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A popular TikTok personality, known for her candid insights into motherhood, has tragically passed away following complications from a tummy tuck surgery that resulted in severe brain damage, her family has confirmed.
Rachel Tussey, 47, underwent the cosmetic procedure in Cincinnati, Ohio, on February 25, during which she suffered an anoxic brain injury, depriving her brain of oxygen.
On March 5, Rachel’s husband, Jeremy Tussey, shared the heart-wrenching decision to remove her from life support and transition her to hospice care, as detailed on the family’s GoFundMe page.
Nearly two weeks later, Jeremy announced that Rachel, a devoted mother of three, had passed away on Tuesday due to her injuries.
“We are profoundly grateful for the outpouring of love, prayers, and support we have received during this unimaginably difficult period. Last night, my wife Rachel lost her battle while in hospice care,” he wrote in a heartfelt message.
‘Rachel was an amazing wife, mother, and person who touched so many lives. We will carry her memory with us always.’
The Tusseys lawyer, Bernie Layne, also confirmed Rachel’s death in a statement from the family shared with The Cincinnati Enquirer.
‘It is with deep regret and sadness that we share the news of Rachel’s passing. We would like to thank everyone, around the world, who faithfully prayed for Rachel and our entire family throughout this extraordinarily difficult time in our family’s life,’ the statement said.
Rachel Tussey, 47, share her cosmetic surgery journey online and underwent the procedure at a facility in Cincinnati, Ohio, on February 25 when she suffered an anoxic brain injury
Her husband, Jeremy Tussey, announced the mother of three had succumbed to her injuries on Tuesday
Rachel had shared her cosmetic surgery journey with more than 25,000 fans on TikTok, posting videos in the days leading up to the operation.
In one clip filmed shortly before the procedure, the mom of three appeared upbeat as she prepared for surgery.
‘Please pray. I know it’s gonna be great. I’ve waited a really long time for this,’ she told viewers. ‘I’m in good hands. I know God’s got my back. Let’s do this.’
The video showed Tussey sitting in a hospital bed wearing a medical gown, alongside the caption ‘#midlifeglowup #mommymakeover.’
However, Jeremy said the routine cosmetic procedure quickly turned into a nightmare.
In an emotional update posted to TikTok on March 3, Jeremy said he had been waiting for his wife in the recovery area when he received a call around 5:45 p.m. asking him to come back to the room.
He recalled briefly speaking with Rachel’s doctor, who was leaving for the day and allegedly reassured him that the operation had gone well.
Moments later, Jeremy said he heard Rachel calling out for him.
A nurse soon entered the room and began asking Rachel how she felt after receiving medication for pain, he said.
Jeremy said Rachel was removed from life support and transferred to hospice care on March 5
Rachel is survived by her husband Jeremy and the couple’s three children, Tristan, Alec and Livi
Jeremy then noticed something was wrong.
‘Next thing you know, I look down and her face is off color,’ he recalled. ‘I assumed it was from the surgery, you know, from a lack of blood.’
When Rachel stopped responding, medical staff rushed to perform CPR.
‘I’m just a dumb construction worker, but I could tell something was wrong,’ Jeremy said in the video. ‘But there was no sense of urgency.
According to Jeremy, staff eventually contacted Rachel’s plastic surgeon, who evaluated the situation before instructing them to call emergency services.
Rachel was transported by ambulance to TriHealth Bethesda North Hospital, where she was placed on life support.
Jeremy later revealed that doctors told him she had gone more than six minutes without oxygen.
‘I was told last night that she’s brain dead,’ he said in the heartbreaking update.
Layne previously told the Daily Mail that Rachel had no ‘medical or scientific pathway to recovery’ and had ‘profound irreversible brain damage.’
Rachel is survived by her husband Jeremy and the couple’s three children, Tristan, Alec and Livi.