Texas Plastic Surgeon Indicted for Operating While Intoxicated

Felony Charges Rock Sugar Land Practice

Dr. Azul Shirazali Jaffer, 50, who owns and operates his own practice in Sugar Land, was indicted on December 15 and arrested Monday and booked into the Fort Bend County Jail on charges of performing surgery while intoxicated. The indictment alleges Jaffer performed surgery on a patient on August 12, 2025, while not having "the normal use of his mental or physical faculties by reason of the introduction of alcohol, controlled substance, drug, dangerous drug," placing the patient at "substantial and unjustifiable risk of harm."

The doctor's website says Jaffer is a plastic surgeon who delivers "unparalleled patient care," but the criminal charges paint a starkly different picture. According to his biography page on his practice's website, Jaffer is a double board-certified plastic surgeon who obtained his medical degree and specialized in surgery at the University of Massachusetts before completing the Tulane University Plastic Surgery Fellowship Program in New Orleans. He has been a plastic surgeon for over 20 years and is listed as a five-star–rated physician with an office based in Houston.

The state jail felony charge carries serious implications for both Jaffer's medical license and his patients' safety. The Texas Medical Board still shows Jaffer's license as active, though this could change as the case proceeds through the legal system.

Pattern of Troubling Allegations

The intoxication charges represent just one facet of mounting legal troubles for the veteran surgeon. A patient filed a lawsuit against Jaffer earlier this year that accuses him of sexually assaulting her after a breast augmentation procedure in 2022. The patient filed a similar lawsuit against Jaffer in 2022, but requested it be dismissed before filing another suit earlier this year.

Tony Buzbee, one of the attorneys representing the patient, said Sugar Land police are "supposedly" still investigating the claims in the civil lawsuit against Jaffer, and his firm has been contacted by two other people with similar claims as their client. The prominent Houston attorney expressed skepticism about the investigation's progress, stating he doesn't have much faith in it.

Sugar Land police told ABC13 they are not investigating any additional cases against Jaffer at this time related to the intoxication charge, though the civil litigation continues separately. Jaffer had been set to be deposed soon, but his arrest might change the schedule, with Buzbee noting "Our civil case is ongoing."

Medical Ethics and Patient Safety

The case highlights critical concerns about medical oversight and patient protection in elective surgery practices. When surgeons operate while impaired, they compromise not only their professional judgment but also their manual dexterity and decision-making abilities during procedures that require precision and focus.

ABC13 also asked police if Jaffer was under the influence of alcohol or drugs, but the agency told us they couldn't provide that information at this moment. The specific nature of the intoxication remains unclear, though the legal definition encompasses alcohol, controlled substances, or any combination that impairs normal mental or physical faculties.

For patients considering elective procedures, this case underscores the importance of researching surgeons thoroughly and understanding that board certification and years of experience don't guarantee ethical behavior or consistent professional standards.

Legal Proceedings and Professional Consequences

Dr. Jaffer is set to go before a magistrate judge on Wednesday, where bond and other preliminary matters will likely be addressed. The felony charge could result in significant jail time if convicted, along with the probable loss of his medical license and practice.

The timing of the arrest, occurring more than four months after the alleged incident, suggests investigators needed considerable time to build their case. This delay is typical in medical misconduct cases, where authorities must often consult with medical experts and review complex evidence before proceeding with charges.

As both criminal and civil proceedings advance, this case will likely prompt broader discussions about medical board oversight, practice monitoring, and the systems designed to protect patients from impaired healthcare providers. The outcome could influence how similar cases are investigated and prosecuted across Texas and beyond.