Unlicensed NYC Practitioner Faces Legal Action for Alleged Botched Brazilian Butt Lift Surgery

A woman hailing from Central Asia is facing serious charges in Brooklyn for allegedly masquerading as a doctor on social media and conducting a Brazilian butt lift (BBL) surgery that resulted in a severe, potentially life-threatening infection for her patient.

The accused, 39-year-old Nargiza Shukurova from Uzbekistan, is said to have performed the dangerous procedure that nearly resulted in the death of her client, according to an announcement by the Brooklyn District Attorney’s office on Friday.

Court records reveal that Shukurova is facing charges including assault, unauthorized practice of a profession, criminal possession of a weapon, and reckless endangerment.

“The Brazilian butt lift, like all forms of plastic surgery, requires meticulous care due to its high mortality rate, the highest among cosmetic procedures,” stated District Attorney Eric Gonzalez. “The defendant promoted herself on social media as Dr. Nargiza and Dr. Nargis, offering services like butt enlargement, buttocks shape correction, and Barbie lips, showcasing before and after photos. However, she was neither licensed to practice medicine in New York State nor authorized to conduct BBL procedures.”

In May 2023, Shukurova allegedly carried out the surgery on a 46-year-old woman at a beauty salon in Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn. Investigations revealed that the procedure was conducted in a non-certified surgical setting without any prior medical history review or basic physical examination.

Shukurova also failed to follow proper surgical procedures. In the days after her BBL, the victim began experiencing severe medical complications, including a life-threatening infection, according to court documents. 

Shukurova allegedly discouraged the victim from seeking medical treatment and tried to manage her declining condition. Nearly three weeks after the BBL, the victim lost consciousness at home, and her family rushed her to a hospital. She underwent twelve surgeries over two months to treat an infection that almost killed her, according to documents. 

During her hospital stay, Shukurova allegedly left messages on the victim’s phone, begging her to lie to hospital staff about the procedure and not reveal her identity, officials said. 

Shukurova was later arrested at Los Angeles International Airport on a Kings County warrant on Jan. 9, 2026. During her arraignment, bail was set, and she was ordered to return to court on March 25, 2026, according to court records.