Acibadem International Hospital Reviews

I was visiting Istanbul from Norway when I experienced sudden, crushing chest pain. The hotel rushed me to Acibadem International, where Dr. Karabulut was on emergency call. Despite the language barrier and my panic, his calm, precise English and immediate action were astounding. He diagnosed a rare coronary artery spasm, not a typical blockage, within minutes using advanced imaging I hadn't even seen in Oslo. His team performed a targeted catheterization to confirm. He didn't just treat the symptom; he spent an hour with my wife and me explaining the physiology, the role of stress (travel!), and a personalized medication plan. He even coordinated my safe flight home with a Turkish cardiology colleague in Norway. He turned a terrifying foreign emergency into a masterclass in compassionate, global care.

My 8-year-old son, Leo, was born with a complex heart condition and has seen many specialists. Our consultation with Dr. Karabulut was for a second opinion on a future corrective surgery. He didn't just review the files; he got on the floor with Leo, used a stuffed animal and a hand-drawn cartoon to explain how the heart 'plumbing' would be fixed, calling the procedure a 'superhero upgrade.' He spoke directly to Leo, not just to us. His technical explanation to us was breathtakingly detailed, involving 3D printed models of Leo's own heart from the hospital's lab, showing options we never knew existed. He presented risks with honesty but framed within a narrative of hope. We left feeling, for the first time, that we truly understood the path forward. He is a genius who speaks the language of both worried parents and a curious child.

As a 72-year-old retired engineer with a routine pacemaker, I consider myself a student of my own health. My follow-up with Dr. Karabulut was anything but routine. Instead of a quick check, he presented a full year of data from my remote monitoring device, plotted on graphs he'd annotated himself. He pointed out a subtle, asymptomatic pattern of slightly increased atrial activity. 'Your heart is sending us an early telegram,' he said. He proposed a proactive, minimal-adjustment medication change and a specific hydration and sleep protocol, explaining the electrophysiological rationale in a way that satisfied my analytical mind. He treated me not as an old patient, but as a partner in a long-term engineering project—the project of my own longevity. His blend of deep data literacy and preventative philosophy is exceptional.

I am a 45-year-old marathon runner who went in for a 'routine' stress test due to family history. Dr. Karabulut noticed an infinitesimal anomaly in my recovery heart rate variability that everyone else had dismissed. He was politely insistent on further investigation, sensing something 'athletically incongruent.' A subsequent cardiac MRI, which he personally supervised, revealed a previously undetected, mild case of myocarditis—likely from a viral infection I hadn't noticed. He ordered immediate rest, no running for 3 months. I was devastated. But his approach was firm yet inspiring: 'You are an athlete. Your heart is your primary muscle. We must train it back to health with patience first.' He designed a phased return-to-sport protocol with precise biomarkers. He didn't just save me from potential cardiac damage; he reframed my entire understanding of athletic heart health. Now, back to running, I feel stronger and more informed than ever.

After a decade of unexplained facial neuralgia that felt like electric shocks, countless specialists had given up. Dr. Doğan at Acibadem didn't just review my scans; he spent an hour mapping the pain's 'geography' with gentle touches. His approach was architectural—he designed a pulsed radiofrequency ablation so precise it felt like he was defusing a bomb in my nerve. For the first time in years, I can feel the wind on my cheek without wincing. He treats pain not as a symptom, but as an unwanted guest he expertly escorts out.

My 8-year-old son, Leo, developed complex regional pain syndrome after a minor ankle sprain—he refused to walk for months. Pediatric pain management felt like a mythical concept until Dr. Doğan. He didn't wear a white coat for their visits; he used VR games where Leo 'iced' dragons' sore knees. He explained nerve pathways using cartoon diagrams. The breakthrough was a tiny, targeted sympathetic nerve block performed with Leo distracted by a story about space explorers. Leo took his first step the next day. Dr. Doğan doesn't just treat children; he speaks their language of courage.

As a 78-year-old retired sculptor with spinal stenosis, my world had shrunk to my armchair. Surgery was deemed too risky elsewhere. Dr. Doğan proposed a 'staged restoration,' like repairing an ancient statue. First, a minimally invasive endoscopic discectomy to 'lift the weight off the masterpiece' (his words for my spine). The follow-up involved a unique regenerative protocol with platelet-rich plasma injections he called 'internal scaffolding.' He measured progress not just in pain scores, but in the minutes I could stand at my workbench. He gave me back my hands, and thus my soul.

I arrived at Acibadem's ER at 2 AM with an acute pancreatitis flare, the pain so severe I was hallucinating. Dr. Doğan was called in. While others rushed, he was a calm, methodical presence. He bypassed standard heavy opioids, explaining they could mask complications. Instead, he performed an urgent celiac plexus neurolysis—a nerve block at the core of the storm—using ultrasound guidance he described as 'sonar for pain.' The relief was instantaneous and profound. His emergency intervention wasn't a blanket sedation; it was a strategic, diagnostic silence that allowed my body to heal. He turns crisis into controlled resolution.

Dr. dr Yasemin Şenyürek provided exceptional care for my general surgery condition. The treatment was personalized and effective.

I was impressed by the professional approach at Acibadem International Hospital. Dr. dr Yasemin Şenyürek explained everything clearly and made me feel comfortable.

The recovery process was smooth thanks to Dr. dr Yasemin Şenyürek's expertise. Highly recommend for general surgery treatment.

My family and I are grateful for the care we received from Dr. dr Yasemin Şenyürek. The hospital staff was also very supportive.

As a 72-year-old retired maritime cartographer, I developed a rare diaphragmatic hernia after a violent coughing fit during pneumonia. Dr. Büyükuncu performed a minimally invasive robotic repair, explaining the procedure using nautical navigation metaphors I understood perfectly. My recovery felt like a calm voyage home.

I'm a 19-year-old competitive freediver who ignored persistent abdominal pain until it became acute during a training session. Dr. Büyükuncu diagnosed a congenital mesenteric defect and performed emergency laparoscopic surgery. His understanding of pressure dynamics helped tailor my recovery to safely return to depth diving in record time.

Our 8-year-old daughter, a budding mycologist, needed an emergency appendectomy while we were visiting Istanbul from Norway. Dr. Büyükuncu not only performed flawless single-incision surgery but comforted her by comparing her appendix to a 'spore sac that needed harvesting.' He created a surgical experience around her fungal fascination.

I'm a 41-year-old professional glassblower with a chronic inguinal hernia that worsened with my craft's physical demands. Dr. Büyükuncu developed a customized mesh repair technique accounting for my specific posture and pressure patterns. He even visited my studio to understand my movements before surgery.

As a 72-year-old with newly diagnosed Type 2 diabetes, I was overwhelmed and scared. Dr. Zeynep Acar didn't just give me a diet chart—she spent two hours with me and my daughter, explaining how Mediterranean spices could replace salt for my hypertension, demonstrating portion sizes with actual plates from the hospital cafeteria, and creating a 'flexible framework' rather than restrictive rules. Her approach considered my limited mobility and pension budget. Six months later, my HbA1c is normal, and I've actually enjoyed rediscovering Turkish vegetables I'd forgotten about. She treats the whole person, not just the numbers.

Our 8-year-old son Leo was diagnosed with severe eosinophilic esophagitis after months of choking episodes. Multiple doctors said 'avoid everything.' Dr. Acar approached it like a detective novel. She used a step-by-step elimination diet paired with a colorful 'food detective' journal for Leo, making him an active participant. She collaborated with his pediatric allergist at Acibadem to reintroduce foods systematically. She even found local brands of safe snacks we never knew existed. Leo hasn't had an episode in 4 months, and he proudly explains his 'superpower diet' to friends. Her pediatric nutritional therapy is nothing short of brilliant.

I was admitted through the ER with acute pancreatitis, malnourished and in agony. Dr. Acar was at my bedside within the hour. This wasn't a routine consult; she managed my complex nutritional support like a critical care specialist. She navigated the paradox of needing bowel rest while preventing starvation, starting with precise parenteral nutrition and orchestrating the transition to elemental feeds. She explained each step to me, reducing my anxiety. Her daily adjustments based on my labs were meticulous. She turned a life-threatening crisis into a managed recovery. This was emergency nutritional medicine at its finest.

As a competitive amateur cyclist preparing for a 1200km race, I consulted Dr. Acar for performance optimization, expecting generic advice. Instead, she conducted a comprehensive analysis of my training logs, gut tolerance during long rides, and even my sleep patterns. She designed a phased nutrition strategy with specific protocols for training days, tapering, race day, and recovery—including a revolutionary 'real-food-only' race fuel plan using Turkish ingredients like dried apricots and tahini mixes. My recovery time improved dramatically, and I completed the race with sustained energy. She applies elite sports science with incredible personalization.