(Tuesday November 13, 2007 05:07 PM)

LOS ANGELES (AFP) - An autopsy was to take place in Los Angeles later Tuesday to determine whether the mother of rap superstar Kanye West died after complications from plastic surgery.

Donda West, 58, died on Saturday at the Centinela Freeman Regional Medical Center after being found unconscious at her home.

Reports have said the death occurred after she had been discharged from hospital following multiple cosmetic procedures.

Celebrity entertainment website TMZ.com identified the plastic surgeon who performed the operation as Jan Adams.

Adams confirmed that West had undergone a tummy tuck and breast reduction, the website reported, and that she may have died from a heart attack, pulmonary embolism or massive vomiting.

Los Angeles County Coroner's office spokesman Fred Corral said the autopsy would study whether West died from "possible complications of surgery."

Meanwhile, a prominent Beverly Hills plastic surgeon Andre Aboolian told the Access Hollywood entertainment television show that he had refused to perform surgery on West because of a pre-existing medical condition.

"She was interested in some cosmetic procedures, and we had discussed that in order for her to go through with the procedures, which she was a good candidate for, she needed what's called a medical clearance, which just about anybody over the age of 40 is required to have," he said.

"Because of Donda's age, she was required to get some cardiac clearance to make sure her heart is in good shape to go through for the surgery."

He said although she was a "good candidate" for the surgery, "she had a condition that was of concern."

He did not reveal the condition, citing patient confidentiality.

West spent about 30 years at Chicago State University, rising to head of the English department before leaving to manage her son's career.

She had headed the Kanye West Foundation, which is aimed at keeping inner-city youths in school. She had published a recent book, "Raising Kanye: Life Lessons from the Mother of a Hip-Hop Star."

This news is so distressing. That poor woman, and her poor family. Whatever the reason she died, the fact is she's gone. So young and so sudden. What utter and sheer heartache for her loved ones.

This news is so distressing. That poor woman, and her poor family. Whatever the reason she died, the fact is she's gone. So young and so sudden. What utter and sheer heartache for her loved ones.

what makes this even more sad, is not just the fact that she died, it was the manner that she had died that i find terrible. hopefully though, this will send a clear message to those, particuarly young women, who'd consider having plastic surgery, as the consequences can prove fatal and devastating

The doctor has had legal problems and apparently was to have his doctor's license revoke. They just stated this at the news conference.

what makes this even more sad, is not just the fact that she died, it was the manner that she had died that i find terrible. hopefully though, this will send a clear message to those, particuarly young women, who'd consider having plastic surgery, as the consequences can prove fatal and devastating
I agree, women in Hollywood treat plastic surgery like it's the same thing as getting a manicure or getting work done on their hair, but with the way it's trivialized as a necessity, things like this prove just how fatal it can be if not done in the right hands. We all have our opinions on Kanye West, but regardless, I feel very sad for what he's going through, especially since his mothers' death could've been preventable. why are so many women afraid to age gracefully? Once you get old, you're old, embrace it, nobody is 25 forever. Seeing Judith Light on Ugly Betty is refreshing, because she was beautiful when she was younger, yet now she's pushing sixty and refuses to get work done. Yes, she looks "old" on UB, but it's nice to see an actress in Hollywood who is pushing 60 who actually looks like a woman pushing 60. Suzanne Somers and Farrah Fawcett come to mind, they're both over 60 but they still want to look exactly like they did in 1977... it's 2007, you're old, embrace it, many of the guys who thought you were hot in the first place are grandparents now.

From what I heard, she was having her breasts reduced...something I have considered, but fear to have done for the fact that it is "elective surgery." She was also having a tummy tuck. You can't mess around with your health and if you feel the need to have elective surgery, it is always best to check the doctor's background and ask many questions, find out things, etc. With the kind of money at her disposal, I hate to think she was being thrifty.

Remember, folks, plastic surgery is still a field of medical procedures (even something along the lines of a Botox injection), and it's critically important to make sure you visit a competent, fully licensed, doctor - and to ask around to make sure you're not getting a butcher. And that even if you do, there's ALWAYS the risk of complication, even for the most basic procedure. And if you have hidden underlying problems, the physical trauma from a surgical procedure can lead to severe complications down the road.

I feel bad for the West family. They have my thoughts.

TMZ.com is all over this story.

I agree, women in Hollywood treat plastic surgery like it's the same thing as getting a manicure or getting work done on their hair, but with the way it's trivialized as a necessity, things like this prove just how fatal it can be if not done in the right hands. We all have our opinions on Kanye West, but regardless, I feel very sad for what he's going through, especially since his mothers' death could've been preventable. why are so many women afraid to age gracefully? Once you get old, you're old, embrace it, nobody is 25 forever. Seeing Judith Light on Ugly Betty is refreshing, because she was beautiful when she was younger, yet now she's pushing sixty and refuses to get work done. Yes, she looks "old" on UB, but it's nice to see an actress in Hollywood who is pushing 60 who actually looks like a woman pushing 60. Suzanne Somers and Farrah Fawcett come to mind, they're both over 60 but they still want to look exactly like they did in 1977... it's 2007, you're old, embrace it, many of the guys who thought you were hot in the first place are grandparents now.

i don't think judith is old, even though some will say she is. besides, inner beauty is of more importance than outer beauty- and yet you have many girls and women who are emotionally insecure with themselves that they seek plastic surgery as the solution to their problems when its not. they seem to not realise that how you look on the outside is not the same as how you feel on the inside

i don't think judith is old, even though some will say she is. besides, inner beauty is of more importance than outer beauty- and yet you have many girls and women who are emotionally insecure with themselves that they seek plastic surgery as the solution to their problems when its not. they seem to not realise that how you look on the outside is not the same as how you feel on the inside
I meant that as a total complement for Judith though. She was very youthful and attractive on Who's The Boss, but she realizes that was 15-20 years ago. She's 58 now and actually looks like a 58 year old woman, it's refreshing because she easily could've gone under the knife and tried to stay 36 forever, but she would rather grow old gracefully and with class instead of the "look at me, I'm 61, don't I still look as hot as I did thirty years ago?" way people like Suzanne Somers and Farrah Fawcett refuse to accept the fact that they are twice as old now as they were when men bought their poster to do their business to.

I meant that as a total complement for Judith though. She was very youthful and attractive on Who's The Boss, but she realizes that was 15-20 years ago. She's 58 now and actually looks like a 58 year old woman, it's refreshing because she easily could've gone under the knife and tried to stay 36 forever, but she would rather grow old gracefully and with class instead of the "look at me, I'm 61, don't I still look as hot as I did thirty years ago?" way people like Suzanne Somers and Farrah Fawcett refuse to accept the fact that they are twice as old now as they were when men bought their poster to do their business to.

oh okay then. sorry about that. she does look stunning i so agree with you on that one. wonder if vanessa williams had plastic surgery. personally, she doesn't look like she has

I think Vanessa seems to be shying away from plastic surgery too, or if she has, she hasn't had too much work done. She looks her age but still looks stunning. I think actresses in Hollywood care too much about trying to stay young and they should embrace their age. I freaking loved Judi Dench, at the age of 72, with minimal to no plastic surgery, actually braving the bathtub scene in Notes On A Scandal. You didn't see anything really but it was excellent to see a 72 year old actress who has accepted her age with grace and dignity do a scene that many 36 year old actresses would be too age/self-conscious to want to shoot.

I think Vanessa seems to be shying away from plastic surgery too, or if she has, she hasn't had too much work done. She looks her age but still looks stunning. I think actresses in Hollywood care too much about trying to stay young and they should embrace their age. I freaking loved Judi Dench, at the age of 72, with minimal to no plastic surgery, actually braving the bathtub scene in Notes On A Scandal. You didn't see anything really but it was excellent to see a 72 year old actress who has accepted her age with grace and dignity do a scene that many 36 year old actresses would be too age/self-conscious to want to shoot.

judi dench is 72?! holy cow! she too looks swell at her age. special mentions also go out to michelle phieffer, sharon stone, holly hunter to name. the problem with hollywood is its obsession with youth. also in film, there are arguably more younger actresses nowadays, whilst the older ones tend to be found in TV. i'm not sure whether this is partly the reason why people are talking about ageism in the entertainment industry itself and how it is somewhat acceptable to see an older-yet wiser performer in a tv show, but not on a film

This doctor is an idiot! I really feel bad for the West's! To have possibly died over something like this no one deserves to go out like this. I got a lot of respect for Kanye and his family I pray for their family.