A plastic surgeon in Texas has been arrested and charged with a felony after allegedly performing an operation while under the influence of intoxicants.
Grand Jury Indictment and Arrest
Dr Azul Jaffer was formally indicted by a Fort Bend County grand jury on 15 December. The indictment accuses him of the felony offence of "performing surgery while intoxicated". According to the legal document, the incident in question took place on 12 August.
The Sugar Land Police Department, located on the southwestern outskirts of Houston, confirmed the arrest. Officers took Dr Jaffer into custody and booked him into the local county jail. A press release issued by the force stated the indictment alleges his actions placed an unknown patient "at a substantial and unjustifiable risk of harm".
Surgeon's Background and Past Allegations
Dr Jaffer, who obtained his Texas medical licence in 2009, operates a practice advertising a wide range of cosmetic procedures. His website promotes services including facelifts, breast augmentation, tummy tucks, and vaginoplasties, claiming a commitment to "the highest standard of care" and stating that "patient safety and satisfaction are always our top priority".
This is not the first controversy surrounding the surgeon. In 2022, a patient filed a lawsuit accusing Jaffer of sexually assaulting her during a breast augmentation procedure. That civil case is reported to be ongoing.
Institutional Response and Fallout
The indictment has prompted immediate action from medical institutions linked to Dr Jaffer. Houston Methodist Hospital, which reportedly once employed or contracted with him, issued a statement.
"We can confirm this physician’s privileges were immediately suspended as soon as we learned of the indictment, pending further investigation," a representative told local media. The statement added, "He has not performed any surgeries at Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital for several years."
As of now, no further specifics about the August surgery or the nature of the intoxication have been made public by authorities. The case continues to develop as the legal process moves forward.
