Obesity Doctors Abroad — Page 2

Dr. Onder Surgit is a professor of general surgery at Optimed International Hospital. He is a surgical instructor at the Advanced Medical Technologies Training Center (ITEM). Dr. Surgit treats cancer, obesity, and complex gastrointestinal conditions. He applies laparoscopic techniques for weight loss and tumor removal.

• Specializes in bariatric surgery including gastric sleeve, bypass, and balloon procedures.
• Performs oncological surgeries for breast, lung, stomach, and colon cancer.
• Served as a faculty member at Turgut Ozal and Atilim Universities.
• Works at AACI-accredited Optimed International Hospital in Tekirdag, Turkey.

Associate Professor Dr. Soykan Barlas is a general and transplant surgeon at Medical Park Göztepe Hospital. He specializes in kidney transplants and bariatric procedures like gastric sleeve surgery. Dr. Barlas completed laparoscopic training in Scotland. He holds a Certificate of Appreciation from the Turkish Ministry of Health.

• Serves as an academic lecturer at Demiroğlu Science University.
• Published over 20 articles in international medical journals.
• Authored book chapters on kidney and pancreas transplantation.
• Works at VM Medical Park, a JCI-accredited facility in Istanbul.

Dr. Levent Kaptanoglu is a general surgeon at VM Medical Park Pendik Hospital in Istanbul. He is a member of the American Society for Transplantation and Deutsche Gesellschaft Für Chirurgie. Dr. Kaptanoglu completed a fellowship at the Northwestern University Transplantation Unit in Chicago.

• Specializes in complex procedures like Whipple surgery and liver resection.
• Treats conditions including liver hemangioma, pancreatic cysts, and obesity.
• Performs surgeries for breast, pancreatic, and colorectal cancers.
• Sits on the boards of the Breast Surgery and Hepatobiliary Surgery Associations.

Dr Hanifi Onalan specialises in both surgical and non-surgical obesity treatments at Atlas University Hospital. He integrates endoscopic techniques to provide patients with effective weight loss options without traditional invasive surgery.

• Performs gastric balloon insertions to reduce stomach capacity without permanent changes
• Offers gastric botox injections to slow digestion and manage appetite
• Specialises in laparoscopic hernia repair for post-surgical recovery
• Holds a Videoendoscopy Application Certificate from Bakırkoy Dr Sadi Konuk Hospital
• Practises at a major university teaching hospital in Istanbul

Associate Professor Emine Yildirim is a senior general surgeon at Atlas University Hospital with a strong background in gastrointestinal and metabolic surgical care.

• Specialises in gastric and colorectal procedures to manage complex metabolic conditions
• Served as Chief Physician and Deputy Chief Physician across several major Turkish hospitals
• Published extensive research on gastric cancer and intestinal health in international journals
• Expert in minimally invasive techniques for abdominal and gastrointestinal surgery

Dr. Ha Heonyoung is the Director of Naeun Hospital. He is a preventive medicine specialist with 39 years of clinical experience.

Education: MD, Hanyang University College of Medicine. Master’s and Ph.D. in Preventive Medicine, Hanyang University Graduate School.

Clinical focus: Hair Loss & Obesity Clinic for hair loss prevention, weight management, liposuction, and fat grafting. Anti-Aging & Wellness Clinic for chelation therapy and anti-aging programs. Advanced biotherapy using stromal vascular fraction (SVF) for hair loss treatment and immune system enhancement.

Dr. Görkem Özgen is a general surgeon at Quartz Hospital, Istanbul. He specializes in metabolic surgery and the treatment of obesity. He graduated from Hacettepe University's English medical program. He later specialized in general surgery at Istanbul University.

• Performs weight loss surgeries, including gastric sleeve and gastric bypass.
• Treats abdominal wall hernias and diseases of the breast.
• Expertise covers anorectal disorders and post-bariatric reconstructive surgery.
• Works at Quartz Hospital, which treats 6,500+ international patients annually.

Professor Baris Demiriz specialises in bariatric surgery and holds membership with the International Federation of Obesity and Metabolic Disorders Surgery (IFSO).

• Focuses on laparoscopic surgery – a minimally invasive approach using small incisions for less scarring
• Member of the Turkish Obesity Surgery Association and the Endocrine Surgery Association
• Trained at Istanbul University – one of Turkey's oldest and most respected medical faculties
• Specialises in metabolic surgery to manage weight-related health conditions

Professor Burak Kavlakogluu is a senior surgical leader who previously served as the Head of General Surgery at Elazığ Education and Research Hospital.

• Specialises in obesity surgery and bariatric procedures at Memorial Bahçelievler Hospital
• Holds the title of Professor – the highest academic rank in Turkish medical education
• Former Chief Physician with extensive experience managing complex surgical departments
• Trained at Ankara University, one of Turkey's oldest and most respected medical schools
• Expertise includes metabolic surgery and revision weight loss procedures

Dr Burak Kankaya is a specialist general surgeon at Valued Med Hub Hospitals who trained at the Cleveland Clinic's Centre for Endocrine Surgery in the USA.

• Specialises in metabolic surgery to treat obesity and related endocrine disorders
• Completed surgical residency at the prestigious Bakirkoy Dr Sadi Konuk Training Hospital
• Trained in Italy at the Universita Degli Studi di Napoli Federico II
• Member of the Turkish Surgical Association
• Focuses on endocrine-based surgical weight loss solutions

Dr. Cengiz Dibekoglu performed the first robotic general surgery operation in Turkey. He is a specialist in laparoscopy and robotic procedures at Istanbul Florence Nightingale Hospital. Dr. Dibekoglu focuses on colorectal, gastrointestinal, and weight loss surgeries. He trained at Marmara University and Istanbul University.

• Specializes in Da Vinci robotic gastroectomy, gastric sleeve, and bypass surgeries.
• Treats complex conditions including hiatal hernias, pancreatic cysts, and liver hemangiomas.
• Member of the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgery.
• Former Acting Head of the General Surgery Department at Kadir Has University.

Professor Halil Alis is an internationally recognised surgical expert who has published extensively on bariatric and metabolic surgery outcomes.

• Specialises in laparoscopic weight loss surgery using small incisions for faster recovery
• International member of the International Federation for the Surgery of Obesity (IFSO)
• Active member of the Society of American Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Surgeons
• Expert in gastrointestinal endoscopy for precise internal diagnostic assessments
• Trained at the Istanbul School of Medicine in general surgical specialisations

Professor Yasar Tuna is a lead specialist at the Medical Park Antalya Organ Transplant Centre with a doctorate in gastroenterology. He focuses on the internal metabolic factors that contribute to weight management.

• Performed internal medicine research at Akdeniz University – a top-tier Turkish medical institution
• Specialises in gastroenterology – managing the digestive system and hormone levels for weight loss
• Practises at Medical Park Antalya Hospital – a JCI-accredited facility for clinical safety
• Completed medical training in English – ensuring clear communication for international patients
• Expertise in organ transplant medicine – managing weight health for high-complexity medical cases