An 18-year-old in New Zealand, referred to as “Patient Z,” attempted a self-mastectomy after watching a YouTube tutorial due to frustration over long wait times for publicly funded gender-affirming surgery. The biological female, who was waiting for a female-to-male gender affirmation surgery, was motivated by significant psychological stress related to her breasts and an upcoming pool party.
According to a study in the New Zealand Medical Journal, “Patient Z” prepared for the self-surgery by watching instructional videos, gathering necessary tools, and planning for pain management and bleeding control. The attempt resulted in an emergency hospital visit, highlighting the extreme measures some individuals may consider when faced with delays in medical care.
