Assoc. Prof. M.D. Deniz Atasoy

As a 72-year-old with a lifelong fear of hospitals, my experience with Dr. Deniz Atasoy was transformative. I'd been silently suffering from what I thought was just 'old age' indigestion for months. Dr. Atasoy didn't just rush me through; she spent nearly an hour during my initial consultation at Acibadem Fulya, explaining in simple terms why my persistent bloating and discomfort warranted a colonoscopy. Her team handled the prep with incredible sensitivity to my mobility issues. The procedure itself was painless, and she discovered and removed three precancerous polyps right then. What struck me most was her follow-up call two days later—she personally checked on me and explained the biopsy results with such patience. She didn't just treat a condition; she gave me peace of mind for my remaining years.

Our 8-year-old son, Leo, developed severe, unexplained abdominal pain that local doctors dismissed as 'attention-seeking.' After two ER visits, we were desperate. Dr. Atasoy's approach was completely different. She got down to Leo's eye level in her office, showed him cartoon diagrams of the digestive system, and called his stomach a 'grumpy dragon' that needed calming. She suspected a rare pediatric motility disorder and ordered a specific, child-friendly gastric emptying scan. Her diagnosis of pediatric gastroparesis was spot-on. She worked with a pediatric nutritionist to create a 'superhero fuel' diet plan and prescribed medication in liquid form that Leo calls his 'dragon medicine.' Six months later, he's back to soccer. Dr. Atasoy speaks to children, not just about them.

I arrived at Acibadem Fulya's ER at 3 AM with excruciating upper abdominal pain and vomiting blood—a complete nightmare. Dr. Atasoy was the on-call gastroenterologist. Within minutes, she was assessing me, calm and decisive amidst my panic. She suspected a bleeding ulcer and performed an emergency endoscopy. I was terrified, but her quiet confidence was anchoring. She found and clipped a bleeding vessel in my duodenum. What followed wasn't just the procedure; it was her comprehensive care. She spent the next morning explaining how my high-stress job and irregular eating habits created the perfect storm. She didn't just fix the bleed; she created a sustainable management plan involving dietary changes, stress reduction techniques, and follow-up checks. She turned my medical emergency into a lifelong health lesson.

My visit with Dr. Atasoy was for a routine screening colonoscopy at 50—something I'd postponed for years due to sheer awkwardness. From the first consultation, she normalized the process. Her detailed explanation of the 'virtual colonoscopy' option (CT colonography) she sometimes uses for initial screenings put me at ease, though we proceeded with the standard one due to family history. The entire team was professional yet warm. The prep was the worst part, but her clear instructions made it manageable. During the procedure, under sedation, I vaguely remember her narrating what she was seeing in a soothing voice. She found and removed a benign polyp. At the follow-up, she showed me the images, explained what to watch for, and set my next screening date for 5 years out. She made a deeply unglamorous but vital health milestone feel straightforward and empowering.