This review is from another site. It was writing by someone with whom I share the same surgeon.

"We went over the paper work together, he helped ease my nerves and made me feel like I was making the right decision. Before I left his office I turned to him and said 'Dr. Paragi I am putting my life in your hands' he said to me 'You should put your life in Gods hands no mine. I am just your surgeon.' I knew right there that he was right and this was the right decision."

This is probably the most uncomfortable, illogical, and concerning thing I could have read. The "cognitive psychologist" in me knows that it is statistically better for a surgeon's performance to separate from the patient. But you can't just pass the buck! My "patient" side of my wants to scream in complete dismay.

He just sounds like a humble man to me, without the inflated ego that some surgeons may have. That comment wouldn't bother me if it came from my surgeon, but YOU have to feel comfortable.

I get you. I actually want my surgeon to be confident of his skills, not "HIS" skills.

Oh no, this man is not humble. I just wrote in another post that I am looking for a new surgeon. He has a track record for being condescending with me. I've seen him do it to another lady in front of the whole seminar. He has great reviews from most people, but I am far from impressed, or even comfortable.

You do have to feel comfortable and confident in the person that is going to slice you up. ( not to sound morbid, but it is the reality)

But other than other things you have been seeing about this surgeon that one statement he made was not an "wrong" statement.

Surgeons can only do their best. They do textbook surgery. But so many things can happen that is out of their hands that this is probably why his response was the way it was.

In other words, he is telling the person....have faith as faith has a much higher power than he can ever have, as he is just a man with flaws like any other.

Few ways to read this... but first... since you've got psychology training, allow yourself a moment to realize you may be over-analyzing things. I've got a dear friend who is an LCSW and he tells me that he winds up over thinking EVERYTHING now.

Secondly, who knows how much of that review is true. It may be exaggerated or twisted to make the story more warm and fuzzy. With your background, you also know people sometimes tell a story they way they had wished it to go, or embellish some to make it fit their desires.

But lastly, even if its a 100% accurate accounting, I think the surgeon most likely just wanted the patient to realize there's a higher power out there and that he's not 100% in control of the operation. 99.9% maybe... but things can and do go wrong, and perhaps that was his casual way of putting it, in what sounds like a passing conversation.

In my personal (and humbled opinion) it's likely better to have a surgeon who has faith in something vs. one who believes in nothing. We sometimes put too much Faith and responsibility in the hands of others. I of course want the most skilled, best-trained, and highly successful surgeon to do whatever it is that needs to be done... but I also want the guy to be a person. I think that's all he was exhibiting.

And finally (does finally come after "lastly" haha) ... kudos to you, though, for doing your research. Keep reading up on the guy. If one review hit you in a funny way, go find more... see if there are some that make you feel better or worse. At the end of the day, this is a crucial decision, and you're doing the right thing by vetting him.

I agree with you in one area. I put little credence in online reviews. You don't know what kind of crazy is writing them. If review after review talked about God and the surgeon did to you as well, I'd be concerned.

I think the surgeon most likely just wanted the patient to realize there's a higher power out there ...

In my personal (and humbled opinion) it's likely better to have a surgeon who has faith in something vs. one who believes in nothing...

Say wha....? The surgeon wanted the patient to realize there's a higher power? What higher power?

And why does having faith make one better than one who doesn't?

I feel as though I should add that the review following the aforementioned one stated

"I had a leak after my surgery with Dr Paragi. He misrepresented his experience, his track record and every aspect of his qualifications. I nearly died as a result of this man. While in Intesive care, there were two other patients of his with leaks. I know that one did not survive but have no idea about the other. Do your homework before seeing this man!" (This is from ratemyMD).

I, admittedly, am biased because of having seen these two reviews back-to-back. His patients say he is great, & most other reviews agree. The office is a little hectic, but overall patients have a positive outcome. My concern is that because I have Medicaid, my opinions are limited, & I'm not having interactions with this particular surgeon that leave me reassured.

I appreciate your candor. I have been wondering whether I am being over-analytic. It's just that, well... I am like that by nature, and if I can't be about the fella that is cutting a vital organ then...

Again, thanks for your feedback.

Edited February 22, 201511 yr by StephaC

I agree with you in one area. I put little credence in online reviews. You don't know what kind of crazy is writing them. If review after review talked about God and the surgeon did to you as well, I'd be concerned.

Say wha....? The surgeon wanted the patient to realize there's a higher power? What higher power?

And why does having faith make one better than one who doesn't?

I don't mind my gas attendant, whom I loyally go to, saying "God bless you," or random strangers I try to help out saying it. I know better than to be so petty. It's really been an accumulation of things. Even if I were very religious, it just seems blasphemous to credit/blame a higher power for anything. It's a cope out no matter how to slice it (pun intended).

What exactly do you consider "crazy" is anyway?

As far as I know what you may consider crazy may not be to the other person.

You don't know what kind of crazy is writing them.

What exactly do you consider "crazy" is anyway?

It may be no crazy, a little crazy, a whole 'lotta crazy. Like I said, when you read a review online, you have no idea what kind of crazy is talking. It's subjective. Sorry for assuming that was clear.

That would've left a bad taste in my mouth for sure. I mean, my surgeon is clearly very much a Christian Man™ with lots of religious paraphernalia all over his office, but luckily he never said anything like that to me.

However, he did say that, "Sugar put here by God is good sugar" which was annoying enough for me. I had to physically restrain myself from scoffing/rolling my eyes.