The doctor who performed a tummy tuck and breast reduction on rapper Kanye West's mother offered his condolences for her subsequent death, but denied his surgery was to blame. Dr. Jan Adams, through his spokesman Kevin Williams, confirmed for the Associated Press that he had operated on 58-year-old Donda West, but provided no details, citing doctor-patient confidentiality.
In a November 13 statement read by Williams, Adams said "I first want to express my deepest condolences to the West family at a very difficult time. 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 website TMZ.com that West's death resulted not from surgery, but was possibly caused by a heart attack, a pulmonary embolism, or vomiting.
West died on November 10* at Centinela Freeman Regional Medical Center in Marina Del Rey, CA, after she stopped breathing. She underwent cosmetic surgery the previous day in Los Angeles and went home. Initial indications point to death from surgical complications, but a November 13 autopsy proved inconclusive.
A spokesman for the Los Angeles County Coroner's office says it could now be several weeks before an official conclusion is reached.
Adams, currently under investigation by the California state medical board, has been the target of malpractice lawsuits and has paid out nearly $500,000 in civil settlements. The board is also investigating whether Adams' license should be revoked or suspended after two alcohol-related driving arrests in the past four years, according to records.
Citing personal reasons, Kanye West cancelled his scheduled November 15 performance at the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show. A friend of the West family says a funeral for Donda West will take place November 20 in Oklahoma City.
*Corrected 15 Nov 07.
