I had a total knee replacement with Garbuz after a terrible experience of surgery gone wrong at Richmond General. He will always insist you need a total replacement because that is what he does. It is his specialty. After that you will never see him. Only his interns. I also fell terribly and smashed my operated knee, but even then you will not see him. You just get xrays and he will transfer the info to the secretary who will call you. He is super busy all the time. Surgery is all he does, he is not a great communicator and can be rude. But if you need surgery, he has done so many that just by sheer numbers he must be excellent. I only saw him twice and it was only 5 min each time. Once before, looks at the xrays, says you need a total and then you sign papers and will never see him again. But, you will get excellent care from all the support staff. My knee still hurts after 6 months but there is not much I can do about it but carry on

Submitted Feb. 22, 2017

In September 2016 I received a right knee REVISION. He replaced the bottom half of the original (13.5 year old TKR). The recovery was amazing. In UBC Hospital for 2 nights, at home with a walker for 2 days........ then off free walking. Great carpentry work and the pain management process is awesome. On the pain scale they ask you about a few times day and night.......... mine was only a 3 or 4. Great job. Looks like I will be heading back for right hip and then the other knee. Yikes. I guess I am paying now for being an athlete all my life!! Oh well.

Submitted Feb. 21, 2017

Dr Garbuz replaced both my hips in 2014 and 2016 respectively . My last hip was replaced on nov 22 , 2016 . I used the criurches the first week . The second week I was in a cane for another 3 weeks . Then I tossed it .

Submitted Feb. 11, 2017

I have had total knee replacements (TKR) in both knees. The right was done 5 years ago by another surgeon and the left was done Sept. 2016 by Dr. Garbuz. I have nothing but great things to say about Dr. Garbuz. I found him friendly and very competent. Compared to my first surgery this replacement went extraordinarily well. The pain of course was initially very intense (everyone will likely experience that) but rehab was a month ahead of the first replacement. In 2.5 month's I was sleeping through the night and the pain had decreased significantly. I think my success was due to his technique and competence. I would highly recommend him to anyone looking for a surgeon to perform a TKR.

Submitted Jan. 18, 2017

I had surgery from Dr.Garbuz on my right knee 4 months ago and I could not be happier with my result. Thanks so much to getting me back doing the things I love Hete's me skiing some powder 4 months after my total knee replacement 😊https://youtu.be/zbzh8jrlrs0

Submitted Dec. 28, 2016

I am a registered nurse that is in need of a TKR. I saw Dr Garbuz last month and was so disappointed and angry when I left.
Yes- he thinks he is god, and his bedside manner is the worst I have ever seen in my 15 years of working in the health care field.
Yes- you feel like part of the cattle in his office since there are so many other people waiting, and no one cares if you are there. Like I overheard him in the hallway say to his resident "who does she think she is? When I asked to see him, instead of his resident. I have 100 other people waiting to take her spot.
When you finally get to your appointment he has the resident take your history and might spend a minute of time with you. His approach to my case was so very disappointing as he told me that I would have the same implant in my 40 year old body as he would give someone in their 80's. No room for discussion. His way or the highway.
Let me tell you- I will take the highway and find someone else.
Yes, if you are lucky he would probably do an ok job, but god forbid if you had any problems down the road -you would never get the aftercare you need. His god complex would never allow him to have compassion and offer help if the surgery went wrong. You would be on your own.I don't trust him and I would not let him touch me with a ten foot pole- let alone cut open my knee. Take my medical advise and get on someone else's waitlist! RUN

Submitted Dec. 23, 2016

Had full hip replacement did not see him much but when did he knew his stuff easy to talk with

Submitted Nov. 21, 2016

I am 19 years old, and when I was 16 Dr.Garbuz gave me a total hip replacement. I had had Leg Perths disease since I was 12, and by 16 my hip was completely warped and left me with a 2" descripency between my two legs. I was on crutches full time and in constant pain for 4 years, but because of my age, no surgeon would replace my hip. long story short, my hip got worse as time went on, and I eventually got referred to Dr. Garbuz. He took one look at my X rays and said he would replace my entire hip in 3 months, and that's exactly what he did. Many people complain about his attitude, or lack of compassion, and I can understand that. But at the end of the day, this man saved my life. I couldn't care less about wether he's unpleasant at times or not. Dr. Garbuz gave me the ability to walk again, he ended my pain, and he gave me my child hood back. While in the hospital recovering from the surgery I learned Dr. Garbuz does at least 8 hip replacements a day. He's a busy man, so I can understand why he can come across as "stand offish". Bottom line, no matter who he is as a person, he's saving life's, and he's showing people that miracles can happen. And if you ask me, I think that makes a pretty great human being.

Submitted Nov. 3, 2016

Have been under his care since he started his practice here. Very happy with him and his staff. Lately he appears preoccupied but he will certainly take the time with you if you ask.

Submitted July 22, 2016

Should have specialized in pathology with his flippant, arrogant attitude and complete lack of compassion. I can only hope that he is able to impart his skills as a surgeon onto the fellows under his supervision because the idea of him imprinting his lack of respect for patients greatly concerns me. His attitude is completely unacceptable and certainly not what I would expect from someone who is so highly regarded. Will be submitting a formal letter of complaint to the College of Physicians and Surgeons of BC.

Submitted May 20, 2016