Doctor sues over 'mommy makeover' patient's death

Lawsuit claims surgery center staff made mistakes that led to woman's death after tummy tuck procedure.

Apr. 7, 2026 at 2:53pm

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A ghostly, translucent X-ray photograph revealing the internal structures of a human torso, with glowing lines and shapes conceptually representing the medical complexities and human cost of a botched tummy tuck procedure.An X-ray view into the tragic aftermath of a routine cosmetic surgery, exposing the fragility of the human body and the need for heightened safety protocols in outpatient care.Bethesda Today

The doctor who performed a 'mommy makeover' surgery for Rachel Tussey, an Ohio mother and TikTok personality who later died, is suing the Evendale surgery center where the procedure took place and an anesthesiologist group. The lawsuit claims the staff at the surgery center 'administered more opioids in a period of minutes than Mrs. Tussey had needed during the entire nine-hour surgery' and made mistakes after she overdosed, leading to her death.

Why it matters

This case highlights ongoing concerns about the safety and oversight of outpatient surgery centers, which have faced scrutiny in recent years over patient deaths and complications. It also raises questions about the risks of 'mommy makeover' procedures and the need for thorough post-operative care.

The details

In February, Dr. Shahryar Tork performed a tummy tuck for Rachel Tussey at JourneyLite Surgery Center. Tussey, a mother and TikTok personality, died on March 17. Tork is now suing JourneyLite and the Associated Anesthesiologists of Springfield, claiming the staff 'administered an opioid overdose' and made mistakes in caring for Tussey after the surgery, leading to her death. The lawsuit alleges JourneyLite then 'attempted to cover up its actions'.

  • On Feb. 25, Tussey went to the JourneyLite Surgery Center to have an abdominoplasty performed by Tork.
  • Tussey died on March 17.

The players

Dr. Shahryar Tork

The doctor who performed the tummy tuck surgery on Rachel Tussey and is now suing the surgery center and anesthesiologist group.

Rachel Tussey

An Ohio mother and TikTok personality who died after undergoing a 'mommy makeover' procedure at JourneyLite Surgery Center.

JourneyLite Surgery Center

The Evendale surgery center where Tussey's tummy tuck procedure was performed and is now being sued by Dr. Tork.

Associated Anesthesiologists of Springfield

The anesthesiologist group that is also being sued by Dr. Tork in relation to Tussey's death.

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What they’re saying

“After Mrs. Tussey's successful surgery, JourneyLite failed to provide safe recovery and post-anesthesia care. JourneyLite's unqualified post-anesthesia-care-unit nurse administered an opioid overdose, resulting in Mrs. Tussey's death. JourneyLite then attempted to cover up its actions that caused Mrs. Tussey's death.”

— Cooper Elliott law firm, Lawyers representing Dr. Tork

“To me, it looks like incompetency. Somebody dropped the ball and killed my wife.”

— Rachel Tussey's husband

What’s next

The lawsuit filed by Dr. Tork against JourneyLite Surgery Center and Associated Anesthesiologists of Springfield will proceed through the legal system, with the potential for further developments and court rulings.

The takeaway

This tragic case highlights the need for strict oversight and rigorous safety protocols at outpatient surgery centers, especially when performing complex 'mommy makeover' procedures. It also underscores the importance of thorough post-operative care to prevent fatal complications.