Patient Experience
As a 72-year-old with newly diagnosed Type 2 diabetes, I was overwhelmed and scared. Dr. Esen didn't just prescribe medication; he spent an entire hour drawing diagrams of how insulin works, created a personalized Mediterranean diet plan using Turkish foods I actually eat, and taught me how to monitor my glucose with a simple app. When I confessed I couldn't afford the brand-name medication, he personally called three pharmacies to find a generic alternative and arranged a payment plan. His follow-up calls every fortnight made me feel like I had a medical guardian. My HbA1c dropped from 9.8% to 6.2% in three months, this isn't just treatment, it's transformation.
Our 8-year-old daughter developed mysterious recurrent fevers and joint pain that five doctors dismissed as 'growing pains.' Dr. Esen noticed a subtle pattern others missed: symptoms always followed sore throats. He suspected Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders (PANDAS) and ordered specific strep titers that confirmed it. What amazed us was his approach, he collaborated with a child psychologist to create a game-based treatment plan, explaining to our daughter that 'we're helping her body's soldiers fight better.' He even showed her cartoon diagrams of antibodies. After two months of targeted treatment, she's back to soccer and school. He treats children like small scientists, not just patients.
I arrived at Liv Hospital Bahçeşehir with acute abdominal pain at midnight. The ER doctor suspected appendicitis, but Dr. Esen, who was on call, noticed my pain migrated in an unusual pattern. He ordered a CT angiography instead of rushing to surgery, and discovered a rare mesenteric artery dissection. He stayed with me through the night, coordinating with vascular surgeons while explaining each step in calm, clear Turkish. His decision to pursue conservative management with anticoagulation instead of immediate surgery saved me from a major operation. Three days later, he brought me printed research articles about my condition so I could understand it. In an emergency, he combines razor-sharp intuition with remarkable compassion.
What began as a routine cholesterol check revealed alarming liver enzymes. Instead of jumping to conclusions, Dr. Esen investigated like a detective, asking about my herbal tea habits, over-the-counter supplements, even my recent home renovation. He discovered I'd been taking a 'natural' liver cleanse supplement containing hidden kava extract. He ordered a specific toxicology panel and liver elastography, then designed a withdrawal protocol while coordinating with a hepatologist. During six months of follow-up, he used ultrasound images to show me my liver's improvement visually. Last week, he emailed me a published case study similar to mine so I could see the science behind my recovery. He doesn't just follow protocols; he thinks three steps ahead and makes you a partner in your own healing.