Dr. Shahryar Tork Speaks Out After TikTok Star Rachel Tussey Left Brain Dead Following Tummy Tuck Complications

The family of Rachel Tussey, a 47-year-old TikTok star and mother of three, is grieving after the routine cosmetic procedure that she documented online reportedly resulted in permanent brain injury. The surgery, performed by Dr. Shahryar Tork, a double-board-certified plastic surgeon based in Cincinnati, Ohio, has sparked widespread concern and prompted the family to hire a personal injury attorney.

Tussey, who had shared her cosmetic surgery journey with over 25,000 TikTok followers, underwent a tummy tuck on February 25. She appeared upbeat in her final pre-surgery video, telling viewers:

“Please pray. I know it’s gonna be great. I’ve waited a really long time for this. I’m in good hands. I know God’s got my back. Let’s do this.”

Surgeon Statement

Dr. Tork said he was “heartbroken” for Tussey and her family, emphasizing that the surgery itself was completed successfully. In a statement, he explained:

“Rachel’s surgery was completed successfully and without complications. She was awake, speaking with her husband, and recovering as expected when I last saw her in the recovery room for her planned overnight stay.”

Dr. Tork clarified that the procedure was not performed at his private practice, and that post-operative monitoring was handled by staff at an independently owned ambulatory surgical facility. He said he returned immediately when Tussey’s condition unexpectedly worsened and accompanied her transfer to Bethesda North Hospital, where he continued to offer support to the family.

 

“I am struggling to understand how this could have occurred,” he said, adding that he has discontinued all procedures at that surgery center out of respect for the Tussey family.

Family Response

Tussey’s husband, Jeremy Tussey, revealed the sudden onset of complications in a TikTok video on March 3, describing how he noticed something was wrong while waiting in the recovery area. According to Jeremy, Tussey stopped responding and hospital staff performed CPR after she suffered a lack of oxygen for more than six minutes, leaving her permanently brain dead.

“I was told last night that she’s brain dead,” Jeremy said. “To me, it looks like incompetence. Somebody dropped the ball here.”

Tussey was eventually removed from life support. She leaves behind Jeremy and their three children: Tristan, Alec, and Livi.

Legal Action

The Tussey family has since hired personal injury attorney Bernard Layne III, who is investigating the circumstances surrounding the procedure. Layne emphasized:

“At this time, we will not comment on culpability or liability but will focus on supporting Rachel Tussey’s family during this devastating time.”

Online Tributes and Fundraiser

A GoFundMe created for the family has raised significant support, highlighting Tussey as a vibrant, compassionate mother who “loved adventure, cherished her family deeply, and was always the first to help others in need.”

Despite the tragedy, the family has publicly stated that they do not blame Dr. Tork personally, praising his compassion and presence at the hospital throughout the ordeal. Their concerns are directed at the surgical facility and post-operative staff.