West surgeon cancels TV interview

LOS ANGELES - A plastic surgeon who operated on Kanye West's mother the day before she died abruptly walked off CNN's "Larry King Live" during an interview Tuesday with the talk show host.

Dr. Jan Adams said he initially agreed to speak with King to clear up what he said were inaccurate reports about him in the news media. But he said West's family asked him not to appear on the show.

"I have a tremendous amount of love and respect for the West family and they have asked me not to go on," he said. "And I've said from the very beginning, I don't have a side in this. They are my side and so I'm going to respect their wishes."

As Adams got up from his chair to shake King's hand, the TV host asked whether the surgeon would ever answer questions surrounding Donda West's death.

"When they're comfortable, then I'll be comfortable. If they're never comfortable, then I'll never be comfortable," Adams said, referring to West's family. "They are what's important to me. I said that from the start and that's what I'll continue to honor."

His brief television appearance came several hours after a funeral service for Donda West in Spencer, a suburb of Oklahoma City.

West, 58, died at a Los Angeles-area hospital on Nov. 10, a day after she underwent breast reduction, tummy tuck and liposuction procedures. She may have died of a heart attack, pulmonary embolism or accidental overdose of painkillers prescribed after the procedures, Adams told the Los Angeles Times for a story posted online Monday night.

Adams said he suspected one theory but wouldn't elaborate until the coroner issues an official cause of death. "I believe I know exactly what happened to her, but I will not comment on it until I see the final report," he told the newspaper.

The coroner has said early indications suggest West died from surgical complications. An official cause of death won't be determined for weeks, pending the results of toxicology and other tests.

Adams said he prescribed West Vicodin after the surgery.

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