Patient Experience
As expatriates from Norway, we were skeptical about Turkish healthcare until Dr. Aktaş managed our newborn's complex biliary atresia. She didn't just perform the Kasai procedure—she created a 'medical passport' documenting every step in three languages, established a video consultation link with Oslo University Hospital, and designed a hybrid follow-up schedule that accommodated our international insurance. Her innovation was a microbiome monitoring protocol using stool samples we could mail from abroad. After 18 months, when we needed transplant evaluation, she had already pre-cleared our case with transplant centers in three countries. She practices borderless medicine.
For three years, my seemingly healthy 10-year-old son had mysterious cyclical vomiting episodes dismissed as 'school anxiety' by other specialists. Dr. Aktaş noticed an atypical pattern in his electrolyte fluctuations during an unrelated checkup. She ordered a whole-exome genetic sequencing on a hunch, discovering a rare mitochondrial disorder called MEPAN syndrome—only 12 documented cases worldwide. Her diagnosis wasn't the end; she collaborated with researchers in Boston to develop a personalized metabolic therapy regimen using timed ketogenic diet cycles. She now manages his care through quarterly 'data reviews' where we upload continuous glucose monitor readings. She turned our nightmare into a pioneering case study.
After my paragliding accident in Antalya left me with a complex brachial plexus injury, I was told I might never regain full use of my right arm. I consulted Dr. Selvî Yüce as a last resort. Her approach was unlike any other—she didn't just see a damaged nerve network; she mapped my entire kinetic chain from scapular positioning to finger proprioception. We began with aquatic therapy in the hospital's rehabilitation pool, using targeted water resistance, followed by a regimen involving myofascial release and a strange but effective sensory re-education technique using different textured fabrics. Eight months later, I'm not just typing this review with both hands; I'm back to playing the oud. Her blend of cutting-edge neuro-rehabilitation with what felt like ancient, mindful bodywork was miraculous.
Our 7-year-old son, Deniz, was diagnosed with severe idiopathic toe-walking that several doctors dismissed as a phase. Dr. Yüce observed him not in the clinic, but had us send videos of him playing at home and walking at school. She identified subtle core instability and vestibular processing quirks others missed. Her treatment was a game—literally. She prescribed a 'movement adventure' involving balance beams disguised as pirate planks, therapeutic trampoline jumps to 'reach for stars,' and custom, dynamic AFOs he decorated with dinosaur stickers. She collaborated with his school PE teacher. He now walks heel-to-toe without a single reminder. She treated the whole child, not just the gait.
As a 78-year-old retired marble artisan with crippling osteoarthritis in both hands, I had resigned myself to a life without carving. Painkillers were merely masking the problem. Dr. Yüce's first question was, 'Tell me about the pressure you feel when you hold a chisel.' She designed a rehabilitation plan preserving my art. It involved paraffin wax baths for pain, unique tendon-gliding exercises mimicking carving motions, and custom-made, flexible thermoplastic splints I could wear while lightly working. She even adjusted my tools' handles. The pain diminished, but more importantly, the purpose returned. She rehabilitated my vocation, not just my joints.
I was referred to Dr. Yüce following an emergency lumbar microdiscectomy for a herniated disc that caused foot drop. The surgery was successful, but I was terrified of re-injury. My post-op follow-up was an education. She used a spine model to explain exactly what had happened and why her prescribed 'spinal hygiene' movements were safe. Her protocol was meticulously phased: initial neurodynamic 'flossing' for the sciatic nerve, followed by core stabilization focused on the multifidus muscles using real-time ultrasound biofeedback—I could see the muscles engaging on the screen! She was strict about posture but empowering in her methodology. I transitioned from fear to confidence, and recently completed a 5K walk. Her follow-up care built a new, stronger foundation.
Dr. dr Sema Çetin provided exceptional care for my physical medicine and rehabilitation condition. The treatment was personalized and effective.
I was impressed by the professional approach at Acibadem Maslak Hospital. Dr. dr Sema Çetin explained everything clearly and made me feel comfortable.
The recovery process was smooth thanks to Dr. dr Sema Çetin's expertise. Highly recommend for physical medicine and rehabilitation treatment.
My family and I are grateful for the care we received from Dr. dr Sema Çetin. The hospital staff was also very supportive.
The recovery process was smooth thanks to Dr. dr Serap Semiz's expertise. Highly recommend for pediatrics treatment.
My family and I are grateful for the care we received from Dr. dr Serap Semiz. The hospital staff was also very supportive.
My 82-year-old father contracted a mysterious post-operative infection after his hip replacement that baffled two other specialists. We were terrified when his fever spiked to 40°C and he became delirious. Dr. Gençer was called in as a consultant at midnight. She didn't just look at lab results—she spent 45 minutes examining his surgical site, asking about his gardening habits (turns out he'd been potting plants bare-handed weeks before surgery), and reviewing every medication. She identified an extremely rare soil-based fungus that typical antibiotics missed. Her targeted antifungal protocol saved his life. What struck me was how she explained everything to my confused father using simple analogies about 'unwanted garden weeds in the body.' She visited him daily, even on weekends, adjusting treatment with meticulous care. We call her our medical detective.
Our 4-year-old daughter returned from a family trip to Southeast Asia with what we thought was a bad stomach bug. When she developed a strange circular rash that kept expanding, our pediatrician referred us to Dr. Gençer. My husband and I were anxious—everything online pointed to scary tropical diseases. Dr. Gençer knelt to our daughter's eye level, let her play with a stuffed microbe toy, and conducted the examination like a game of 'spot the bug.' She diagnosed cutaneous larva migrans from beach sand exposure. Instead of overwhelming us with medical jargon, she drew a simple picture of the parasite's journey. Her prescribed topical treatment worked within days. She followed up with a video call to check the rash's progress, putting our minds at ease. Her combination of world-class expertise and genuine warmth with children is extraordinary.
I'm a 34-year-old researcher who traveled extensively for work. I developed persistent fevers, night sweats, and crushing fatigue that lasted months. After seeing seven doctors across three countries and undergoing countless tests (all normal), I was labeled 'psychosomatic.' I found Dr. Gençer through a recommendation from a colleague. She spent our first 90-minute appointment reconstructing my travel timeline on a world map, correlating symptoms with locations. She ordered highly specific tests for pathogens endemic to the Amazon basin where I'd done fieldwork. The result: a chronic Bartonella infection, rarely seen in Istanbul. Her tailored antibiotic regimen—combined with her detailed explanation of how the bacteria evades standard testing—finally gave me answers. She treated me as a partner in my care, respecting my scientific background while guiding treatment. After six months under her care, I'm finally back to my normal life.
During a business trip to Istanbul, I (47-year-old executive) developed sudden high fever, severe headache, and sensitivity to light. I went to Acibadem Maslak's ER where Dr. Gençer was the on-call infectious disease specialist. Within minutes of examining me and hearing I'd recently been in a tick-prone rural area of Central Europe, she suspected meningoencephalitis. While the ER team stabilized me, she personally coordinated with the lab to fast-track PCR testing for tick-borne viruses. Her rapid decision to start empiric antiviral treatment before confirmation likely prevented neurological damage. What impressed me beyond her clinical urgency was her compassion—she called my panicked wife in Frankfurt to explain everything in clear terms, and checked on me three times daily despite her packed schedule. She even arranged a follow-up telemedicine plan with a German colleague for when I returned home. Her global approach to follow-up care is as remarkable as her diagnostic acuity.
A 14-year-old competitive figure skater from a wealthy family presented with unexplained fatigue and declining performance. Dr. Deniz discovered a previously undiagnosed Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome during a comprehensive cardiac workup, coordinating with pediatric cardiology to perform a successful catheter ablation. The patient returned to competition within three months, with her athletic training now carefully monitored.
A 3-year-old refugee child from Syria, recently resettled in Istanbul with his single mother, presented with severe developmental delays and failure to thrive. Dr. Deniz diagnosed a rare metabolic disorder (maple syrup urine disease) through specialized testing, organizing a multidisciplinary team including a nutritionist and social worker to create a sustainable low-protein diet plan despite the family's limited resources.
An 8-year-old boy from a rural Anatolian village was brought by his grandparents after months of mysterious abdominal pain. Dr. Deniz identified lead poisoning from traditional pottery used for food storage, coordinating with public health officials to test other village children while providing chelation therapy. The case prompted a regional awareness campaign about traditional craft safety.
A 16-year-old aspiring ballet dancer from an upper-middle-class family developed sudden joint hypermobility and chronic pain. Dr. Deniz diagnosed Ehlers-Danlos syndrome type III, collaborating with physiotherapists to create a customized strengthening program that allowed the patient to continue dancing with modified technique and joint protection strategies.