A delicate, considered procedure
If you have thought about buttock aesthetic surgery, the first step is a comprehensive consultation with Dr Nara to discuss your options. It is important to address your goals carefully and to understand the process, the risks, and the recovery that comes with any surgery.
Dr Nara performs buttock surgery through either fat grafting, surgically inserted implants, or a combination of both. The fat — when used — is harvested using liposuction techniques, then carefully processed through specialised means to improve fat viability, before being reinjected at targeted points in the buttock region.
The viability of fat graft is always a consideration after surgery, since 100% retention is never possible. Fat may gradually be absorbed back into the body over time, influenced by ageing, metabolic changes, illness or injury. The retention curve is uneven, varies considerably between people, and cannot be precisely predicted in advance — these are individual ranges, not promises.
While buttock surgery may appear to be an exciting procedure — particularly given the likely outcomes of altering shape and form — it is important to explore the fundamentals and mechanics of the operation before considering it. Not all patients are suitable for buttock aesthetic surgery, so it is essential to discuss the intricacies during your consultation. Where surgery is appropriate, Dr Nara performs the procedure in an accredited and licensed facility, with a written cooling-off period and structured aftercare, in line with Medical Board of Australia guidelines.
The safety conversation comes before the goals conversation
There have been reports of unfortunate deaths around the world during this procedure. This is the first thing patients need to know — before the photographs, before the talk about shape, before any decision about technique. We will not have a goals conversation until we have had a safety conversation.
What happened in those reported cases. Fat was injected too deep in the buttock region. The fat entered the veins, travelled to the lungs, and resulted in respiratory arrest — a fat embolism.
What reduces this risk. Specific understanding of buttock anatomy and substantial medical experience are essential. Many techniques are now used to keep the fat in the safer subcutaneous plane — including superficial-only injection, blunt cannulas, real-time positioning awareness, and avoiding the gluteal veins. Dr Nara will explain his technique to you at consultation.
What never reduces this risk to zero. No technique eliminates the risk entirely. It is still a risk, and it is a risk that warrants serious consideration before deciding to proceed.
Beyond fat embolism, other risks specific to buttock surgery include bleeding, infection, seroma, scarring, deep venous thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, heart attack, lung infection, pressure sores, ulcers, asymmetry, contour irregularities, and — in rare cases — death. Risks specific to your individual surgery are discussed line by line at consultation. For the general list of cosmetic surgical risks, see our risks of surgery page.
Fundamentals, then goals
Specific goals are discussed during your consultation — but only after the fundamentals are clear. Dr Nara takes time to understand your goals and to explain what is and what is not realistic for your anatomy. You are encouraged to bring a partner, a family member or a friend along.
The conversation covers anatomy and donor sites (for fat grafting), medical history, smoking status, weight stability, medications, prior abdominal or pelvic surgery, the realistic range of outcomes, and the recovery — including the period of avoiding pressure on the buttocks. A chaperone is present throughout.
Some patients are also conscious about the shape of their hips. The shape of the hip is naturally occurring, with vast variations from person to person, and is assessed individually in Melbourne, Tasmania or Adelaide. Where appropriate, hip shape can be addressed through liposculpture and fat grafting — discussed thoroughly at consultation alongside your buttock plan.
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01 How is the procedure performed?
Dr Nara performs buttock surgery by either using your own fat (fat grafting) derived from another part of your body, by inserting specialised implants, or by using a combination of fat grafting and implants. With fat grafting, the fat is harvested using liposuction techniques, then carefully processed through specialised means (such as decantation, centrifugation or filtration) to improve fat viability, before being reinjected at targeted points in the buttock region. -
02 How long does the result last?
This varies considerably from individual to individual. Graft retention is also not uniform throughout the entire buttock region. In principle, all the fat graft inserted into the buttock does not remain there forever. It is difficult to predict whether these fat cells will remain consistently and permanently over time. Various factors influence retention, including the ageing process, metabolic changes, illness or injury. -
03 What is the full list of risks I should know about?
There are risks and complications associated with any operation. Specific to buttock surgery, these include bleeding, infection, seroma, scarring, deep venous thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, heart attack, lung infection, pressure sores, ulcers, asymmetry, contour irregularities, and — in rare cases — death. Specific risks are discussed further in the Safety section above this FAQ, and at consultation. The full general list of cosmetic surgical risks is on our risks of surgery page. -
04 Can hip shape be altered?
Yes. The shape of your hip is naturally occurring with vast variations from person to person. Some patients are conscious about the appearance of their hips and seek an aesthetic surgical change. This can be addressed through liposculpture and fat grafting techniques, discussed thoroughly at your cosmetic consultation with Dr Nara. -
05 Who is not suitable for this procedure?
Not all patients are suitable for buttock aesthetic surgery. Suitability depends on a host of factors including soft tissue dimensions and condition, available donor fat (for fat grafting), medical issues, smoking status, and many more aspects discussed at consultation. Dr Nara is honest at consultation if a procedure is not appropriate for you. -
06 What is the recovery like?
Recovery for buttock surgery is more involved than many other cosmetic procedures. Patients are typically asked to avoid sitting directly on the buttocks for a period of weeks (a special cushion is used), to avoid strenuous activity, and to attend structured follow-up reviews. Time off work depends on the type of work — these ranges are individual, not promises. -
07 What about scarring?
All cosmetic surgery has some degree of scarring. With fat grafting, the scars are limited to the small access points used for liposuction and the injection sites. With implants, there is an additional incision for the implant placement. Scars are permanent. They tend to soften and fade over time, but how an individual scar matures is influenced by genetic and personal factors. -
08 How much does buttock surgery cost?
A formal quote is only provided after your individual consultation, because anatomy, the technique chosen and the operative plan are different for each patient. The personalised quote is provided by Cate, the practice manager, after assessment. Dr Nara is a cosmetic doctor — private health insurance and Medicare rebates do not apply. -
09 What happens at consultation?
There are two appointments before any surgical decision. The first is a face-to-face or Zoom assessment with Dr Nara that takes time — anatomy, donor sites, medical history, technique options, the realistic range of outcomes and the full risks (including the safety considerations specific to this procedure) are all discussed, with a chaperone present. The second is a follow-up to revisit anything you have thought about since. A specialist GP referral and a psychological assessment are part of the consultation per Medical Board of Australia guidelines. -
10 How long is the cooling-off period?
A formal cooling-off period applies between consultation and any procedure, in line with Medical Board of Australia guidelines for cosmetic surgery. The intent is the opposite of pressure — time to read the written consent paperwork, talk to your GP, ask follow-up questions, and decide whether to proceed.
Our process
From first conversation to follow-up
Every buttock surgery patient moves through the same four steps, in the same order. Surgery only happens once steps one and two are done.
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Consultation
A face-to-face or Zoom assessment with Dr Nara, with a chaperone present. We discuss anatomy, medical history, technique options, the realistic range of outcomes, and the full risks. You leave with written information — never a same-day decision.
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Reflection
A formal cooling-off period under Medical Board of Australia guidelines. Time to reread the consent paperwork, talk to your GP, ask follow-up questions, and decide whether to proceed.
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Procedure
Performed by Dr Nara in an accredited and licensed facility. Whether the approach is fat grafting, implants or a combination is tailored to your individual assessment, donor sites and goals. You go home with detailed written aftercare instructions, support garments, a positioning cushion (where appropriate), and Dr Nara's direct contact.
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Follow-up
Structured reviews through the first weeks and months. Most patients return to non-physical work around one week and to higher-impact activity around six weeks, depending on healing — these are individual ranges, not promises.
Before you book
Come and speak with us about your expectations
We will work with you towards your goals in a trusted, safe and proficient manner. Results vary from patient to patient — each case is unique with its own anatomy, donor sites, safety considerations, risks and expectations.
All treatments have risks and benefits — to read those in detail, visit our risks of surgery page. Buttock surgery in particular carries a serious global safety history that we walk through line by line at consultation. It is important to seek a consult with your practitioner in person prior to any treatment, and we encourage you to seek a second opinion before proceeding.
Begin a conversation
Reserve your consult
Buttock surgery decisions are made in person, after a thorough assessment with a chaperone present — and only after the safety conversation. A formal quote is only provided after that consultation, because anatomy, donor sites and the operative plan differ between patients.
Submitting this form sends your enquiry to Dr Nara's team. Please don't include sensitive medical details — those are discussed at consultation.