Best bariatric surgeons in İzmir: TOP 19 doctors

Dr. Cemal Kara is a general surgeon with 26 years of experience. He specializes in cosmetic and weight-loss surgeries. He has performed more than 6,200 procedures. Dr. Kara co-founded the Aegean Medical Health Center and is recognized as a leader in his field.

He holds a Certificate of Surgical Competence from the Turkish Surgical Association, awarded in 2008. Dr. Kara has received several awards in both international and national scientific competitions. He invented and patented a laparoscopic surgical instrument. He has also published over 30 medical articles.

Dr. Kara is an active member of several professional organizations. These include the Turkish Surgical Association, Turkish Colon and Rectum Surgery Association, and the Aegean Region Surgery Association.

Education and Expertise

• DOKUZ EYLÜL UNIVERSITY FACULTY OF MEDICINE

Diseases

• Hernia Surgery
• Breast Diseases
• Stomach Cancer
• Gallbladder Diseases
• Thyroid Diseases
• Esophageal Cancer

Treatment Methods

• Gastric Bypass
• Laparoscopic Hernia Surgery
• Laparoscopic Gallbladder Surgery
• Breast Surgery
• Gastric Balloon
• Mini Gastric Bypass
• Reflux Surgery
• Revision Surgery
• SADI-S Surgery
• Thyroid Surgery
• Gastric Sleeve
• Swallowable Gastric Balloon

Experience

• Bulent Ecevit University General Surgery
• Van Education and Research Hospital
• Izmir Private Egeşehir Hospital
• Izmir Private Egepol Hospital
• Izmir Private Central Hospital
• Izmir University of Economics Medical Point Hospital

Professional Memberships

• National Turkish Surgical Association
• National Society of Hepato Pancreatico Biliary Surgery
• National Society of Colon Rectal Surgery
• National Society for Minimally Invasive Surgery
• National Society of Robotic Surgery
• National Society of Endocrine Surgery
• Ifso (International Federation Of Surgery Of Obesity)
• National Turkish Association of Obesity Surgery
• National Turkish Obesity Research Association
• Espen (European Society For Clinical Nutrition And Metabolism)
• Kepan (Association of Clinical Enteral Parenteral Nutrition)

NUTRITION AND DIET SPECIALIST 

Ezgi Sevic graduated from Hacettepe University, Department of Nutrition and Dietetic as Honor Student. During her education, she conducted studies on “'The Effect of Hedonic Eating Behavior on Obesity', 'Total Parenteral Nutrition in Children' and 'The Relationship Between Insulin Resistance and Obesity'.” During her education, she took part in the field in studies on determining the nutritional status of the society. She worked as intern dietitian in Hospitals of Hacettepe University (Oncology Hospital, Adults Hospital, İhsan Doğramacı Child Hospital), Dışkapı Yıldırım Beyazıt Training and Research Hospital and many Community Health Centres. 
She worked in Izmir Private Ekol Hospital. She successfully completed the 'Bariatric Nutrition Course' and the 'Innovations in Obesity Course'. She has participated in many training and seminar programs in her field. 

Interests: Post- Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Nutrition, the Nutrition in Chronicle Diseases, Nutrition in Individuals with Diabetes, Nutrition in Cancer, Nutrition in Congenital Metabolic Diseases, Food Intolerances, Body Weight Control, Child and Adolescent Nutrition, Nutrition in Old Age, Nutrition in Pregnancy and Lactation.

Dietit. Ezgi Sevic knows advanced English. 

I was born in 1967 in Izmir.

I have a happy marriage. I am the father of 3 beautiful girls, more beautiful than each other.

I have a love for Altınordu,inherited from my father.

I speak English and French.

 

The education you have received describes you…

• Izmir Necati Bey Primary School (1973-1978)
• Izmir Private Saint-Joseph Secondary School (1978-1982)
• Izmir Private Tevfik Fikret High School (1982-1985)
• Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine (1985-1992)
• General Surgery Training at SSK (social insurance institution) Tepecik Training Hospital (1992-1996)
• Liver Transplantation Training at Akdeniz University Faculty of Medicine (2002-2003)

Surgical Experience

After becoming a general surgery specialist in 1996, I served as a General Surgery and Organ Transplantation Specialist at SSK (social insurance institution), for a period of 9 years. In 2005, was granted the title of Associate Professor-General Surgery. Between 2005 and 2012, I established the kidney transplant centers in İzmir Private Kent Hospital, Istanbul Private Gaziosmanpasa Hospital, and Medicalpark Goztepe Hospital respectively, and served as the chief executive of these centers.

I have worked in İzmir Private Kent Hospital since 2013. I established Obesity Clinic at Gazi Hospital, and performed more than 200 gastric reduction operations.

Scientific Activity

More than 50 international publications

Approximately 100 national publications

Section authorship of 12 books

Editorship of 2 books

Serving as a lecturer, session moderator, science board member, and regulatory board member in many scientific congresses held both at home and abroad.

Serving as a referee and editor in domestic and international magazines.

Citation in approximately 100 international scientific publications

Awards

Certificate of Achievement granted by SSK General Directorate for the first kidney transplant operations performed at SSK Hospitals (1997).

Young Researcher Award in ONKKD (Turkish Organ Transplantation Centers Coordination Association) 2002 Congress held in Adana (2002).

Certificate of Appreciation granted by SSK General Directorate for the first small intestine transplant in Turkey (2003).

Young Researcher Award in the World Congress of Nephrology held in Berlin (2003).

The Firsts

Besides these, I have broken many new grounds in Turkey.

Laparoscopic donor nephrectomy (laparoscopic removal of the donor kidney intended to be transplanted) (2004)

Kidney-transplant without tissue adaptation (2005)

Cross-over (cross-donor) kidney transplantation (2005)

Small intestine transplantation (2005)

Social Responsibility

I have worked in the management boards of many associations engaging in scientific and social activities, and served as a founding member in some of them.

The most important one of these is that I have served as a coordinator in the project intended for providing 150.000 elementary school students and 5,000 adults with training on organ donation, for a period of 10 years, through various social activities.1

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hasan Ersöz: Pioneer in Thoracic Surgery and Aesthetic Rib Contouring

Early Life and Education

Born in 1985 in Diyarbakır, Turkey, Hasan Ersöz grew up in a family that deeply valued knowledge and service. His father, Dr. Ekrem Ersöz, was a highly respected urology specialist and served as chief physician at Diyarbakır State Hospital. His mother, an English teacher, ensured a balanced upbringing enriched with both science and language. Inspired by his father's legacy, Hasan knew from a young age that he wanted not just to become a doctor, but a surgeon.

After completing his primary and secondary education in Diyarbakır, he successfully passed the science high school entrance exams and moved to Çanakkale to attend his mother's hometown's prestigious Science High School. Excelling academically, he scored high enough in the university entrance exam to gain admission to Hacettepe University, yet chose to study medicine at Dicle University due to family circumstances.

Medical Training & Inspiration

During his final year at medical school, his father fell seriously ill with lung disease—an event that profoundly influenced his future. Motivated by a personal and idealistic mission, he pursued thoracic surgery, a branch typically not selected by top scorers. He earned a spot in the Dokuz Eylül University Thoracic Surgery Residency in Izmir, the city that would become the center of his life's work.

Residency and Early Practice in Izmir

After five years of intensive surgical training, Dr. Ersöz was appointed to Tepecik Training and Research Hospital. Despite Suat Seren Chest Hospital being the primary center for chest cases, patients with high-risk and complex profiles soon began requesting him. With courage and precision, he operated on numerous high-risk cases that others had turned away.

His success led to a life-changing offer from İzmir Kâtip Çelebi University: to establish a new thoracic surgery department at the city’s oldest hospital, Atatürk Training and Research Hospital. Accepting the challenge without hesitation, he set out to build a clinic from the ground up—literally starting without scissors, beds, or administrative support.

Establishing a Nationally Recognized Clinic

Despite bureaucratic hurdles and minimal resources, Dr. Ersöz worked tirelessly. He mastered hospital admin systems, handled paperwork himself, placed patients in borrowed beds, and pursued animal studies to publish internationally. He simultaneously taught thoracic surgery classes singlehandedly.

His passion for innovation took him to China in 2019, where he trained under the legendary Dr. Diego Gonzales Rivas, mastering minimally invasive thoracic surgery (VATS). Without a local mentor, he successfully completed more than 50 operations, gaining recognition for his independent achievements.

Scientific Achievements & Global Recognition

Dr. Ersöz's animal study publications received funding from TÜBİTAK and were published in journals indexed by the Oxford University Library and prominent Asian medical journals. His high-impact work attracted citations and letters of commendation, and he quickly rose through the academic ranks.

In 2020, at the age of just 35, he was granted the title of Associate Professor. That same year, he organized an international symposium on Pectus Deformities. With live surgical demonstrations, he trained dozens of surgeons from countries including Italy, Iraq, and Saudi Arabia.

Pioneering Surgical Techniques

Dr. Ersöz's clinic became internationally known for its groundbreaking thoracic procedures:

✅ First cross-bar pectus surgery in Turkey (5th worldwide)

✅ Second 4-bar simultaneous pectus correction in the world

✅ Carinal sleeve pneumonectomy for high-risk lung cancer

✅ Bronchial fistula repair using the world’s 5th ASD occluder

✅ Scarless rib flare correction using Ribella

The Ribella Procedure: A World-First

Developed by Dr. Ersöz, Ribella is the world’s first non-surgical rib contouring method, ideal for patients (especially women) with rib flare and poor waist definition despite low body fat.

Performed under ultrasound guidance, Ribella requires no incisions, stitches, or rib removal. Pinhole entry points are used to externally reshape the angle of the 10th to 12th ribs. The result is an immediate and permanent waist narrowing of up to 7–9 cm, with zero downtime.

Ribella is a game-changer for models, athletes, dancers, and individuals seeking aesthetic enhancement without surgical trauma.

Transition to Private Practice

By 2022, Dr. Ersöz had spent 6.5 years building one of Turkey’s most advanced thoracic surgery departments. Despite tremendous academic success, he felt his energy was being diverted by bureaucracy. At age 37, he made the bold move to resign and establish his own clinic.

Today, he operates out of a private medical center in Izmir, focusing exclusively on what he loves: healing patients and pioneering new techniques.

Services Offered

• Pectus Excavatum Surgery (Minimally Invasive Nuss Procedure)

• Pectus Carinatum Correction (Brace & Surgery)

• Rib Flare Correction (Scarless Ribella Method)

• VATS Lung Surgery

• Hyperhidrosis (Sweating) Treatment

• Thymectomy

• Lung Cancer Surgery

• Chest Wall Reconstruction

• International Patient Coordination

Keywords for SEO Optimization

"pectus excavatum treatment", "rib flare surgery", "Ribella waist narrowing", "thoracic surgery Turkey", "scarless body contouring", "Izmir chest surgeon", "best pectus doctor", "non-surgical rib shaping", "aesthetic thoracic procedures", "Ribella surgeon Europe"

Current Role and Patient Experience

Dr. Ersöz and his team manage every step of the patient journey:

✓ Airport pickup and hotel coordination

✓ Multilingual translation and concierge

✓ Chest CT & 3D simulation-based evaluation

✓ Personalized care and recovery planning

Located in central Izmir, the clinic is just minutes from the airport, seafront, and 5-star hotels.

Final Notes

Dr. Hasan Ersöz is more than a surgeon—he is a visionary. His fearless devotion to his field, his patients, and innovation has redefined what is possible in thoracic aesthetics.

Married and father of two, Dr. Ersöz continues to inspire a new generation of surgeons, combining science with beauty, and compassion with precision.

"We don’t just correct deformities; we restore confidence."

Bachelor’s Degree:
2003 – 2010, Faculty of Medicine, Ege University, Izmir (Turkey)

Training Education:
2011 – 2017, Faculty of Medicine, General Surgery, Ege University, Izmir (Turkey)
2013 - 2014: Liver and Kidney Transplantation Observership, Montefiore Medical Center Bronx – New York (USA)

Professional Experience : 1. July 2020 - November 2021, Anadolu Cerrahi
2. November 2018 - July 2020, İzmir Private Ege Şehir Hospital
3. 05-07 2014, Liver and Kidney Transplantation Observership Montefiore Medical Center Bronx / New York / USA
4. April 2017 - November 2018, Erzurum Regional Training and Research Hospital General Surgery
5. July 2011 - April 2017, Ege University Faculty of Medicine, Department of General Surgery
6. May 2010-August 2010, Kastamonu Pınarbaşı Family Health Center

Dr. Hidayet Çatal is a Diabetes and Obesity Surgery Specialist in Izmir, Turkey. He has over 30 years of experience in bariatric and metabolic surgery. He graduated from Izmir 9 Eylul University Faculty of Medicine. He completed his specialization in General Surgery at SSK Tepecik Training and Research Hospital.

Dr. Çatal has worked at several leading hospitals, including Private Tınaztepe Hospital and Private Ege Sehir Hospital. He currently serves at Private Medifema Hospital. He is known for his high surgical success rates. He is often invited to international events to share his knowledge of advanced surgical techniques.

Dr. Murat Ataseven is a specialist in oral, maxillofacial, and facial plastic surgery. He treats moles, lipomas, lumbar masses, and complex conditions such as harelip and eating disorders. Dr. Ataseven also performs nerve surgery, wound and burn care, rhinoplasty, and jaw surgeries.

He graduated from Izmir Ege University Faculty of Medicine. He has worked as Clinic Chief and Specialist Doctor in top hospitals in Turkey. Dr. Ataseven is known for his high patient success rate. He uses innovative techniques, including acupuncture, in his practice.

He specialized in General Surgery at Ankara Training and Research Hospital between 2001 and 2006. He worked as a General Surgery Specialist at Ankara Training and Research Hospital between 2006 and 2008 and later at Ordu State Hospital between 2008 and 2013. In 2016, he received the title of Associate Professor in the Department of General Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Izmir University. In 2015, he received the Turkish Surgical Association Proficiency Exam (Board) Certificate of Achievement. He is a member of Turkish Surgical Association, Turkish Colon and Rectum Surgery Association, National Endoscopic Laparoscopic Surgery Association, Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery Association, and Hepatobiliary Surgery Association. Between 2014 and 2016, he taught many undergraduate and graduate courses at Izmir University Faculty of Medicine.

Dr. Ozgur Kavak is an expert in minimally invasive and laparoscopic surgery. He specializes in bariatric procedures such as Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy, Full Gastric Bypass, Mini Bypass, and Type 2 Diabetes Surgery. He also offers non-surgical obesity treatments, including endoscopic gastric balloon and stomach filler procedures.

Dr. Kavak is accredited by the Turkish Surgical Association and has held a board qualification since 2008. He is an active member of several national surgical societies. He has published many national and international studies that are widely cited. His surgical skills also include laparoscopic oncology for colorectal, stomach, pancreas, and adrenal conditions, as well as endocrine, hernia, and advanced laser haemorrhoid surgeries.

Dr. Ogun Ersen is a skilled Surgical Oncologist. He earned his medical degree from Karadeniz Technical University (2005-2011). He then completed his specialization at Kocatepe University (2013-2018). In 2018, he ranked third in the national minor medical specialization exam and passed the Turkish Surgical Society board.

Dr. Ersen received advanced training in surgical oncology at Ankara University Faculty of Medicine (2018-2021). He earned the title of Surgical Oncologist after this training. His career reflects his strong expertise and commitment to surgical oncology.

Dr. Aydoğan embarked on his medical career, graduating from Bornova Anadolu High School in 2004. Subsequently, he pursued his studies at Celal Bayar University Medical Faculty, earning his medical doctor degree in 2011. His professional journey began as a general practitioner at Şanlıurfa Birecik State Hospital. In 2012, he achieved a significant milestone by successfully passing the Medical Specialty Exam (TUS) and commencing his specialization in surgery at the Bozyaka General Surgery Department in Izmir. Dr. Aydoğan’s pursuit of excellence took him to Heidelberg University Hospital in Germany in 2015, one of the country’s top institutions, where he worked as a visiting doctor. During this period, his focus was on pancreatic and liver surgery, gaining valuable experience. In 2017, he earned the title of specialist in general surgery through his thesis, which evaluated the demographic characteristics and surgical effectiveness of patients undergoing Sleeve Gastrectomy (gastric sleeve surgery) for obesity. The years 2018 to 2019 saw him fulfill his mandatory service at Ardahan Göle State Hospital, further enhancing his experience and skills. In 2020, Dr. Aydoğan joined the team at Izmir Tepecik Training and Research Hospital, where he primarily performed cancer surgery, obesity surgery, and minimally invasive surgery, including laparoscopic procedures. In 2022, he reached another milestone in his career by establishing his own private practice. Here, he continues his medical journey, providing care independently and making a positive impact in the field of surgery and healthcare.

Dr. Cüneyt Çiftdoğan was born in Ankara in 1971. After completing primary school in Gaziantep, he settled in Izmir and completed his secondary and high school education in Izmir. In the last years of his high school education, with his passion for white coats, he took the university exam and was accepted to Ege University Faculty of Medicine.

Cüneyt Çiftdoğan, who started his medical education at Ege University in 1988, graduated as a medical doctor in 1994 after an intensive and successful medical education. Cüneyt Çiftdoğan, who passed the Medical Specialization Examination (TUS) in 1997 and started his specialization training in the Department of General Surgery at Celal Bayar University Faculty of Medicine, took part in many successful operations until 2002 and had serious experience in the branch of general surgery. After his specialist training, Op. Dr. He was entitled to receive the title.

Dr. Cüneyt Çiftdoğan has been working as a General Surgery Specialist since 2002. He has equipped his professional skills and abilities with technological developments by working in many public and private hospitals.

Professional Interests

Metabolic and Obesity Surgery

Gastric Botox

Reflux Surgery

Goiter Surgery

Breast Diseases

Intestinal Tumor Surgery

Laparoscopic Gallbladder Surgery

Laparoscopic and Open Hernia Surgery

Liver Cystic Diseases

Colon Cancer Surgery

Rectum Cancer Surgery

Perinal Fistula

Fissure and Hemorrhoidal Diseases

Pilonidal Sinus Surgeries

Soft Tissue Tumors

Diagnostic Endoscopy and Colonoscopy

Memberships to Scientific Organizations

Izmir Medical Chamber

Turkish Surgical Association

Aegean Region Surgical Association

Aegean Region Breast Diseases Association

Dr. Ufuk Önsal was born in Gelibolu in 1984. After graduating from high school at Ankara Atatürk Anatolian High School, he completed his undergraduate degree at the Faculty of Medicine at Afyon Kocatepe University. Ufuk Önsal, who subsequently specialized in General Surgery at Düzce University, has many professional experiences.

These:

Duzce University Faculty of Medicine Hospital 2014-2020

Izmir Bakırçay University Çiğli Training and Research Hospital 2020-2021

Private Health Hospital 2021-2022

Private Aegean City Hospital 2022-2023

And now he continues to serve his patients at Izmir Private Can Hospital.

VOCATIONAL COURSES/TRAININGS

Gastric Bypass and Beyond Basic Training Course, Turkish Society for Metabolic&Bariatric Surgery

Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy (PEG) Training, Turkish Surgical Association

“Laser Technique” in the Treatment of Hemorrhoidal Diseases, Medikal Park Hospital

Laparoscopic Abdominal Wall Repairs, Dokuz Eylül University

Abdominal Surgery Clinical Anatomy, Ankara University

Breast and Thyroid Ultrasonography, Turkish Surgical Association

MENA EUS & ERCP Workshop, Bezmialem University

Workplace Medicine, T.R. Ministry of Social Security

PROFESSIONAL CONGRESSES

International Turkish Colorectal Surgery Congress, Antalya, 2021

National Surgery Congress, Antalya, 2018

Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery Congress, Antalya, 2017

National Surgery Congress, Antalya, 2016

Dr. Seyit Ali Kizilkaya is an experienced aesthetic and plastic surgeon. He graduated from Izmir Dokuz Eylul University. He completed his specialization in plastic reconstructive surgery at DEUTF. He received advanced burn training at Ankara GATA Burn Centre and laser treatment training at Numune Research Hospital.

Dr. Kizilkaya has led plastic surgery departments at major hospitals, including Tinaztepe and Su Hospital. He also served as a reconstructive surgeon during his military service. He established a 24-bed clinic, with 12 beds dedicated to burn victims. He managed a team that performed 80 to 100 procedures each week.

He holds an advanced qualification in health law from Izmir University and Ege University. Dr. Kizilkaya speaks English, German, basic Russian, and Turkish.

Dr. Mehmet Yalim Uctum is a board-certified general surgeon. He has strong experience in obesity and advanced laparoscopic surgery. He completed his specialty training at Vakif Gureba Educational Research Hospital in Istanbul. He earned his qualification in 2010 with a thesis on incisional hernias.

Dr. Uctum was chief physician at Manisa Soma Private Vefa Hospital. He also worked at Eskişehir Acıbadem Hospital’s advanced laparoscopic and oncological surgery clinic. He further focused on obesity surgery at Izmir Private Karataş Hospital. Since 2019, he has treated obesity surgery patients at his own clinic, Izmir Bariatrics. He is known for high patient satisfaction and successful results.