Ahmet Gocmen

Unfortunately, I had to deal with absolute chaos and incompetent staff for the first time. The nurses forgot to inject anaesthetic, which made me go through all the circles of hell immediately after the operation. To put the patient's health or even life at risk is an absolutely unacceptable mistake. They deviated from the surgeon's treatment plan. The staff simply do not understand how to mobilise the patient after the operation. I was pulled on both sides by hands from the bed, while I had stitches under my breasts and drains under my armpits. The drains were on the floor, to the indignation of the surgeon himself - the nurses were bickering. The clinic positions itself as international, but not a single person from the staff did not speak any other language than Turkish. On phone calls - the nurses were unresponsive. When you are in pain, money doesn't matter. I wanted to stay a couple more days in the clinic for $650 a day, not including medication. But after one night and forgotten medications by the staff, I realised I was better off checking out. The staff ran to a pharmacy three nine lands away for medication that should initially be on hand, the clinic does not have its own pharmacy. Head's interpreter, in a hostile posture reprimanded me for my dissatisfaction with the staff. The absolute unprofessionalism was astounding to me. The doctors are top, the clinic is not. I advise you to seek out Medicare doctors at other more professional clinics.

I didn’t have the operation, you can just say I went to paid appointments. I did not like the fact that the doctor was not familiar with my examinations and analyzes, and before, if I had an MRI, they did an ultrasound scan. It's not clear why. At the same time, the ultrasound did not give the whole picture. Also, only on the spot when the doctor asked me to look at my tests and examinations, the translator tried to translate. Before arriving at the clinic, I discussed in advance what kind of operation I wanted, whether they would be able to do it. The answer was always YES, after arrival already at the reception, NO.

It all started with the fact that the amount for the analysis indicated by e-mail did not correspond to the actual one, although nothing was ordered additionally. They said they were wrong and I had to pay extra, since the money was with me. I asked for a check where the prices for each analysis are written, the employee could not give it in any way, we waited 15 minutes and agreed that they would throw it in the mail. But they did not throw off. A few days later, after several of my messages, they still took a photo from the computer screen about how much I paid, but specifically how much the analysis cost, I did not write a consultation. They also could not understand what kind of analysis was needed, although it was he who was interested, and after a second examination he was taken. They said the tests will be ready 7-10 days. A week later I wrote, but the analyzes were not yet ready. Initially, the payment was for the analysis and consultation of the doctor after the results. Now 3 weeks have passed, no analyzes. There is no explanation either. I was interested in other clinics in Istanbul, such analyzes are done in 7-10 days. I’m no longer in Istanbul, I won’t be able to consult a doctor. If I knew that it would be so, I would not even start anything. Everyone even asks where the analyzes are, then there is no answer, but they don’t read the Messages, when I write the second, third time, then they simply answer that they don’t. I would like to return the money so that it would be possible to take tests in another place.

I’ll start from the very arrival in Istanbul: firstly, the meeting person was 40 minutes late when the airport drove us back, the driver was almost late for an hour, we barely managed to get on the plane, of course there’s a big minus, but the transfer from the hotel to the clinic and back within 3 days was provided on time, which is very good. The recommendations for the clinic are as follows: it is necessary to organize an unhindered and quick examination process. For example, we examined the whole family of 2 adults, 2 children, signed up in advance, but we spent 3 days instead of the planned 1 day and this is only a gastrointestinal examination. We give one analysis / examination, then we wait until the turn comes to another office, and so for 3 whole days. If the clinic claims to be international, then it is clear that patients will be from different parts of the world, and every day of their stay this time and money, so they need to make the process continuous for the patient. They should be “sharpened” at the reception of foreigners quickly and efficiently, this should be a separate direction in the clinic, and not between affairs. For example, I had experience in a clinic in South Korea, they sent everything to me at the hotel in advance: a questionnaire, instructions, etc. Upon arrival at the clinic, I went through all the rooms within a few hours, and then after waiting a little I got the results in Russian, which is the basis for questions to the doctor who advises you. In Medicana, some of the tests that were received at the time of the consultation with the doctor were only in Turkish, in this case, what questions can I have for the doctor? what to discuss with him? If the clinic really claims to be international, English should be a priori. I asked for them in English, but they said it would also take time. Most of the results said will be in a week, then they will translate into English. Now the problems are for me, when they will give me the results and appointments, get them in Bishkek and how then to buy medicines in Istanbul and bring them to Bishkek. For 3 days, I left almost $ 4,500 for examinations in the clinic and I believe that the quality of the services and the service do not correspond to the price.

Bookimed: excellent. Dr. Yonus Yaseen: Excellent. Medicana International Patient Team: Excellent. Medicana Hospital: Clean, professional and beautiful. Doctor/ operating surgeon: Experienced. Surgical Outcomes: Poor. Before considering international medical care please ask yourself are you able to follow up in case of treatment or surgical complications or poor outcomes?? I am a board certified family physician of 22 years. Unfortunately, due to several unavoidable personal and family circumstances as well as The Covid Pandemic, I was unable to practice medicine a few years. This was compounded by gradual loss of vision in both eyes to a point where I was unable to drive, read, work or perform simple activities of daily living. I had already launched my virtual medical practice; however, I was unable to clearly examine patients virtually nor transcribe efficiently. Unable to afford multi-thousand dollar corrective surgeries here in The USA, I looked into seeking medical care abroad. Bookimed had great reviews. I am the last person who does on-line shopping or any other type of consumerism. Desperate, I filled out a simple questionnaire re my complaint and the services I sought. I was simply curious to see what the reply might be and nothing else. To my utter surprise, within a matter of few hours, I received a reply from Bookimed via WhatsApp. I was contacted by Dr Yonus Yaseen, a practicing physician in UK and a Bookimed liaison. Within a matter of a couple of days I was matched with the appropriate hospital, surgeon and the hospital's team for international patient affairs. My family, friends and physician colleagues had numerous doubts regarding the legitimacy of this entire operation esp given the ease with which all my questions were answered by Dr Yonus and the efficiency with which the entire travel agenda was arranged from the minute I walked out of the Istanbul airport to the time I was ready to depart from the same airport 10 days later. Dr. Yonus Yaseen was extremely polite, kind and courteous over the phone. He was able to answer all my questions, Alleviate my concerns and return my calls and texts as often as I contacted him without any hesitancy or frustration. I was matched with The Medicana Hospital in Istanbul with Dr. Cem Mesci (ophthalmologist/ surgeon). I found my international patient contacts at The Medicana, Istanbul to be most professional and extremely knowledgeable. I was met with a driver at the airport, driven to my hotel, The Holiday Inn followed by daily pick ups and drop offs from & to the hotel and the hospital without any problems or difficulties. Duygu was my contact at The International Patient Center, Medicana. Her supervisor was Fehime Yusuf. Both were super intelligent delightful young ladies. I was assigned a young translator, Ahsen Acar. She was nothing but a super delightful, energetic, intelligent, extremely courteous young student working as a translator. Her proficiency over The English language was excellent. Within a matter of 5 days I had my Left followed by Right eye Cataract surgeries with minimal complications. My almost blind left eye recovered with normal vision and no complications within a matter of a couple of days. Unfortunately, my Right eye surgery was delayed. I waited almost an entire day in the hospital room before the surgery. it took place towards the end of the day, took longer time to operate and was accompanied with some discomfort (I normally have a high pain threshold). Upon removal of the patch a day later, I found my right eye vision to be blurry with a floating lens sensation, pain and pressure behind the eye ball and peripheral rainbow colored flashing lights. I extended my stay an a few days in order to follow up with the surgeon before I returned home to Chicago. I was reassured by the surgeon that the discomfort, flashing peripheral halos, the rainbow lights and the blurry vision will improve with time. I should continue with the eye drops. After a few months of seeing no improvement but actual worsening of vision I contacted The Int Patient Contact at The Medicana Hosp who placed me in touch with Dr. Cem Mesci. He was kind enough to communicate with me a couple of times via WhatsApp texts and once via a few minutes of FaceTime call. I expressed to him my concerns and inability to drive or see my patients due to the blurry right eye vision and the same flashy peripheral lights (R eye) along with 'floaters'. Although it had been 4 months since the surgery, Dr Mesci encouraged me to give it another couple of months for the neuroadaptation pathways to take effect and discouraged me from wearing prescription glasses. I was willing to wait having no other options. Unable to afford another trip back to Istanbul, i waited for my right eye vision to improve. Unfortunately, it has only worsened. I am unable to move forward freely due to this vision issue. I would say this would be the greatest, very troubling and most concerning issue if anyone is seeking medical care abroad.... would you be able to follow up for any complications you encounter? Would you be able to afford another trip back? Feeling vulnerable and helpless is not good; however, I am not sure what other options I have. These are the consequences of the choices I, myself, have made. At the time I had no other choice. I have contacted The Medicana International Patient team again with my concerns. Awaiting their reply. Outside this issue, The Bookimed platform itself is excellent. I was and still remain quite impressed with them; particularly, Dr, Yonus Yaseen. He made this entire process very comfortable and easy for me. Highly recommend Dr. Yonus and Bookimed team. thank you.