TikTok surgeon Dr Daniel Aronov accused of filming patients and making them feel like ‘animals’

A patient says she saw blood dripping on the floor as her surgeon stopped mid-procedure to post a video of himself singing to his 13 million TikTok followers.

A social media obsessed doctor filmed himself throwing surgery patients’ body parts around, making them feel like “animals”, a tribunal has heard.

Banned surgeon Dr Daniel Aronov posted some videos on TikTok and Instagram, VCAT heard on Tuesday.

It’s also alleged Dr Aronov, who has more than 13 million TikTok followers, took part in a tummy tuck following which the patient was rushed to hospital in a critical condition.

The tribunal heard the female patient began to “bleed out” while at a hotel following the procedure.

Banned surgeon Daniel Aronov had amassed more than 13 million TikTok followers. Picture: Twitter

Another patient alleged Dr Aronov and a professional film crew were present during her procedure but no nursing staff.

The woman, who alleged her procedure took place in a “filthy” room, claimed Dr Aronov convinced her to sign “media consent”.

Dr Aronov assured the patient she wouldn’t be “identifiable” and the video was for “others learning”, the tribunal was told.

“I was very embarrassed and wanted to leave,” the patient claimed.

“I saw blood dripping on the floor, (Dr Aronov) stopped during the procedure to address the camera, at one stage he started singing ‘Baby Shark’ …

“I looked at his social media account about two weeks later and to my horror my surgery (was) highlighted and Dr Aronov gloating about the fact this was his first solo surgery.

“He did not tell me this prior to the surgery and I thought the whole purpose of the film was for helping colleagues not drumming up publicity.”

A health practitioner alleged Dr Aronov took “priority over posting social media content than a deteriorating patient”.

The allegations occurred while Dr Aronov worked with controversial former medical practitioner Daniel Lanzer, the tribunal heard.

Mr Lanzer, whose website states he is “retired”, was linked to clinics in Melbourne, Sydney and Queensland.

The tribunal heard many of the allegations against Dr Aronov also involved Mr Lanzer.

A patient alleged Dr Aronov and Mr Lancer were “smiling, laughing and cracking jokes” while she was awake during a procedure and in “severe pain”.

The patient said she couldn’t tell if the doctors were trying to put her at ease or they didn’t care.

Tik Tok surgeon Dr Daniel Aronov is fighting to be allowed into the operating room again. Picture: Instagram

Another patient alleged her liposuction procedure, undertaken in an old “unsanitary” room, was “like sharp knives inside”.

Another notifier alleged Dr Aronov was more interested in social media than patients.

“In the beginning it was OK but once Dr Aronov’s social media started taking off he started caring less and less about patients because he liked the popularity …,” the notifier claimed.

The Medical Board, investigating the allegations brought on by 19 notifiers, barred Dr Aronov from performing surgeries in November last year.

Dr Aronov, who is permitted to practice as GP with direct supervision, applied to VCAT to alter restrictions including he be allowed to assist with surgery.

Ben Jellis, for the board, said a “real and tangible risk” to patients may continue if restrictions against Dr Aronov were relaxed.

“What’s proposed would also not be in the public interest … it would directly and severely undermine public confidence in the medical profession and its regulation …,” Mr Jellis said.

“There’s a significant body of evidence for the tribunal that would entitle it to form a reasonable belief as to the, frankly, breathtaking behaviour with respect to surgeries participated in by (Dr Aronov) …

“Unsanitary practices … not properly consenting patients … poor infection control … having people walking in and out of theatres while people are under anaesthetic …

“Filming people under surgery and throwing their body parts around in a way that makes them feel like animals or a piece of meat …

“Discouraging patients including critically ill patients from seeing other medical practitioners.

“Its absolutely not in the public interest (Dr Aronov) participates in surgery on members of the public to any extent until those notifications have been properly investigated …

“The position before the tribunal now is much, much worse than it was at the time the board made its decision …”

Andrew Woods, for Dr Aronov, said his client was “effectively suspended” from practising.

“The board intended him be able to work … this doesn't allow supervised practice, it’s too onerous,” Mr Woods said.

Mr Woods, who labelled his client an “asset to the community”, said Dr Aronov was no longer on social media and hadn’t been associated with “Lanzer Clinics” since November.

The tribunal, which will deliver its decision at a later date, heard Dr Aronov had more than 13 million TikTok followers, 500,000 Instagram followers and an OnlyFans account.