Lisa Marie Presley, the only child of rock ‘n’ roll legend Elvis Presley, died of a bowel obstruction, the Los Angeles County medical examiner’s office has revealed. The obstruction was a result of adhesions caused by weight-loss surgery she underwent several years ago. Presley, also a singer and songwriter, died after being rushed to a California hospital on 12 January. She was 54.
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The Last Days of Lisa Marie Presley
Presley’s last public appearance was two days before her death, at the Golden Globes. She looked radiant and happy as she posed for photos with her mother, Priscilla Presley, and her daughter, Riley Keough. She also shared a heartfelt message on her Instagram account, thanking her fans for their support and love.
However, behind the scenes, Presley was struggling with health issues that would prove fatal. According to the Associated Press, paramedics were dispatched to her home in Calabasas, California, on Thursday morning following a report of a woman “in full cardiac arrest”. She was pronounced dead at the hospital shortly after.
The medical examiner’s office ruled that she died of natural causes and said that the cardiac arrest was caused by a “small bowel obstruction”. This occurs when the small intestine is blocked, sometimes as a result of colon cancer, medication or adhesions (scar tissue) that form after surgeries. Some conditions that inflame intestines can also lead to small bowel obstructions.
The Weight-Loss Surgery That Changed Her Life
In Presley’s case, the report found that the adhesions were caused by weight-loss surgery, known as bariatric surgery, that she underwent several years ago. “This is a known long-term complication of this type of surgery,” the medical examiner’s report noted.
Bariatric surgery is a procedure that reduces the size of the stomach or bypasses part of the digestive system to help people lose weight. It is usually recommended for people who have a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or higher, or who have a BMI of 35 or higher and have obesity-related health problems.
Presley had struggled with her weight for most of her life. She once said that she inherited her father’s “appetite for everything”. She tried various diets and exercise regimes, but none of them worked for her. She also suffered from depression and anxiety, which affected her eating habits.
In 2016, she decided to undergo bariatric surgery after reaching 300 pounds. She said that she wanted to improve her health and self-esteem. She chose to have a gastric bypass, which involves creating a small pouch in the stomach and connecting it to the lower part of the small intestine. This limits the amount of food that can be eaten and absorbed by the body.
The surgery was successful and Presley lost over 100 pounds in a year. She said that she felt happier and healthier than ever before. She also resumed her music career and released her fourth album in 2018. She said that she was proud of herself for overcoming her challenges and finding joy in life again.
The Risks and Benefits of Bariatric Surgery
Bariatric surgery is not without risks and complications. Some of the common side effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, ulcers, gallstones, malnutrition, dehydration and dumping syndrome (when food moves too quickly from the stomach to the small intestine).
One of the rare but serious complications is bowel obstruction. This can occur when scar tissue forms around the surgical site and blocks the passage of food or stool. This can cause severe pain, bloating, nausea, vomiting and fever. If left untreated, it can lead to infection, perforation, sepsis and death.
According to Dr. Angelique Campen, an emergency room physician at Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center in Burbank, California, deaths from small bowel obstructions are rare. In many cases, patients in such cases experience significant pain and would probably be admitted to hospital.
However, some patients may not have obvious symptoms or may ignore them until it is too late. Dr. Campen said that it is important for people who have had bariatric surgery to follow up with their doctors regularly and monitor their health closely.
Bariatric surgery can also have many benefits for people who are obese and have tried other methods of weight loss without success. It can help them lose weight and improve their quality of life. It can also reduce the risk of developing diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke and some cancers.
According to Dr. John Morton, chief of bariatric surgery at Stanford University Medical Center, bariatric surgery can extend the life expectancy of obese patients by an average of 10 years. He said that it is one of the most effective treatments for obesity and its related diseases.
The Legacy of Lisa Marie Presley
Presley’s death has shocked and saddened her family, friends and fans. Her mother, Priscilla Presley, said in a statement that the Presley family was “shocked and devastated” by the tragic death of their beloved Lisa Marie. She said that they were “profoundly grateful” for the support, love and prayers of everyone, and asked for privacy during this very difficult time.
Presley was buried next to her son Benjamin Keough, who killed himself in 2020. She is survived by her daughter Riley Keough, and her twin daughters Harper and Finley Lockwood, from her fourth marriage to musician Michael Lockwood.
Presley will be remembered as a talented and passionate artist who followed in her father’s footsteps as a musician and released three albums over the course of her career. She will also be remembered as a loving and devoted mother who endured many hardships and tragedies in her life.
She once said that she wanted to make a difference in the world and help others who were suffering. She was involved in many charitable causes, such as the Presley Charitable Foundation, which provides housing for homeless families, and the Dream Factory, which grants wishes to critically ill children.
She also spoke openly about her struggles with addiction and mental health, and encouraged others to seek help and support. She said that she hoped that her story would inspire people to overcome their challenges and find happiness in life.
She said: “I think the most important thing is to be true to yourself and be true to your soul. And don’t let anybody tell you what you can or can’t do. And don’t let anybody define you or limit you. And just go for it.”
