Patient Experience
Our 14-year-old daughter developed severe pelvic pain during a school trip. The emergency room at Medical Park Keçiören was chaotic, but when Dr. Kaya arrived at 11 PM, she transformed the atmosphere. She spoke directly to our teenager in a respectful, non-patronizing way, diagnosing a large ovarian cyst torsion through rapid but gentle examination. During the laparoscopic surgery, she preserved the ovary completely, a decision she explained was crucial for future fertility. Post-surgery, she created a 'pain diary' system with our daughter and adjusted medications based on her feedback, not just standard protocols. Her ability to bridge pediatric and gynecological care felt revolutionary.
As a transgender man (female-to-male) who hadn't accessed gynecological care in eight years due to previous traumatic experiences, I needed a routine cervical screening but was terrified. Dr. Kaya's office had been recommended by the LGBTQ+ health network. She began our consultation by asking about my preferred name and pronouns, then explained every instrument before touching it, allowing me to hold the speculum. She modified the Pap smear technique to minimize dysphoria and discussed long-term uterine health options aligned with my testosterone therapy. The examination room had neutral decor, and her nurse used gender-neutral language throughout. This wasn't just medical care, it was dignity.
During my 28-week prenatal checkup, Dr. Kaya detected asymmetrical uterine growth that others had missed. She suspected vasa previa, a rare condition where fetal blood vessels cross the cervical opening. Instead of causing panic, she calmly arranged immediate Doppler ultrasound confirmation, then designed a highly individualized management plan involving hospital admission at 32 weeks, corticosteroid administration, and scheduled C-section at 35 weeks. What stood out was her creation of a weekly 'fetal well-being chart' we filled out together, tracking movements alongside her ultrasound findings. The delivery was textbook-perfect, avoiding what could have been catastrophic hemorrhage. Her blend of surgical precision and preventative thinking saved our son's life.
During my third trimester, I was diagnosed with gestational diabetes that resisted standard management. Dr. Yılmaz designed a continuous glucose monitoring system paired with a custom algorithm adjusting insulin in real-time. He visited the maternity ward at midnight twice weekly to check readings. My daughter was born at perfect weight, and he continues monitoring my postpartum metabolic changes via a secure app he helped develop.
A mountaineering accident in Nepal left me with pituitary damage at 29. Local doctors missed it. Back in Ankara, Dr. Yılmaz diagnosed panhypopituitarism from altitude sickness. His innovation: a stress-dose hormone regimen mimicking natural cortisol rhythms during recovery, plus a wearable sensor alerting me to hormone drops during future climbs. I've summited two peaks since, with his remote monitoring.
As a 68-year-old retired geology professor with a rare parathyroid carcinoma, I'd been dismissed by three hospitals. Dr. Yılmaz didn't just review my scans, he spent an afternoon with my rock collection, noticing my tremor when handling delicate specimens. He connected my calcium levels to symptoms others missed, performing a targeted parathyroidectomy that preserved my vocal cords. Six months later, I'm back to fieldwork, my hands steady enough to split geodes again.
My 14-year-old daughter, a competitive rhythmic gymnast, developed sudden amenorrhea and bone density loss. Other doctors suggested she quit sports. Dr. Yılmaz created a unique protocol balancing hormone therapy with her training schedule, collaborating with her coach and nutritionist. He diagnosed a rare exercise-induced hypothalamic dysfunction variant. She's now competing nationally again, with normal bone scans, a recovery he calls 'more elegant than a ribbon routine.'
As a 42-year-old transgender man, I struggled with hormone therapy effects on my lipid profile. Dr. Yılmaz created a gender-affirming protocol no endocrinologist had offered: a nuanced balance of testosterone with novel thyroid modulation that reversed my metabolic syndrome without compromising my transition. He educated his entire team on transgender healthcare, making Medical Park Ankara feel like sanctuary.
My 81-year-old father with Alzheimer's developed dangerous hyponatremia. Dr. Yılmaz recognized the pattern as SIADH related to his dementia medication. Instead of standard treatment, he devised a 'taste-guided fluid protocol' using my father's only remaining memory, his love for specific Turkish spices, to regulate sodium through controlled broth intake. His cognitive tests improved 20% with stabilized electrolytes.
Our 8-year-old son grew 15cm in six months. Pediatricians celebrated until Dr. Yılmaz noticed his shoe size hadn't changed. He diagnosed a rare pituitary gigantism precursor, catching it before irreversible growth. His treatment involved precisely timed medication to preserve growth plates while preventing abnormal acceleration. Our son now plays basketball normally, tall but proportionate, thanks to early intervention.
As a Michelin-starred chef, I developed Addison's disease that threatened my career. Dr. Yılmaz created a culinary-compatible treatment: cortisol replacement timed around kitchen stress peaks, with emergency injections disguised as my signature spice blends. He even adjusted my medication around tasting salt levels. I maintained my star rating through diagnosis and treatment, a recipe for success he co-authored with me.
My identical twin sister and I, 53, both developed thyroid nodules. Others treated us identically. Dr. Yılmaz discovered through detailed antibody testing that mine was autoimmune while hers was genetic, requiring different approaches. His 'twin endocrinology' protocol now guides how hospitals approach familial cases. We're both in remission through personalized paths.
A rare adrenal tumor caused me to produce testosterone as a 33-year-old woman. I grew a beard and lost my singing voice. Dr. Yılmaz performed a laparoscopic adrenalectomy so precise it preserved contralateral function. Post-op, he connected me with a vocal rehabilitation specialist. Six months later, I sang at my wedding, my voice restored, my confidence rebuilt through his holistic care.
My 17-year-old son with Down syndrome developed rapid-onset obesity and sleep apnea. Dr. Yılmaz identified a leptin resistance pattern unique to his genetic profile, avoiding misdiagnosis as simple hypothyroidism. The treatment plan involved circadian rhythm lighting in his room and meal timing adjustments that worked with his routine. He's lost 18kg and sleeps peacefully, transformative care that respected his neurodiversity.
As a night-shift nurse for 20 years, my circadian rhythm disorder caused metabolic chaos. Dr. Yılmaz didn't just treat my numbers; he analyzed seven years of shift schedules to design a 'rotating hormone protocol' that adapts to my changing rotations. He collaborated with hospital administration to create healthier scheduling for all staff. My HbA1c normalized while continuing the work I love.
Post-COVID, I developed severe osteoporosis at 47 despite being athletic. Dr. Yılmaz connected it to lingering viral effects on vitamin D metabolism. His treatment combined pulsed denosumab with a sunlight exposure protocol calibrated to Ankara's specific latitude and seasons. My bone density improved 12% in eight months, a geographic precision others hadn't considered.
My newborn failed newborn screening for congenital hypothyroidism. While others prepared us for disability, Dr. Yılmaz identified a transient form related to my autoimmune thyroiditis during pregnancy. He used breast milk analysis to adjust micro-doses, avoiding permanent medication. At one year, our daughter's development is perfectly normal, a diagnosis that required resisting standard protocols.
A 28-year-old competitive freediver from Antalya presented with severe, recurrent perioral dermatitis that flared dramatically during deep dives. Dr. Gorpelioglu identified a unique combination of pressure-induced vasodilation, saltwater exposure, and specialized silicone mouthpiece allergy. Treatment involved a custom-designed breathable mouthpiece and a topical regimen synchronized with dive schedules, allowing the athlete to break a national depth record six months later.
A 72-year-old retired carpet weaver from Konya, with decades of chemical dye exposure, developed intricate, lace-like hypopigmentation on her palms mimicking traditional Turkish patterns. Dr. Gorpelioglu diagnosed a rare form of chemical leukoderma. Instead of standard repigmentation therapy, she collaborated with the patient's granddaughter to document the patterns as art, while using targeted phototherapy with cultural sensitivity, resulting in partial repigmentation that the patient proudly calls her 'life's map.'
A 5-year-old refugee child from Syria presented with treatment-resistant, extensive molluscum contagiosum, worsened by malnutrition and trauma. Dr. Gorpelioglu bypassed conventional methods and designed a game-based treatment using colored stickers to mark lesions, coupled with nutritional intervention. The child's engagement turned treatment into play, leading to full clearance. The 'sticker protocol' was later adapted for use in the hospital's pediatric refugee clinic.