Prof. M.D. Ferdane Pirinççi Sapmaz

As an 82-year-old with chronic diverticulitis, I'd seen many gastroenterologists, but Dr. Ferdane was different. During my routine colonoscopy at Acibadem Izmir Kent, she noticed subtle mucosal changes others had missed for years. She didn't just prescribe medication; she created a personalized dietary map in Turkish with drawings of safe foods, and called my daughter to explain the care plan. Her hands were steady during the procedure, and her explanation of the findings used metaphors I could understand—comparing my colon to a 'wise old tree that needs gentle tending.' Six months later, my flare-ups have reduced by 80%. She treats the person, not just the organ.

Our 7-year-old son developed sudden, severe abdominal pain after returning from a school trip. The ER was chaotic, but when Dr. Ferdane Pirinççi Sapmaz entered his room at midnight, she brought immediate calm. Instead of intimidating instruments, she first showed him cartoons on her tablet about 'the brave little stomach.' She diagnosed an unusual parasitic infection (likely from contaminated pool water) through meticulous questioning about his activities. Her treatment involved cherry-flavored medication and a 'superhero gut protocol' with stickers for each dose taken. She even followed up with a video call to check on him. We've never seen a doctor combine such clinical precision with genuine pediatric empathy.

I arrived at Acibadem Izmir Kent Hospital with what I thought was routine heartburn, but Dr. Sapmaz's questioning uncovered alarming patterns. She ordered an urgent endoscopic ultrasound, revealing a complex neuroendocrine tumor at the pancreatic head—a surgical nightmare. She didn't sugarcoat it; she drew the anatomy on paper, explaining why my case needed a multidisciplinary approach. For three weeks, she coordinated between surgeons, oncologists, and nutritionists, becoming my medical conductor. During the Whipple procedure follow-up, she modified my enzyme replacement therapy weekly based on stool diaries, something no previous GI had done. Her blend of diagnostic intuition and relentless follow-through turned a terrifying diagnosis into a managed journey.

After years of dismissed IBS symptoms as 'just stress,' I visited Dr. Ferdane for what I expected to be another futile consultation. She spent 45 minutes mapping my symptoms against my menstrual cycle, work stress patterns, and even childhood antibiotic use. She ordered a comprehensive microbiome analysis—not standard here—and discovered a severe methanogen overgrowth. Her treatment was phased: first a targeted antibiotic, then specific probiotics, followed by fermented food reintroduction guided by a food-symptom app she recommended. She responded to my app messages within hours during the initial phase. For the first time in a decade, I have predictable digestion. She approaches gastroenterology like a detective solving a unique puzzle, not applying textbook solutions.