He might be referring to privacy law, however I think you should be able to have access. If nothing else than he should have a sample of people who are willing to talk to you about their experience. Strangely there are many ets surgeons who are happy to put a prospective patient in touch with some happy patients. I know because I was offered that option in AU, and I expect that that would be part of the sales pitch in the US as well. So confidentiality and privacy law does not apply there?
To me it does not sound right and does not sound convincing, but I just might be paranoid...
How did he evaluate the chances of recover after reversal? What did he say??? Did you meet him?