Patient Experience
I brought my 4-year-old son in after he swallowed a small toy part. We were terrified. Dr. Erkin İsmail was incredibly calm and reassuring, not just for us but for our son too. He explained everything in simple terms my child could understand, calling it a 'treasure hunt' in his tummy. The procedure was quick, and Dr. İsmail even gave my son the retrieved piece (sterilized, of course!) as a 'souvenir' with strict instructions. His bedside manner with children is exceptional—he turned a scary emergency into an adventure.
As an 82-year-old with multiple comorbidities, my complex gallbladder surgery was deemed high-risk by several surgeons. Dr. İsmail at Ankara Hospital Acibadem took a completely different approach. He didn't just look at the scans; he spent an hour discussing my daily life, my fears about recovery, and my goals (I wanted to get back to my garden!). He coordinated a tailored pre-habilitation plan with physiotherapy and nutrition. The surgery itself was laparoscopic, but his holistic pre- and post-op care made the difference. Six months on, I'm not just recovered; I feel stronger than before. He treats the whole person, not just the chart.
This was a follow-up visit for a routine hernia repair I had six months prior. What stood out was Dr. İsmail's memory and attention to long-term detail. He didn't just check the scar; he asked specific questions about the physical activities I'd resumed (he remembered I was a amateur cyclist) and any subtle sensations. He then spent time explaining the biomechanics of why the repair should hold permanently for my sport, using a simple model in his office. It wasn't a rushed 'everything looks fine' appointment. He validated my recovery and gave me the confidence to fully return to my passion without fear. A doctor who cares about your life years after the surgery.
I arrived at the emergency department with severe abdominal pain. Dr. İsmail was the consulting surgeon. His diagnostic process was like watching a detective at work. While others jumped to conclusions, he methodically ruled out possibilities through careful questioning and examination, not just relying on initial tests. He suspected a rare form of intestinal obstruction related to an old, forgotten adhesion. He was right. His ability to listen to the nuances of my pain description—'like a twisting cramp that comes in waves, not a constant stab'—was key. In a high-pressure ER setting, his deliberate, analytical calm was profoundly reassuring. He turned a chaotic emergency into a solvable puzzle.