PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES
Ever since the shocking death of Kanye West’s mother, Dr. Donda West, the media has shed light on the dangers of plastic surgeries. They’ve urged people to check, re-check, and check a third time on the background of their prospected surgeons, so that they won’t end up with a “botched surgery.” But according to the Associated Press, it wasn’t just the surgery that led to the untimely death of Ms. West. In fact, the medical examiner couldn’t even find a direct cause.
The investigation found “therapeutic levels of medication” but no unusually high levels and no internal bleeding. “It is my opinion Ms. West died from some pre-existing coronary artery disease and multiple postoperative factors,” Dr. Louis A. Pena, a deputy medical examiner, stated in the lengthy autopsy report. “Based on the history and available information, as currently known, the manner of death could not be determined,” Pena said. A representative for Kanye West declined to comment.
Asked if Donda West would still be alive if she hadn’t undergone the surgery, Los Angeles County coroner’s official Ed Winter said: “She could, possibly. But she could have also died because of pre-existing cardiac issues.” The coroner’s office had said early indications suggested West died from surgical complications. West was found unresponsive at her home a day after her surgery. In emergency 911 tapes released earlier this month, two unidentified women told a dispatcher that West suffered a heart attack and unsuccessfully tried to revive her.
Dr. Jan Adams, who operated on West, has denied any wrongdoing. Adams has repeatedly suggested other causes of death including heart attack, pulmonary embolism, or accidental overdose of painkillers prescribed after the surgery. Adams’ spokesman, Kevin Williams, didn’t immediately respond to phone or e-mail requests for comment. The state medical board is investigating whether Adams’ license should be revoked or suspended after two alcohol-related arrests in the past four years.
Five months before her death, West had approached plastic surgeon Dr. Andre Aboolian of Beverly Hills, who was concerned about a pre-existing condition that may cause a heart attack during surgery. Aboolian didn’t operate on her.
In my opinion, the surgery “technically” caused her death. Had she not had the operation, maybe they would have found her “pre-existing” conditions sooner and she could have gotten them cleared up with medication or something. And I’m no doctor or surgeon, but before you put someone under the knife, aren’t you supposed to put them through tests and ask them what types of medication they’re on, and if they have any pre-existing medical conditions?
With no “definite cause of death” it looks as though that quack of a doctor (Jan Adams) is going to go free…
