Shoulder reduction by clavicles shortening and breast implant augmentation are two types of aesthetic body contouring surgeries Breast augmentation is a very common aesthetic surgery while shoulder reduction is far less frequently done. But in select patients these two aesthetic needs may intersect provoking the question can they be done at the same time. in many cases it can but whether it’s a good idea depends on a few important factors.
? Combining shoulder reduction + breast augmentation is possible provided:
- The patient is healthy (no major medical risk factors)
- Total operative time stays reasonable (often under ~5–6 hours, varies by surgeon)
- Blood loss is expected to be minimal
- The goals of both procedures complement each other aesthetically
From a logistics standpoint, doing both at once can mean:
- One anesthesia
- One recovery period
- Lower overall cost vs. two separate surgeries
Other Important Considerations
1. Positioning & surgical access
- Shoulder reduction often involves work at he clavicle/shoulder girdle just above the breasts
- Breast augmentation requires surgical access through the inframammary fold, nipple or axilla in close proximity to the clavicle
- Combining them does not make intra-operative positioning more complex or difficult. The intraoperative positioning is virtually the same.
2. Swelling & aesthetic judgment
- Shoulder surgery creates some swelling but it does not interfere with breast implant placement.
- That swelling does not affect final breast positioning or implant sizing decisions
3. Recovery demands
- Both surgeries affect the upper chest area, specifically the pectoralis major muscle but neither surgery prolongs the recovery of the other.
- The limited upper arm movement that is required from clavicle shortening does not interfere with breast augmentation recovery or limit the wearing of a support bra after surgery.
- There is no physical therapy done after shoulder reduction surgery so there is no conflict with breast precautions early after surgery.
4. Surgical duration
- Combined shoulder and breast surgeries takes under four hour to do which makes it not an excessively long surgery.
- The combined procedures do not make it less safe or have more risks than either procedure when done alone.
When to stage or separate the two
- Stage the procedures based on patient preference or economics
- If staged separate the two procedures by 3 to 6 months
- The order of the staging does not matter. It cold be argued that setting the width/shape of the shoulders first may allow for more accurate aesthetic determination of breast size.
Bottom line
- Yes, it’s possible, and it is done
- There is no compelling contraindication to doing both procedures as a combined surgery other than patient choice.
Dr. Barry Eppley
World-Renowned Plastic Surgeon