Kanye West's mom--how sad

saluki

Sad enough to loose your mom--but to know it possibly did not have to happen.

Don't know if this is true but apparently his mom had Thyroid problems--and was considered high risk-- didn't pass the surgical clearance at other Docs she consulted-- How much more sad if it was needless.

So, whether it was a lack of disclosure, or finding a Doc that would operate in spite of it; 

 Why don't people realize this is major surgery with all the associated risks?

I remember a wonderful comedienne many years ago--Totie Fields---Just looking at her you knew she was no surgical candidate--lost her leg and eventually died from the procedure.

Are these unscrupulous Doctors?  What price vanity? 

JoelKM

This is sad. They need to show some of the botched surguries on Dr. 90210. People should pause and think before proceeding with cosmetic surgery.

Anonymous

On GMA they reported that about 200 people a year die from complications related to cosmetic surgery. She was only 58 but looked even younger than that. And Kanye is a major Mommy's boy (in the sweetest sense, that is). I feel so sorry for him.

~Marin

Stack

has my head been buried in the sand , or what? what happened to her?

saluki

Sources have confirmed to TMZ that Donda West, rapper Kanye West's mother, may have died either on the operating table or shortly after the procedure while in a recovery room.

Here's what we know: Sources tell us several months ago, West was scheduled for cosmetic surgery and she had been booked at Le Palais Chantique in Century City, a posh, hotel-like recovery center. We're told West postponed the surgery and therefore never showed up at Chantique.

There are two high-end recovery centers in L.A.; Chantique and Serenity in Santa Monica. TMZ has confirmed West was not taken to either facility this weekend.

If the fatal mishap was the result of a cosmetic surgery procedure, we're told the likelihood is that the complication arose either on the operating table or in the recovery room. The critical time things typically go wrong is in the first two hours after surgery.

Kanye West makes statement about mother's death

11/13/2007 3:00 PM, Yahoo! Music
courtesy of NME.com

Kanye West has released a statement about the passing of his mother--and has asked fans to donate money to his teacher training institute.

West's mother died as a result of complications after surgery at a Los Angeles hospital on Saturday (November 10).

The statement reads: "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.

Paulette531

As usual the journalists are zig zagging all over the place with details. I read one account where she went home directly after surgery but was rushed back to the hospital. It will be interesting when the facts come out, if they ever do. The doctor's picture (the one who performed the surgery) is all over the news sites.

Stack

so are they not saying what kind of cosmetic surgery

saluki

News media is saying breast reduction and tummy tuck-I think?

Anonymous

A friend of mine had a tummy tuck.  It sounds easy, but it's not.  One should think long and hard before doing these surgeries.

Shirley

Jellydonut

Although we don't yet know the facts of what happened to cause her death, there are many unsetteling things being reported about the surgeon.

Two or three DUI's? A restraining order?   A few malpractice suits were settled, but a few more have been filed.   TMZ has updated the site almost hourly with links to the legal documents.  The CA Medical Board was very close to suspending his license last year (for his alcohol addiction).

I wonder how many cancellation calls his office received today. If his career is not over, it certainly sounds like it's in need of emergency help . Who would choose to have any surgery performed by him?

Sounds like Kanye's mother was his best friend. It's very sad to lose a loved one from any cause, but cosmetic surgery is an especially sorrowful reason.

Poppy

I heard that other (reputable) doctors wouldn't touch her so she went to this loser. Why was he still practicing medicine?! What a shame that this had to happen especially because the surgery was elective. She was a really smart woman too...

Sad...

Erica

Jellydonut

Poppy,

He's still practicing surgery because the Medical Board was deficient in its responsibility to protect the public (their prime reason for being). 

BethNY

The most important thing any human can take away from this...

DO NOT HAVE SURGERY IN THE US WITH A SURGEON WHO IS NOT BOARD CERTIFIED AND A MEMBER OF THE ASPS (american society of plastic surgeons)

This is a sad tragedy.  The things that are coming out about this loser PS are unreal....he had so many malpractice suits against him, 3 DUI's.... I would've ran for the border from minute one.

Its a shame the Dr. West died, b/c she was a great woman, and a driving factor in her sons life and business.

The news is twisting this in so many different directions its ridiculous.

Beesie

Other than the obvious issues about a hack doctor, what frustrates me the most is why Dr. West felt that it was necessary to have cosmetic surgery.  She was a highly educated, very accomplished, successful woman.  She was not in a profession where her appearance or age would make any difference to her success or employability.  And in any case, from the pictures I've seen, she looked wonderful for her age.  So why is it that she felt the need to have cosmetic surgery, particularly knowing that she had a medical condition that put her at risk?  Was it because of the crowd that she hung around with that surrounded her son?  Or was it broader societal pressures about aging (or more to the point, against aging)?  It's so sad that someone so intelligent and accomplished would feel that they needed to change themselves physically. 

NoH8

What I think is incredibly sad is that this bright, educated woman felt that her life would be better having plastic surgery and it ended up costing her her life. This just makes me sad, like Beesie said. I've loved Kanye ever since he made the comment that bush doesn't care about blacks at the Katrina fund raising concert.

Anonymous

I know that I'm in the minority here, but I'm an enthusiastic proponent of plastic surgery....IF one is a candidate for it and that includes medically, emotionally and financially (some people go into severe debt from taking advantage of the new, easy-to-get loans through the PSs offices). Dr. West was clearly NOT a candidate and, though she should have known that herself, I believe that it is up to the professional to make that call. This guy seems to be quite a hack and should be evaluated by the courts and the AMA as someone who should probably not be practicing medicine at all. His 'victims' are now coming out of the woodwork and my question is how in the world this guy was never put out of business before? It's insane that it took the death of a celebrity to stop his incompetent practices!

~Marin

Paulette531

FitChick...I totally agree with your post. The doctor was clearly a "hack" but Ms. West was clearly NOT  a candidate for the surgery either. Any type of surgery is a risk and when she was told previously she had under lying conditions, that should have been a warning to her. This woman had everything in the world going for her, such a shame.

Paulette531

Oh...and Amy...apparently their own mayor didn't care much what happened either. If you are going to try to tell a story, tell the whole story.

NoH8

I'm telling what Kanye said, if you bothered to read the post Paulette. No need to be nasty, I wasn't making my own comments about hurriacaine Katrina. Kanye made no mention of the mayor during the telethon.

Fit Chick, I'm surprised you're a proponent of plastic surgery. I always took you to be more of a "what's on the inside" type person.

Anonymous

Um, no. I must admit that one of my biggest character defects has always been vanity. That's one of the reasons that I almost turned down chemo, believe it or not....the hair loss (btw, did you see that discussed on GMA this morning- they mentioned how some women refuse chemo because of the hair loss issue). And if I could afford an eye lift and cheek implants and, later in my life, a full facelift, I'd be the first one in line......IF I received full medical clearance from a trusted physician and IF I had fully checked out the PS (I actually have a guy here at Duke all picked out....in case I win the lottery!).

Sorry to disappoint, Amy. I am very introspective and am all about the "insides" of my friends, but am very about my own "outsides"! I guess that makes me somewhat shallow. So be it.

~Marin

NoH8

Marin, you're so beautiful (inside and out) it just surprises me. I think women who look like how they are supposed to as they age is just beautiful. I good friend of mine got some facial treatment for lines and she loves how it looks, I think she was prettier before hand with her laugh lines.

2up

oh marin, that doesn't make you shallow at all!!!!!

i was one of those girls who grappled with chemo d/t hairloss too.  while i don't know if i'd like to be called "vain" , i know that my meticulous attention to my outward appearance makes me feel great inside and out.

i am a many faceted woman, attention to my outward appearance is just one attribute lol! ........... it makes me feel great to present my "best outward self" to the world ......... especially on those days when my inner self is struggling.

i am already considering an eyelift to get rid of my chemo wrinkles and that paperthin skin around my eyes .......... i say "if it makes you feel good, then do it!" ............ we CAN have it all, and we should!

if this makes me vain, then sign me up ............ in my mind, how we present ourselves outwardly directly reflects on how we feel about ourselves on the inside ............. shallow does not come into play in my mind, nor does superficial or vain.  

jmo ........... not looking for a "dressing down" or an argument ......... 'cause i'm not sorry for my "priorities" .......... i'm damn proud of them lol! 

tawyna1

hi,

i feel sorry for her family.

thyroid problems scare me. i have one.

i have always had issues trusting doctors. i have tried not to be that way.

life is so strange. 

Paulette531

Shel and Marin...you rock!

Anonymous

Ya know, this discussion has really made me think about why, exactly, I am so comfortable with cosmetic alterations and I guess I'm concluding, as Shel does, that they just make me feel so much better about myself. Some of the natural effects of aging, in my mind, are actually attractive and I do appreciate the face of a woman who has been seasoned with life experience. But let's face it (pun intended!), some of us age better than others and sometimes those wrinkles and weird age markings just fall in the wrong freakin' place and, when we look in the mirror and see a version of our grandfather's face looking back, well, that's mighty disturbing! The nose broadens and the jowls form and the term "hooded" eyes, instead of describing an evil character in a mystery novel, become just way too personal! In other words, we begin to look so very NOT like the selves we've always known. At least I'll speak for myself and say that, in my mind, I am totally one hot BABE and, as the years begin to creep on, my mirror is just not reflecting that image back to me. Soooooooooo....since I have some opportunities to alter what looks back at me, thus bringing it more in line with how I define myself and enabling me to be the 'me' I want to be, I say lemme at it. Bottom line....cosmetics, including cosmetic surgery, AS LONG AS IT IS SAFE and in no way negatively affects my health, help me to feel like my very best self....and what could be better than that?

So is it pretense and denial of one's own reality OR is it a legitimate self-esteem enhancing tool? Like so many things we discuss on these boards, including our treatment choices, I think that it's a very individual decision. Unfortunately, sometimes these choices are made for the wrong decisions and without proper attention to the potential consequences. Dr. West, sadly, appears to have been a victim of just that scenario and in her case, it was fatal.

~Marin

Anonymous

I feel so bad for Kanye, what a nice intelligent , talented ,young man. His mother made a poor choice (given her medical condition) with a murderous "doctor". This guy should not have been practicing. It is a shame how people get through loop holes and cause major damage. I  personally would not op for plastic surgery, but this is America and God bless those who do. It is your body, your life and your happiness. If that makes you happy , go for it , who am I to judge ? I hope you hit that lotto Marin and have all the nips and snips you want. I have been blessed with genetics that I am 42 , so far no wrinkles, very little gray hair and have a great image of my fat body. I am very happy with me "as is" because I like me , the real me .  The world is made up of so many different sorts and that is what makes it a beautiful place . My condolences too the West family. Losing Dr. West is a loss to us all. I hope Kanye find solace in the fact that is mother was a fine woman who lived an uplifting and wonderful fulfilled life.

Benita

NoH8

Mar, you are so intelligent, articulate, insightful etc., I would more understand why you felt better with external enhancement. I believe when self esteem come from within it's more stable because then no matter what happens externally, the self esteem with remain relatively intact. I think it's the difference between people who fall apart at the aesthetics of a breast cancer diagnosis because it changes how they see themselves physically (not the emotional stuff). My aunt still feels "deformed" 10 years after her mastectomy and reconstruction and it's such a waste of her talents and energies.

Beesie

This is a really interesting discussion.  It's got me thinking.  FitChik, maybe, as you say, it's all a question of fitting into the image that you have of yourself.   And that has me speculating:

Is cosmetic surgery something that's accepted more and done more by people who start off more naturally attractive?

Personally, I'm not a proponent of cosmetic surgery. I'm also not someone who, in my younger days, would ever have been called "beautiful" or even "pretty" or "cute".   Not the "hot babe" here!  On a good day I may look reasonably attractive, but that's in an average sort of way.  I learned at a young age that I would have to rely on my intelligence, abilities, wit, charm etc. to achieve success and attract people.  My looks have never and will never open doors for me, not even a crack.  When I was younger, on those rare occasions when I thought about cosmetic surgery, my conclusion was always that it wouldn't make enough of a difference to be worthwhile.  So I wrote off the idea of cosmetic surgery a long time ago.  My strategy has been to look as good as I can with what I've got. 

As I've aged, what I've discovered is that "looks" are less important. Even better, I've found that age is a great leveller.  Relative to my peers, I'm sure that I'm considered much more attractive now, in my early 50s, than when I was in my 20s or 30s.  I look good for my age and in fact much younger than my age, and I've grown into my looks.  I certainly don't see any need to have cosmetic surgery - I'm already way ahead of where I was when I was younger.

But what about someone who starts off more naturally attractive?   I guess I can understand the desire to turn back the clock, or at least, delay it's movement.  And I can understand the discomfort with finding oneself in a different place in the attractiveness pecking order.  Aging has been great for me, but I suspect it's not so great for many of the women who got the attention for their looks when they were younger. 

I admit that this discussion has given me a new perspective on cosmetic surgery.  I still think it's silly to put oneself at risk by having elective surgery for something that is completely unnecessary, but I appreciate that my thoughts on this are shaded by my life experience.  I understand why someone else might feel completely differently.  And fortunately for all of us, we live in a free society where we each can do what's appropriate for us.

caaclark

I also find this conversation interesting.  I have always taken care of myself, I try to look nice, etc.  I have also always thought that cosmetic surgery may be something I look into in the future.  However, I think after the breast cancer thing my ideas about that are shifting.  I do look good for my age (42 in a couple weeks) so it is possible that when the clock starts ticking a little faster, well, then I may look into it.  Without tempting fate-I have very few fine lines and no gray hair.    

One of the things that came to mind when I saw that Dondra West died was..."And that's one reason why I did not reconstruct."  There were many reasons why, for me, recon was not a good option.  Now, I have always liked looking good and so it was quite surprising to me how easy it was to adjust to having only one boob. In fact, it has been so physically and psychologically easy for me that it still surprises me that more women do not opt to pass on reconstruction.  It also surprises me when those who have chosen to reconstruct look at me like I am crazy.  No, not all people who reconstruct, but I have encountered several who seem uncomfortable with my decision about my body.

As many of us know, we all walk the breast cancer journey on our own individual path and I think that the same holds true regarding if we choose to change our physical appearance as we age or not.   

Anonymous

Carol,

How interesting you should say that. Reconstruction is the one subject my sister and I do not see eye to eye on. She says I am too young not to and I had a bad experience with the original expander and have now decided not to. I am okay with me the way I am. This shell is not me. I try to look nice, clean , neat sometimes fashionable but I don't need to be what people perceive as beauty to know I am beautiful. Every time I look in my children's eyes I know I am pretty okay. I do not put anyone down or frown upon women who opt to get surgery, It just isn't worth the risk for me. I am okay with one boobie, no boobies as long as I am here and I can be a mom to my two angels it's all cake.  

iodine

Ok, I'll admit it: I've had my eyes done, twice.  I also had a lower face,neck lift.  That was after my bc recon was done;  I was 62. 

I wasn't beautiful when younger, in fact I think I looked my best at about 40-50.  I have good genes and few lines.  (thanks, Mom)

I grew up in a family of touchers--swats on the butt, tickling, hugs.

I married in to a family that had no idea of how demonstrate affection, sad for them and for me. 

I have to be my own source of sefl esteem, no compliments around this house.  No one even to bless you when you sneeze.  Now, don't get me wrong, I know my dh tells me he loves me by doing things that most dh's don't do for their wives.

But I felt I looked like a turtle in the few  pics I would allow.and I was having trouble reading with the "hooded" eye lids.

I wasn't made beautiful but I feel a lot better, I feel more like myself and since I give me the only compliments I get, I wanted to feel better. 

I saved my milage money from my job for several years and knew that it was for my face.  I didn't have it done at 60, I was working with bc.  Besides, I hadn' gained the 40 pounds bc encouraged me to pick up.

So, from one who has had it done, and I know others are around here, too.  They were smarter and had it done when they had their exchanges. 

Guess I'm like Dolly Parton--if it's out there I'm gonna go for it.

LOL