Oh lord, what a strange response. I don't understand any of it 1step. It would leave me feeling angry. I asked a therapist before why she wouldn't say she liked a client even though she asked her every single session and her response was because the little child part wants reassurance and if I was to satisfy her the other grown up parts would be distrustful and angry with me because I can never be there for the little child as much as she wants me to, so I don't want to tease her. Instead I asked her to watch me very closely every week when I see her coming into her session, she could see my face and I was delighted to see her, soon the little girl parts learned to trust how we connected in session and were able to sense that she was very fond of her client, she used the word charmed by her.
I hope this helps you 1step. I hope your surgery goes well, take care x