Survivor of Early Double Mastectomy Shares Emotional Impact

WHO:

Yahoo - Claire Abernathy, a detransitioner who underwent a double mastectomy at 15, and Dr. Alan Dulin, the plastic surgeon who performed the procedure.

Fox News - Claire Abernathy and Dr. Alan Dulin.

WHAT:

Yahoo - Abernathy accused Dr. Dulin of performing an unnecessary double mastectomy without adequately addressing her underlying distress.

Yahoo - Abernathy described the surgery as disfiguring and expressed regret over the physical and emotional toll it has taken on her life.

Yahoo - Abernathy stated, "You took advantage of a little girl’s confusion and a family’s trust to perform an unnecessary, disfiguring surgery on a child who was barely through puberty."

Yahoo - Abernathy reported that she was put on testosterone at 14 years old, and eight months later, she underwent the double mastectomy.

Yahoo - Abernathy described the aftermath of the surgery, stating, "I had to watch as the skin of my nipples...turned black and fell off my body."

Yahoo - Abernathy claimed she lives with "a numb, hollow chest covered in the disfiguring scars" from the surgery.

WHERE:

Yahoo - The double mastectomy was performed at the American Institute for Plastic Surgery in Plano, Texas.

WHEN:

Yahoo - The surgery occurred after a 15-minute consultation when Abernathy was between eighth and ninth grade.

WHY:

Yahoo - Abernathy expressed that the surgery was performed without addressing her emotional distress, which she believes was a significant factor in her decision to undergo the procedure.

HOW:

Yahoo - Abernathy's surgery was performed after a brief consultation, which she criticized as insufficient for making such a significant medical decision.

(UPDATED June 17, 2026 06:46 UTC)

Claire Abernathy, who underwent a double mastectomy at just 15 years old, has accused Dr. Alan Dulin of performing the unnecessary procedure without properly addressing her emotional distress. Abernathy described the surgery as disfiguring, expressing deep regret over the physical and emotional toll it has taken on her life, stating, "You took advantage of a little girl’s confusion and a family’s trust." She reported that the surgery, which followed a brief 15-minute consultation at the American Institute for Plastic Surgery in Plano, Texas, left her with "a numb, hollow chest covered in the disfiguring scars" from the operation.