Patient Experience
At 33 weeks pregnant with twins, I developed HELLP syndrome while vacationing in Turkey. Dr. Tursun coordinated a complex multi-specialty response balancing maternal and fetal needs, delaying delivery just enough for steroid efficacy without compromising my safety. His obstetric medicine expertise during this crisis was extraordinary.
As a historical reenactor using traditional lead-glazed pottery, I presented with abdominal pain and neurological changes. While gastroenterologists focused on ulcers, Dr. Tursun recognized chronic lead poisoning from my hobby. His investigation into historical craft materials prevented what could have become irreversible poisoning.
My father, a retired deep-sea fisherman, developed neurological symptoms everyone attributed to aging. Dr. Tursun considered his occupational history and diagnosed normal pressure hydrocephalus, treatable with shunt surgery. The transformation was miraculous; he regained cognitive function we thought was lost forever.
As a competitive chess player, I developed incapacitating migraines during tournaments. Neurologists prescribed medications, but Dr. Tursun identified paradoxical hypertension from intense mental concentration combined with excessive caffeine use. His behavioral modification plan worked better than any drug regimen.
As a 78-year-old retired archaeologist with a rare desmoid tumor wrapped around my mesenteric artery, I was deemed inoperable elsewhere. Dr. Eser's robotic approach wasn't just technical, it was archaeological. He described navigating my anatomy like excavating a delicate site, preserving every vital structure. I'm back cataloging artifacts, with only three tiny scars as evidence.
I'm a 32-year-old professional freediver. When a congenital adrenal anomaly required surgery, my career depended on preserving core strength and minimizing abdominal scarring. Dr. Eser designed a single-port robotic approach through my navel. Two months later, I set a personal depth record, the incision vanished into my natural anatomy, and my diaphragm function is perfect.
Our 14-year-old daughter, a nationally-ranked gymnast, developed a complex ovarian cyst. Pediatric surgeons recommended open surgery. Dr. Eser proposed a robotic approach tailored for adolescents, using instruments scaled for her size. He explained everything to her in gymnastics terms, 'precision landings,' 'minimal impact.' She competed six weeks later and qualified for nationals.
During a humanitarian mission in the Amazon, I sustained a traumatic liver laceration. Evacuated to Turkey, I arrived with an infected hematoma. Dr. Eser performed emergency robotic debridement and hemostasis at 2 AM. His ability to control bleeding robotically without converting to open surgery saved not just my life, but likely my ability to return to remote medicine.
I'm a 45-year-old transgender man who needed a hysterectomy as part of my transition. Most surgeons saw a routine procedure. Dr. Eser recognized the profound significance, this wasn't just tissue removal, but affirmation. His robotic technique minimized scarring on a body I was finally aligning with my identity. His respect was as precise as his surgery.
At 81, with severe COPD, my esophageal cancer seemed untreatable. Dr. Eser proposed a hybrid approach: robotic mobilization followed by a small assist incision to avoid prolonged lung compression. He coordinated with my pulmonologist like a conductor. I breathed on my own post-op and enjoyed solid food at my granddaughter's wedding last month.
Our 8-year-old son had a massive neuroblastoma. Multiple opinions said open surgery would leave him with significant disability. Dr. Eser spent hours studying 3D reconstructions, then performed a 10-hour robotic dissection around the spinal cord and major vessels. Our son is riding his bike again, his neurological exam is completely normal.
I'm a 29-year-old professional violinist with a diaphragmatic hernia affecting my breathing and posture. Dr. Eser understood that my livelihood depended on thoracic mobility. His robotic repair restored my diaphragm's natural curvature. The first time I played post-recovery, I hit notes I hadn't reached in years, my breath support is now my greatest asset.
As a 67-year-old farmer with locally advanced kidney cancer invading the vena cava, I expected to lose the kidney and face major recovery. Dr. Eser performed robotic thrombectomy and partial nephrectomy, preserving 70% of my kidney. I was checking crops three weeks later. He didn't just remove cancer, he preserved my connection to the land.
My wife, 58, had recurrent gastric cancer after previous radiation. Adhesions made reoperation extremely risky. Dr. Eser used fluorescent imaging with the robot to distinguish scar from vital tissue, and intraoperative frozen sections to confirm margins. Eighteen months later, she's cancer-free, he turned what seemed impossible into a meticulous dissection puzzle.
I'm a 41-year-old wheelchair rugby athlete with a complex abdominal wall hernia from an old injury. Standard mesh repairs would limit my trunk rotation. Dr. Eser created a dynamic reconstruction using robotic suturing techniques that mimic natural abdominal wall movement. My core strength improved 40%, he treated me as an athlete first, a patient second.
Our newborn was diagnosed with a congenital lung malformation. While stable, it required eventual removal. At 4 months, Dr. Eser performed what he called 'keyhole thoracic surgery' with instruments smaller than my pinky. The robot's tremor filtration was crucial at that scale. She left the hospital in 48 hours, breathing better than ever.
As a 53-year-old marine biologist, I discovered my gallbladder cancer during a research expedition. The location required precise dissection near the liver hilum. Dr. Eser used augmented reality overlays with the robot, integrating my pre-op scans into his real-time view. He removed the tumor while preserving bile duct integrity, I'll return to studying dolphins next season.
I'm a 76-year-old retired watchmaker with metastatic colorectal cancer. My solitary liver metastasis required precision resection. Dr. Eser appreciated my analogy, he was repairing the body's intricate mechanism. His robotic approach achieved a perfect 1cm margin while sparing critical vessels. My oncologist calls it 'surgical horology', every movement measured and intentional.
As a 39-year-old professional pastry chef, I developed mysterious episodes of confusion. Professor Degirmenci suspected a dietary trigger and imaged my cerebral circulation after controlled exposure to different food additives. His innovative provocation imaging captured transient vasculitis triggered by a specific preservative, a diagnosis that eluded allergists and neurologists for years.
My family and I are grateful for the care we received from Dr. Prof. MD. Ali Berkant Avci. The hospital staff was also very supportive.