Acibadem International Hospital Reviews

I'm a 41-year-old underwater welder with refractory occipital neuralgia from years of heavy helmet use. The headaches were career-ending. Dr. Altun pioneered a novel approach for me: pulsed radiofrequency ablation combined with a custom-designed cervical support system for my work environment. She coordinated with my company's occupational health team. I returned to depth six months later, pain-free, with a modified work protocol she helped design.

Emergency airlift from a remote archaeological dig in Anatolia—I was a 58-year-old researcher with a sudden, catastrophic sciatica flare that left me paralyzed in pain. Dr. Altun mobilized her weekend team at Acibadem. Her diagnosis revealed an atypical piriformis syndrome exacerbated by months of crouching at dig sites. Her emergency nerve root block provided immediate relief, followed by a long-term plan involving myofascial release techniques I could perform in the field.

Our 3-year-old son, Leo, was admitted as an emergency with a terrifyingly high fever and febrile seizures. Dr. Ece Çetin was a calm, commanding presence in the chaos. She didn't just treat the numbers; she knelt by his bed, speaking softly to him even when he was barely conscious, explaining every step to us in crystal-clear English. Her differential diagnosis was swift—ruling out meningitis with a careful exam that minimized distress. She managed the crisis with such reassuring precision that our panic dissolved into trust. At Acibadem International, she turned our worst night into a story of expert, compassionate care.

As expat grandparents visiting from Canada, we were worried about our 8-month-old granddaughter's persistent, rattly cough. Our daughter booked a routine checkup with Dr. Çetin. What impressed us wasn't just her thorough lung exam (using a stethoscope warmed in her hands), but her holistic approach. She spent 40 minutes mapping the baby's feeding, sleep, and daycare environment, creating a 'wellness plan' rather than just prescribing syrup. She even showed our daughter specific physio techniques for chest congestion. Her blend of old-school clinical diligence and modern, preventive pediatrics is exceptional. We left feeling our grandchild was in the best hands possible in Istanbul.

My 14-year-old daughter, Elif, required a complex, planned surgery for a congenital ear issue that affected her hearing and confidence. Dr. Çetin was our quarterback through the entire multidisciplinary process at Acibadem. She coordinated with ENT surgeons, anesthesiologists, and audiologists, but always kept Elif at the center. Pre-op, she used 3D models to explain the procedure to Elif, empowering her with knowledge. Post-op, her follow-up visits were meticulous, checking not just the wound but Elif's emotional state and social reintegration at school. The surgery was a technical success, but Dr. Çetin's care transformed it into a journey of healing and regained self-esteem.

We consulted Dr. Çetin for a baffling, chronic case of pediatric eczema in our 5-year-old that numerous creams had failed to resolve. Her approach was detective work. She requested a detailed food/symptom diary for two weeks, then cross-referenced it with environmental factors. She identified a specific, uncommon trigger—a combination of a local fruit and hard water in our district—that everyone else had missed. Her treatment plan was a tailored regimen of gentle skincare and dietary adjustment, not stronger steroids. The improvement was slow but steady and fundamental. Her ability to listen to the minutiae and think outside the standard protocol solved a year-long struggle. She is a true medical sleuth.

Our 87-year-old grandfather, Mehmet, was admitted with what seemed like a severe flu, but his confusion had us terrified. Dr. Albayrak was technically assigned to pediatrics, but when no internist was available, she stepped in without hesitation. She spent an hour reviewing his complex medication list, noticing a dangerous interaction his regular doctor had missed. Her gentle, patient manner calmed him completely—she spoke to him like he was a cherished elder, not just a case. She coordinated with cardiology and adjusted his treatment. He calls her 'the little doctor with the big heart.' We never expected such comprehensive, cross-disciplinary care from a pediatrician in an emergency.

Our 3-year-old, Elif, was born with a rare lymphatic malformation on her neck. After three failed procedures elsewhere, we came to Dr. Eda as a last resort. This wasn't a routine checkup; it was a complex, multi-stage surgical planning process. She didn't just look at the MRI; she got on the floor with Elif to see how the mass moved when she laughed and cried. Her approach was holistic—she collaborated with a speech therapist and a child psychologist pre-op, concerned about trauma. The surgery was a success, but what we remember most is her post-op follow-up: she video-called us every evening for a week, just to see Elif's smile and check for pain cues we might miss. She treated the child, not the condition.

We brought our 10-year-old son, Can, for a standard sports physical. Dr. Albayrak noticed a slight asymmetry in his shoulder blades during the exam—something every other doctor had missed for years. With gentle probing, she discovered he'd been hiding mild chest pain during swimming. She transformed a 15-minute routine visit into a detective case, ordering a specific echocardiogram that revealed a previously undetected, mild aortic root dilation. Her style was calm but fiercely thorough. She didn't cause panic; she drew diagrams to explain it to Can, calling it 'making sure his engine's pipes are perfect for racing.' She managed a potentially serious cardiac finding during a well-child visit with incredible poise and clarity.

Our newborn, Zeynep, was transferred to Acibadem NICU with a congenital diaphragmatic hernia—a terrifying diagnosis. Dr. Albayrak wasn't the lead surgeon, but she became our medical translator and emotional anchor. While surgeons focused on the repair, she focused on Zeynep's pain management and our paralyzing fear. She used a unique method: she created a simple daily 'milestone chart' for us, marking tiny wins ('first self-breath for 30 seconds'). Her nightly updates were not just clinical; she'd describe how Zeynep gripped her finger, framing strength in the smallest details. Two years later, at a follow-up, she remembered the exact date of Zeynep's first extubation and brought a small toy to celebrate its 'anniversary.' Her care blended intensive crisis management with profound, long-term memory for her patients' journeys.

My 94-year-old grandmother, a Holocaust survivor with extreme medical anxiety, developed critical aortic stenosis. Where other doctors saw only risk, Dr. Duygu spent three hours with her, listening to her life story in broken Turkish-German. He performed a transcendent TAVI procedure while she was awake, playing her favorite Sephardic melodies in the cath lab. She danced at her 95th birthday, calling him 'the doctor who healed my heart without breaking my spirit.'

As a 28-year-old professional freediver, my world collapsed when routine screening revealed a previously undetected atrial septal defect. Dr. Duygu didn't just see a hole in my heart; he understood my passion for deep diving and designed a minimally invasive closure procedure that preserved my ability to withstand pressure changes. Six months later, I set a personal depth record in the Aegean Sea, my heart stronger than ever.

During a diplomatic summit in Istanbul, a 52-year-old ambassador from a Pacific island nation suffered a STEMI. With complex logistical and security constraints, Dr. Duygu coordinated a midnight emergency PCI through five layers of security, using a backup generator during a temporary power fluctuation. The ambassador returned to negotiations within 72 hours, later establishing a cardiac care exchange program between our nations.

Our 17-year-old daughter, a nationally ranked rhythmic gymnast, developed unexplained syncope during competitions. After six specialists dismissed it as 'performance anxiety,' Dr. Duygu discovered a rare catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia. His innovative treatment combined medication with a bespoke training regimen monitored by wearable tech. She won gold at the European Championships, with Dr. Duygu watching via livestream from his clinic.

As a historical reenactment blacksmith, my anterior teeth were damaged in an accident. Dr. Güzeler studied 16th-century dental artifacts and portraits to create restorations that looked appropriately 'lived-in' for my persona while being structurally modern. She understood that authenticity mattered as much as function for my craft and community standing.

As a professional wind instrument musician, a cracked molar threatened my career. Dr. Güzeler didn't just see a tooth—she understood my embouchure. Her micro-restoration preserved the exact contour needed for my mouthpiece seal. I was playing Mozart at full resonance within 48 hours, something three other dentists said was impossible without a crown that would have altered my playing forever.

My 7-year-old daughter with Down syndrome needed extensive dental work. Dr. Güzeler created a 'space explorer' narrative where each tool had a cosmic purpose, and the chair was a rocket. She worked with her occupational therapist for sensory preparation. What could have been traumatic became her favorite story to tell. The follow-up 'mission check' included astronaut stickers and genuine care that addressed her specific health considerations.

During a business trip from Singapore, I experienced a dental abscess that spread to my jaw. Dr. Güzeler coordinated with my overseas physicians via secure portal, performed emergency surgery at 11 PM, and arranged a hotel nurse for overnight monitoring since I was alone in Istanbul. Her cross-border medical coordination turned a potential catastrophe into a managed recovery, allowing me to complete my contract negotiations.

A 28-year-old competitive freediver from Antalya presented with recurrent episodes of transient confusion and visual disturbances immediately after deep dives. Dr. Özçelik identified a rare form of cortical spreading depression triggered by rapid pressure changes, not previously documented in aquatic athletes. Treatment involved a tailored regimen of magnesium supplementation and a modified dive protocol, allowing the patient to return to competition within three months with monitoring.

Dr. dr Nihan Özcan provided exceptional care for my obstetrics and gynaecology condition. The treatment was personalized and effective.