In a distressing lawsuit emerging from California, a hospital and its doctors are being sued for executing a double mastectomy on a 13-year-old girl who believed she was a boy. The plaintiff, now known as Layla Jane, was reportedly subjected to what her attorney, Charles LiMandri, describes as “ideological and profit-driven medical abuse.” This came in the form of puberty blockers, hormones, and ultimately the irreversible surgical removal of her breasts when she was just 13. Jane, now 18, has since returned to her birth gender, acknowledging that her transgender feelings, which began at 11 under online influences, were mistaken.
Despite three doctors initially deeming her too young for cross-sex hormones, Jane was ultimately subjected to a questionable medical regimen. The medical practitioners proceeded with puberty blockers and hormones, and within six months, performed a double mastectomy. The life-altering prescription was based on a single 75-minute session with a psychologist, Susanne Watson. Plastic surgeon, Dr. Winnie Tong, decided within a mere 30-minute session that Jane’s breasts could be removed.
The lawsuit alleges that the defendants neglected their professional duty by failing to explore the psychological triggers behind Jane’s assertion that she was transgender. The plaintiff’s team argues that the doctors willingly accepted Jane’s self-diagnosis instead of exploring her apparent mental health issues. They contend that such a decision, equivalent to allowing a troubled 12-year-old to self-prescribe her own treatment, is uncharted territory in the medical profession. Meanwhile, psychologist Doreen Samelson, who is not named as a defendant, had told Jane and her parents that she was too young to receive puberty blockers or cross-sex hormones.
Jane, whose given name is Kayla Lovdahl, has since “detransitioned,” or resumed identifying as a girl. She’s currently receiving psychotherapy for mental health issues such as social anxiety disorder. According to the lawsuit, this type of treatment should have been offered instead of drastic steps. Several studies indicate that most young individuals with gender dysphoria eventually become comfortable with their birth sex. Other research shows that people who undergo chemical or surgical transitions often struggle with mental health issues and have higher suicide rates.
Jane seeks compensation for her pain and suffering, further medical expenses, and the costs of the lawsuit. Harmeet Dhillon, CEO of the Center for American Liberty, also representing Jane, has slammed Kaiser for engaging in “quackery” and substituting “woke ideology for medically accepted standards of care.” Jane’s case is unfortunately not unique; a similar lawsuit was filed by Chloe Cole, who underwent the same procedure when she was only 15. This disturbing trend serves as a sobering reminder of the need to protect minors from irreversible procedures that may carry lifelong consequences.