural. A careful 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. A lift changes position and shape rather than mainly adding volume. Instead, it improves breast position and shape.
Common breast lift concerns include:
- Dropped breasts
- Nipple descent
- Areola stretching
- Stretched breast skin
- Changes after pregnancy, breastfeeding, or weight loss
A lift and implants may be combined to improve position and add upper breast fullness. A lift without implants may be preferred by patients who do not want added implant volume.
Reduction Mammoplasty
To reduce breast size and weight, breast reduction removes extra tissue, fat, and skin.
Breast reduction surgery can help improve:
- Chronic neck pain
- Heavy shoulder pressure
- Pain in the back
- Bra strap grooves
- Skin rubbing beneath the breasts
- Trouble exercising
- Clothing fit challenges
Breast reduction may be viewed as medically necessary in Canada in certain cases. Provincial rules, symptoms, and medical assessment all affect coverage.
Breast Implant Replacement or Removal
Existing breast implants may be adjusted or replaced with breast implant revision. It may be needed for cosmetic reasons or medical concerns.
Patients may consider revision for:
- A change in preferred implant size
- Implant rupture
- Capsular contracture, which is firm scar tissue around an implant
- An implant that has shifted
- Breast asymmetry
- Breast changes over time after augmentation
- No longer wanting breast implants
Some patients choose implant removal with a lift. Other patients choose new implants with a different size, shape, or placement.
Reconstructive Breast Surgery
Breast reconstruction surgery helps rebuild the breast after mastectomy or lumpectomy. Breast reconstruction can use implants, natural tissue, or both.
Breast reconstruction may use:
- Implant-based reconstruction
- Breast reconstruction with natural tissue flaps
- Nipple and areola restoration
- Fat transfer to the breast
- Revision surgery to improve symmetry
The choice around breast reconstruction is personal. Some patients choose reconstruction. Others choose to remain flat. Both decisions deserve respect.
Male Breast Reduction (Gynecomastia Surgery)
Gynecomastia surgery is used to reduce enlarged male breast tissue. The procedure may use liposuction, gland removal, or both methods.
Patients may consider gynecomastia surgery for:
- Fullness around the nipples
- Gland tissue under the areola
- A fuller male chest
- Uneven shape across the male chest
- Self-consciousness in swimwear, gym settings, or fitted clothing
Treatment choice depends on whether fat, gland tissue, loose skin, or a mix of these is causing the fullness.
Common Body Contouring Options
Extra skin, stubborn fat, or loose tissue may be improved with body contouring surgery. It is often considered after pregnancy, aging, or major weight loss.
Abdominoplasty, or Tummy Tuck Surgery
Extra abdominal skin and a weakened abdominal wall may be improved with a tummy tuck, also called abdominoplasty. Separated abdominal muscles, called diastasis recti, can also be repaired during the procedure.
Common tummy tuck concerns include:
- Extra abdominal skin
- A lower abdominal overhang
- Stretch-marked skin under the belly button
- Separated abdominal muscles
- Stomach changes after pregnancy or weight loss
Tummy tuck surgery is not a general weight-loss procedure. It is best for patients who are near a stable weight and want to improve abdominal shape.
Liposuction Surgery
Liposuction removes localized fat with a thin tube called a cannula. Liposuction is meant for body contouring, not overall weight loss.
Liposuction may treat:
- The abdomen
- Flanks, also called love handles
- The hips
- Thighs
- Upper arm contours
- Back fullness
- Chin and neck
- Chest fullness
- Knee area
Good skin elasticity helps improve results. Loose skin may limit what liposuction alone can achieve. Skin removal surgery may be needed if loose skin is the main concern.
Mommy Makeover
A mommy makeover combines procedures to address body changes after pregnancy, breastfeeding, or weight change. It often includes both breast and abdominal procedures.
A mommy makeover can include:
- Abdominoplasty
- Breast lift
- A breast augmentation procedure
- Reduction mammoplasty
- Body contouring with liposuction
- Fat transfer for volume
The name “mommy makeover” can be misleading because similar body changes can affect many patients. The procedure can apply to anyone with similar body concerns. Health, goals, recovery time, and future pregnancy plans all help guide the best approach.
Arm Lift for Loose Upper Arm Skin
An arm lift or brachioplasty improves upper arm shape by removing loose skin.
Common arm lift concerns include:
- Hanging upper arm skin
- Loose skin after weight loss
- Aging-related arm laxity
- Trouble wearing sleeveless tops
- Irritation from loose arm skin
The improved arm shape comes with a scar along the inner or back portion 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 removes loose skin from the thighs. Major weight loss is a common reason for thigh lift surgery.
Patients may consider a thigh lift for:
- Loose skin on the inner thighs
- Thigh skin rubbing
- Trouble with pants fit
- A heavy feeling from extra skin
- Thigh changes after weight loss or bariatric surgery
Thigh lift surgery can be done with different patterns. The right option depends on the amount of skin to remove and where the looseness is located.
Body Contouring Lift
Loose skin around the lower body can be removed with a body lift. Body lift surgery can reshape the abdomen, hips, outer thighs, buttocks, and lower back.
Common reasons for body lift surgery include:
- Significant weight loss
- Bariatric surgery
- Pregnancy-related body changes
- Aging with major skin laxity
Because it is a larger surgery, recovery takes more time. A stable weight and good overall health are important before body lift surgery.
Body Contouring With Fat Transfer
Fat can be moved from one body area to another with fat grafting. Fat grafting can add natural volume or refine body contour.
Common areas for fat grafting include:
- Breast contour
- Buttock volume
- Hip contour
- Facial volume
- Contour irregularities after injury or surgery
Fat grafting is natural in the sense that it uses your own tissue, but not all of the fat remains long term. Fat grafting results can evolve, so repeat treatment may be needed for some patients.
Skin Lesion, Scar, and Surface Treatments
Plastic surgery also includes procedures that improve the skin surface, scars, and soft tissue.
Scar Improvement Treatment
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 help with:
- Post-surgical scars
- Injury scars
- Burn-related scars
- Raised or thick scars
- Scars that feel tight
- Scars that pull during movement
Depending on the scar, treatment may include surgery, copyright injections, laser treatment, silicone therapy, or combined care.
Mole, Cyst, and Skin Lesion Removal
Plastic surgeons often remove benign skin lesions, cysts, moles, and lumps when careful closure matters. A medical assessment may be needed for some lesions to rule out skin cancer.
Removal may be done for:
- Irritated skin
- Growth or change
- A lesion that bleeds
- A cosmetic concern
- Medical diagnosis
- Relief from discomfort
A qualified medical professional should assess any changing mole or suspicious skin lesion.
Skin Cancer Repair and Reconstruction
Skin cancer reconstruction can help close the treated area and restore appearance after cancer removal. This is common in areas such as the face, nose, eyelids, ears, lips, scalp, and hands.
Skin cancer reconstruction can involve:
- Direct surgical closure
- Skin grafts
- A local flap
- More complex reconstruction
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. For some patients, non-surgical treatments help soften early aging signs, facial lines, volume loss, and skin concerns. Most non-surgical treatments have less downtime, but the results do not last as long as surgery.
Neuromodulator Injections
BOTOX and similar neuromodulators are used to relax targeted facial muscles. They are commonly used for expression lines.
Common neuromodulator treatment areas include:
- Glabellar frown lines
- Lines across the forehead
- Lines at the outer corners of the eyes
- Expression lines on the nose
- Dimpling in the chin
- Neck muscle bands in some situations
The results do not last forever and usually need maintenance treatments. The goal is usually a softer, rested look, not a frozen face.
Dermal Filler Treatments
Dermal fillers restore or add volume. They are often made with hyaluronic acid, a gel-like substance that shapes and supports soft tissue.
Dermal filler treatment may involve:
- The lips
- The cheeks
- Chin
- The jawline
- Under-eye hollowing
- Lines from the nose to the mouth
- Lines below the corners of the mouth
Good filler planning depends on the right product, careful injection technique, facial anatomy, and clear goals. Too much filler can look unnatural, which makes conservative planning important.
Chemical Peels
A chemical peel applies a controlled solution to improve the surface layers of the skin.
Chemical peels may help with:
- Skin tone irregularity
- Dull-looking skin
- Mild lines
- Skin changes from sun exposure
- Mild acne marks
- Skin texture concerns
Peel strength can range from light to deeper treatments. The type of peel affects recovery time.
Laser and Energy-Based Skin Treatments
Skin tone, redness, texture, hair growth, scars, and aging changes may be treated with laser and energy-based treatments.
Common options may include:
- Laser skin resurfacing
- IPL skin treatment
- Radiofrequency treatments
- Skin tightening procedures
- Laser-based hair reduction
- Vascular laser treatment for redness or broken 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 vs. Microdermabrasion
Outer skin layers can be removed with dermabrasion, a deeper resurfacing procedure. Compared with dermabrasion, microdermabrasion is lighter and more superficial.
Dermabrasion and microdermabrasion may help with:
- Rough texture
- Minor acne scarring
- Dullness
- Uneven 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:
- Extra eyelid skin, a low brow, or both may cause heavy upper lids.
- An undefined jawline may be caused by loose skin, neck muscle bands, fat, or the position of the chin.
- 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 good treatment plan should answer three questions:
- What is the cause of the concern?
- Which option is the best match for that cause?
- What trade-offs come with that option?
Those trade-offs may include scars, downtime, swelling, cost, maintenance, and possible complications.
Common Questions and Concerns Before Plastic Surgery
Before plastic surgery, many patients feel both excited and nervous. It is normal to feel excited and nervous at the same time. Patients often have questions about safety, discomfort, scarring, healing, cost, and whether results will look natural.
“Will the Result Still Look Like Me?”
This concern comes up often. Most people want to look like a refreshed version of themselves, not like someone else. 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.
“What Is the Recovery Like?”
Recovery depends on the procedure. Some non-surgical treatments have little or no downtime. Procedures such as tummy tuck, body lift, or mommy makeover usually need more recovery planning.
In general, patients should plan for:
- Bruising and swelling
- Restrictions on exercise or lifting
- A break from work
- Follow-up appointments
- Post-surgery scar care
- Careful return to exercise
- Final results that develop over time
Healing is not instant. For many procedures, results continue to refine over weeks and months.
“Will I Have Scars?”
Any surgery that uses an incision creates a scar. The goal is to place scars as carefully as possible and help them heal well.
Scar quality depends on:
- How your body naturally scars
- Your skin tone
- Procedure type
- Where the incision is placed
- Pulling on the healing incision
- Whether you smoke
- Exposure to the sun
- Following aftercare instructions
Scars usually fade with time, but they do not disappear completely.
“Is Plastic Surgery Safe?”
All surgical procedures carry some risk. Patients should understand possible risks such as bleeding, infection, poor scarring, anesthesia issues, asymmetry, delayed healing, numbness, fluid buildup, and dissatisfaction.
A safe procedure depends on factors such as:
- Your overall health
- Your medications
- Smoking or nicotine use
- The planned procedure
- Where the procedure takes place
- The anesthesia plan
- The surgeon’s skill, training, and experience
- Your aftercare and follow-up
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, hospitals, surgical facilities, and professional standards. Patients should not rely only on marketing terms, because recognized medical training matters.
How to Choose a Qualified Plastic Surgeon
Training and credentials should be a major part of choosing a plastic surgeon in Canada. A plastic surgeon should have medical training, surgical training, and certification in plastic surgery.
Before choosing a surgeon, patients can ask:
- Are you certified in plastic surgery?
- Do you hold a medical licence in this province?
- How much experience do you have with this procedure?
- Where is the procedure performed?
- What type of anesthesia is used and who provides it?
- What complications should I understand for my situation?
- How are complications handled?
- What follow-up care is included?
- Do you have examples of patients with similar concerns?
This is not about challenging the surgeon. It is about knowing what to expect before moving forward.
Cost of Cosmetic Surgery in Canada
Cosmetic surgery costs in Canada can vary widely. The final cost may include 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 due to overhead and demand. 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.
Surgery Abroad vs. Plastic Surgery in Canada
Some patients in Canada consider medical tourism to save money on surgery. This may seem appealing, but there are extra risks to think about.
Possible concerns with surgery abroad include:
- Difficulty getting follow-up care
- Flying or travelling soon after surgery
- Possible infection
- Different medical standards
- Harder access to records
- Complications that are harder to manage back in Canada
- Communication barriers
- Additional costs if revision surgery is needed
When surgery is done closer to home, follow-up may be easier if concerns or complications occur.
How to Prepare for a Plastic Surgery Consultation
Your consultation is the time to understand what can be done safely and realistically. The process should feel informative, not rushed or pressured.
Before the visit, preparation can help:
- Make notes about your main concerns.
- Bring a list of medications and supplements.
- Be ready to share your medical history.
- Be honest about smoking, vaping, cannabis, and nicotine use.
- Reference photos can be helpful if they explain your goals.
- Discuss recovery, scarring, risks, and other options.
- Find out what result is realistic for your anatomy.
A strong consultation includes clear discussion of treatment options. In some cases, the best recommendation is to wait, choose a smaller treatment, improve health first, or avoid surgery.
Who May Be a Good Candidate?
Plastic surgery candidates should usually be healthy, informed, and realistic. They understand surgery can improve appearance, but it cannot create perfection or solve every life concern.
You may be a suitable candidate if:
- You are medically well enough for surgery
- You can explain a clear concern
- Your weight has been stable before body surgery
- You can avoid smoking and nicotine before and after surgery
- You know what to expect during recovery
- You accept the risks and trade-offs
- You are choosing the procedure for yourself
- 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.
Planning More Than One Plastic Surgery Procedure
Combining procedures can be appropriate in selected cases. In some cases, procedures should be separated into different surgeries. Combining procedures may reduce total recovery time, but it can also increase surgical time and healing demands.
Plastic surgery procedures that are often combined include:
- Facelift with neck lift
- Combining eyelid surgery and brow lift
- Profile balancing with rhinoplasty and chin surgery
- Mastopexy with augmentation
- Abdominal contouring with tummy tuck and liposuction
- Mommy makeover procedures
- Post-weight-loss contouring with body lift and limb contouring
- Fat grafting with facial surgery
The right approach depends on the patient’s health, how long the procedure takes, anesthesia, recovery support, and overall risk.
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. Others repair 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 most popular procedure is not always the best fit. The best plan is based on anatomy, goals, health, and personal comfort.
A good 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.