I am a fifty four year old male.  I have a body type, which is
difficult for me, because the upper part of my body (above the waist)
is appreciably smaller than the lower portion of my body (waist, hips
and legs).  This is not because of weight gain, which is in the normal
range for my age, but because of my skeletal structure.  My legs and
hips have a large bone structure, while my upper torso has a smaller
skeletal frame.  I appear to have extremely narrow shoulders for my
size, while around the hips I seem to have an excess of extra weight,
which is really caused by having big hips and legs.

The effect that my body type has on others is very disconcerting and
negatively affects the attitudes and perceptions that other people
have towards me.  I have tried a number things to compensate for this
appearance, including weight training to build up my shoulders, and
dieting and running to work down the size or proportion of my legs,
but these have not adequately overcome the basic problem of my
appearance.

I have read about limb lengthening.  The discussions that I have read
talk only of lengthen either the arms or legs.  I have not read any
sources that have addressed lengthening the shoulders.
Can limb lengthening be applied to the shoulders as well?
Are there greater complications that make it impossible to do bone
lengthening on the shoulders as oppose to the arms and legs?
What resources are available to find out more about this?  I have
looked at a number of internet sites, but I have not seen any that
work with shoulders.
Is there another procedure that might address widening shoulders?

I know there is controversy about the limb lengthening procedure.
Is acceptable for cosmetic reasons?
Is it safe and reliable?
If limb lengthening is not safe and reliable, then what other
alternatives are possible to address this problem?

If you can answer some of these questions I would appreciate it.  I
would also like to have a list of resources to further investigate
this whole subject.

You are the only person who is concerned about your body shape.

It is not important.

You are what you are.

I worry about men of any age who seem to think that their appearance matters.

YES it does but only to the extent that you are clean and well-groomed.

To illustrate, I know several men who have tried to hide a lack of
hair on their head with a wig.

And it just looks as though they are wearing a wig.

Wigs are OK for actors but a waste of money for anyone else.

It's going to be a lot easier to change your opinion of yourself than
your physical appearance, which I am sure is absolutely fine.

If you have lived with it succesfully for 54 years, it can't be all that terrible.

Cheer up!

NO, 'limb lengthening' cannot be done to make your shoulders broader.
'Limb' refers only to your arms and legs, which have long bones that
are cut and secured with metal spacers in limb lengthening surgeries. 
The anatomy of the shoulder, which includes many bones, muscles, and
connective tissues all connected to your spine and ribcage, makes this
impossible.
To better understand shoulder anatomy, see: 
http://ortho.smith-nephew.com/us/node.asp?NodeId=3235
Kateri

You could try liposuction for the hips and working out in the gym to
build up your shoulders muscles. That should improve the width ratio
between the lower and higher parts of your body.

However, you should know that liposuction will reduce the size of your
hip area momentarily and will stay that way only if you keep a
balanced diet. If you gain weight, the fatty cells in your hips will
swell up again and yu'll be back where you started.

If this really bothers you then you could ask your tailor to put
shoulder pads in your suits. Even if you buy them ready-made this
could be done.
But, honestly, other people probably don't notice as much as you
think. Many years ago, I went to school with the most beautiful girl,
who had long blonde hair, a wonderful figure and a long nose like a
horse. But she had such a lovely personality that nobody noticed her
nose at all after a few meetings with her. I met her some years
laterand she said excitedly. 'Look at my nose! What do you think?'
Well, it looked rather red, so I asked sympathetically whether she had
a cold. My schoolfriend was very disappointed in me. she has just had
surgery to abbreviate the nose and none of her friends had noticed.
Best wishes,
Amber

It seems that you carry your weight in your hips.  You need to lose
weight.  Lets say the average person is suppose to weigh 180 pounds. 
Now what if that person happens to carry ALL their fat in their upper
body.  Have you ever seen someone who is barrel chested?   Have you
seen their legs?  Toothpicks...

You happen to be someone who carries all their weight in the hips.

IF you really want to change your body shape.  You need to lose weight
and start a HEAVY bodybuilding program  What do I mean by Heavy
bodybuilding program?  Workout 2 to 3 hours a day with really heavy
wieghts.  I suggest you buy Arnold Schwarzenegger's "The new
Encyclopedia of Modern Bodybuilding"

Learn everything you can about bodybuilding.  Pick a club that's ONLY
caters to bodybuilders.  Ask around you'll find out where the
bodybuilders go.

Take the money you would spend on shoulder surgery and spend 1/4 of it
with a personal trainer.  IF you bust your as@ for 6 months, you'll
have the body you want.

Workout on Latissimus dorsi by pull ups behind the back and the widest
grip possible to widen your shoulders+ shoulders wit hlateral raises-
heavy weight.
twice-thrice weekly, with protein diet will help if done with dedication.