He operated on my back 5x he took too much bone out of my spine caused it to become scoliosis. He should have known not to do the 4th surgery that caused the scoliosis and caused my right abdominal wall to bulge out. Right side abdominal wall a lot weaker than my left. . So I’m left with that deformity. Then for bulging discs told me the only procedure available was a disc replacement. Found out that was a lie. He did the double disc replacement which caused too much movement in the spine and my pain got even worse. He referred me to VGH spine clinic first surgeon there looked at everything and that Dr didn’t even have the guts to tell me to my face he couldn’t help me I only found that out after waiting months to hear from him for 4 months. I had to call his assistant to learn that he couldn’t help me because Matishak screwed up my back so much.

Fortunately my case was talked out in rounds and Dr Street at VGH called to say he thought he could help me. The team of spine surgeons at VGH are the best in the province they fix other surgeons screw ups. Learned that Matishak was well know name at VGH because they constantly were fixing Matishak;s screw ups and he was well known at VGH because they were constantly fixing his screw ups. The team of surgeons said that Matishak should have known that in the 4th surgery that he would take so much lamina out out of the spine that it would cause the spine to scoliosis. In the 5th surgery a double disc replacement that it would cause too much movement and cause the pain to get much worse. It was a well known and document that double disc replacement are fraught with problems, Matishsk thinks he’s god and doesn’t have to operate within industry standards and procedures. He could have and should have fused the 2 bulging disc. Matishak along with every other spine surgeon that double disc replacements are fraught with problems and most don’t do this procedure at all because of these issues. All spine surgeon when taught this procedure are taught to NEVER do the procedure on someone with scoliosis. Matishsk thinks he knows better than the best surgeon in the world and those guidelines don’t apply to him.
‘The spine surgeons at VGH don’t do disc replacements because they are fraught with problems. The doctors on my team at VGH were very blunt that my entire back pain was directly caused from surgery 4 and 5 which should have never been done at all. . Doctors in the USA tried to remove the disc replacement and 2 patients bled out on the table. Disc replacement is where the core out the disc to put in a titanium inserts into the disc and they can;t be undone and can’t be reversed.

Fortunately Dr Street was able to fuse my spine from T3 all the way down to the sacrum and fused my hips. So I can’t bent my back and can only bend at the hips.

Matishak is a hack who thinks he’s a god. He thinks he doesn’t have to confirm the industry standards. He talks about other patients in front of you and makes fun of them. I guy I worked w slipped and fell getting out of his car and when he fell he ruptured his discs. Matushak said who slips getting out of their car and rupture discs. He made fun of the guy I worked with and screwed up his back. My friend after a year of worse pain and being unable to work because of the pain found another better surgeon to fix his back.

I would in the most strenuous terms possible tell you to run far away from Matishak he’LL destroy your back. If I could use colourful language here I would and would tell you this guy should never operate on anyone anywhere at all!!! He distorted my back and the only thing Dr Street could do to lessen the pain I was in was to fuse my spine. Matishak destroyed my back and my career. When my Dad and his wife came to help me after my 1st surgery they met Matishak and my Dad’s wife got such bad vibes off Matishak that her assessment was he was a smarmy doctor and she thought after meeting him I should have run for the hills. Every day I curse this man for destroying my career and my life because of his malpractice.

Submitted May 9, 2024

Dr. Matishak is an exceptional neurosurgeon who not only saved my life but also demonstrated unwavering kindness and compassion throughout the process. He performed brain surgery on me repairing two ruptured brain aneurysms when I was 13 years old(1999).

Submitted Feb. 1, 2024

had him 17 years ago and husband for bak surgery and he made you feel comfortable from the time you met him till you leave and very knowledgable would reomend him to people

Submitted April 26, 2023

This doctor saved my life in 1995. 28 yrs ago I had brain surgery. I was so freaked out, I was 24 years old with a 9 month old baby boy. I was in the hospital 2 weeks. Best doctor I've ever had . His beautiful wife was amazing as well. To all of the staff and Doctor, I thank you for saving my life.

Submitted April 7, 2023

Our family is forever grateful to this brilliant doctor and his humanity. More than 10 years after his life-saving multi-level cranial disc replacement, my husband; our son's father and hopefully soon a grandchild have the man whose vitality inspires us to be better people still with us and active. Thank you always.

Submitted Dec. 6, 2022

I have had two brain surgeries the first one from Dr. M Matishak in Royal C. Hospital. His surgery with Dr. Jahveer, was far superior to my last surgery. I think he was quit brilliant!

Submitted Jan. 25, 2022

Thank you so much Dr. Matishak for seeing me although already too many patients! Thank you for not judging me as "not too bad" since that day I was able to function with less pain than usual. There are times when my back pain is truly unbearable, as well as the leg pains. I know your advice and diagnosis is the best, and that alone helps me face the future, knowing that if ever I cannot deal with it, you will do what you can. It is an honor and a privilege to know such a caring and self-sparing individual. I doubt if anyone really knows all you have done. But it has not gone unnoticed. Looking forward to our next meeting. With deep gratitude.

Submitted Aug. 19, 2020

Dr Matishak is a fantastic doctor, he understand the what his patients are going through. I wish he had been the first doctor I was referred to and not the 5!

Submitted May 4, 2020

Dr. Matishak is vey helpful, understand and amazing. I appreciate all of his support

Submitted Oct. 2, 2019

A wonderful gentleman. Very patient and down to earth. I am so thankful that I had the
opportunity to be referred to Dr Matishak.

Submitted May 5, 2019