Dr Shahryar Tork, the plastic surgeon who performed a tummy tuck on TikTok star Rachel Tussey, has broken his silence after the 47-year-old mother of three was left brain dead following complications from the procedure. Tussey, who had over 25,000 followers on TikTok, underwent surgery on 25 February at an independent surgical centre in Cincinnati, Ohio.
In a statement to the Daily Mail, Dr Tork said he was 'heartbroken' and 'struggling to understand how this could have occurred'. He clarified that the surgery took place at an independently owned facility, not his private practice, and that the procedure was completed successfully. Tussey was reportedly awake and speaking with her husband shortly after the operation.
However, her condition later deteriorated unexpectedly. Dr Tork said he returned to assist with her care and transfer to Bethesda North Hospital, where he remained with the family. He has since discontinued all procedures at the surgery centre.
Tussey's family have publicly stated they do not blame Dr Tork personally, saying he has treated them with compassion. Instead, they have raised concerns about the surgery centre and its staff. The family's attorney, Bernard Layne III, confirmed that Tussey suffered a permanent anoxic brain injury and is now in hospice care after life support was withdrawn.
