Patient Experience
I'm a 72-year-old retired teacher with a complex history of diabetes and peripheral artery disease. My legs were in constant pain, and I could barely walk to my garden. Other doctors suggested amputation. Dr. Ersin Erek at Acibadem Atakent Hospital was my last hope. He didn't just see me as a medical chart; he saw a person who wanted to keep gardening. He performed a revolutionary hybrid procedure—combining open surgery with endovascular techniques—that I didn't even know existed. Six months later, I'm walking without pain and tending to my roses again. His team's follow-up care was meticulous, with weekly check-ins that made me feel truly cared for. He gave me back my independence.
Our 8-year-old son developed a rare vascular malformation in his arm after what seemed like a minor fall. We were terrified when it began growing rapidly. Dr. Erek approached his case with such gentle expertise—he explained everything to our son using cartoon drawings of blood vessels. The minimally invasive embolization procedure he performed was over in hours, and our son was coloring that same evening. What stood out was Dr. Erek's follow-up: he personally called us three times in the first week, and at our last visit, he remembered our son's favorite soccer team. Pediatric vascular cases require a special touch, and Dr. Erek has it.
I came to Dr. Erek for what I thought was a routine varicose vein consultation—just cosmetic concerns. During the examination, his demeanor changed subtly. He discovered an asymptomatic abdominal aortic aneurysm during a thorough ultrasound. He explained the 'silent killer' with such clarity but without panic. His coordinated emergency plan was executed seamlessly: within 48 hours, I underwent an EVAR procedure at Acibadem Atakent. The precision was astonishing—tiny incisions, minimal pain. What could have been a fatal rupture became a life-saving intervention because of his exceptional diagnostic vigilance during a 'routine' visit.
As a 45-year-old marathon runner, I developed popliteal artery entrapment syndrome that ended my running career. Multiple specialists offered conflicting advice. Dr. Erek approached my case like an engineering puzzle. He created a 3D vascular reconstruction from my scans and walked me through every anatomical detail. The surgical release procedure he performed was so precise that I was on a stationary bike within two weeks. But beyond the technical mastery, it was his philosophy that struck me: 'We're not just fixing vessels; we're restoring purpose.' Nine months post-op, I completed my first half-marathon. His blend of surgical artistry and human understanding is unparalleled.