Prof. Dr. Ahmet Yavuz Balcı

Unfortunately, I cannot recommend Dr. Ahmet because we learned from experience that closed bypass surgeries are not suitable for patients over a certain age with hypertension, high cholesterol, and a history of cardiovascular disease. He said that closed and open bypass surgeries are not technically different, only that in closed bypass surgery, the procedure is performed with very small incisions and the chest cavity is not completely opened, so the recovery time for patients is much shorter than with open surgery. Unfortunately, we realized after it was too late that we had made a very wrong decision for our mother because we trusted our surgeon too quickly and unnecessarily. If you have a patient over 70 with vascular stenosis, and especially if they are a woman, do more research. In the Turkish healthcare system, advanced tests related to vascular health are not performed in patients with hypertension and high cholesterol unless there is a specific complaint; doctors perform ECHO and EKG and dismiss the patients. When patients show signs of heart failure due to vascular blockages in advanced age, they then perform an angiogram and immediately decide on surgery. Surgery is not the only solution; there are many new interventional solutions now. Mr. Ahmet had additional scans at Emsey Hospital following the initial tests at Koşuyolu Cardiovascular Diseases Hospital. However, scans like CT scans only provide an idea of ​​how thin the patient’s arteries are due to high blood pressure. But the extent of atherosclerosis and how fragile and prone to rupture the aorta is can only be determined by a surgeon during OPEN BYPASS surgery by palpating and feeling the elasticity of the artery with their finger, and the entire surgical procedure is altered accordingly. In closed bypass surgeries, due to the nature of the operation, there is no possibility of such a manual examination. We learned all this after our mother’s aorta ruptured. Mr. Ahmet told us that the cannula ruptured as soon as it was inserted into the aorta. I believe that an experienced surgeon should have known how fragile and atherosclerotic the arteries of a woman over 70 years old, who has had hypertension and high cholesterol for 30 years, could be, or should have recommended the worst-case scenario, open surgery, without taking such a risk. Furthermore, in complications of this kind, the efforts made to save the situation are a complete disadvantage in closed surgeries compared to open techniques, as the working area is more limited. In a surgery that was supposed to last a total of 3 hours, we tragically lost our mother, who was someone who managed her shopping and all her errands herself, after she spent 8 hours in the operating room due to complications. Whether this complication was foreseeable or not is now only between God and the doctor, given the information I have provided above. I am giving one star not to the doctor personally, but because he stated that his own surgical risk was less than 1%.

During a challenging process like heart surgery, the most important thing a person needs is a sense of security. Dr. Ahmet Yavuz Balcı is one of those rare doctors who instilled that sense of security from the very first meeting. I had serious concerns about the surgery process, but thanks to his professional and sincere approach, I felt comfortable and safe. 26 days ago, I underwent aortic valve replacement surgery using the Ozaki method, and the replacement of a severely damaged vessel was also successfully completed. His attentiveness throughout the process, his clear explanations, and his calm demeanor were invaluable to me. I sincerely thank him and his valuable assistant, Ms. Beyza. 🌸

Thank you enough wouldn’t be enough. My paths with Dr. Ahmet crossed after my mother’s diagnosis in the city where she lives. There, she was told she needed an angiogram followed by open surgery. She even considered surgery, but we dissuaded her. While searching for a specialist in Istanbul at the time, I came across Dr. Ahmet’s Instagram account. After reading his videos, case studies, and reviews, we decided to take my mother to him. And we’re so glad we did. Based on the tests and imaging we received, Dr. Ahmet explained the procedure in simple and clear terms. Most importantly, he explained that while we insisted on open surgery, which was high-risk, Dr. Ahmet could perform it laparoscopically, which would be less risky, and this reassured us even more. Now, my mother has been recovering from surgery for a month and, thankfully, she’s doing very well. She had surgery on October 8th and was discharged less than a week later. The hospitalization process was equally easy, and the staff were friendly and attentive. His assistant, Beyza, was also very helpful. I’d like to thank her here as well. If my mother is happier and healthier today, it is because of Ahmet Hoca. May God bless him and his knowledge. I highly recommend Ahmet Hoca to anyone with heart problems or those looking for a doctor. He makes you feel like you are in safe hands. I thank him again from here. May you always be successful and live a long life.🙏🏻🙏🏻

Closed heart surgery. After researching dozens of doctors regarding my aortic valve prolapse, I crossed paths with Dr. Ahmet. I was only 28 years old and had never had surgery before, so I was terrified of surgery. I couldn’t trust the doctors either; I didn’t know whether to get a metal valve or a biological one. Even though I still hadn’t figured out why my heart was this way, they told me I needed to make a decision and have surgery immediately. I decided with one professor that the Özaki procedure was right for me (but the choice is entirely yours; metal, biological, or Özaki). When I went to Dr. Ahmet’s surgery, guided by the professor’s guidance and my own research, I was naturally both excited and apprehensive. He was very calm during the initial examination, examined my heart, and said, “I think we can perform Özaki with a closed approach.” I can’t describe my excitement at that moment, but I still had some trepidation about the process. After all, I didn’t know the doctor and didn’t know what would happen. I must have read and considered everyone’s comments at least three times. Finally, I decided I couldn’t trust anyone else, so I decided to have the surgery with Dr. Ahmet. During this process, Beyza, his assistant, is constantly providing information and truly helping you as much as she can, answering all your questions. She’s a sweetheart, and I entrusted myself to them because I wanted to have closed heart surgery and saw that Ahmet is truly skilled in this field. If you’re going to have surgery, you need to know a few details. From the hospital Ahmet chose for the surgery to the cleaning staff and nurse, everything was top-notch. I’m not exaggerating; I’m so glad I had my surgery with this doctor. I found the positive reviews about Ahmet a bit exaggerated, but no amount of feedback would be enough. 🥹I’m so glad God brought me here. I’m so glad I had the closed Özaki surgery. Ahmet is the first doctor in Turkey and the world to perform the closed Özaki surgery with a small incision, and I’ve done extensive research, and there’s no one else like him. He’s a professor everyone should see, even if just once, whether you have a heart condition or not. I think it’s a doctor 🙏 Look, I’m not exaggerating. I started walking the day after my closed Özaki surgery. It took two days for the anesthesia to wear off and my lungs to open. I wouldn’t have believed it if someone had told me you’d feel better on day 3 or 4 and go home on day 5 after having surgery on a vital organ like your heart, but I’ve experienced it firsthand. A good hospital is also crucial during this process. At the hospital where my doctor performed the surgery, the room, food, and staff were excellent. Everyone was professional. I don’t think you should have your breastbone cut open when this method is available. Get the surgery at a reputable hospital with a reputable team, and get back to your life in 5 days. Note: What I’m describing is entirely my own experience. The situation may vary from person to person. The best decision for you will be made by Prof. Dr. Ahmet Yavuz Balcı, an expert in this field. Definitely get examined by him, you’ll understand me 😊🙏

With Gratitude and Thanks Following my aortic valve replacement surgery on February 17, 2026, I completed my ten-day hospital stay and returned home safely to my family. I am eternally grateful to God for enabling me to overcome this difficult process. During this process, I would like to express my gratitude to my very valuable professor, Prof. Dr. Ahmet Yavuz Balcı, who, with his superior knowledge, experience, attention, and skillful hands, restored my health and connected me to life again, giving me confidence and instilling hope at every stage. Your dedication, meticulousness, and humane approach are invaluable to me beyond words. May God bless you. Thank you for being there. With my deepest respect, Mustafa Arslan