A French plastic surgeon is at the center of controversy after being issued a two-year suspension for allegedly practising without authorization.
Olivier Gerbault, often referred to as the ‘nose maestro,’ operates in France as a plastic surgeon.
Nonetheless, his reputation as the maestro is under threat as several individuals have come forward, alleging that they were “mutilated” by the 58-year-old surgeon.
One purported patient, identified as Elisa, reportedly underwent rhinoplasty with Gerbault in August 2020.
The Mayo Clinic describes rhinoplasty as “surgery that changes the shape of the nose,” with potential goals being to alter appearance, improve breathing, or achieve both.
Following the procedure, Elisa reported undesirable changes in her nose’s appearance and adverse effects on her breathing.
She described her condition: “My nose was long, crooked, thick, it looked like a potato. My left nostril was sagging, and the air was no longer passing. When I drank water, my nose touched the glass. I could no longer blow my nose, I had to use cotton swabs.”
Another patient, Chloé, also alleged that her 2020 rhinoplasty resulted in her having “a lump, a big potato” for a nose.
She asserted that she had “a strange white spot on my nose” which turned out to be “a piece of cartilage sticking out” and accused the doctor of having “massacred” her.
Alix, another alleged victim, reported undergoing chin surgery and waking up with “a Bogdanoff chin and an asymmetrical nose,” feeling she had been “mutilated.”
She recounted: “When I woke up, I vomited liters of blood. The doctor had to go over it with a trowel. Since then, I’ve had a horrible burning sensation, the air rushes in too hard and gets on my nerves. Gerbault ruined my life!”
Following numerous complaints, Gerbault was prohibited from performing surgeries for two years as of November 2023.
The National Order of Physicians stated to Le Parisien that he was “administratively struck off,” though reports suggest Gerbault may have continued to operate, prompting the French General Medical Council to file a complaint against him.
Local sources indicate that the surgeon has been under investigation by the Brigade of the Repression of Crimes Against the Person (BRDP) since February.
If found guilty of practising medicine without a license, Gerbault could face a €30,000 ($31,000) fine and potentially two years in prison.
Gerbault issued a statement claiming he “ceased all surgical activity” at the year’s start, redirecting patients to a colleague.
He attributes the allegations to a rival’s attempt to tarnish his reputation.
He remarked: “These patients are all connected and the grievances are strictly the same, sometimes word for word. (…) It is obvious that they are being helped by a colleague, which is particularly serious and not fraternal.”