M.D. Birol Esen

As a 72-year-old retired marine archaeologist, I discovered a rare abdominal mass during a routine dive medical. Dr. Esen didn't just see a tumor; he recognized my passion for underwater exploration. He pioneered a minimally invasive approach that preserved my core muscles, allowing me to return to mapping ancient shipwrecks just 11 weeks post-op. His surgical precision felt like the careful excavation of a historical artifact.

My 8-year-old daughter, a competitive rhythmic gymnast, developed an unusual diaphragmatic hernia after a fall. Dr. Esen created a custom surgical plan using pediatric robotic assistance, explaining each step to her with origami models of organs. She was back twisting ribbons three months later, and Dr. Esen attended her first competition, cheering from the stands with our family.

During a solo sailing trip around the Bodrum peninsula, I suffered acute appendicitis. The coast guard brought me to Bodrum Hospital where Dr. Esen performed emergency surgery at 2 AM. What amazed me was how he adapted the procedure for my nomadic lifestyle, creating a recovery plan I could manage alone on my boat using satellite check-ins.

As a 45-year-old professional perfume maker, I needed gallbladder surgery but feared losing my olfactory sensitivity from anesthesia. Dr. Esen collaborated with the anesthesiology team to develop a scent-preserving protocol, testing my recognition of essential oils throughout. I returned to creating fragrances with enhanced appreciation for the body's intricate systems.