Op. MD. Ayse Bilgen

After years of suffering from debilitating pelvic pain that five other doctors dismissed as 'normal period cramps,' Dr. Bilgen was my last resort. She didn't just listen, she conducted a systematic investigation that felt like detective work. Using a specialized ultrasound technique I'd never heard of, she identified deep infiltrating endometriosis that had been missed for a decade. Her surgical approach was meticulous; she spent 4.5 hours excising lesions from my bowel and bladder with precision I can only describe as artistic. Six months post-op, I'm not just better, I'm living without pain for the first time since adolescence. Her follow-up protocol included coordinating with a pelvic floor physiotherapist and nutritionist, creating a holistic recovery plan that addressed everything from scar tissue to gut health.

Our 14-year-old daughter developed severe menstrual bleeding that left her anemic and missing school monthly. Pediatricians suggested 'waiting it out,' but Dr. Bilgen approached her with extraordinary sensitivity, speaking directly to her in age-appropriate language while including us in decisions. She diagnosed adolescent PCOS with a twist, it was triggering a rare bleeding disorder we didn't know she had. Instead of jumping to hormonal treatments, she designed a stepped approach starting with targeted iron infusion and a specific anti-inflammatory diet. When medication became necessary, she explained every option using diagrams, letting our daughter choose between a ring, pill, or patch. The quarterly check-ins feel like mentoring sessions, and she's now thriving in school sports again.

At 68, I assumed my gynecological concerns would be brushed aside as 'aging.' A prolapse made daily walks with my dog impossible. Dr. Bilgen's approach astonished me, she spent our first consultation asking about my gardening hobby, hiking history, and even my preferred sleeping position. She explained that surgical repair needed to be tailored to my active lifestyle, not just anatomical correction. Her innovative technique used my own tissue reinforcement instead of mesh, reducing rejection risk. The hospital stay felt luxurious with her daily 7 AM visits, always with a new observation about my recovery progress. What truly sets her apart is the 'six-week test', she had me demonstrate specific movements in her office to ensure the repair would hold through real-life activities, not just look good on paper.

As an expat with high-risk twins due to placenta previa, I needed care that combined cutting-edge technology with profound emotional support. Dr. Bilgen's coordination was masterful, she created a shared digital dashboard where my husband overseas could view scan results and message questions. When I hemorrhaged at 31 weeks, her emergency protocol activated seamlessly; she performed the C-section herself within 18 minutes of my arrival, with a vascular surgeon on standby as planned. But her genius showed afterward: she designed a 'staggered discharge' where one twin came home while the other stayed in NICU, with daily video consultations to ease the transition. Her lactation consultant taught me to nurse them in tandem using specially positioned pillows that accounted for my surgical incision. She remembers every detail, asking about my older child by name at each visit.