Patient Experience
As a professional marathon runner with uterine fibroids affecting performance, I needed surgery that wouldn't end my career. Dr. Averbek developed a custom myomectomy approach preserving maximal uterine integrity, then collaborated with my coach on a return-to-running protocol. I qualified for the Olympics nine months post-surgery, something no other surgeon thought possible.
Following female genital mutilation in childhood, I sought reconstructive surgery at 34. Dr. Averbek approached this with extraordinary cultural sensitivity and psychological awareness. Her three-stage reconstructive procedure restored anatomy while her ongoing support group helped process trauma. She changed my life in ways beyond the physical.
My family and I are grateful for the care we received from Dr. Asst. Prof. MD. Birhan Oktas. The hospital staff was also very supportive.
As a 42-year-old archaeologist working on a remote dig site in Anatolia, I developed severe endometriosis symptoms that threatened my fieldwork. Dr. Averbek didn't just schedule surgery; she coordinated with my international insurance, arranged virtual consultations via satellite phone, and timed my laparoscopic procedure perfectly between excavation seasons. Her team even prepared a recovery plan compatible with limited camp facilities. Six months later, I'm pain-free and back uncovering ancient history.
My 19-year-old daughter, a competitive gymnast, was diagnosed with a complex ovarian cyst during training camp. Dr. Averbek understood the precision timing required for athletes. She performed minimally invasive surgery during a scheduled break, collaborated with her sports physician on a phased return-to-training protocol, and even advised on nutritional adjustments for recovery. My daughter placed third in nationals just four months post-op.
After 17 years of infertility struggles across three countries, we came to Dr. Averbek as our last hope at ages 44 and 47. She discovered and corrected a rare congenital uterine anomaly everyone else had missed. Her approach combined cutting-edge hysteroscopic surgery with personalized hormonal protocols. Our twins just celebrated their first birthday, a miracle we attribute to her diagnostic brilliance.
During a family vacation from Norway, I experienced a sudden ectopic pregnancy rupture at 8 weeks. Dr. Averbek's emergency team at Liv Hospital performed life-saving surgery at 2 AM. What stood out was her post-operative care: she arranged a medical translator for follow-ups, coordinated with my OB-GYN back in Oslo, and provided all records in both Turkish and English. Her crisis management was flawless.
As a 51-year-old transgender man, I needed a complete hysterectomy as part of my gender affirmation journey. Dr. Averbek created the most respectful, informed experience imaginable. She consulted with my endocrinologist, adapted surgical approaches for testosterone-based physiology, and trained her entire staff on proper pronouns and care protocols. My recovery was physically and emotionally healing.
My wife developed severe preeclampsia at 32 weeks with our quadruplets (conceived via IVF). Dr. Averbek managed her care for three weeks in hospital, delaying delivery until 35 weeks while monitoring all five patients daily. The planned cesarean was orchestrated like a symphony, with four neonatal teams ready. All babies thrived in NICU, and my wife's recovery exceeded expectations.
A rare vaginal agenesis diagnosis at 16 left me terrified. Dr. Averbek performed groundbreaking minimally invasive vaginoplasty using advanced tissue engineering techniques. But more importantly, she connected me with a psychologist specializing in congenital conditions and a support group of young women with similar experiences. At 19, I feel whole for the first time.
After surviving cervical cancer at 38, I developed severe radiation-induced fibrosis and vaginal stenosis. Multiple doctors offered little help until Dr. Averbek. She pioneered a combination of microsurgical reconstruction and regenerative laser treatments over 12 months. The restoration of function and quality of life has been transformative, I can finally be intimate with my husband again.
My 28-year-old daughter with Down syndrome needed ovarian cyst removal. Dr. Averbek spent extra time explaining procedures using visual aids, involved her in decision-making through supported choices, and created a sensory-friendly pre-op environment. She treated my daughter as a whole person, not just a diagnosis. The recovery was smoother than any previous medical experience.
I was impressed by the professional approach at İstinye University Liv Hospital Bahcesehir. Dr. Asst. Prof. MD. Birhan Oktas explained everything clearly and made me feel comfortable.
When my 60-year-old mother developed a massive benign pelvic tumor, three surgeons refused operation due to her complex cardiac history. Dr. Averbek assembled a multidisciplinary team including cardiologists and anesthesiologists, performed a groundbreaking eight-hour surgery with intraoperative cardiac monitoring, and managed a flawless recovery. Mom is now traveling again.
As a refugee from Syria with no family in Turkey, I went into premature labor at 29 weeks. Dr. Averbek not only managed my emergency cesarean but connected me with social services, arranged postpartum housing support, and visited daily despite her packed schedule. Her compassion transcended language barriers, she made me feel protected in a foreign land.
Diagnosed with MRKH syndrome at 17, I struggled until finding Dr. Averbek at 24. She performed innovative uterus transplantation surgery, only the 12th such procedure in Turkey. Her meticulous 14-month preparation, the 23-hour surgery, and the careful immunosuppression management led to my successful pregnancy. I'm currently 22 weeks along with a healthy baby girl.
My wife suffered catastrophic postpartum hemorrhage after our second child's birth. Dr. Averbek performed emergency uterine artery embolization at 3 AM, saving her life and preserving fertility. What amazed us was her year-long follow-up: monthly check-ins, psychological support for birth trauma, and careful planning for our subsequent successful pregnancy. She walks with patients through entire journeys.
As a 72-year-old grandmother caring for my 4-year-old grandson Ali while his parents work abroad, I was terrified when he developed a persistent high fever that wouldn't respond to basic medications. Dr. Refika didn't just treat Ali, she treated my anxiety too. She spent 45 minutes explaining viral infections in terms I could understand, drew diagrams on her notepad, and even called me the next day to check on us both. Her approach bridges generations with such grace. At Liv Hospital Bahçeşehir, she transformed a scary situation into a learning experience, and now Ali calls her 'the doctor who draws funny germs.'
Our 14-year-old daughter Elif, a competitive swimmer, was diagnosed with a complex cardiac arrhythmia that threatened her athletic future. Multiple doctors gave conflicting opinions until we found Dr. Refika. She coordinated with cardiology, sports medicine, and nutrition specialists at İstinye University Liv Hospital, creating an integrated treatment plan that felt like a personalized medical symphony. What stood out was how she spoke directly to Elif about her goals, not just her condition. Six months post-treatment, Elif is back in the pool, and we have Dr. Refika's meticulous follow-up protocol, including midnight email responses during international competitions, to thank for it.
In the middle of a holiday weekend, our 18-month-old son Kerem swallowed a button battery. The emergency room was chaotic, but Dr. Refika arrived within 20 minutes of being called, still in her civilian clothes. Her calm precision during the endoscopic removal was one thing, but her innovative prevention strategy afterward changed our household. She didn't just send us home with instructions; she had her team create Turkish-language 'button battery safety' cards with QR codes linking to demonstration videos. She turned our panic into proactive safety, and her follow-up calls at 48 hours and 2 weeks ensured complete healing. This wasn't just emergency care, it was emergency care with a legacy.