'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
Air Canada walks back new seat selection policy change after backlash
Air Canada has paused a new seat selection fee for travellers booked on the lowest fares just days after implementing it.
Province boots mayor and council in small northern Ont. town out of office
An ongoing municipal strike, court battles and revolt by half of council has prompted the province to oust the mayor and council in Black River-Matheson.
3 law officers serving warrant are killed, 5 wounded in shootout at North Carolina home, police say
Three officers on a U.S. Marshals Task Force serving a warrant for a felon wanted for possessing a firearm were killed and five other officers were wounded in a shootout Monday at a North Carolina home, police said.
'Shocked and concerned': Calgary principal charged with possession of child pornography
A Calgary elementary school principal has been charged with possession of child pornography, authorities announced Monday.
Health authority confirms cockroaches at B.C. hospital, insists they 'do not bite'
The Vancouver Island Health Authority is downplaying what staff describe as a cockroach infestation in a medical unit of Saanich Peninsula Hospital.
Toronto police arrest 12 people, lay 102 charges in major credit card fraud scheme
Toronto police say 12 people are facing a combined 102 charges in connection with an investigation into a major credit fraud scheme.
Winner of US$1.3 billion Powerball jackpot is an immigrant from Laos who has cancer
One of the winners of a historic US$1.3 billion Powerball jackpot last month is an immigrant from Laos who has had cancer for eight years and had his latest chemotherapy treatment last week.
Britney and Jamie Spears settlement avoids long, potentially ugly and revealing trial
Britney Spears and her father Jamie Spears will avoid what could have been a long, ugly and revealing trial with a settlement of the lingering issues in the court conservatorship that controlled her life and financial decisions for nearly 14 years.
WATCH 'Double whammy': What happens if you don't file your taxes by the deadline
The clock is ticking ahead of the deadline to file a 2023 income tax return. A personal finance expert explains why you should get them done -- even if you owe more than you can pay.