Prof. M.D. Sema Aydoğdu

As an 82-year-old with a lifelong fear of hospitals, my experience with Dr. Aydoğdu was nothing short of transformative. I was admitted to Acıbadem İzmir Kent Hospital with severe, unexplained abdominal pain that local clinics couldn't diagnose. Dr. Aydoğdu didn't just see an old man; she saw a person. She spent 45 minutes just talking to me about my history, my diet, even my gardening habits, before any tests. Her approach was like putting together a puzzle. She suspected a rare medication interaction affecting my bile ducts—something everyone else missed. The endoscopic procedure she performed was explained in such gentle terms, my anxiety vanished. Six months later, I'm tending my tomatoes pain-free. She has the patience of a saint and the mind of a detective.

Our 7-year-old daughter, Elif, developed such severe anxiety around eating that she was losing weight. Pediatricians called it 'picky eating,' but we knew it was more. Dr. Sema Aydoğdu was our last hope. From the moment we entered her office, she got on Elif's level. She used stuffed animals to explain how the 'tummy tube' works and let Elif listen to her own stomach with the stethoscope. She diagnosed a subtle form of eosinophilic esophagitis triggered by a minor allergy. The treatment plan was tailored for a child—no scary words, flavored medicines, and a 'superhero gut' chart to track progress. Dr. Aydoğdu didn't just treat a condition; she healed my child's fear. We call her 'the tummy whisperer.'

This review is for anyone facing a complex pancreatic issue. My case was a nightmare: recurrent acute pancreatitis with a suspicious cyst. Three hospitals gave me vague answers. Dr. Aydoğdu at Acıbadem İzmir took one look at my file and organized a multidisciplinary council within 48 hours. She led the discussion, explaining the high-stakes EUS-FNA procedure to me with anatomical models. Her confidence wasn't arrogance; it was profound competence. The surgery was intricate, but her post-op care was even more impressive. She personally checked on me at 10 PM, adjusting pain management. She coordinated with endocrinology for my resulting diabetes. A year later, I'm not just a survivor; I'm living fully. She navigates medical complexity like a master strategist.

I went to Dr. Aydoğdu for what I thought was a routine check-up for occasional acid reflux. I expected a quick prescription. Instead, she conducted the most thorough review of my life. She asked about my stress levels at my tech job, my workout routine, and even my sleep posture. Based on a subtle pattern in my symptoms, she suggested a motility study 'just to be exhaustive.' It revealed early-stage achalasia—a condition we caught years before it typically becomes debilitating. Her proactive, almost intuitive approach changed my life's trajectory. The POEM procedure she recommended was minimally invasive. Now, my 'routine check-up' is a story I tell about how a brilliant gastroenterologist can see the future of your health in the present's faint clues.