A legal dispute has developed following the death of social media influencer Rachel Tussey, with conflicting accounts emerging from her family and the operating surgeon over the circumstances that led to her passing after a cosmetic surgical procedure.
Tussey, 47, a mother and influencer from Franklin, Ohio, died in February after undergoing a tummy tuck, liposuction, and umbilical hernia repair at JourneyLite Surgery Center in Evendale. The procedure was performed under the care of Dr. Shahryar Tork.
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Dr. Tork has since filed a lawsuit alleging that while the surgery itself was completed without complication, serious issues arose during the post-operative period. He claims a post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) nurse administered excessive doses of opioid medications, including fentanyl and Dilaudid, which he says led to an anoxic brain injury caused by prolonged oxygen deprivation.
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Speaking at a press conference, Dr. Tork said emergency medical services arrived too late to save Tussey. “This was not a tummy tuck complication. She would have been home today if proper care had been administered,” he said, describing the incident as a preventable failure in post-surgical care.
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The lawsuit further alleges that Tussey should not have been given additional narcotic medication based on her post-operative vital signs.
JourneyLite Surgery Center has strongly denied the allegations. Attorney Judd Uhl said internal reviews conducted by anesthesiologists and a forensic pathologist found no evidence of negligence or wrongdoing. He stated that Tussey’s medical records were complete and properly maintained, and that she did not exhibit typical signs of opioid overdose. Uhl also noted that the administration of Narcan reportedly did not reverse her condition.
The surgery center has also rejected claims that medical records were altered, calling the allegations unfounded. In a public statement, it said Tussey’s family has declined to authorize an autopsy, which it argues would be necessary to determine the exact cause of death. The center suggested that possible causes could include sudden cardiac death, pulmonary embolism, or fat embolism.
Attorneys representing the Tussey family have responded by seeking temporary restraining orders to preserve all medical records and prevent any alteration or destruction of evidence. They have also indicated that further legal action will be pursued on behalf of the family.
The surgery center maintains that both PACU nurses involved in Tussey’s care were highly experienced, ACLS certified, and acted in good faith while attempting to save her life.
As the case continues, medical and legal experts are reviewing the competing claims surrounding post-operative care, medication administration, and the exact cause of Rachel Tussey’s death.
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