Plastic surgeon’s license suspended after Tribune investigation exposed 8 deaths
State officials have suspended the medical license of Dr. Ayoub Sayeg, a Chicago-based plastic surgeon, following a media investigation into eight patient deaths linked to his practice. The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation issued the suspension after discovering that the doctor failed to provide mandatory documentation regarding anesthesia service compliance.
The agency acknowledged flaws in its previous oversight, noting that the investigation into the clinic stalled for years despite formal complaints. While the disciplinary process remained idle, three additional patients died following surgeries performed at the doctor’s Southwest Side facility, 63 Laser & Skin Clinic. State regulators now describe his continued practice as an immediate danger to public safety and are seeking maximum penalties to bar him from medical work in Illinois.
The investigation revealed that eight women of color died after receiving procedures such as tummy tucks and liposuction at the clinic over a seven-year span. While some deaths resulted from surgical complications, others involved prescription medication overdoses. Families of the deceased have pursued legal action, with one lawsuit resulting in a $56 million verdict, though the state’s internal disciplinary process moved significantly slower than the civil litigation.
Dr. Sayeg, who also faces a separate investigation in Michigan, denies any wrongdoing regarding his clinical performance. His legal counsel characterizes the current suspension as an unfair targeting based on administrative paperwork rather than surgical skill. Meanwhile, state officials and elected representatives in Illinois are reviewing internal procedures and considering legislative changes to expedite future oversight of outpatient surgical centers.
Governor JB Pritzker has publicly condemned the situation, calling the surgeon a wrongdoer and pledging to support stringent penalties. As the state moves toward a status hearing in August, families of the victims continue to push for accountability, questioning why it required eight fatalities for regulators to take decisive action.