Lexington Surgeon Accused Of Showing Up For Surgery Intoxicated

LEXINGTON, KY – A Lexington plastic surgeon has been accused of showing up for surgery while intoxicated with alcohol and took off when hospital officials confronted him, multiple media outlets reported. Dr. Theodore Gerstle, 40, was arrested after leaving Baptist Health Lexington, hospital spokeswoman Ruth Ann Childers told news outlets.

The hospital was notified on Monday afternoon that Gerstle might have been intoxicated when he showed up for surgery, Childers said. Gerstle left when the chief medical officer spoke with him, she said. The hospital then called police and he was arrested shortly thereafter, she told news outlets.

Gerstle was booked on a charge of alcohol intoxication in a public place and subsequently released.

His privileges at Baptist Health were reportedly suspended and the hospital is investigating. Gerstle had one procedure scheduled for Monday and it hadn't begun when the allegation was lodged, Childers told WKYT-TV.

Gerstle, a native of New York, works at Lexington Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, according to the website.

It wasn't immediately known if he has an attorney who can comment on the charge.

Photo credit: Lexington-Fayette Urban County Division of Community Corrections