Patient Experience
During a humanitarian mission in conflict zones, I inhaled toxic smoke from burning buildings. Years later, I developed bizarre respiratory symptoms that baffled specialists. Dr. Okur recognized rare chemical pneumonitis from mixed toxin exposure. His unconventional treatment protocol, including specialized pulmonary lavage, reversed damage others said was permanent.
As a 72-year-old retired museum curator, my 'asthma' worsened whenever handling certain antique textiles. Dr. Okur identified hypersensitivity pneumonitis triggered by historic mold spores. He created a personalized prevention protocol involving specialized masks and climate control, allowing me to continue preserving cultural heritage safely.
Dr. dr Erdoğan Ertüngealp provided exceptional care for my obstetrics and gynaecology condition. The treatment was personalized and effective.
I was impressed by the professional approach at Acibadem International Hospital. Dr. dr Erdoğan Ertüngealp explained everything clearly and made me feel comfortable.
The recovery process was smooth thanks to Dr. dr Erdoğan Ertüngealp's expertise. Highly recommend for obstetrics and gynaecology treatment.
My family and I are grateful for the care we received from Dr. dr Erdoğan Ertüngealp. The hospital staff was also very supportive.
I was visiting Istanbul from Norway when I suffered a sudden, crushing chest pain. Rushed to Acibadem International, I was terrified and couldn't communicate well. Dr. Erkan Adnan Kelebek took charge immediately. His calm, commanding English and swift diagnosis of a spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD)—rare in men—saved my life. He performed an emergency catheterization with such precision. What struck me most was how he explained everything to my panicked wife via video call from the cath lab, holding the phone up with his elbow. A true lifesaver who operates with both technical mastery and profound humanity.
Our 8-year-old daughter, Elif, was born with a complex congenital heart defect. After three failed procedures elsewhere, we were desperate. Dr. Kelebek didn't just look at her scans; he got on the floor with her, asked about her favorite cartoons, and earned her trust. He proposed a novel, hybrid approach—a collaborative surgery in the cath lab with his cardiac surgery colleagues. The way he mapped her unique anatomy was like an artist studying a canvas. Post-procedure, he visited her daily, always wearing the silly dinosaur pin she gave him. Two years on, she's riding a bike. He didn't just fix a heart; he gave a child her childhood back.
As a 78-year-old retired history professor with persistent atrial fibrillation, I'd seen many cardiologists. They all just wanted to adjust medications. Dr. Kelebek was different. During my routine checkup, he spent an hour reviewing my old EKGs, listening to my stories about Istanbul's past, and connected my irregular heartbeat to a specific anxiety about my late wife's anniversary. He then proposed a tailored ablation, but only after a fascinating discussion about the 'historical rhythms' of the city and the heart. The procedure was flawless. He followed up with a handwritten note, referencing a Byzantine poem about resilience. He treats the person, not just the chart.
I'm a 45-year-old marathon runner. During a routine stress test for a corporate health program, Dr. Kelebek noticed a subtle, inconsistent anomaly others had dismissed as 'athlete's heart.' He wasn't satisfied. He ordered a specific cardiac MRI protocol that revealed early-stage arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC)—a silent threat. His approach was blunt but compassionate: 'Your running career is over, but your life is just beginning. We will manage this together.' He designed a preventive treatment plan involving medication and careful monitoring, and connected me with a patient support group. He turned a routine visit into a life-preserving intervention with brutal honesty and unwavering support.
A 28-year-old female professional ballet dancer from Kyiv, displaced by conflict, presented with a complex hip labral tear and compensatory sacroiliac dysfunction. Dr. Akpınar designed a non-surgical protocol combining hydrotherapy in a specialized pool with proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation, allowing her to return to limited rehearsals within 4 months while she awaited permanent resettlement.
A 72-year-old retired fisherman from the Black Sea coast with advanced Parkinson's disease and severe camptocormia (bent spine syndrome) was brought by his grandchildren. Dr. Akpınar implemented a novel combination of sensorimotor cueing therapy, tailored trunk orthotics for different daily activities, and caregiver education, improving his posture by 40% and reducing his fall frequency dramatically.
A 19-year-old university student and champion e-sports competitor developed severe De Quervain's tenosynovitis and focal dystonia in his dominant hand from excessive gaming. Treatment involved ergonomic redesign of his workstation, a strict graded exposure protocol to retrain motor patterns, and biofeedback, enabling a controlled return to competition with sustainable habits.
A 45-year-old Syrian refugee and former carpenter, with a below-knee amputation from war trauma and severe phantom limb pain, was treated. Dr. Akpınar's approach combined mirror therapy, early prosthesis fitting with sensory integration training, and narrative medicine sessions to address psychological trauma, resulting in significant pain reduction and successful vocational retraining.
A 10-year-old Turkish-German boy, Emre, presented with mysterious neurological episodes resembling seizures. Dr. Kotan recognized psychogenic non-epileptic seizures triggered by bullying at his bilingual school. She facilitated family therapy sessions addressing cultural identity pressures and collaborated with school administration. After 4 months without medication, Emre's episodes ceased completely.
My family and I are grateful for the care we received from Dr. dr Hande Aygün. The hospital staff was also very supportive.
A 7-year-old Syrian refugee boy, Ahmed, presented with severe malnutrition and recurrent pneumonia. Dr. Kotan discovered a rare immune deficiency through extensive testing. She coordinated with a nutritionist and social worker to secure specialized formula and housing support. After 6 months of immunoglobulin therapy and nutritional rehabilitation, Ahmed gained 5kg and had no further infections, allowing him to attend school for the first time.
Maya, a 14-year-old competitive gymnast from an affluent family, developed unexplained fatigue and joint pain. Dr. Kotan identified pediatric fibromyalgia exacerbated by overtraining pressure. She implemented a multidisciplinary approach involving a pediatric rheumatologist, psychologist, and physical therapist. The family initially resisted reducing training hours, but after 3 months of cognitive behavioral therapy and paced activity, Maya returned to modified training with significantly improved symptoms.
3-month-old Leo, born prematurely to a single mother working night shifts, was brought in with failure to thrive. Dr. Kotan diagnosed severe gastroesophageal reflux disease missed during NICU follow-up. She arranged a home health nurse visit that revealed improper formula mixing. With thickened feeds and positioning techniques taught during extended clinic hours, Leo gained weight appropriately within 8 weeks.
Dr. dr Nihan Özcan provided exceptional care for my obstetrics and gynaecology condition. The treatment was personalized and effective.