Tameka Foster, 37, wife of R&B superstar Usher Raymond, 30, was rushed to the emergency room after suffering a cardiac arrest while being anesthetized before undergoing routine liposuction in Brazil. The plastic surgeon, Silvio Sterman’s spokeswoman Ellen Dastry states Foster “was revived in less than a minute by heart massage.”
Usher Rushes to Her Side
Usher hopped a flight to Brazil as soon as he got the news of Foster’s complications. Usher cancelled his performance at Clive Davis’ pre-Grammy part to be at his wife’s side. Foster has been admitted to Sirio-Libanes Hospital in Sao Paulo and is currently in an induced coma to “avoid unnecessary complications.”
In light of the liposuction news, Foster has come under criticism due to liposuction so soon after she had a child. Naveid Ely Raymond was born a mere two months ago. Dr. Robert Wallace, plastic surgeon at University of Tennessee Medical Group suggests waiting up to six months before undergoing such a procedure after giving birth.
Kanye West’s Mother Dies From Surgery
This isn’t the first time a celebrity family member has had major complications from plastic surgery. In November 2007, rapper Kanye West’s mom, Donda West, died after having a “routine” breast lift, tummy tuck and liposuction. The coroner report eventually stated that the specific cause of death could not be determined. Dr. Louis A. Pena, a deputy medical examiner in Los Angeles, stated, "it is my opinion Ms. West died from some pre-existing coronary artery disease and multiple postoperative factors,”
Plastic Surgery Risks
In light of the highly publicized death of West, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) released a statement informing the public of the risks of plastic surgery but stressed the need to stay calm. “We don't want to unnecessarily frighten the public. While this situation is rare, the decision to have a plastic surgery procedure is serious. No-risk surgery doesn't exist.”
The ASPS goes on to give prospective patients six points when considering plastic surgery:
- Do your homework.
- Have realistic expectations of results.
- Be informed.
- Ask the tough questions of the doctors.
- Choose an ASPS Member Surgeon.
- Confirm accreditation of outpatient surgery center.
A 2004 study by the ASPS found that deaths and complications do happen but are very rare. Over 400,000 cases of office-based, outpatient plastic surgery were studied between 2000 and 2002. Serious complications occurred 1 in 298 cases, or 0.34 percent; death occurred among patients 1 in 51,459, or 0.0019 percent.
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