Best Gastroenterology Doctors in Istanbul for Australians

Associate Professor Tarik Akar has performed 1,100+ gastroenterology procedures at Hisar Hospital Intercontinental. He specialises in advanced endoscopic techniques that treat complex digestive conditions without open surgery.

• Expert in POEM – a minimally invasive procedure to treat swallowing disorders like achalasia
• Performs ESD – a precise technique to remove early-stage cancers from the oesophagus and stomach
• Uses ERCP for bile duct treatments and managing complex pancreatitis cases
• Awarded Best Verbal Presentation at the 7th International Gastrointestinal System Cancers Congress

The doctor has extensive experience in ophthalmology, specializing in treatments and surgeries for strabismus, ocular aesthetics, amblyopia, cataracts, and retinal diseases. Additionally, the doctor is proficient in pediatric eye health and conducts comprehensive general eye examinations.

Graduating from the Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, the doctor completed specialization at Beyoğlu Eye Training and Research Hospital. The doctor is a member of the Turkish Medical Association, Turkish Ophthalmology Association, and the European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons.

Dr. Vafi Atalay is an experienced oncological and general surgeon with 17 years in the field. He specializes in pancreatic, colon, rectal, and liver surgeries. He also performs advanced endoscopic procedures. Dr. Atalay has published 31 articles in national and international journals, making valuable contributions to medical literature.

He received the first prize at the 20th Congress Research Paper Competition. He also won the Best Research Award at the 5th Surgeon Research Congress. Dr. Atalay is a member of TSS, the Palestinian Medical Association, and IOA. His active involvement in these organizations shows his dedication to professional growth and surgical excellence.

Professor Engin Tutar is the former Head of Paediatric Gastroenterology at Marmara University, specialising in digestive and liver health for children and adolescents.

• Expert in paediatric endoscopy for diagnosing and treating ulcers, polyps, and internal bleeding
• Treats complex conditions like inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), Coeliac disease, and chronic reflux
• Manages liver, gallbladder, and pancreatic disorders specifically in younger patients
• Highly academic background with over 50 presentations at international medical congresses

Professor Ozel is a specialist gastroenterologist at Anadolu Medical Center, focusing on complex digestive conditions and interventional endoscopy.

• Specialises in ERCP, a procedure used to treat blockages in the bile and pancreatic ducts
• Expert in managing inflammatory bowel diseases and chronic liver conditions
• Member of the European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ESGE)
• Former Professor at Maltepe University and healthcare attaché in Washington DC
• Performs upper and lower endoscopies to diagnose and treat gastrointestinal issues

Professor Erman Aytac is a high-ranking surgical specialist at Memorial Bahçelievler Hospital. He completed a prestigious fellowship in colorectal surgery at the Cleveland Clinic in the USA.

• Specialises in inflammatory bowel diseases like Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn's disease
• Uses robotic and laparoscopic techniques for minimally invasive gastrointestinal surgery
• Treats complex cancers of the digestive system and abdominopelvic region
• holds European Board of Surgery qualification in coloproctology and colonic health
• Published over 150 scientific articles on surgical outcomes and digestive diseases

Dr. Murat Akkus is a Professor of Pediatric Gastroenterology based in Istanbul. He practices at Memorial Bahçelievler (2019–present) and Memorial Ataşehir (2018–present). He previously led the Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition and the Department of Pediatrics at İnönü University. Before that, he headed Pediatric Gastroenterology at Atatürk University.

He has 174 international and 73 national publications. He is the editor of 7 books. He has written 3 international and 25 national book chapters. He completed a fellowship in Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition at Ege University (1996–1998). In 2011, he was a visiting scholar at the Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh. He received İnönü University Outstanding Achievement Awards.

Professor Aydin is a highly specialised surgeon who completed an intensive fellowship in gastroenterology surgery at the Türkiye High Specialisation Hospital.

• Specialises in complex abdominal procedures including stomach resections and esophagectomies
• Performs minimally invasive laparoscopic anti-reflux surgery for chronic GERD
• Manages difficult cirrhosis-related cases and pancreatitis using fellowship-level techniques
• Served as a Professor at Inönü University, teaching the next generation of general surgeons

Professor Halil Alis is a specialist surgeon at Valued Med Hub Hospitals who has published extensive research on complex hepatobiliary and pancreatic conditions.

• Performs laparoscopic stomach and bowel resections using small incisions to support faster patient recovery
• Specialises in minimally invasive gallbladder removal and treatments for pancreatic diseases
• Focuses on gastrointestinal endoscopy and metabolic surgery for long-term digestive health
• Member of the Society of American Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES)
• Researches emergency surgery techniques for the gastrointestinal system

Professor Ozel trained at Tokyo University Hospital in hepatobiliary and pancreatic surgery under world-renowned pioneers. He is a surgical specialist at Estexper Clinic with certification in advanced endoscopic procedures.

• Specialises in ERCP and surgical endoscopy for internal gastrointestinal diagnostics
• Performs laparoscopic and robotic surgery for faster patient recovery times
• Expert in treating hepatobiliary diseases and complex abdominal conditions
• Holds the Turkish Surgical Proficiency Certificate for high-standard clinical care

Professor Samet Yardimci is a dual-specialist in gastroenterology and surgery at VM Medical Park Pendik Hospital. He holds a prestigious international fellowship from Memorial Hermann Hospital in Texas.

• Specialises in minimally invasive laparoscopic surgery for reflux and inflammatory bowel diseases
• Performs complex stomach and gallbladder procedures using small incisions for faster recovery
• Fellowship-trained at Türkiye Yüksek İhtisas – a premier centre for digestive health
• Awarded Best Young Researcher for his contributions to gastrointestinal and transplant science
• Member of the International Federation for the Surgery of Obesity and Metabolic Disorders

Dr Samir Safarov is an internal medicine specialist at Büyük Anadolu Hospitals with a dedicated focus on managing complex stomach and intestinal diseases.

• Completed specialist residency at the Kocaeli Derince Training and Research Hospital in Turkey
• Attended the Gastro Academy for additional training in gastroenterological conditions
• Manages disorders including gastric ulcers, chronic pancreatitis, and cirrhosis
• Practised at the Vreden Russian Research Institute of Traumatology and Orthopaedics
• Recognised for managing gastrointestinal issues alongside metabolic conditions like diabetes and hypertension

Dr Murat Sarikaya is a gastroenterology specialist at Medipol Bahcelievler University Hospital with a prolific research background in complex digestive disorders.

• Specialises in managing advanced liver disease and severe acute pancreatitis
• Expert in diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopy, including duodenal polyp removal
• Extensively published on Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, and biliary disorders
• Former specialist at Ankara Training and Research Hospital and Istinye University

Associate Professor Ugur Korkmaz is a specialist gastroenterologist at Lokman Hekim Istanbul Hospital. He focuses on diagnosing and treating complex digestive tract conditions using minimally invasive endoscopic methods.

• Specialises in ERCP – uses a camera and X-rays to clear bile duct blockages without open surgery
• Performs endoscopic mucosal resection to remove early-stage tumours from the digestive lining
• Manages inflammatory bowel diseases including colitis and chronic diverticular conditions
• Expert in gastric balloon and Botox procedures for weight management
• Uses capsule endoscopy – a tiny wireless camera to examine the small intestine

Dr Birol Baysal is a specialist gastroenterologist at Memorial Şişli Hospital and a former lecturer at Bezmialem Foundation University.

• Specialises in internal medicine and gastrointestinal health
• Served as a specialist at Haseki Training and Research Hospital
• Managed complex digestive cases at Diyarbakır Training and Research Hospital
• Expertise includes diagnosing and treating chronic stomach and bowel conditions
• Combines clinical practice with a background in academic medical education

Dr Teoman Akcay is a specialist gastroenterologist at Memorial Sisli Hospital with extensive training in internal medicine and digestive health.

• Specialises in endoscopy and liver research at a JCI-accredited facility
• Member of the Turkish Gastroenterology and Turkish Endoscopy associations
• Active researcher with numerous publications in international medical journals
• Focuses on diagnosing and managing complex digestive and liver conditions

Professor Colak is a senior specialist at Memorial Şişli Hospital who has held academic roles at the Cleveland Clinic. He focuses on complex endoscopic procedures and liver transplantation support.

• Served as an invited lecturer at the Cleveland Clinic Florida in the US
• Specialised in endoscopic applications and liver transplantation care
• Former Head of Gastroenterology at Istanbul Civilization University
• Managed high-level healthcare as part of the Presidential Health Coordinate

Professor Aytug is a senior academic leader at Hisar Hospital Intercontinental with specialized fellowship training in pancreatology and liver disease from Marmara University.

• Manages complex digestive conditions including Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, and Barrett's oesophagus
• Expert in diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopies for gastric and duodenal polyps
• Published researcher and author of numerous book chapters on digestive health
• Trained at Hacettepe University, one of Turkey's most prestigious medical schools

Prof. Dr. Erdem Akbal is a Gastroenterology Specialist at Memorial Şişli and Memorial Bahçelievler Hospitals in Istanbul. He previously served at Liv Hospital Ulus, Medicana Ataşehir, Florence Nightingale Hospitals, and Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University. He became an Associate Professor in 2014 and a Professor in 2019.

He received advanced training in interventional endoscopy. He completed ESD at Jichi Medical University in Japan. He trained in POEM/ESD and gastrointestinal motility at Amsterdam Medical Center. He trained in EUS at Johns Hopkins Hospital in the USA. He continues to attend ESG, ERCP, EUS, ESD, and POEM courses and congresses.

He has authored more than 100 international indexed publications. His presentations have won awards. He is a member of the Turkish Society of Gastroenterology, the Gastrointestinal Endoscopy Society, the Hepatobiliary and Pancreatology Society, the Liver Diseases Association, the IBD Association, and the Turkish Liver Research Association.