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Doctor Gives 'Condolences' to West Family

Surgeon Refrains From Other Comments Regarding Donda West's Death
AP
Posted: 2007-11-14 09:18:34
Filed Under: Star Obituaries, Music News
SANTA ANA, Calif. (Nov. 14) - The doctor who performed a tummy tuck and breast reduction on Kanye West's mother expressed his condolences for her subsequent death but said the surgery wasn't to blame.

Dr. Jan Adams, through his spokesman Kevin Williams, confirmed for The Associated Press that he operated on Donda West, but would not say when and where the surgery was done, citing doctor-patient confidentiality.

"I first want to express my deepest condolences to the West family at a very difficult time," Adams said Tuesday in a statement read by Williams. "Out of respect for the West family and in the absence of other verifiable information, any comment from me without first discussing that information with the family would be unprofessional."

Adams, 53, told celebrity Web site TMZ.com that West's death was not caused by the surgery, but could have been caused by a heart attack, a pulmonary embolism or vomiting.

Kanye Issues Statement

"Kanye West, his family and friends would like to thank everyone for the outpouring of support and kind words that have come in from across the country since the death of his mother, Dr. Donda West.

After working in higher education for 31 years, Dr. Donda West and Kanye West co-founded the Kanye West Foundation with the mission of helping to combat the severe dropout problem in high schools across the country.

The first and signature initiative of the Kanye West Foundation is Loop Dreams. Designed to capitalize on students existing interest in hip-hop, Loop Dreams challenges students to learn more about what's behind hip-hop culture in order to help them develop skills, express themselves creatively and be empowered.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Dr. West's name to the Kanye West Foundation/Loop Dreams Teacher Training Institute."

Source: KanyeWestFoundation.org

West, 58, died Saturday night at Centinela Freeman Regional Medical Center in Marina del Rey after she stopped breathing.

West had cosmetic surgery Friday in Los Angeles and went home. Initial indications were that West died from surgical complications, but an official cause of death won't be made for at least another 1 1/2 months pending further tests, Chief Coroner Investigator Craig Harvey said Tuesday after an autopsy was conducted.

Adams, who is being investigated by the state medical board, has been the target of malpractice lawsuits and has paid out nearly $500,000 in civil settlements.

Some patients who sought treatment from Adams said they learned of him through TV, where he appeared as an expert guest on "Oprah," "The Other Half," CNN, "Entertainment Tonight," E!, ABC, NBC and "Extra." Adams, who had his own show on Discovery Health, also appeared in a TV advertisement for Chanel's Allure perfume, according to his Web site.

Adams also sells a line of skin care products, including a product that lightens skin, and has written two books on plastic surgery, including the 2000 title "Everything Women of Color Should Know About Plastic Surgery."

In 2001, two malpractice lawsuits against Adams ended in payouts of $217,337 and $250,000, state medical records show. Further details were not disclosed.

A woman suing Adams for medical malpractice in Orange County in 2006 alleged that she had to be hospitalized with a high fever and fluid in her left breast after botched surgery to remove excess skin and reshape her chest and abdomen. Plaintiff Jana Beighle eventually had the implants removed because of complications, said her attorney, Thomas Gourde.

Autopsy Scheduled

"She saw him on Discovery Health, so she decided to check them out," Gourde said. "He never told her that he'd had these ongoing problems."

Beighle's case, as well as two others filed in Orange County, are pending.

The Medical Board of California is also investigating whether Adams' license should be revoked or suspended after two alcohol-related arrests in the past four years, records show.

Earlier this year, David Thornton, the board's executive director, filed a complaint against Adams alleging he violated the Medical Practice Act with his arrests. A hearing is pending in the matter.

In a 2006 case, Adams was found guilty of driving with a blood-alcohol level of .08 or greater, the records show. He pleaded no contest in 2003 to driving under the influence. In 1994, he also pleaded no contest to another alcohol-related charge.

Adams graduated from the Ohio State University College of Medicine in 1985 and says on his Web site that he received an undergraduate degree from Harvard University.

Associated Press writers Alicia Chang and Raquel Maria Dillon contributed to this report.

Copyright 2008 The Associated Press. The information contained in the AP news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press. All active hyperlinks have been inserted by AOL.
2007-11-11 18:08:40
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3849 comments

wrestlingboy0109 07:28:00 PM Dec 02 2007

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sorry R.I.P Donda West

moncee1 06:52:54 PM Dec 02 2007

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dear kenye west and family I am sorry for your loss of Ms. West and would like to give my condolences. Ms. West will always be in your hearts no matter what when ever you feel like crying just stop at think of the good times you all had with her and that will help you get though things.No matter were you are she will be with you making all of the right decisions in life. kenye west just keep on doing what you and being the stong man that you are for all of the young black men to have some one to look up to in life. I will be waiting for your next cd to come out but until then you are in my thoughs. This is one of your biggest fans ever one day I will be able to see you on stage.God bless you and your family .

paulalee50 05:18:16 PM Nov 25 2007

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Dear Kanye WEst Family
my deepest heartfelt love and condolences to you at this terrible time in your life.
just know we all love you and mourn with you to help give you strength.
Paula

rea6469 03:42:00 PM Nov 23 2007

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Dearest Kanye,

I love you darling, and there are no words that I could express now except that I will continue to pray for you and your family. God will give you peace in time.

I love you son. Rea

vlynn1025 10:05:42 AM Nov 21 2007

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Dear Kanye:
I wish to send My Sympathy at this time for your Mother, Donda West!! I read about her and she was a wonderfully Educated woman!! She didn't have to die like that and I want to add that you should sue DR.JAN ADAMS for Wrongful Death!! I am so mad at this because I had to have Reconstructive Surgery similar to your Mom and I am here!! It is his fault she is not with you!! I am Sad and Crying now!! So I will say God Bless you and your family at this time!! Val lynn

vlynn1025 10:05:29 AM Nov 21 2007

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Dear Kanye:
I wish to send My Sympathy at this time for your Mother, Donda West!! I read about her and she was a wonderfully Educated woman!! She didn't have to die like that and I want to add that you should sue DR.JAN ADAMS for Wrongful Death!! I am so mad at this because I had to have Reconstructive Surgery similar to your Mom and I am here!! It is his fault she is not with you!! I am Sad and Crying now!! So I will say God Bless you and your family at this time!! Val lynn

vlynn1025 10:05:22 AM Nov 21 2007

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Dear Kanye:
I wish to send My Sympathy at this time for your Mother, Donda West!! I read about her and she was a wonderfully Educated woman!! She didn't have to die like that and I want to add that you should sue DR.JAN ADAMS for Wrongful Death!! I am so mad at this because I had to have Reconstructive Surgery similar to your Mom and I am here!! It is his fault she is not with you!! I am Sad and Crying now!! So I will say God Bless you and your family at this time!! Val lynn

dizell2007 12:47:58 AM Nov 19 2007

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dear mr. west iv,e been a fan of your music / since through the wire! AND i would like too, say, sorry my heart goes out for you ,family(ROCK) included, ALL THE WAY FROM CALI. so excuse me for saying,being (40)and going back listening,to b.d.p/rakim/easy e/african bambataa/stetosonic/heavy d/ what you have is pure musical talent that comes along every once given! along with the heart of the 60/70 in your music that makes you the hottest my brotha( KEEP MAKING THEM HITS FROM THE HEART LIKE YOU BEEN DOING)cause (mama)knows you;re hot, like i know you can be so keep your head up,and stay positive dont let iot get the best of you! much love from cali

haf93 08:58:53 PM Nov 18 2007

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kanye im am very very sorry for you lost. i hope that eveything is going to be ok. you are a great person and you are a great rapper. my love is with you and your family. REMEMBER GOD IS WITH YOU EVERY STEP OF THE WAY. if you need to talk just email me @ haf93@aol.com or bossy_4_life01@yahoo.com. well love ya and eveything will be alright.

hotsmileG 11:33:50 AM Nov 17 2007

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I saw the related topic on a celebrity site called http://myrichmatch.com/blogs.

asg1936 02:25:53 PM Nov 16 2007

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Newsweek magazine this week focuses on 1968, From that year great Motown classics and the toweiring figure of Martin Luther King, Jr. and from the rap and hiphop era, The Notorious Mr. Big? Are you kidding? He;s no MLK

singer2678 02:08:25 PM Nov 16 2007

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You won your computer on a game show?

missbabyphat5487 10:44:14 AM Nov 16 2007

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singer2678 09:31:11 AM Nov 16 2007

Report This! HEY WIGBIN WTF is trinagurl???? Is that hurricane katrina??? Trust me I'm not black I may be a black cat on here but Im far from black in real life....In fact I'm albino. IF I was 15 I'd be in school and not on my laptop....If I was a 15 year old black girl I couldnt afford a lap top DUH

This was very ignorant you just made your race look very ignorant and for the record I'm a BLACK female w/ a DELL laptop computer, Scanner, Copier, and fax machine plus I got a 17' Dell Computer so what does that say??????

singer2678 09:31:11 AM Nov 16 2007

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HEY WIGBIN WTF is trinagurl???? Is that hurricane katrina??? Trust me I'm not black I may be a black cat on here but Im far from black in real life....In fact I'm albino. IF I was 15 I'd be in school and not on my laptop....If I was a 15 year old black girl I couldnt afford a lap top DUH

katnapnx68 08:22:26 AM Nov 16 2007

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Yeah I killed your mom but please accept my condolences. PS: please don't sue me, I only botched a few surgeries. Yeah whatever Doc.

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