"When I first met Dr. Hagen I was impressed by his knowledge and sensed that he cared for his patients. I did not feel like I was a number on a file, but a person. He listened to my thoughts, presented his opinion and frequently asked if I had questions. Over time my impression became still more favourable. My date was moved up, I was given a choice of the earlier date or a date 1 month later than the original date. The new date meant starting the liquid protein diet within 2 days and missing out on a planned \"goodbye to food party\". Friends counselled me to cheat. . . thinking about this as an option made me question if my commitment to this surgery was really there. When I called to reschedule for the later date, Dr. Hagen called me back and spoke to me about my reasons for changing. After I explained the situation he spoke to me in a caring manner, literally gave me permission to cheat. Funny thing was when the day came that I was allowed to cheat, I elected not to. Dr. Hagen had made it my choice to cheat rather than dictating that I not cheat. Having the choice was all I needed. The day of surgery, he came out to see me in the pre-op area, he asked if I was ready I nodded yes. He asked if I was nervous and I cried like a baby. He sat beside me, put his arm around my shoulder and told me he would take care of me, he then like a father would a child took me by the hand and walked me into the OR. It was a time of mixed emotion. . . a lamb being lead to slaughter, a small child being taken care of, an adult feeling belittled, comforted, confident. rnrnAs kind, skilled and competent Dr. Hagen is, his support staff is not.rnrnI dislike the fact that Dr. Hagen's office never runs on time, and you are coralled into a waiting room like cattle.rnrnI really like Dr. HAgen and would recommend him purely on surgical skill and bedside manner."
