'Why not do it together?': Lifelong friends take part in 'brosectomy' in Vancouver
While many people choose to keep their medical appointments private, four longtime friends decided to undergo vasectomies as a group in B.C.'s Lower Mainland.
"We all had to do it so we said, why not do it together?" said Craig Tatham, a dad from Maple Ridge.
Craig and his three friends, all fathers in their early 40s, wanted to turn a potentially anxiety-filled day into a bonding experience and a lasting memory. The group made custom “brosectomy” tank tops to wear – and invited news cameras to their big day.
"I think it's great," said Dr. Jack Chang of Pollock Clinics Vancouver. "Surgery is super stressful, especially surgery down there, and so guys coming together, comforting each other, being able to relate to each other...there's just something nice about sharing that milestone."
Chang said he's noticed an increase in men getting the procedure, which lasts around six minutes.
"Especially with the rising cost of living, inflation, people are having those conversations more and more about how do we plan our families and make responsible decisions," said Chang.
“I think it also represents something more significant, which is kind of this generational shift with men saying look, our partners have been through enough – childbirth, birth control, side effects – we want to do something loving and responsible and kind of take that burden of family planning away from them and do something nice.”
The four friends were in and out of the clinic within an hour.
"It was painless. It was quick and easy," said Tatham.
Another participant, Brian Legge, said it felt like “it didn’t even happen.”
The friends said they plan to celebrate with steaks, scotch, cigars and bags of frozen peas.
Dr. Neil Pollock told CTV News he plans on donating proceeds from the “brosectomy” procedures to the Canadian Men’s Health Foundation.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6976926.1721883767!/httpImage/image.png_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.png)
LIVE UPDATES Multiple homes, businesses 'lost' to wildfire in Jasper National Park: Parks Canada
Officials from Parks Canada and Jasper say "multiple structures, including a number of businesses and homes, in and around the town of Jasper, have been lost" to wildfire in Jasper National Park.
Alberta premier says a third, perhaps half, of all Jasper buildings destroyed by fire
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says early reports indicate a third and perhaps up to half of all buildings in the historic Rocky Mountain resort town of Jasper have burned in a wildfire.
Prince William's 2023 salary revealed in new report
Newly released financial reports show that William, the Prince of Wales, drew a salary of $42.1 million last fiscal year, his first since inheriting the vast and lucrative Duchy of Cornwall.
Tourist suffers 3rd-degree burns to feet after losing flip flops amid soaring temperatures in Death Valley
A tourist was hospitalized after suffering serious burns on his feet on Saturday when he lost his flip flops at a U.S. national park where temperatures soared past 48 Celsius.
'There's mom and dad's house': New video appears to show destruction of Jasper neighbourhood
Video posted to social media on Thursday morning appears to show the charred remains of a Jasper, Alta., neighbourhood.
Former judge with disputed Cree heritage likely has Indigenous DNA: law society
The Law Society of British Columbia says a DNA test shows a former judge and Order of Canada recipient accused of falsely claiming to be Cree "most likely" has Indigenous heritage.
Australian field hockey player opts to amputate part of his finger in order to compete in Paris Olympics
In the run up to the Paris Olympics, athletes have been stepping up their preparations in order to maintain their edge over competitors. But for Australia’s Matt Dawson, those preparations looked a little different this year, with the field hockey player opting to have part of his finger amputated in order to compete in the Games.
Canada to bring home fewest Olympic medals since 2012, according to forecaster
Fewer Canadians are expected to reach the Paris podium than in the previous two Olympic Summer Games, a global data analytics company predicts.
Jennifer Aniston criticizes JD Vance for 'childless cat ladies' remarks: 'I pray that your daughter is fortunate enough to bear children'
Jennifer Aniston is criticizing JD Vance for comments he made in his past about women without children.