by Tara Rijon

Created on: February 24, 2010

The world of cosmetic surgery had a large shadow cast upon it following the death of Donda West in November of 2007.  As the mother of a well known rapper, Kanye West, the media dug in with all fours and uncovered a wealth of information about the surgeon.  New light was shed on her pre-existing health conditions, of which she was (apparently) aware of.  Does the fact that the patient failed to reveal certain facts about her health make her solely liable, or is there a more profound answer to be found in examining the doctor’s past history?

Donda West held a PhD and was a professor of English at Clark Atlanta University prior to retiring and becoming her son’s manager.  She was an intelligent, well-educated woman who made a personal decision to have elective cosmetic surgery.  She knew that she suffered from hypertension and that she had a thyroid disorder, as well as being a borderline diabetic.  But was this sufficient to release the doctor from blame?

An autopsy was performed on Dr. West on November 12, 2007.  The report stated that death was attributed to “coronary artery disease and multiple post-operative factors following liposuction and mammoplasty.”  It goes on to say that contributing factors were “aspiration of emesis, focal pneumonia, bandaging of torso with constriction, probable hem dilution, medication used for pain and an abnormal hemoglobin variant.”   The final conclusion was that “the manner of death could not be determined.”

In reviewing the weeks prior to her death, it was discovered that Dr. West had consulted with Dr. Andre Aboolian, a cosmetic surgeon who practices in Beverly Hills.  Dr. Aboolian advised against the procedures and refused surgery until she provided a statement from her doctor verifying that she was healthy enough for the proceedures.  Rather than provide the requested evidence, Dr. West contacted Dr. Jan Adams.  

Dr. January (Jan) Rudalgo Adams attended Harvard and Ohio State University and completed his surgery residency at Lennox Hill Hospital in New York City.  According to his web site, he describes himself as “ a physician, lecturer, author, television personality and entrepreneur.” In November of 2003 he appeared on Oprah, and following the death of Dr. West it was suggested that Oprah had even introduced the pair, which she later adamantly denied.  He has, in fact, made numerous television

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