Rachel Tussey, a mom from Ohio, has died following complications from a tummy tuck. Rachel had been documenting her decision to undergo the procedure on TikTok. She shared her story as a way to encourage other women around her age to do what makes them feel good. While it’s so important to feel good in your body, plastic surgery always carries a lot of risk, and it’s important to carefully consider those, especially when you have kids to think about.
Of course, there are a lot of cosmetic procedures that go off without a hitch. But then we hear horror stories about women who go in for something routine and never make it out. Even if complications aren’t the norm, it’s enough to make me think twice.
The mom of three was excited about the change.
@midlifeunmuted_ #midlifeglowup #mommymakeover #TT #drtork #makeover ♬ original sound – MidLifeUnmuted_
On February 24, 2026, Rachel shared a “day in the life” video as she prepared for her surgery. She could be seen at what was likely her final pre-op visit with her doctor, holding a red patterned bikini.
The next day, February 25, is the last video from Rachel. She was in a hospital gown, and she told her followers they were getting ready to start her surgery.
“Please pray,” the 47-year-old asked her followers. “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.”
Her husband used her TikTok to tell people what happened.
@midlifeunmuted_ #drtork #evandalehealthfairlife#bethesdanorth @Shahryar Tork, MD ♬ original sound – MidLifeUnmuted_
On March 3, Rachel’s husband Jeremy shared a video, giving her followers the update they were likely looking for.
He said he sat in the parking lot of the facility where the procedure was taking place, and was finally called around 5:45 p.m. to come into the recovery room. The doctor “assured” him everything “went great” with the surgery.
Jeremy sat with Rachel and asked how she was doing before a nurse asked about her pain after being given medication. “Next thing you know, I look down and her face is off color,” he said. “I assumed it was from the surgery, you know, a lack of blood.”
But that’s not what was happening. Suddenly, she was unresponsive. The nurse began CPR, but “there was no sense of urgency,” he said. The nurses called for the plastic surgeon, who told them to call 911. She was taken to TriHealth Bethesda North Hospital and put on life support.
“She was without oxygen for over six minutes,” her husband explained. “I was told last night that she’s brain-dead.”
He vowed to find out what happened to his wife. “To me, it looks like incompetence. Somebody dropped the ball and killed my wife.”
A friend created a fundraiser to help the family.
Family friend Julia McCune started a GoFundMe to ease the financial burden for Rachel’s husband Jeremy and her children, Tristan, Alec, and Livi.
“Rachel is a vibrant mother, devoted wife, and a true servant to her community. She has always been the kind of person who showed up for others without hesitation- always ready to help, lend a hand, or bring hope to those who needed it most,” the fundraiser says.
“Rachel was truly full of life. She loved adventure, cherished her family deeply, and lived as an example of what community and compassion should look like. When someone needed help, Rachel was always the first person to step forward.”
Sadly, Rachel never recovered.
In the fundraiser’s description, it was explained that on March 5, Jeremy “faced the unimaginable and heartbreaking decision to remove her from life support.” At the time, she was still breathing, but “neurology evaluations have confirmed that her brain is in a vegetative state resulting in an unfortunate likelihood of slowly passing away.”
Despite holding out hope that something might change, Rachel’s family had moved her to end-of-life hospice care at the time.
In an update, Jeremy shared that his wife died on March 17. “Rachel was an amazing wife, mother, and person who touched so many lives. We will carry her memory with us always,” he wrote. “Your donations, messages, and kindness have meant more to us than words can express. They have helped ease burdens and reminded us that we are not alone as we navigate this loss.”
The Tussey family is likely going to pursue legal action for her death.
The family retained a lawyer, WXIX reported on March 6. The outlet reached out to Rachel Tussey’s doctor, who was not named, for a statement following the surgery complications.
“I am heartbroken for Rachel Tussey and her family. My thoughts remain with her loved ones during this devastating time. Like them, I am struggling to understand how this occurred,” the doctor said.
“It is important to clarify that the surgery did not take place at my private practice. Rachel’s surgery was completed successfully and without complications. Out of respect for Rachel and her family, and due to patient privacy laws, I will not comment further,” the doctor said.
