A Tri-State family is mourning after a 47-year-old woman was placed on hospice following complications from a tummy tuck surgery. Rachel Tussey, who had been documenting her journey on TikTok, shared her excitement and apprehension in the days leading up to the procedure.
“I’m super pumped to do this. I’m only 47, I think I have a lot of life to live,” she said in one video. However, she also expressed some hesitation, asking for prayers as she prepared for the surgery. “I know it’s going to be great. I’ve waited a really long time for this.”
On the morning of February 25, she posted an update before her surgery, but days later, her husband Jeremy Tussey shared a heartbreaking update on her account. Jeremy described a conversation with the surgeon, who assured him the surgery went well. However, when he heard Rachel calling for him shortly after, he grew concerned.
A nurse had administered pain medication, including .5 dilaudid and 150 fentanyl. Jeremy later noticed that Rachel’s face had lost color. When he attempted to rouse her, she didn’t respond, prompting the nurse to begin CPR. However, the bag used to administer oxygen wasn’t properly sealed, and the nurse had to retrieve Narcan before calling for emergency help.
Rachel was rushed to Bethesda North hospital, where doctors informed her family that she had been without oxygen for six minutes. Tragically, Rachel was later removed from life support and transferred to hospice care. Her son confirmed the difficult decision, and a GoFundMe page has been set up to support the family, with a goal of raising $22,000.
The family has sought legal counsel but has not taken any legal action as of yet. The doctor involved in the procedure has not responded to requests for comment.