I developed varicose veins at 20 and suffer from pain and aching in my legs as well as pulsating in the vein itself. Anxious and self conscious about developing these veins so early in my adult life I eagerly awaited seeing a specialist about my options (how to decrease pain, the potential causes, treatments etc). My main objectives: ease anxiety, decrease pain and rule out potential contributors. My appointment was terrible: Dr. MacKean immediately told me to take my pants off (I was wearing thong underwear and was given nothing to cover up). He then poked and prodded and I was told he could inject my vein. I was given no resolutions and no insight into any other form of treatment. I raised my concerns and he ignorantly dismissed them – to the point of bringing me to tears. Feeling helpless, I booked an appointment. One week before the scheduled appointment I cancelled. My gut told me not to go through his treatment and eventually I stumbled upon these comments. Thank god.

Submitted Oct. 17, 2013

Very curt and dismissive during interview at admission. He was implanting a pacemaker and used leads that were too thick for the size of my veins. He was pushing and pulling the leads during the entire procedure trying to get them in rather than switch to smaller leads. Two years later I required a replacement of the leads because they deteriorated and began leaking charge. I certainly did not want him doing the replacement.

Submitted Nov. 6, 2012

Although he was very punctual in seeing me and the appointment and surgery wait time was quick, I would not recommend him to anyone. As mentioned in other comments, his attitude towards his patient is very distant and curt and he left the appointment without giving me any detail as to the surgery and the appointment time. I had to chase him out of the exam room. As for the surgery itself, the freezing didn't take in all the incision spots and I felt most of the last few incisions and staples. During my follow up appointment I was concerned with how my incisions were healing as they were quite painful and looked infected. His comments were that it looked painful but was fine. He took the staples out and left shortly after. I went to see my family doctor approx. two weeks later and was told my incisions had been infected for weeks. The doctor should have realized that upon our check up, so I would not recommend him.

Submitted April 11, 2012

My brother swears by this Doctor.He did a surgery on him that others said could not be done!My brother is very well because of this man. Please realize the stress that doctors are under;"not to excuse rude speaking or actions" but to allow for them to be a bit "curt"at times.

Submitted Feb. 18, 2012

If you are a victim of Dr Gerald MacKean he will cut pieces out of main veins or arteries in legs, leaving you with a blockage that is life threatening and horrifying. The complications are so horrendous that the weak will decease and the strong will suffer in horror. Do we really have rights when it comes to our health as Canadians. We are allowed to be ****ed by Dr Gerald MacKean our medical professionals that we are supposed to trust in.

Submitted Nov. 22, 2010

My mom had surgery from this doctor and had major severe headaches for 8 days after, he told her to just lay down til they go away.She had a stroke cause by the surgery and died 2 weeks after...good doctor I guess...he was rude and had no compasion for his patients

Submitted Sept. 7, 2010

I have received varicose vein treatment for 3 years from this specialist. Big question I have is, how come I have to go see him very EARLY in the morning at his office in the hospital, before the other clinics open, pay him $200 CASH, with no receipts, for a procedure he conducts in the hospital, when his salary and offices (and possibly the chemicals he injects into my legs) are paid for by taxpayers like me? His personality is not important, but he treats patient questions and expressions of pain during treatment like they irrelevent - he is more interested in bragging about his golf game and all the important people he knows. I would NEVER even consider serious surgery by him. I returned to him in the past because he was the only one too offer varicose treatmentes, but now there is private clinic in town, and I will never go back to him again.

Submitted Nov. 2, 2009

I cannot believe that another person who had success can minimize another's comment who suffered at this man's knife.A surgery he performed on a family member almost took his life.Fixing an aneursyum and cutting both the ureter and lung.He NEVER told us.Other staff members let it out, thinking we knew.We have a right to KNOW this.He required an additional surgery due to a slip of the knife, cutting both his ureter and lung causing URINE to fill up inside his body and leak out from his 16 inch incision.The second surgery required a removal of his kidney with the ureter that was nicked and a drainage of 1 LITRE of urine from his lung.This doctor should never be able to practice again!

Submitted Sept. 25, 2009

I had my varicose veins removed by Dr.MacKeen. I found him to be rude. My questions were only answered with grunts or with snippy, curt replies. He gave me a needle for freezing and then immediately proceeded to start cutting my legs, and I, of course, let him know that I wasn't frozen yet, but he just kept on cutting, to my horror!!! In all fairness to his nurse, I could see she was sympathetic but seemed afraid to say anything. She answered my questions that he didn't when he finished and left the room. A few weeks later, I was sent a questionaire to fill out and return to the QEII, and I made it perfectly clear how horrible an experience this was for me and how awful a doctor he is, so it isn't like they don't know or realize what type of person they are paying to do this job for them.

Submitted July 22, 2009

I have seen Dr. MacKean many times unfortunately I have had no other choice as he is the only surgeon I am aware of that treats varicose veins. I can't comment on his knowledge as I have never had a conversation with him. He does not discuss your condition or how to care for your legs once he completes the procedures. As stated by previous ratings here, he has not bedside manner what so ever. After one procedure, his nurse recommended I go see a private clinic to have this procedure done as she had. If I'm uncertain about a doctor I always ask a nurse who has worked with them. I have yet to have a nurse say anything positive about Dr. MacKean so you decide.

Submitted June 29, 2009