BC Supreme Court judge orders surgeon to deny trans teen's mastectomy request

A BC Supreme Court judge has stopped a transgender teen's double mastectomy just a few days before it was meant to occur. This comes after the teen's mother opposed the wishes of her child and received a court order to delay the procedure.

According to the Vancouver Sun, Madam Justice Shelley C. Fitzpatrick granted the "interlocutory injunction" against cosmetic surgeon Dr. Daniel McKee and the teen's doctor, Dr. Andrea Szewchuk, after the request from the mother.

The mother and teen are only identified by initials, but it is public record that the teen is 17 year-old. The court order, granted on Nov. 3 with an expiry of Nov. 27, states that it prevents the teen's doctor from providing  "counsel, advice or advocacy in preparation for, promotion of, or performing a double mastectomy or any surgery."

The teen's mother opposes the procedure and hopes to use the delay as a means to determine a proper protocol for her child's health. Her lawyer Carey Linde stated that "the mother needs to see all of the protocols that led to the two doctors coming to the conclusion that what they intended to do is in the best interest of the child."

He continues, "She says removing the breasts of her daughter are not in the best interest of her," and also clarified that the mother is opposed to her child receiving steroids because of the risk of sterility.

"Where does the parent get the opportunity to be involved in a life-changing decision for her child?" said Linde.

The mother also claims to be completely ignorant to any consultation by medical experts. "I'm in total darkness and I don't have any rights," she said. "I need some time for her to grow up and mature," the mother concluded.

The mother also stated that she believes her child needs psychotherapy from a non-biased source.