Can I Have Shoulder Width Reduction Surgery Twice?

Q: Dr. Eppley, I am inquiring about the shoulder width reduction surgery. I am very insecure about how broad my shoulders are. I’ve always wanted a delicate, feminine shape so that I could wear whatever I wanted to without feeling like I had to hide a part of myself. For reducing the width of your shoulders, is the restraint of ~ 4-5cm removed per operation, or in a lifetime? Would repeat surgeries be possible if a person wanted to remove more than 4-5cm? As you can see there is a very drastic difference between my shoulder width and hip width.

A: Thank you for your inquiry and sending your picture. Your question about whether one should have a second clavicle reduction surgery is an interesting one and I can not speak from personal experience having never done it as such as the issue has never arisen before. But I would see no reason why one could not later have a second shoulder width reduction surgery if one desires at the same osteotomy site. Obviously the goal the first time would be to make that unnecessary taking out 3cms oer side. I think you might be surprised how much difference that can make and hopefully the consideration of a second surgery for you remains a theoretical one.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis, Indiana