Rachel Tussey, a 47-year-old TikTok content creator and mother of three, has died weeks after undergoing a cosmetic “mommy makeover” procedure that reportedly led to severe complications.
Her husband confirmed her death on March 18 through an update shared on a GoFundMe page created to support the family.
Tussey, who had been documenting her surgery journey for her followers, underwent a tummy tuck on February 25. Though the procedure was initially described as successful, her condition deteriorated shortly afterwards in the recovery phase.
What husband said
Jeremy Tussey revealed that his wife passed away on March 17 while in hospice care after being declared brain-dead earlier this month.
“We are deeply grateful for the love, prayers, and generous support shown to our family during this incredibly difficult time,” he wrote. “Last night, my wife Rachel lost her battle while in hospice care.”
He described Rachel as “an amazing wife, mother, and person who touched so many lives,” adding that the family would carry her memory forever.
In earlier remarks, Jeremy also questioned the circumstances surrounding her post-operative care, suggesting that “somebody dropped the ball.”
What happened after surgery
According to reports, Tussey became unresponsive shortly after the procedure despite initial signs of recovery. Medical findings later indicated that she had gone without oxygen for approximately six minutes, resulting in irreversible brain damage.
She remained on life support for several days before being declared brain-dead. The family ultimately made the decision to withdraw life support, after which she was moved to hospice care.
Doctor’s statement
The surgeon who performed the procedure stated that the operation itself was “completed successfully and without complications.”
He added that Tussey was awake, responsive, and speaking with her husband in the recovery unit shortly after surgery. According to him, her overnight monitoring was handled by staff at an independent facility.
He said he was later informed of her sudden deterioration and returned immediately to assist before she was transferred to another hospital.
Final days and social media presence
Tussey had shared updates with her nearly 27,000 TikTok followers leading up to the surgery, expressing optimism and trust in the process. In one of her final videos, she said she had been waiting a long time for the procedure and felt she was “in good hands.”
She is survived by her husband and three children.
The incident has sparked questions around post-operative care and patient monitoring, with her family seeking answers about what led to the sudden turn of events.
