USA (Nov 13)— No one ever dies on the TV reality shows that glorify plastic surgery. But the death of Donda West after what has widely been reported as cosmetic surgery illustrates just how risky the procedures can be.

'ALL SURGERY IS SERIOUS' | Donda West told friends she was planning tummy tuck, breast procedure

November 13, 2007

BY JIM RITTER Health Reporter/jritter@suntimes.com

No one ever dies on the TV reality shows that glorify plastic surgery.

But the death of Donda West after what has widely been reported as cosmetic surgery illustrates just how risky the procedures can be.

"All surgery is serious," said North Shore plastic surgeon Dr. Anthony Terrasse.

West, mother of rapper Kanye West, died Saturday in a hospital near Los Angeles from "complications of surgery," a coroner's official said. Donda West, 58, was taken to Centinela Freeman Regional Medical Center by paramedics.

"We tried to resuscitate her but were unsuccessful," a hospital spokeswoman said.

West had told friends she was planning to have a tummy tuck and a procedure to make her breasts more symmetrical, Sun-Times columnist Stella Foster reported.

Patricia Green, a consultant who has worked as a publicist for West in the past, had previously told news agencies that West died after cosmetic surgery. She backed away from those comments in later interviews with the AP, saying she was not sure of the cause because she had received conflicting information.

There were nearly 11 million cosmetic procedures in the United States last year, a 48 percent increase over 2000, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons said.

The society does not keep track of deaths. But a 2004 study published in the society's journal offers a snapshot.

1 in 51,459 cases end in death

Researchers analyzed more than 400,000 office procedures, including cosmetic surgeries, performed at accredited outpatient centers.

Serious complications occurred in 1 of every 298 cases and deaths in 1 of 51,459 cases. Cosmetic surgery risks include bleeding, infection, heart attack and potentially fatal blood clots. Longer procedures are riskier. Older patients and patients with health conditions also are at higher risk.

Anyone with a medical license can perform cosmetic procedures. But the plastic surgery society recommends board-certified surgeons who operate in accredited centers.

Contributing: AP