West's mother died of aspiration, doctor claims

Kanye West's mother died in 2007 after suffering from aspiration, her surgeon has claimed.

Donda West died a day after undergoing a breast augmentation, tummy tuck and liposuction in a single surgery on November 9, 2007.

An autopsy report revealed she died of heart disease and surgery complications. She was 58.

Her surgeon, Dr. Jan Adams, was cleared of any wrongdoing by the Los Angeles Coroner but his career is forever marked by the tragedy.

Five years later, he is speaking out in his own defence.

"I feel responsible totally, because I'm the surgeon and I'm the guy in charge. But I'm not the guy to blame,' he told Entertainment Tonight.

The surgeon believes aspiration, or the sucking of a fluid or substance into the lungs, caused Donda West to die.

'(Ms. West) probably laid down, ate, had narcotics onboard, aspirated, her lungs got all this food in it and then four minutes later she passed away,' he explained.

Dr. Adams served eight months in jail and surrendered his medical license after several drink driving arrests.

He hopes to get his license reinstated soon. But he will always remember Donda West.

"It's a tragedy that she's not here. She was a wonderful woman,' he said.