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West Death Controversy

The death of Kanye West’s mother, Dr. Donda West, has shed light on the doctor who performed a tummy tuck and breast reduction on the 58-year-old before she died on November 10th in Marina Del Rey, Calif.

Following cosmetic surgery the day before, West died at Centinela Freeman Regional Medical Center. An initial investigation by the coroner’s office suggested that West died from surgical complications but Chief Coroner Investigator Craig Harvey said November 13th that an official cause of death won’t be determined for at least another month and a half following further tests.

Dr. Jan Adams confirmed through a spokesman that he operated on West but he wouldn’t say when and where the surgery was done, citing doctor-patient confidentiality.

Adams told celeb Web site TMZ.com that West’s death could have been caused by a heart attack, a pulmonary embolism or vomiting – not by the surgery. According to TMZ.com, West was on the operating table for eight hours, twice as long as planned.

After two alcohol-related arrests in the past four years, the Medical Board of California is currently investigating if Adams’ license should be revoked or suspended. In 2003 he pleaded no contest to driving under the influence and in 2006 was found guilty of driving with a blood-alcohol level of .08 or greater. In 1994 he pleaded no contest to another alcohol-related charge.

The board’s executive director filed a complaint against Adams earlier this year, alleging that the arrests violated the Medical Practice Act.

State medical records show that Adams paid nearly $500,000 in two malpractice lawsuits in 2001. Three medical malpractice suits are pending against Adams.

Some patients chose Adams as their doctor after seeing him on TV as a guest expert on "Oprah," "The Other Half," "CNN," "Entertainment Tonight," "E!," ABC, NBC and "Extra." Adams also had his own show on Discovery Health.

In lieu of flowers, West’s family is requesting donations in Donda West’s name to the Kanye West Foundation/Loop Dreams Teacher Training Institute.

West and her son co-founded the Kanye West Foundation, an organization that works to reduce high school dropout rates. Loop Dreams is the first initiative of the foundation, a program that empowers students that are interested in hip-hop culture.

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