Woman Detransitioning From Being Non-Binary Sues Doctors Who Removed Her Breasts

An Oregon woman who had her breasts removed to align with her previous non-binary gender identity is seeking $850,000 in legal damages after she said she developed complications because of the surgery.

Camille Kiefel, 32, is suing her social worker, therapist and the gender clinics they work for, Brave Space Oregon and Quest Center for Integrative Health, claiming she realized that the operation was a mistake, the New York Post reported.

Kiefel was approved to have her healthy breasts removed in 2020 after talking to doctors twice via Zoom that year. She said she never saw anyone in person before she had her breasts removed on Aug. 28 that year. Brave Space Oregon and Quest Center for Integrative Health did not respond to the outlet's requests for comment.

The then-30-year-old was going through mental health issues including anxiety disorder, social anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), major depressive disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) at the time.

Kiefel hoped that gender-neutral top surgery would help her mental health, according to the report.

"I was so dysfunctional, and I just wanted something that was going to help me. I thought I would be happier," Kiefel, who embraced a non-binary label and used she/they pronouns by the time she reached her mid-20s, said, according to the outlet.

Kiefel had mixed feelings following the procedure, which she said almost immediately caused complications. She reportedly experienced trouble swallowing and scopolamine poisoning from a patch on the back of her ear meant to treat nausea, which made her pupils dilate for months post-surgery.

The doctors who previously helped Kiefel stopped taking her seriously after the operation, she alleged.

"Doctors took me seriously up until surgery, but after I developed all these complications, I noticed they stopped taking me seriously. I was on my own at that point," Kiefel claimed.

Kiefel got her mental and physical health in order in the months that followed her surgery. She once again identifies as a female.

However, Kiefel's dating life has reportedly been impacted because of the decision to have her breasts removed.

A partner recently broke up with her when they found out she did not have breasts. Additionally, Kiefel will never be able to breastfeed despite wanting to have children one day.

"I still get sad about that. It's depressing what happened. I had this radical surgery, and now I'll always deal with the consequences," she said.

Kiefel became aware of her femininity when her best friend was raped by a relative in sixth grade. She became more anxious when her father gave her advice on how she could protect herself.

"All that really screwed me up. I remember I was even afraid to be alone. I didn't want to highlight my curves. I had a lot of discomfort around my breasts and hips," Kiefel said.

Doctors overlooked Kiefel's trauma and emotional struggles when they approved her procedure, she claimed. She said she hopes that taking the case to court will prevent other cases like hers.

Many people "who should not be getting these surgeries are getting these surgeries," Kiefel claimed.

"There are underlying health issues that are being overlooked. People like myself are slipping through the cracks," she added.

Kiefel is being represented by law firm Jackson Bone in her legal battle in Oregon State Court. She is also being supported by the Women's Liberation Front, an anti-transgender group that labels itself as a radical feminist organization.