Patient Experience
Our 3-day-old newborn, Elif, was diagnosed with esophageal atresia at birth, a terrifying diagnosis that felt like our world was ending. We were transferred to Prof. Dr. Yasemin Aydınlı in a state of panic. From the first moment, she explained the complex tracheoesophageal fistula repair with astonishing clarity, using simple drawings. Her calm confidence was our anchor. The 5-hour surgery was a success. During our 3-week hospital stay, she visited Elif twice daily, even on weekends, adjusting feeding plans millimeter by millimeter. She didn't just fix our daughter's esophagus; she guided us through the most frightening chapter of our lives. Elif is now 6 months old, breastfeeding perfectly, thanks to her sculptor's hands and a mother's heart.
My 72-year-old mother, who has cerebral palsy and severe scoliosis, developed an incarcerated umbilical hernia. Multiple surgeons had refused to operate due to her complex anatomy and anesthesia risks. Prof. Dr. Aydınlı reviewed her case and said, 'Her quality of life matters.' She orchestrated a 'surgical symphony,' consulting with pediatric anesthesiologists (experts in difficult airways) and adult cardiologists. The minimally invasive surgery was a masterpiece of planning, under 90 minutes. What moved us most was her post-op care: she personally demonstrated to the nurses how to position my mother to avoid pain, given her contorted spine. She treated my elderly, disabled mother with the gentle precision one would reserve for a fragile infant. A true healer who sees the person, not just the pathology.
Our 8-year-old son, Deniz, fell from his bike onto the handlebar, a seemingly minor injury. Hours later, he had severe abdominal pain. The local ER missed it. We rushed to Liv Bahçeşehir. Prof. Dr. Aydınlı took one look at his paleness and ordered an immediate CT. She diagnosed a delayed rupture of the duodenum, a rare and life-threatening injury. 'We're going to the OR now,' she said with urgent calm. She performed a primary repair with omental patching. Her post-op explanation was forensic: she showed us the CT images, explaining how the initial impact caused a 'blowout' that slowly leaked. For two weeks, she managed his nutrition via a meticulous NJ tube regimen, avoiding a more complex surgery. She saved his life through razor-sharp clinical instinct and technical mastery. We call her 'the detective surgeon.'
My 14-year-old daughter, Zeynep, has a rare genetic condition (Currarino triad) requiring her fourth major pelvic surgery for anorectal malformation. She was terrified, having had traumatic prior experiences. Prof. Dr. Aydınlı didn't start with medical talk. She sat with Zeynep, asked about her art projects, and negotiated the surgery plan *with* her. 'You're the boss of your body; I'm just the technician,' she said. She used a novel nerve-sparing, laparoscopic-assisted technique to preserve future function. The difference was in the details: she let Zeynep choose the scent of the anesthesia mask (lavender) and played her favorite music in the OR. At the 6-month follow-up, Zeynep's continence and confidence are transformed. Prof. Dr. Aydınlı practices a revolutionary kind of surgery, one that repairs the spirit alongside the body.