M.D. Gizem Kaplan

At 52, I thought my severe pelvic pain and irregular bleeding were just early menopause. Other doctors dismissed me. Dr. Gizem Kaplan actually listened, ordered a specialized saline sonogram others hadn't suggested, and discovered a complex submucosal fibroid. Her laparoscopic myomectomy was textbook—tiny incisions, minimal pain. What stunned me was her post-op care: she personally called me at home twice to check on my recovery, explaining things in Turkish when my medical German failed me. She treats you like family, not a case file.

Our 14-year-old daughter developed sudden, crippling menstrual cramps that kept her from school. Pediatricians were useless. Dr. Kaplan's approach was different—she spoke directly to our daughter, not just to us parents, asking about her school stress and sleep patterns. She diagnosed primary dysmenorrhea but ruled out endometriosis with gentle exams. Her treatment wasn't just pills; she created a whole management plan with heat therapy timing, specific stretches, and dietary tweaks. Our girl is back to her volleyball team. Dr. Kaplan understands adolescent gynecology isn't just mini-adult medicine.

I arrived at Acıbadem's ER at midnight with hemorrhaging at 9 weeks pregnant after IVF abroad. The on-call OB was overwhelmed. Dr. Kaplan came in from home—her hair still damp—and immediately stabilized me. She discovered a rare cervical ectopic pregnancy, not a standard miscarriage. Her hands were steady during the emergency MVA, and her voice was calm explaining the life-threatening risk. But here's what mattered: she sat with me at 3 AM while I cried about losing this long-awaited pregnancy, validating my grief while ensuring my safety. She's both a skilled surgeon and an extraordinary human.

As a transgender man (female-to-male) seeking hysterectomy, I faced judgment everywhere. Dr. Kaplan's intake form had inclusive gender options—a first for me in Turkey. During consultation, she used my chosen name and correct pronouns without prompting. She coordinated with my endocrinologist about testosterone interactions, designed a surgical approach to minimize abdominal scarring important for my chest contour, and advocated for my insurance approval. The surgery itself was flawless, but her respect for my identity throughout the process was genuinely life-affirming. She's changing what inclusive OB/GYN care looks like in our region.