When consulting heart-valve surgeons in Turkey, ask about their personal case volume and the specific surgical approach. Inquire if they prefer minimally invasive techniques or traditional open surgery for your case. Confirm their experience with redo valve surgeries and their specific post-operative recovery protocols for international patients.
- Surgical experience: Ask if they have performed over 3,000 cardiovascular cases like Dr. Faruk Gencoglu.
- Valve selection: Request a comparison between mechanical and bioprosthetic valves based on your long-term lifestyle.
- Technical approach: Confirm if you qualify for minimally invasive surgery to reduce recovery time.
- Recovery timeline: Ask for a detailed 3-month recovery plan and when it is safe to fly.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Patients should prioritize professors who have founded cardiac departments or hold international research fellowships. For example, Dr. Ali Fedakar founded three cardiac clinics and has performed 4,000+ open heart surgeries. Prof. Gokhan Ertas completed fellowship training at the Thorax Center in the Netherlands, showing deep international expertise. These leadership roles and global training often indicate a higher level of proficiency in complex valve procedures.
Patient Consensus: Patients note that visiting multiple clinics for consultations helps them feel more confident about complex mitral valve repairs. They often feel well-cared for but suggest reviewing lab costs and medical packages early. Many emphasize the importance of having surgeons walk through imaging results live during the appointment.
