CINCINNATI OHIO, Dr. Shahryar Tork, the plastic surgeon who performed Rachel Tussey’s tummy tuck operation before the TikTok star died just hours later, said he is struggling to understand how the tragic outcome occurred as the victim’s family brings in a personal injury lawyer.
The surgeon said the procedure had been completed successfully and without complications, leaving him confused about what may have led to the TikTok mother’s sudden death.
Dr. Shahryar Tork, a double-board-certified plastic surgeon based in Cincinnati, Ohio, said the Feb. 25 surgery on Rachel Tussey “was completed successfully and without complications,” adding that she was awake and in excellent condition when he last saw her in recovery later that afternoon.
In a statement provided to TMZ, Tork said he was devastated by the news.
“I am heartbroken for Rachel Tussey and her family. My thoughts remain with her loved ones during this devastating time,” he said.
“Like them, I am struggling to understand how this could have occurred.
“Rachel’s surgery was completed successfully and without complications. When I last saw her in the recovery room as she prepared for her planned overnight stay, she was awake and in excellent condition with her husband by her side.”
Tussey, a 47-year-old mother of three, had been documenting her cosmetic surgery journey for more than 27,000 followers on TikTok in the days leading up to the procedure.
In a final video shared shortly before the operation, Tussey appeared upbeat while wearing a hospital gown and preparing for surgery.
“I’m in good hands. I know God’s got my back. Let’s do this,” she said in the clip, which included the captions #midlifeglowup and #mommymakeover.
Despite her optimism, Tussey admitted in the video that she was nervous about the procedure and said she did not like pain medication and did not handle pain well.
What was expected to be a routine cosmetic surgery later turned into a medical emergency.
Tussey’s husband, Jeremy, later shared an update on TikTok explaining that he had been waiting in the recovery area when he was called back to his wife’s room around 5:45 p.m. after the operation.
He said he briefly spoke with the doctor, who was leaving for the day, and was reassured that the surgery had gone well.
Shortly afterward, Jeremy said he heard his wife calling out to him and began to notice something was wrong.
“Next thing you know, I look down, and her face is off color,” he said, recalling the moment he realized something was wrong.
“I assumed it was from the surgery, you know, from a lack of blood.”
When Tussey stopped responding, medical staff began performing CPR and she was rushed to TriHealth Bethesda North Hospital, where she was placed on life support.
Jeremy said doctors later informed him that his wife had gone more than six minutes without oxygen and had suffered a severe brain injury.
Tussey was later moved to hospice care after life support was withdrawn and she eventually died.
The family has since hired personal injury attorney Bernard Layne III to explore the circumstances surrounding the case.
Layne said Tussey suffered a permanent anoxic brain injury following a surgical procedure performed at a private surgical center in Cincinnati.
It is not yet clear why the surgery was performed at a private clinic instead of a hospital or whether such procedures are commonly carried out at that type of facility.
The attorney said the family is currently focused on understanding what happened and supporting Tussey’s loved ones during the difficult time.
“At this time, we will not comment on any aspect of culpability or liability in this matter,” Layne said.
Meanwhile, Jeremy said he is determined to learn what led to his wife’s death.
“To me, it looks like incompetence. Somebody dropped the ball here,” he said.
Rachel Tussey is survived by her husband Jeremy and their three children, Tristan, Alec, and Livi.
It remains unclear whether the family will pursue legal action against Dr. Shahryar Tork as the investigation into the incident continues.
