By Jonel Aleccia Associated Press
Lisa Marie Presley died of a small bowel obstruction, a serious complication resulting from bariatric surgery she underwent years earlier, according to an autopsy report released Thursday.
Experts consider these types of complications to be a known but rare risk in people undergoing weight loss surgery.
Here’s what you should know about bariatric surgery and its benefits and risks:
What happened to Lisa Marie Presley?
The 54-year-old singer-songwriter and daughter of Elvis Presley was rushed to a hospital in Los Angeles, California on January 12 after being found unconscious at her home.
He died hours later.
Lisa Marie Presley, during the Country Music Awards in Nashville, Tennessee on November 1, 2012. Chris Pizzello / Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP
The autopsy revealed the death was caused by complications of small bowel obstruction related to previous bariatric surgery.
Parts of Presley’s intestines were pinched or “strangled” by scar tissue that formed after the surgery.
In addition, the artist had developed a strong accumulation of acid in her blood.
What is bariatric surgery and how common is it?
Bariatric surgery is surgery on the stomach or intestines to achieve weight loss. As a rule, they are carried out with moderate or severe obesity, when other methods have not helped.
There are different types of bariatric proceduresincluding those where part of the stomach is removed or redirected, or where a band is placed around part of the stomach to shrink it.
The autopsy report didn’t say what type of surgery Presley had, although experts say it wasn’t gastric sleeve surgery, which is the most common procedure.
Around 263,000 bariatric surgeries According to Dr. Marina Kurian, President of the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS), conducted in 2021.
Only about 1% of people who qualify for this procedure end up having the surgery.
How risky is the operation?
In general, bariatric surgery is “very safe,” Kurian said. According to ASMBS, the risk of serious complications is about 4% and the risk of death is 0.1%.
“It’s safer than gallbladder surgery”Kurian explained.
What are the possible complications?
Scar tissue, also called adhesions, can form in the abdomen after surgery or other trauma. That can cause kinking or blockages in the gut, said Dr. Thomas Inge, chief of surgery and bariatric surgery expert at Lurie Children’s Hospital in Chicago.
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In the case of Presley It appears that “he had a sprain throughout his intestines”said Inge, checking the autopsy report.
If the obstruction is not resolved quickly, it cuts off blood flow to the intestines, “choking” them and creating a cascade of potentially fatal problems. In the case of Presley caused a toxic accumulation of acids According to the autopsy report, her heart stopped and her heart stopped.
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Presley said she had stomach pains the morning of her death and wasn’t feeling well, the report said. It wasn’t clear if the pain was something new.
Anyone who has undergone abdominal surgery should seek treatment immediately. for the pain, said Inge. If diagnosed early, the problem can be treated.