BROOKLYN, N.Y. (PIX11) – A woman from Central Asia is accused of pretending to be a doctor on social media and performing a Brazilian butt lift (BBL) surgery on a woman who then developed a severe, life-threatening infection.
The suspect, Nargiza Shukurova, 39, of Uzbekistan, allegedly performed a BBL that almost killed a victim, the Brooklyn District Attorney’s offices announced on Friday.
Shukurova is charged with assault, unauthorized practice of a profession, criminal possession of a weapon, and reckless endangerment, according to court records.
“In all plastic surgery, the Brazilian butt lift must be performed with the greatest of care, as it has the highest mortality rate of any cosmetic surgery procedure,” District Attorney Eric Gonza said. “The defendant advertised on social media, using the titles Dr. Nargiza and Dr. Nargis, offering butt enlargement, buttocks shape correction, and Barbie lips, among other services, with before and after photographs. The defendant did not have a license to practice medicine in New York State and was not authorized to perform a BBL.”
Shukurova allegedly performed the surgery on a 46-year-old woman in May 2023 at a Beauty Salon in Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn. According to an investigation, the surgery did not take place in an authorized surgical facility, and no medical history or basic physical exam was performed.
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.
