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Law Honoring Kanye West's Mother Causes Controversy

Posted Feb 2nd 2010 11:30AM by Latifah Muhammad
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Less than a year after California passed a law requiring patients to receive medical clearance before undergoing cosmetic surgery, some surgeons are taking issue with the legislation. Named after rapper Kanye West's late mother, the Donda West Law requires patients to complete a physical exam and receive written clearance by a physician 30 days before going under the knife. According to Dr. Michael McGuire, president of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the aforementioned screening process is "so fundamental as part of medical training and medical care that to require it by law seems to be moot."

Violating the law is not a crime either, therefore doctor's cannot be charged for failing to abide by the measure. Dr. James Well, former president of the California American Society of Plastic Surgeons noted that putting the law into place will not ensure every patient's safety. "It'll never change the guys who want to be outlaws to do anything different. They're going do what they want to do," he said.

Donda West, a professor at Chicago State University, died in 2007 following a breast augmentation and tummy tuck. The Los Angeles County Coroner concluded that her death was a result of coronary artery disease and post-operative factors. Dr. Jan Adams, the surgeon who operated on West, said that she underwent physical exams before the procedure. However her niece Yolanda Anderson, who pushed for the law, disputed such claims revealing that completing a physical exam would've prevented her aunt's death.

Shrouded by public scrutiny, Dr. Adams wrote the book 'What I Know and the Press Isn't Telling: The Truth behind the Death of Donda West' chronicling the ordeal. He has since turned in his medical license stemming from a previous alcohol charge. The Donda West Law went into effect this month.

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Filed under: Hip-Hop News, R.I.P.
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WELL I ARGEE WITH THE LAW... WHY WAS HER OLD A$$ GETTING COSMETIC SURGERY ANYWAY? AND FOR THOSE WHO SAY "THINGS HAPPEN FOR A REASON" OR 'IT WAS THE LORD" THATS UTTER CRAP YES GOD IS ALL KNOWING AND HAS THE POWER TO DO ANYTHING BUT HE ALSO GAVE US THE GIFT OF CHOICE IT WASANT WRITTEN IN THE BOOKS FOR THAT KNUCKLE HEAD TO GO GET COSMETIC SURGERY AT 6O+ YEARS OLD WITHOUT A MEDICAL EXAM KAYNES NEW FOUND "GOD SATAN" IS BECAUSE HE'S UPSET WITH GOD FOR TAKING HIS MOTHER WHEN IN REALITY SHE IS DEAD BEACUSE OF IRRESONSIBILITY AND BAD JUDGEMENT...

March 03 2010 at 9:58 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Wendee

wow!! the amount of judgment and racist hate being spewed out in this post is over the top!! the topic at hand was the LAW, not whether or not Ms. West "got what she deserved".. it's easy to sit in judgment when you only have a handful of facts, isn't it??

I too, had a breast reduction, and it wasn't about 'cosmetics' either! it was because I was enduring incredible back pain due to the size and weighht of my breasts.. how do we know that wasn't the reason for Ms. West's reduction?? if that's the case, it becomes 'medically necessary', as opposed to 'cosmetic'..

judge not, lest ye be judged.. those of you 'throwing stones', be careful; your house is just as glass, and no matter what the hateful posters are saying, she didn't deserve to die- no matter WHO her son is!!

February 24 2010 at 7:17 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Linda

OMG!!! They named a law after this dumb b*tch??? She deserved what she got...didn't go and demand medical clearance. I've worked in outpatient surgery for at least 10+ yrs and they don't allow you to have numerous surgery without EKG, Blood typing, etc? Probably bought the surgeon to fix those nasty lips of hers, when she shoulda been paying someone to rip the vocal cords out of that scumbag looser son of hers! Oh well...but I'm gonna call my congresspeople in California and start a petition to get this crack**e's name taken off this bill...at least so it doesn't remind the general public of her or Kanye (there are a lot more decent dead people deserving legislation than these hacks!)

February 06 2010 at 4:23 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

melanie

Those comments are the picture of racism and greed.
But really more importantly, it's jealousy against MS. West for having heart. At least she went for it! Yall know yall need to change inside and probaly out-but you hate ppl who actually do change themselves! That's why her son is rich and famous and yall ain't! So just sit in your S*** and harp on the real ppl out there!Many blessings to MS. West and her descendants!

February 06 2010 at 11:50 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

cynthia

I think he should start a law that states if you have nothing important to say then shut up. He is a racist low life that has not importance here on this earth.

February 03 2010 at 7:27 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Dee

This is just more BS to keep the stupid Kanye in the media. Like he stated "My mom wouldn't have died if I wasn't famous" what a dumazz and people talk about those who comment on this . That fool goes to an awards show with mama carved in his haid,with his ego he could have carved her whole name on there! His big claim to to fame teach afro-childs to drop outta school-nice message. Then Yolanda sez with her extensive medical background that it wouldn't have happened if her aunt had a check-up,I'm sure Kanye made sure she had all her routine medical stuff paid for,after all he is famous.Just another attempt to blame someone else for their actions if they don't get the desired results! Any surgery is a risk,she had other medical issues-she rolled the dice and CRAPPED,sorry bout yur luck!!

February 03 2010 at 7:01 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

nancy

Sorry, but if you are in good health, an ekg and a blood panel is enough.

February 03 2010 at 2:46 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

John

She raised an egomaniacle sociopath, she got what she deserved.

February 03 2010 at 1:37 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

SolutionGuy

Kanye's mom died because he was such a racist. That is, he insisted on his mom going to a black plastic surgeon even though he had the money to pay for more qualified, board certified white plastic surgeons. This new California law does nothing to address the deadly consequences of Kanye's racist actions.

February 02 2010 at 11:50 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

nodevout

lol i agree kanye ought to have his mouth sewn shut and i don't like the idea of plastic surgery, anyway...it's just for shallow airheads of hollywood competing...only if it's to fix a face of say, a burn victim should it be acceptable....just expressing my opinion, don't bite my head off! Peace

February 02 2010 at 11:48 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply