Plastic surgeon charged after arriving to work ‘drunk’ to operate

A plastic surgeon in the United States has been charged after allegedly arriving to a hospital to perform surgery while under the influence of alcohol.

Theodore Gerstle, of Lexington Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, turned up to Baptist Health Lexington at noon on Monday to perform a surgery, Lexington Herald Leader reports.

It has been reported that hospital staff called police following suspicions the doctor was intoxicated.

Dr Gerstle was arrested a short distance from the hospital on Shady Lane and was later charged with public intoxication.

Dr Gerstle, who specialises in treatment for migraine headaches, is “the only Harvard-trained” plastic surgeon in Lexington, stated his practice's website.

It is believed Dr Gerstle is not an employee of the hospital but was approved to perform procedures.

However, due to the incident, he has been suspended from performing surgery as the hospital investigates the incident.