Some patients before shoulder widening surgery, through either deltoid implants or clavicle lengthening techniques, may want to test how much width they desire and compare that to what the surgeries can actually achieve.. This can be done by broadening the shoulders under clothing using silicone shoulder pads which are commercially available in several designs. The best options are those specifically contoured for the male shoulder rather than generic unisex pads.
How much width can they create?
|
Pad Thickness |
Apparent Shoulder Increase |
|
5 mm |
~0.5–1 cm per side |
|
10 mm |
~1–1.5 cm per side |
|
15 mm |
~1.5–2 cm per side |
|
20 mm |
~2–3 cm per side (more noticeable) |
For a natural appearance, 8–12 mm is generally the sweet spot.
If you’re evaluating shoulder widening surgery these silicone pads can also serve as a useful way to simulate different shoulder widths before surgery. By trying several thicknesses (e.g., 10 mm, 15 mm, and 20 mm), you can estimate how a change in shoulder contour would affect your overall upper-body proportions before considering a permanent procedure.
Dr Barry Eppley
Plastic Surgeon