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. She was rushed to a hospital after suffering a cardiac arrest at her home in Calabasas, California. The news of her death shocked and saddened her fans and family, who remembered her as a talented singer, songwriter, and philanthropist.
But what was the cause of her sudden demise? How did a seemingly healthy woman succumb to a fatal condition? The answer lies in a medical procedure that she underwent several years ago, which had unforeseen consequences for her health.
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The Role of Bariatric Surgery in Lisa Marie’s Death
According to the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office, Lisa Marie died of natural causes due to a “sequelae of a small bowel obstruction” . A small bowel obstruction is a blockage in the small intestine, which can prevent food and fluids from passing through. This can cause severe pain, nausea, vomiting, dehydration, and infection. If left untreated, it can lead to bowel tissue death, perforation, sepsis, and death.
The report stated that the obstruction was caused by “adhesions (or, scar tissue) that developed after bariatric surgery years ago” . Bariatric surgery is a type of weight-loss surgery that reduces the size of the stomach or bypasses part of the small intestine. It is usually performed on people who have obesity and related health problems, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, or sleep apnea.
Lisa Marie had undergone bariatric surgery in the past, as she struggled with her weight and body image for most of her life. She once said that she inherited her father’s “big eyes, big ears, big nose, and big appetite”. She also admitted that she used food as a coping mechanism for her emotional issues, such as depression, anxiety, and trauma. She said that she had “a constant battle with weight” and that she was “either way too skinny or way too fat”.
She decided to have bariatric surgery after she gave birth to her twin daughters, Finley and Harper, in 2008. She said that she wanted to be healthy and fit for her children, and that she was tired of yo-yo dieting and feeling insecure about her appearance. She said that the surgery was “the best thing” she ever did for herself, and that it helped her lose over 100 pounds.
However, bariatric surgery is not without risks and complications. One of the possible long-term complications is the formation of adhesions, which are bands of scar tissue that can stick together and create blockages in the abdomen. Adhesions can occur after any abdominal surgery, but they are more common and severe after bariatric surgery, especially if the surgery involves cutting or stapling the intestine .
Adhesions can cause chronic pain, bowel obstruction, infertility, and other problems. They can also be difficult to diagnose and treat, as they may not cause any symptoms until they cause a serious complication. The only way to remove adhesions is through another surgery, which can create more adhesions and increase the risk of infection and bleeding.
The Medications That May Have Worsened Lisa Marie’s Condition
The autopsy report also revealed that Lisa Marie had therapeutic levels of oxycodone, a painkiller, in her blood at the time of her death. She also had traces of quetiapine, an antipsychotic, and buprenorphine, another painkiller that can also be used to treat opioid addiction. The report stated that these medications were not contributory to her death, but they may have played a role in worsening her condition.
According to Dr. Michael Camilleri, a gastroenterologist and professor at the Mayo Clinic, these medications may have “slowed down the motility of the intestine and would have made it perhaps more likely” for it to get “obstructed by the adhesions” . He explained that these drugs can affect the movement and contraction of the bowel, which can make it harder for food and fluids to pass through. This can increase the pressure and inflammation in the intestine, and cause more damage to the bowel tissue.
Dr. Folasade P. May, a gastroenterologist and professor at the UCLA School of Medicine, also told CNN that she suspects Lisa Marie “developed a cardiac arrest because she had a severe complication from the small bowel obstruction” . She said that the obstruction could have caused a loss of blood supply to the bowel, which could have led to tissue death, perforation, infection, and sepsis. She said that sepsis can cause a drop in blood pressure, organ failure, and cardiac arrest.
Dr. May added that Lisa Marie’s death was “very unfortunate and very rare”, and that it was not necessarily related to her weight or lifestyle. She said that anyone who has had abdominal surgery can develop adhesions, and that they can be asymptomatic for years. She advised people who have had bariatric surgery to be aware of the signs and symptoms of bowel obstruction, such as abdominal pain, bloating, nausea, vomiting, and constipation. She also recommended that they seek medical attention immediately if they experience these symptoms, as early diagnosis and treatment can prevent serious complications and death.
The Legacy of Lisa Marie Presley
Lisa Marie Presley was a talented and successful artist in her own right, following in the footsteps of her father. She released four albums, which received critical acclaim and commercial success. She also collaborated with other musicians, such as Michael Jackson, Bon Jovi, and Elvis Costello. She was known for her distinctive voice, her honest lyrics, and her musical versatility.
She was also a devoted mother, a generous philanthropist, and a passionate advocate for various causes. She supported charities that focused on children, animals, health, and human rights. She also founded the Presley Charitable Foundation, which provides housing and support for homeless families. She was also involved in the Scientology movement, which she credited for helping her overcome her drug addiction and depression.
She was married four times, and had four children: Riley Keough, Benjamin Keough, and twins Finley and Harper Lockwood. She was very close to her children, and often shared photos and videos of them on social media. She was especially proud of her son Benjamin, who bore a striking resemblance to his grandfather Elvis. She once said that he was “the best thing that ever happened to me” .
However, she also faced many challenges and tragedies in her life. She struggled with her weight, her self-esteem, and her mental health. She also endured several divorces, lawsuits, and financial troubles. She also suffered the loss of her son Benjamin, who died by suicide in 2020, at the age of 27. She said that his death was “the worst thing that ever happened to me” .
She was in the process of writing a memoir, which was expected to reveal intimate details about her life, her relationships, and her family. She said that she wanted to tell her story in her own words, and to clear up some of the misconceptions and rumors that surrounded her. She said that she hoped that her book would inspire and help others who were going through similar struggles .
Lisa Marie Presley was a remarkable woman, who lived a remarkable life. She was a daughter, a mother, a singer, a songwriter, a philanthropist, and a survivor. She touched the lives of many people, and left behind a legacy of love, music, and compassion. She will be dearly missed by her family, her friends, and her fans. Rest in peace, Lisa Marie.
