When Dr. Donda West died after plastic surgery in 2007, it was a tragedy felt around the world, not the least by her son, controversial rapper Kanye West.

Dr. West, 58, underwent surgery for a breast reduction, tummy tuck and liposuction in November of 2007 and died a day later. When the Los Angeles coroner’s office released its final report, they said the final cause of death could not be attributed to just one source.

"In summary, it is my opinion Ms. West died from some pre-existing coronary artery disease and multiple post-operative factors following surgery," Deputy Medical Examiner Louis A. Peña said in the report. He added that "based on the history and available information, as currently known, the manner of death could not be determined."

Yet soon after West’s untimely and tragic death, suspicion and speculation about the role he played fell on Dr. Jan Adams, the plastic surgeon who performed her surgery. According to People magazine, Adams voluntarily gave up his medical license this year, after two DUI convictions, non-payment of child support and four malpractice judgments between 2001 and 2007. Adams addresses the West situation in his new book “What I Know (and the Press Isn’t Telling): The Truth Behind the Death of Donda West.”

In the book, Adams denies any responsibility for Dr. West’s death, saying that the coroner’s report absolves him completely. In an interview with "Tom Joyner Morning Show" producer Deya M. Smith, Adams says he is not to blame.

“The coroner, along with experts from USC, UCLA and actually a pathologist that I suggested the West family hire to protect their interests concluded neither surgery nor anesthesia contributed to the death of Donda West. I don’t even have to contend that," said Adams. "I can tell you why I think she died, and I don’t think you have to be a doctor or her doctor or Dr. Dre to be able to figure it out. What I’m saying is that if you read the public document, which is the coroner’s report, it will tell you why she died.”

Adams says that post-surgery, Dr. West was released into the care of her nephew, Stephen Scoggins, a registered nurse who tended to her and administered Vicodin, a medication to control pain. Numerous reports say that Dr. West felt better the morning after the surgery, but that in the afternoon, Scoggins left her in the care of others to attend a baby shower. When Dr. West began experiencing pain, a sore throat and tightness in her chest, Scoggins was unreachable, and Dr. West collapsed with black vomit around her nose and mouth.

She died in the hospital later that day.

“It’s very easy from my perspective to understand what happened to her,” Adams says. “They gave her medication that made her nauseous. Vicodin makes everyone nauseous. They laid her flat, she vomited, and when she went to sleep, she aspirated it (breathed it into) in her lungs. That caused her not to oxygenate well, and the process created a circle. Her blood kept getting lower and lower with oxygen and then finally, her heart stopped. (Oxygenation means you get enough oxygen in your blood to keep your tissues alive).”

Adams contends that Scoggins, with the full consent of Dr. West, was responsible for her aftercare and that he advised Dr. West that she could receive aftercare at a facility for that purpose. But he also says that he was fine with the post-surgical treatment plan, since Scoggins is a registered nurse with an advanced degree. His assessment is supported by the fact that the California Department of Consumer Affairs initiated an investigation of Scoggins .....

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Georgimay, sorry I had to byotch slap you.....but good gawd woman..."clear his good name". Come on now and come correct.

by   
Jiggy5
October 21, 2009, 10:23 am
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It's easy for lay people to pass judgement because we KNOW that many doctors are trifling. This man has two DUI convictions which suggests to me that he's an alcoholic. Alcoholics do not make the best decisions and are ill suited to practice medecine, unless they are in recovery. Who knows what poor decisions he made regarding Dr. West's surgery. He might even have been drunk while performing her surgery. I don't know the exact circumstances of this tragic surgery, but I pray that nobody buys this man's book. Shame on him for trying to capitalize from her death.

by   
CAmira
October 21, 2009, 9:45 am
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Clear his name? Are you seriuos Knee-Growth?
Did you not read what is already attached to his name? Two DUI convictions, non-payment of child support and four malpractice judgments between 2001 and 2007.

by   
Jiggy5
October 21, 2009, 8:38 am
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It's easy for the lay person to pass judgement in situations like this. It's easy to jump to conclusions without knowing facts. A lady called in after the interview & said any one would know to do exam before surgery. Between the anesthesiologist & surgeon, the preoop likely was done, but would not necessarily predict this outcome. He's already convicted by the press & public who even talk about board certification as if it's required & it is totally voluntary. He's trained & experienced in the specialty & had a license to practice. I hope he'll return to practice & clear his name.

by   
Georgimay
October 21, 2009, 8:30 am
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Dr. Jan Adams, the plastic surgeon who performed her surgery. According to People magazine, Adams voluntarily gave up his medical license this year, after two DUI convictions, non-payment of child support and four malpractice judgments between 2001 and 2007. Adams addresses the West situation in his new book “What I Know (and the Press Isn’t Telling): The Truth Behind the Death of Donda West.”

A must read for us peeps. We got to support our own.

by   
Jiggy5
October 21, 2009, 6:23 am
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