An Ohio mother who documented her cosmetic surgery journey on TikTok has sadly been removed from life support after suffering life-threatening complications following a “mommy makeover” procedure, according to her family.
Rachel Tussey, 47, gained attention on TikTok after sharing videos with more than 25,000 followers about her plans to undergo cosmetic surgery at The Plastic Surgery Group in Citygate in the Cincinnati area, including a tummy tuck, which she described as part of a long-awaited “midlife glow up.”
Tussey posted several videos before the operation, explaining that she had been planning the surgery for years. In one clip filmed while wearing a hospital gown, she told followers she was excited but also nervous about the procedure.
The surgery, performed on Feb. 25, 2026, was an abdominoplasty — commonly called a tummy tuck — a cosmetic procedure designed to remove excess abdominal skin and tighten underlying muscles.
What happened to Rachel Tussey?
According to her husband, Jeremy Tussey, the surgery initially appeared successful. In a video posted to Rachel’s TikTok account after the operation, he said the doctor told him the procedure “went great.” But the situation quickly deteriorated in the recovery room.
According to Jeremy, doctors administered fentanyl and Dilaudid for pain. Jeremy said that shortly after his wife was given the pain medication, he noticed her condition change, as her face went pale. When Rachel stopped responding, medical staff began CPR and attempted to revive her.
Jeremy also said Narcan was administered before the doctor was called back, and emergency services were contacted. Jeremy alleges Plastic Surgery Group staff waited as long as 15 minutes before calling EMTs.
According to reports, Rachel was transported by ambulance to TriHealth Bethesda North Hospital, where doctors placed her on life support. According to Jeremy, physicians later told him his wife had gone without oxygen for more than six minutes during the medical emergency.
The prolonged oxygen deprivation caused severe brain damage.
Following neurological evaluations that revealed extensive brain injury and minimal activity, Jeremy faced the agonizing decision to remove his wife from life support. While early reports prematurely stated she had passed away, the family later clarified that Rachel remains alive under hospice supervision.
She is currently in a vegetative state, receiving end-of-life care as her loved ones prepare for what doctors describe as a gradual passing. A GoFundMe organized for the family describes the choice to transition to comfort care as a “heartbreaking” necessity following the catastrophic surgical complications.
While the Tussey family has secured legal representation to investigate the timeline of the emergency response, a formal medical malpractice lawsuit has not yet been entered into the court record. The surgeon involved has not publicly responded to media inquiries about the allegations surrounding the procedure.
In the days leading up to the operation, Rachel told her TikTok audience she had waited a long time for the procedure and was hopeful about the outcome. In a March 3 post, Jeremy said, “To me, it looks like incompetence. Somebody dropped the ball and killed my wife.”
Published: Mar 9, 2026 04:18 pm