Dr. Ekstrom and I are writing to you this week from beautiful Salzburg, Austria – the birthplace of Mozart and Haydn, a city steeped in music, history, and culture. Salzburg is also home to our dear friends, Dr. Walther Jungwirth and his wife, Andrea. Many of you may not know that Dr. Jungwirth was my student in the early 1980s before returning home to establish a thriving aesthetic plastic surgery practice. Over the decades, we have lectured together at meetings, exchanged visits, and shared many memorable experiences. Twelve years ago, it was here in Salzburg that Dr. Jungwirth performed my own facelift – a milestone I remember with gratitude.

Our trip has been a perfect blend of professional exchange and cultural immersion. We have wandered through Salzburg’s historic downtown, marveled at its ornate cathedrals, and explored fascinating museums. A highlight was hiking up the mountain to the fortress overlooking the city, where we enjoyed a traditional Austrian lunch with breathtaking views. Salzburg’s very name comes from “salt,” and it was this “white gold” that provided the city’s early wealth and importance in European trade.

Last evening offered a more modern taste of Salzburg – a night at the hockey arena, where the Red Bull Salzburg team faced off against rivals from Carinthia. The energy in the arena was electric, and the home team emerged victorious. Red Bull, whose global headquarters are here, has had a tremendous influence on the city. Beyond their famous energy drink, Red Bull has invested heavily in the community, sponsoring world-class museums at the airport, as well as local professional hockey and soccer teams. It was impressive to see firsthand how deeply woven Red Bull is into Salzburg’s identity today.

Professionally, the week is just as rewarding. Today, Dr. Ekstrom and I will accompany Dr. Jungwirth into the operating room to observe him performing a facelift today. Even after decades of practice, it is always stimulating to learn from colleagues, share techniques, and refine our craft. Dr. Ekstrom, with her expertise in body contouring and microfat grafting, and I, with my focus on facial rejuvenation, look forward to exchanging ideas with our Austrian colleagues.

It promises to be a fabulous week – filled with surgical insights, cultural discoveries, and time with treasured friends. We are grateful to combine professional growth with the joy of exploring this remarkable city.

With Dr. Jungwirth, feeling the part!

With Andrea Jungwirth overlooking Salzburg skyline.

In the lounge between periods of the hockey game in the Red Bull Arena.

Mushroom from Latvia demonstrating perfect proportions.

Let’s continue this week’s article with a quiz:
Quiz Question:

Which of the following is currently the most common technique used for cosmetic buttocks augmentation in the United States?
A) Silicone buttock implants
B) Fat transfer (Brazilian Butt Lift)
C) Injectable fillers
D) External suction devices
E) Hormonal injections

Correct Answer:
B) Fat transfer (Brazilian Butt Lift) – This technique uses a patient’s own purified fat, harvested through liposuction, to enhance the shape and volume of the buttocks. It remains the most popular method because it achieves natural-looking results while also slimming donor areas.

Over my forty years in an aesthetic plastic surgery practice, my main areas of interest and expertise are microfat grafting, body contouring and breast surgery. When it comes to body contouring, achieving balance and harmony is the ultimate goal. One area that has received increasing attention over the past few decades is the buttocks. While trends have varied, patients consistently desire a shape that looks natural and proportionate to their body.

A brief history:
Early attempts at buttocks enhancement focused primarily on implants, using silicone devices much like those used for breast augmentation. While effective for some patients, implants can sometimes feel less natural and carry higher risks of complications. Over time, advances in fat harvesting and purification led to the development of microfat grafting techniques—often referred to as the Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL). This method revolutionized buttocks surgery by allowing surgeons to use a patient’s own tissue to enhance contour.

The procedure:
Buttocks augmentation with fat transfer begins with liposuction—removing fat from areas such as the abdomen, flanks, or thighs. That fat is then carefully purified and injected into targeted areas of the buttocks in small amounts, using microcannulas, to create smooth, natural contours. This technique has the added benefit of slimming donor areas while enhancing the buttocks, providing a “two-in-one” body contouring effect.

Who is a good candidate?
The ideal candidate for fat transfer buttocks augmentation is someone who:
Desires a natural enhancement that balances their body shape.
Has adequate donor fat available for transfer.
Is in good health, with realistic expectations for the outcome.

Who is not a good candidate?
Patients who are extremely thin and lack sufficient donor fat may not be able to undergo fat transfer. In those cases, buttocks implants remain an option. Implants can provide volume when fat grafting is not possible. Patients seeking an excessively large or exaggerated look are also not ideal candidates, as our focus is always on balance and harmony rather than extremes.

The goal:
At Orange County Plastic Surgery, our philosophy is to help patients achieve body balance – a look that is proportional, attractive, and long-lasting. With over 40 years of experience, I have seen firsthand how microfat grafting has become the safest and most natural approach to buttocks enhancement for patients with the right anatomy.

The goal isn’t simply a larger buttocks – it’s a more confident, balanced you.

Fun Fact: Did you know that throughout history, ideals of beauty have changed dramatically? In the 18th century, women wore padded dresses called “bustles” to give the illusion of fuller buttocks. Today, instead of layers of fabric, we can achieve beautiful, natural curves with advanced surgical techniques!

Orange County Plastic Surgery at CosmetiCare
1101 Bayside Drive, Suite 200
Corona del Mar, CA 92625

Take the elevator to the second floor (Suite 200) and check in with the front desk for your consultation or follow-up.
Free Parking Available.