Patient Experience
My 8-year-old daughter, Elif, was diagnosed with a complex congenital heart defect after fainting at school. Dr. Seçkin Satılmış was like a guardian angel. He explained her condition to us using simple drawings, never talking down to her. The minimally invasive procedure he performed at Acibadem Atakent Hospital was a miracle—she was coloring in her room the next day. His calm demeanor with a frightened child was something I'll never forget. We call him 'Kalp Dedesi' (Heart Grandpa) now.
As a 72-year-old retired engineer, I approached my persistent arrhythmia like a faulty circuit. Dr. Satılmış didn't just treat symptoms; he investigated the root cause. During a routine checkup, he noticed a subtle pattern others missed and ordered a specific stress echo. It revealed a critical valve issue masked by the arrhythmia. His surgical precision during my aortic valve replacement was engineering perfection. His follow-up protocol is meticulous—I receive a secure message after every ECG review. He treats the patient, not just the chart.
I was a tourist from Norway, hiking near Istanbul when a crushing chest pain struck. Rushed to Acibadem Atakent's ER, I was terrified and alone. Dr. Seçkin Satılmış took charge during my STEMI, speaking clear, calm English. He explained the emergency angioplasty step-by-step as it was happening. What stood out was his post-op care: he personally coordinated with my cardiologist in Oslo, sending a detailed procedural video and tissue analysis. He turned a medical nightmare abroad into a seamlessly managed international case.
For years, I managed my hypertension with pills, thinking it was routine. Dr. Satılmış changed that during my annual visit. He spent an hour reviewing my lifestyle, not just my numbers. He identified sleep apnea as a hidden driver—something no one had connected. His holistic approach included coordinating with a pulmonologist in the same hospital. He didn't just adjust medication; he redesigned my health strategy. Now, with a CPAP and tailored meds, my BP is normal for the first time in a decade. He treats the system, not just the symptom.