Best Da Vinci gastroectomy surgeons in Turkey: TOP 21 doctors

Dr. Mustafa Solak is a medical oncologist with expertise in breast, testicular, ovarian, lung, head-neck, and gastrointestinal cancers. He graduated from Hacettepe University School of Medicine. He completed his residency at Istanbul Sisli Etfal Teaching and Research Hospital. He then pursued a fellowship at Hacettepe University Cancer Institute.

Dr. Solak has managed many complex cancer cases. He has contributed to clinical advancements at respected centers, including the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. He has also worked at Hitit University Corum Training Hospital and Medical Park Hospital. His experience shows a strong commitment to cancer care and research.

Dr. Pakize Eker Balcıoğlu is a board-certified general surgeon. She graduated from Istanbul University Cerrahpaşa School of Medicine (English program) and completed her residency at Marmara University. She has published many articles in local and international journals. She has also worked as a columnist for two medical publications.

Dr. Balcıoğlu specializes in diagnosing and treating breast pain. She is experienced in advanced hemorrhoid therapies, including laser and Longo surgery. Her expertise also includes anal fissure management, pilonidal sinus day surgery, and lipoma excision. She has worked at Marmara University Hospital, Atlas Hospital, Maltepe Ersoy Hospital, and Sultanbeyli Ersoy Hospital. She has made important contributions to surgical practice in her field.

Education and Academic Titles

• Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine – Medical Degree, 1992
• Başkent University Faculty of Medicine – General Surgery Residency, 1995
• Ankara Numune Training and Research Hospital – General Surgery Residency, 2000
• Gaziantep University Faculty of Medicine – Assistant Professor of General Surgery, 2007
• Interuniversity Council – Associate Professorship, 2018
• Istanbul Aydın University – Professorship, 2023
• Second Bachelor’s Degree: Anadolu University – Public Administration, 2008
• Master’s Degree: Akdeniz University – Health Law, 2023

Dr. Erdem Can Yardımcı, MD

Accredited Metabolic, Bariatric, and Weight-Loss Surgeon

Dr. Erdem Can Yardımcı is a highly skilled, accredited bariatric surgeon with extensive experience in metabolic, bariatric, and weight-loss surgery. He earned his medical degree from the prestigious 19 Mayıs University Faculty of Medicine in Samsun (2005-2011) and completed his surgical specialization at Antalya Training and Research Hospital (2013-2018). Over the years, he has become a trusted expert in performing complex surgical procedures.

Dr. Yardımcı has served in prominent positions, including at Istinye University Bahçeşehir Liv Hospital's Organ Transplant Clinic in Istanbul (2021-2022) and Tokat Medical Park Hospital (2020-2021). Since 2022, he has been an essential part of the Clinics United team in Antalya, where he continues to transform lives through safe and effective bariatric surgeries.

As an accredited bariatric surgeon, Dr. Yardımcı has participated in numerous international training programs and conferences, staying at the forefront of the latest advancements in obesity surgery. His dedication to patient care, combined with his continuous professional development, ensures that every patient receives world-class treatment and compassionate support throughout their journey.

Gallbladder and bile duct surgery

Breast disease treatment and surgery

Anal region disease treatment and surgery (hemorrhoids, anal fissure, perianal abscess and fistula surgery)

Obesity treatment (Gastric balloon, and surgical treatment)

Thyroid diseases and surgical treatment

Hernia surgery (open and laparoscopic) (groin, umbilical, wound hernias)

Colon, rectum, stomach diseases and surgical treatment

Endoscopic diagnosis and treatment interventions (gastroscopy, colonoscopy, ercp, peg)

2009- Atlas University Medicine Hospital

2004-2009 Tosya State Hospital

1994-2004 Taksim Education and Research Hospital

1999-2004 Taksim Education and Research Hospital General Surgery Clinic

1992-1998 Istanbul University Istanbul Faculty of Medicine

Courses and Conferences

Bakırkoy Dr. Sadi Konuk Education and Research Hospital General Surgery Clinic Endoscopy Unit Videoendoscopy Application Certificate (March 2006)

Education and Career

2011 – 2015, (Internal Medicine Specialist) Istanbul University Istanbul School of Education and Career

Medicine Department of Internal Medicine

2015 – 2016, (Internal Medicine) Specialist Istanbul Haydarpasa Numune Training and Research Hospital

2016 – 2019, (Medical Oncology) Istanbul University Istanbul School of Medicine Department of Medical Oncology

2019 – 2021, (Medical Oncology Specialist) - Istanbul Haydarpasa Numune Training and Research Hospital

2021 – 2024, (Associate Professor) Marmara University School of Medicine Department of Medical Oncology

Memberships in Scientific Organizations

ASCO

ESMO

TTOD 

AVOD 

Publications

In the field of oncology, he has published over 30 peer-reviewed articles at both international and national levels.

Awards Received

EAACI The European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology 2019 Best Poster Award

"The top 3rd verbal presentation, IGICC (11th International Gastrointestinal Cancers Conference – IGICC2021)"

Speeches Delivered at National Congresses, Conferences, and Symposia:

Courses, Meetings, and Certificates

ESMO certified Medical Oncologist since 2019

Education and Specialization

• 1983 – 1989: Ankara University Faculty of Medicine – Medical Education
• 1990 – 1994: Ankara Numune Training and Research Hospital – General Surgery – Specialization
• 1995 – 2005: Ankara Abdurrahman Yurtaslan Oncology Training and Research Hospital – Specialization
• 2005: Associate Professorship, Ankara Numune Training and Research Hospital
• 2019: Professorship, İstinye University Faculty of Medicine, Department of General Surgery

Experience

• 1989 - 1990: Ardanuç Central Health Center, Artvin – General Practitioner
• 1990 - 1995: Ankara Numune Training and Research Hospital, 2nd Surgery Clinic – Assistant
• 1995 - 1998: Ankara Oncology Training and Research Hospital – Specialist
• 1995 - 1996: 600-Bed Air Force Hospital, Güzelyalı, İzmir – Medical Second Lieutenant
• 1998 - 2005: Ankara Numune Training and Research Hospital, 3rd Surgery Clinic – Specialist
• Sep - Dec 2002: University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Presbyterian University Hospital, Pittsburgh, PA, USA – Division of Hepatobiliary and Liver Transplantation
• 2002 - 2005: Ankara Numune Training and Research Hospital, 3rd Surgery Clinic – Specialist
• 2005: Associate Professor, Ankara Numune Training and Research Hospital, 3rd Surgery Clinic
• 2005 - 2006: Deputy Chief, Ankara Training and Research Hospital, 4th Surgery Clinic
• 2006 - 2008: Deputy Chief, Ankara Numune Training and Research Hospital, 7th Surgery Clinic
• 2009 - 2012: Chief of Clinic, Kocaeli Derince Training and Research Hospital, General Surgery Clinic
• 2012 - 2019: Chief of Clinic, Antalya Training and Research Hospital, General Surgery Clinic

International Experience

• 2002: University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Presbyterian University Hospital, Pittsburgh, PA, USA – Division of Hepatobiliary and Liver Transplantation
  • Project Supervisor: De Novo Breast Cancer in Patients with Liver Transplantation
• 2005: Laparoscopic Gastric Band Training, Austria
• 2010: Laparoscopic Lower Gastrointestinal Surgery Training, Cushieri Skill Center, Scotland

Education and Specialization

• Ankara University Faculty of Medicine – Medical Education
• Ankara University Faculty of Medicine – General Surgery Specialization
• Akdeniz University Faculty of Medicine – Associate Professorship
• Akdeniz University Faculty of Medicine – Professorship

Professional Memberships
• Turkish Medical Association
• Mediterranean Health Foundation
• Akdeniz University Development and Health Foundation
• Transplantation Organizations Coordination Association
• National Surgical Association

Personal Information:

• Born in 1967.
• Completed primary education in Istanbul.
• Graduated from Pertevniyal High School in 1984.

Education & Training:

• Enrolled in Marmara University Faculty of Medicine in 1984, completing medical education in English and graduating in 1991.
• Started General Surgery residency at Istanbul University Faculty of Medicine in 1991.
• Became a General Surgery Specialist in 1996 with a thesis on "The Effects of Inhibiting the Nitric Oxide Pathway in Radiation Enteritis."
•  

Professional Experience:

• 1996: Joined Şişli Florence Nightingale Hospital as a General Surgery staff doctor.
• 2002-2004: Served as a Lecturer and Acting Head of the General Surgery Department at Kadir Has University Faculty of Medicine.
• 2013: Transferred to Istanbul Florence Nightingale Hospital as a General Surgery specialist, where he continues to work.
•  

Medical Expertise & Achievements:

• Performed the first general surgery operation in Turkey using the Da Vinci robotic sy.
• Specializes in advanced laparoscopic and robotic surgery and continues to perform such procedures.

Positions Held:

• 1991-1996: Research Assistant – Istanbul University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of General Surgery.
• 1996-2012: General Surgery Specialist – Şişli Florence Nightingale Hospital.
• 2002-2004: Lecturer – Kadir Has University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of General Surgery.
• 2003-2004: Acting Head – Kadir Has University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of General Surgery.
• 2013-Present: General Surgery Specialist – Istanbul Florence Nightingale Hospital.

Interests 
Robotic surgery,
Advanced laparoscopic surgery(Colorectal and GERD Surgery included),
Laparoscopic hernia surgery,
Breast and thyroid surgery,
Gastrointestinal surgery,
Anal region diseases,
Hepatobiliary surgery

Memberships: 

Turkish Medical Association

Turkish Surgical Society

American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgery

Education and Specialization

• 2006: Kocaeli University Faculty of Medicine
• 2014: Akdeniz University Faculty of Medicine, Internal Medicine
• 2018: Akdeniz University Faculty of Medicine, Medical Oncology

Experience

• 2006 - 2008: Konya Derebucak District Hospital
• 2009 - 2015: Akdeniz University Hospital
• 2015: Antalya Kaş State Hospital
• 2015 - 2016: İnönü University Faculty of Medicine
• 2016 - 2021: Akdeniz University Hospital
• 2021 - 2023: Antalya Training and Research Hospital

Education

• (2004 – 2011), Faculty of Medicine/ Inonu University/ Malatya, Turkiye
• (2011 – 2015), Department of Radiology/ Bagcilar Training and Research Hospital/ Istanbul, Turkiye

Career

• (2016 – 2020), Diagnostic and Interventional Radiologist/ Mus State Hospital/ Mus,Turkiye
• (2020 – 2022), Assistant Professor of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology/ Sakarya University Training and Research Hospital/ Sakarya, Turkiye
• (2023 – 2024), Associate Professor of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology /Sakarya University Training and Research Hospital/ Sakarya, Turkiye
• (2024 - Present), Associate Professor of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology /Medipol University Hospital/ Istanbul, Turkiye

Education and Specialization

• Bachelor’s Degree in Medicine (English) – Hacettepe University, 1997
• Master’s Degree – Department of Internal Medicine, Akdeniz University, 2004
• Ph.D. / Proficiency / Medical Specialization – Division of Gastroenterology, Akdeniz University, 2007

Experience

• Akdeniz University Faculty of Medicine 1998/2004
• Akdeniz University Faculty of Medicine  2004/2007
• Urfa Training and Research Hospital 2008/2009
• Akdeniz University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology  2010/2011
• Akdeniz University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology 2011/2013
• Akdeniz University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology 2013/2017
• Medical Park Antalya Hospital, Gastroenterology Department and Organ Transplant Center

Education and Specialization

• 1995 – 2001: Bachelor's Degree, Eskişehir Osmangazi University, Faculty of Medicine, Turkey
• 2001 – 2007: Medical Specialization, Department of Internal Medicine, Akdeniz University, Faculty of Medicine, Turkey
• 2008 – 2011: Subspecialty, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Süleyman Demirel University, Faculty of Medicine, Turkey

Professional Experience

• 2001 – 2007: Research Assistant, Department of Internal Medicine, Akdeniz University, Faculty of Medicine
• 2007 – 2008: Internal Medicine Specialist, Konya Bozkır State Hospital
• 2008 – 2011: Research Assistant, Department of Gastroenterology, Süleyman Demirel University, Faculty of Medicine
• 2011 – 2013: Gastroenterology Specialist, Burdur State Hospital
• 2013 – 2019: Assistant Professor, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Akdeniz University, Faculty of Medicine
• 2019 – 2022: Associate Professor, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Akdeniz University, Faculty of Medicine

Born in Ankara in 1978, Dr. Umut R. Gündüz began his medical career at the Cerrahpaşa Faculty of Medicine.

Later, he became a General Surgery Specialist at Okmeydanı Training and Research Hospital.

From 2011 onwards, they worked as a General Surgery Specialist at Antalya Training and Research Hospital.

In 2018, they became a Clinical Education Instructor. Dr. Umut Rıza Gündüz primarily focused on metabolic, breast, endocrine & other general surgeries.

In 2021, they worked as both a manager and a physician in the General Surgery department at Özel Termessos Hospital.

Since 2023, Umut R. Gündüz has been continuing to accept patients at their own clinic, mainly specializing in metabolic surgery and performing general surgery operations.

• Gastric Sleeve
• Bypass Surgeries
  • Gastric Bypass
  • Mini Gastric Bypass
  • SASI-S Bypass
  • Roux en-y Bypass
• Endoscopic Procedures
  • Gastric Balloon
  • Gastric
• Revision Surgeries
• Diabetes Surgery
• Complication Surgeries

Some of Dr.Umut R. Gunduz’ Trainings;

• Neck Dissection Course (2019)
  
  – Da Vinci Xi Sy for Surgeons Training,
  Orsi Academy, Belgium (2018)
  
  – Advanced course in revisional
  bariatric surgery & the management of
  complex cases, Belgium (2017)
  
  – Advance Endoscopy Course, Turkish
  Surgical Association, Turkey (2017)
  
  – Turkish Society of Surgery Advanced Endoscopy Course (2016)

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

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.

Education

-Undergraduate Education (6 years) İstanbul University

-Cerrahpaşa Faculty of Medicine 2000 - 2006

-Specialization in Medicine İstanbul University Cerrahpaşa Faculty of Medicine 2007

Medical Field of Interests

-Gastric sleeve

-Gastric bypass

-Gastric balloon 

-Swallowable Gastric balloon Metabolic surgery

-Revision Surgery

Experience

-20 Years of Surgical Experience 3000+ Obesity and Metabolic Surgery

PUBLISHMENTS

3 Articles Published in National Refereed Journals

18 Papers Presented at International Scientific Meetings and Published in the Proceedings Book

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.

Educational Status

• 1998-2004 Karadeniz Technical University Faculty of Medicine
• 2008-2014 Mayıs University, Department of General Surgery

Institutions He Works For

• 2004 Gümüşhane Private Medical Center
• 2004-2006 Gümüşhane-Torul State Hospital Emergency Service
• 2006-2008 Torul Health Group Directorate
• 2014-2016 Van Erciş State Hospital (General Surgery Specialist)
• Büyükçekmece Kolan Hospital
• Özel Florya Hospital

Skills And Expertise

• Obesity and Metabolic Surgery
• Thyroid Diseases
• Gallbladder and Liver Diseases
• Oncological Surgery
• Anal Region Diseases
• Breast Diseases
• Stomach and Gastric Balloon Applications