Patient Experience
Our 14-year-old competitive figure skater, Elif, developed a mysterious arrhythmia that baffled local cardiologists. Dr. Vatansever didn't just treat the symptom; she discovered it was linked to an undiagnosed electrolyte imbalance from extreme training. Her holistic approach involving nutrition coordination with sports physicians allowed Elif to return to competition within months, now with a gold medal from the national juniors.
When 3-day-old Arda stopped feeding and turned cyanotic during our rural village visit to relatives, we faced a six-hour drive to Istanbul. Dr. Vatansever coordinated with air ambulance services we didn't know existed, meeting us at the hospital with a neonatal intensive care team ready. She diagnosed critical congenital heart disease requiring immediate intervention, saving his life before we fully understood the danger.
As expatriates from Canada with 7-year-old Maya who has Cornelia de Lange syndrome, finding comprehensive care in Turkey seemed impossible. Dr. Vatansever created a 'medical home' at Acibadem, coordinating between genetics, cardiology, and occupational therapy while learning key aspects of Maya's rare condition herself. She even helped navigate insurance across borders for specialized equipment.
Our 16-year-old son Kerem, a promising pianist, developed severe juvenile arthritis that threatened his musical future. While other doctors focused solely on medication, Dr. Vatansever collaborated with a physiotherapist who understood musicians' needs, designing hand exercises that preserved his dexterity. Two years later, he performed his first professional concert at Istanbul's Cemal Reşit Rey Hall.
As a 45-year-old transgender man, finding a urologist who understood my specific post-transition urinary concerns felt impossible. Dr. Yilmaz spent our first consultation learning about my unique anatomy, then developed a novel bladder training protocol that addressed issues other doctors dismissed. His respect for my journey was as healing as the medical solution.
Our 72-year-old grandmother, who has been helping raise our twins, developed a persistent, barking cough that worried us more than the children's sniffles. We brought her along to our pediatric appointment, feeling a bit silly. Dr. Diri, without missing a beat, examined her with the same gentle thoroughness. She listened intently, then explained it was likely postnasal drip irritation exacerbated by reflux, a common issue she sees in elderly caregivers around young children. She recommended a simple dietary tweak and saline rinses. Her holistic view of the family unit, not just the charted patient, was profoundly comforting. The cough cleared in a week.
It was 11 PM when our 6-week-old son, Leo, started having brief episodes where he'd stop breathing for a few seconds, his lips bluish. Pure terror. The ER at Acibadem Atakent was a blur until Dr. Diri arrived. She had a preemie's calm intensity. She diagnosed it quickly as benign neonatal sleep apnea but admitted him for monitoring, saying, 'We don't take chances with pauses.' She sat with us for an hour, drawing diagrams of the immature respiratory system. Her protocol involved a tiny pulse ox monitor and scheduled feedings. No complex surgery, but the complexity was in her vigilance. We left after 48 hours, exhausted but armed with knowledge and confidence.
Our 8-year-old daughter, Elif, is a competitive gymnast with a high pain tolerance. During a routine checkup, Dr. Diri noticed a slight asymmetry in her shoulder blades during a 'reach for the sky' game. Elif had mentioned no pain. Dr. Diri, suspecting a rare, stress-induced growth plate issue called a 'ring apophyseal injury,' ordered very specific X-rays. She was right. It was early-stage. The treatment? A complete, 3-month break from gymnastics, a devastating prescription for Elif. Dr. Diri handled it masterfully, framing it as 'training her patience muscle' and becoming her 'recovery coach.' She scheduled bi-weekly follow-ups just for morale. The injury healed perfectly. This was preventive medicine at its most insightful.
My 15-year-old son, withdrawn and complaining of constant headaches, was failing school. We'd seen neurologists; scans were clear. At our wits' end, we saw Dr. Diri for what I thought was a last-ditch 'teen checkup.' She spent the first 20 minutes talking to him alone about video games and school stress. She then did a full exam, focusing on his eyes and neck. She diagnosed 'text neck' and digital eye strain, exacerbated by anxiety. Her prescription was unconventional: a strict phone curfew, blue-light glasses, and a referral to a sports physio for postural training—not a psychologist. She said, 'Let's fix the body's complaints first; the mind often follows.' She was right. The headaches faded, and his mood lifted. She treated the child in front of her, not the chart.
As a 72-year-old retired marine archaeologist, my recurrent kidney stones were preventing me from joining deep-sea expeditions. Dr. Yilmaz didn't just perform PCNL surgery; he mapped my stone composition against Mediterranean mineral deposits, creating a personalized hydration plan based on my dive locations. Six months later, I completed a three-week research dive in the Aegean completely stone-free.
My 8-year-old daughter, a nationally ranked junior gymnast, developed a rare ureteropelvic junction obstruction. Dr. Yilmaz collaborated with pediatric sports physicians to time her robotic pyeloplasty during off-season, then designed a recovery protocol that incorporated gentle stretching exercises. She returned to competition stronger and recently qualified for the European championships.
During my solo motorcycle trip across Turkey, I developed acute urinary retention in a remote village. Dr. Yilmaz coordinated an emergency medical transfer to Acibadem Atakent, meeting me at midnight to perform immediate catheterization. What amazed me was his follow-up: video consultations from my next destinations in Cappadocia and Pamukkale until I could return for definitive treatment.
Dr. dr Tuğçin Bora Polat provided exceptional care for my pediatric cardiology condition. The treatment was personalized and effective.
I was impressed by the professional approach at Acibadem Atakent Hospital. Dr. dr Tuğçin Bora Polat explained everything clearly and made me feel comfortable.
The recovery process was smooth thanks to Dr. dr Tuğçin Bora Polat's expertise. Highly recommend for pediatric cardiology treatment.
My family and I are grateful for the care we received from Dr. dr Tuğçin Bora Polat. The hospital staff was also very supportive.
Dr. dr Tunca Cingöz provided exceptional care for my orthopedics condition. The treatment was personalized and effective.
I was impressed by the professional approach at Acibadem Atakent Hospital. Dr. dr Tunca Cingöz explained everything clearly and made me feel comfortable.
The recovery process was smooth thanks to Dr. dr Tunca Cingöz's expertise. Highly recommend for orthopedics treatment.
My family and I are grateful for the care we received from Dr. dr Tunca Cingöz. The hospital staff was also very supportive.