How Much Shoulder Reduction Can Be Done at 6 Feet Tall?

Q: Dr. Eppley, Emailing in regards to your shoulder reduction surgery. I’ve been looking extensively into this for the past 3 years and I’ve been hesitating whether to proceed with it due to the lengthy nature of recovery and the overall benefits of how much can be removed. It’s a big factor for me as unfortunately I have very wide shoulders and scapulas. (I was wondering if the scapula can be slightly shortened or manipulated too), I’ve seen that you can remove around 2-3cm on each side (more towards the inch measurement on each side), I am desperate for this but I want to know that I can remain functionality and still be able to move them effectively and that the screws won’t release if I happen to move my arm in a different position by accident? In regards to my height I am 6ft but my shoulder span is very broad. Hopefully you can help me with my queries.

A:In answer to your shoulder reduction questions:

1) At 6′ tall you can remove at least 2.5cms per side, maybe 2.75cms per side. That always makes for a very visible difference as can be seen in the many before and after pictuers of the surgery on one of my websites. (www.eppleyplasticsurgery.com….go to the Shoulder Reshaping page) By looking at other patients you can get a feel for the type of shoulder shape change that occurs. It will also be important to do some imaging of your shoulder pictures as well to see what type of change is realistically possible.

2) In regards to the scapula there are more limited changes that can be there. A prominent spine/ridge can be reduced but you can’t change the width of the scapula…which is usually what is the  aesthetically disturbing feature of it.

3) Of the hundreds of shoulder reductions I have done no patient has experienced postoperative range of motion limitations.

4) The main risk of the surgery is early hardware loosening and non-union…which is why I apply both a superior and anterior plate. No one to date has suffered screw pullout or plate displacement in the early healing phase.

Dr. Barry Eppley

World-Renowned Plastic Surgeon