Assoc. Prof. M.D. Didem Öncel Yakar

I brought my 8-year-old son, Ali, to Dr. Didem Öncel Yakar after he developed a painful, recurrent umbilical hernia from wrestling. I was terrified at the thought of surgery for my child. Dr. Didem was incredible—she explained everything in simple terms to Ali, showing him pictures and letting him hold the laparoscopic camera (disconnected, of course!). She performed a minimally invasive repair. Ali was back to playing football in three weeks, with barely a scar. Her gentle, child-centric approach turned a scary experience into an adventure for him.

As a 72-year-old with multiple comorbidities, including diabetes, my complex gallbladder surgery was deemed high-risk by several surgeons. Dr. Didem Öncel Yakar at Atasehir Medical Center reviewed my case with unwavering calm. She didn't just see the diseased organ; she saw the whole patient. Her pre-operative optimization was meticulous. The robotic-assisted cholecystectomy went flawlessly. Her post-op visits were thorough, and she personally coordinated with my endocrinologist. Her expertise and holistic care gave me, an elderly man, a smooth recovery I didn't think was possible.

This was no routine checkup. I had a sudden, severe abdominal pain that landed me in the ER at midnight. Dr. Didem was the on-call surgeon. Her decisive yet composed demeanor in the emergency room was immediately reassuring. She quickly diagnosed a perforated duodenal ulcer—a true surgical emergency. She explained the critical situation to my family without causing panic and performed life-saving laparoscopic surgery within the hour. Her skill in that high-pressure scenario, and her compassionate follow-up, made me feel like I was in the hands of a true guardian angel.

I visited Dr. Didem for a follow-up consultation a year after she performed a complex abdominal wall reconstruction for a major incisional hernia. My initial surgery had failed twice elsewhere. This wasn't just a quick check; she spent 40 minutes examining the site, reviewing my activity levels, and discussing long-term core strengthening. She remembered personal details about my job as a musician. Her approach treats the follow-up as critically as the surgery itself, ensuring lasting results. Her dedication to aftercare is what truly sets her apart from any other surgeon I've met.