DONDA WEST MAY BE LAID TO REST IN OKLAHOMA: Plus, report surfaces of pre-existing condition

An official announcement regarding services for Kanye West's mom was still pending as of press time, however, a spokesperson for Howard-Harris Funeral home in Oklahoma City told local news outlet KOCO Channel 5 that the family had contacted them regarding preparations for her funeral.


Meanwhile, a thyroid condition may have been what kept one plastic surgeon from moving forward with the requested tummy tuck and breast reduction surgery on Dr. Donda West, who died Saturday from what may be "complications due to surgery," the L.A. coroner announced Monday. An official autopsy was scheduled to be completed by today.


Beverly Hills surgeon Dr. Andre Aboolian told TMZ.com Monday that he met with Dr. West two weeks ago to discuss her requested cosmetic procedures. At that time, he expressed concern over a pre-existing condition and suggested that she get clearance from an internist whom Dr. Aboolian recommended.


The entertainment news program "Access Hollywood" reported yesterday that Dr. West's pre-existing condition may have involved her thyroid. According to TMZ, Dr. West never went to the internist and subsequently had the procedures performed by Dr. Jan Adams.


Meanwhile, a statement released Monday by Kanye West's family thanks supporters for their words of encouragement following his mother's sudden passing.


"Kanye West, his family and friends would like to thank everyone for the outpouring of support and kind words that have come in from across the country since the death of his mother, the statement read.


"In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Dr. West's name to the Kanye West Foundation/Loop Dreams Teacher Training Institute. Those donations can be made by visiting the Foundation's Web site, www.KanyeWestFoundation.org or by mail at Kanye West Foundation, 8560 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood, CA 90069.


The family statement also outlined Dr. West's involvement in the Kanye West Foundation before her passing.


"After working in higher education for 31 years, Dr. Donda West and Kanye West co-founded the Kanye West Foundation with the mission of helping to combat the severe dropout problem in high schools across the country," the statement read.


"The first and signature initiative of the Kanye West Foundation is Loop Dreams. Designed to capitalize on students existing interest in hip-hop, Loop Dreams challenges students to learn more about what's behind hip-hop culture in order to help them develop skills, express themselves creatively and be empowered."