Lisa Marie Presley, the only daughter of the late Elvis Presley and Priscilla Presley, passed away on January 12, 2023, at the age of 54. The Los Angeles County medical examiner’s office has recently revealed the cause of her death, which was a result of a complication from a prior weight-loss surgery. In this article, we will explore what happened to Lisa Marie Presley and how a small bowel obstruction can be a life-threatening condition.
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What is a Small Bowel Obstruction?
A small bowel obstruction is a blockage in the small intestine, which is the part of the digestive system that absorbs nutrients from food. The blockage can be caused by various factors, such as scar tissue, hernia, cancer, medication, or inflammation. According to CNN, a small bowel obstruction can cause bowel tissue to die or perforate, leading to death, if not treated promptly with surgery.
How Did Lisa Marie Presley Develop a Small Bowel Obstruction?
According to the autopsy report, Lisa Marie Presley’s small bowel obstruction was caused by adhesions, which are bands of scar tissue that form after surgeries. The report stated that Presley had undergone bariatric surgery, also known as weight-loss surgery, several years ago. This is a type of surgery that reduces the size of the stomach or bypasses part of the small intestine to help people lose weight. However, this surgery can also cause adhesions to develop over time, which can obstruct the small intestine and cause severe pain, nausea, vomiting, and bloating.
What Were the Signs and Symptoms of Lisa Marie Presley’s Condition?
The medical examiner’s report also detailed that Lisa Marie Presley was complaining of abdominal pain on the morning of her death. She was found in cardiac arrest at her home in Calabasas, California, and was rushed to a hospital, where she was pronounced dead. The report ruled that her death was natural and that the cardiac arrest was caused by the small bowel obstruction. The report also found that Presley had therapeutic levels of oxycodone, quetapine metabolite, and buprenorphine in her blood, which were not contributory to her death. However, some experts have suggested that these medications may have slowed down the motility of the intestine and made it more likely for it to get obstructed by the adhesions.
How Common and Preventable is a Small Bowel Obstruction?
A small bowel obstruction is a relatively common condition that affects about 2% of the population, according to the Mayo Clinic. However, it is not always fatal, as most cases can be treated with surgery or medication. The risk of developing a small bowel obstruction can be reduced by avoiding abdominal surgeries, especially bariatric surgery, unless medically necessary. Additionally, eating a high-fiber diet, drinking plenty of fluids, and exercising regularly can help prevent constipation and improve bowel function.
How Did Lisa Marie Presley’s Family and Fans React to Her Death?
Lisa Marie Presley’s death shocked and saddened her family and fans, who remembered her as a talented singer, songwriter, and philanthropist. She was the only child of Elvis Presley, who died in 1977 at the age of 42, also of a cardiac arrest. She had four children, two from her marriage to Danny Keough, and two from her marriage to Michael Jackson. She was also married to Nicolas Cage and Michael Lockwood, and was engaged to John Oszajca at the time of her death. She had released three albums, To Whom It May Concern, Now What, and Storm and Grace, and had collaborated with artists such as Elvis Costello, Richard Hawley, and Billy Corgan. She was also involved in various charitable causes, such as the Presley Charitable Foundation, which supports homeless families, and the Dream Factory, which grants wishes to terminally ill children.
Lisa Marie Presley’s death was a tragic loss for the music industry and the world. Her legacy will live on through her music, her children, and her fans. She will always be remembered as the daughter of the King of Rock and Roll, and as a talented and compassionate artist in her own right.
