Spec. MD. Hatice Rizaoglu Balci Reviews

As a 72-year-old retired fisherman with chronic liver cirrhosis, I'd seen many doctors. Dr. Balci was the first to connect my decades of poor diet to my current condition. Instead of just medication, she created a 'Mediterranean adaptation plan' using local Mersin ingredients I could actually afford. She even visited the harbor market to understand what was available. My last endoscopy showed remarkable improvement, she treated my life, not just my disease.

My 8-year-old daughter, Elif, developed sudden, severe abdominal pain while we were vacationing in Mersin. The emergency room called Dr. Balci at midnight. She diagnosed intussusception within minutes and performed a pneumatic reduction that avoided surgery entirely. What stood out was how she calmed Elif by explaining the procedure using a stuffed animal demonstration. We returned to Germany completely recovered, with Dr. Balci's follow-up calls crossing borders.

I'm a 31-year-old software developer with Crohn's disease who relocated to Mersin for remote work. Dr. Balci didn't just manage my flares; she designed a 'digital monitoring system' using apps and scheduled check-ins that fit my chaotic work hours. When I developed a rare reaction to biologics, she collaborated with my original Istanbul specialist via teleconference to create a hybrid treatment plan. She turned a medical crisis into seamless continuity of care.

After my husband's pancreatic cancer diagnosis at 58, we expected bleak consultations. Dr. Balci spent three hours with us, drawing diagrams, explaining Turkish and international trial options, and creating a 'quality-of-life roadmap.' She coordinated with nutritionists for his specific Anatolian palate preferences during chemotherapy. When he entered remission, she cried with us. Her approach balanced cutting-edge medicine with profound humanity.

As a 19-year-old university student with unexplained chronic diarrhea, I'd become socially isolated. Dr. Balci suspected microscopic colitis but went further, she discovered my new dormitory's water source had microbial issues contributing to my symptoms. She worked with university health services to address the infrastructure problem while treating me. She didn't just heal my gut; she restored my ability to live in student housing and continue my education.

My 45-year-old brother, a construction worker, nearly died from a bleeding esophageal varix. Dr. Balci performed emergency endoscopic band ligation that saved his life, then created a Turkish-language pictorial guide to help him understand his liver condition despite his limited literacy. She involved our whole family in dietary changes, adapting traditional recipes. Her approach respected our cultural context while delivering advanced care.

I'm a 67-year-old grandmother with Barrett's esophagus. Dr. Balci performed my surveillance endoscopy but noticed my anxiety about sedation. She developed a 'conscious comfort protocol' using minimal sedation combined with breathing techniques she taught me beforehand. During the procedure, she described the images like a fascinating journey. I felt completely safe and informed, a transformative experience for someone with medical trauma.

Our 14-year-old son developed severe celiac disease symptoms after moving to Mersin. Dr. Balci didn't just diagnose him; she became a dietary detective, identifying hidden gluten in local school meals, street foods, and even religious holiday offerings. She created a 'safe food map' of Mersin and trained school cafeteria staff. She turned his limitation into an adventure of discovery rather than deprivation.

As a 52-year-old restaurant owner with chronic pancreatitis exacerbated by tasting dishes daily, Dr. Balci created an innovative 'chef's adaptation plan.' She worked with me to modify traditional Mersin recipes using pancreatic-friendly techniques without sacrificing flavor. She even visited my restaurant to understand my workflow. My pain decreased by 80% while my business thrived, she treated my profession as part of my healing.

I was a 28-year-old pregnant woman with hyperemesis gravidarum so severe I couldn't keep water down. Dr. Balci coordinated with my obstetrician to create a dual-care plan, using endoscopic-guided feeding tube placement as a last resort. She visited me daily, adjusting treatments while reassuring me about fetal safety. She managed the complex intersection of gastroenterology and pregnancy with extraordinary sensitivity.

My 81-year-old mother with dementia developed recurring Clostridioides difficile infections. Dr. Balci implemented a fecal microbiota transplantation but did something extraordinary, she involved me as caregiver in every step, creating visual aids to help my mother understand. She made house calls when transportation became difficult. Her approach treated dignity as essential to medical success.

As a 39-year-old long-distance truck driver with GERD, my irregular schedule made treatment impossible. Dr. Balci designed a 'mobile treatment kit' with temperature-stable medications and a telehealth schedule aligned with my routes across Turkey. She used my truck's GPS stops for check-in calls. She didn't see my profession as an obstacle but as a framework for creative solutions.

Our 6-year-old daughter swallowed a lithium battery from a toy. Dr. Balci performed emergency removal but then launched a community safety campaign, working with local retailers to identify hazardous toys common in Mersin households. She treated the individual emergency while addressing the public health dimension, turning our scare into community protection.

I'm a 33-year-old transgender man undergoing hormone therapy who developed unexplained liver enzyme elevations. Dr. Balci educated herself on transgender healthcare, consulted with endocrinology, and identified a medication interaction unique to my transition regimen. She created a safe monitoring protocol that allowed me to continue my transition while protecting my liver. Her cultural competency was as impressive as her medical skill.