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Serving Greater Houston
Gallbladder Surgeon Serving Houston, TX
Evaluation for Gallstones, Gallbladder Attacks and Cholecystitis, With Laparoscopic or Robotic Gallbladder Removal When Surgery Is Needed
Pain under the right ribs after a meal, an ultrasound that shows gallstones, or an emergency room visit that ended with advice to see a surgeon are common reasons Houston patients call us. A gallbladder surgeon can tell you whether your gallbladder is the cause and whether it needs to come out. Houston-area patients are seen at our Katy and Sugar Land offices; the practice has no office inside Houston city limits.
At Surgical Associates of Southern Texas, Dr. Murtaza Shakir, board certified in General Surgery and Complex General Surgical Oncology, evaluates gallbladder disease and performs laparoscopic and robotic gallbladder removal. This page explains where Houston patients are seen, when to go to the ER instead, and what a consultation involves. For the full medical overview, see our main gallbladder surgery page.
Meet the Surgeon
Dr. Murtaza Shakir, MD, general surgeon and gallbladder specialist seeing Houston patients in Katy and Sugar Land, TX
- Dual board certified in General Surgery and Complex General Surgical Oncology
- Named a Houstonia Top Doctor in General Surgery, 2026 (see listing)
- Highly reviewed: rated 4.9 stars on Google
- Specialized in evaluation of gallstones and gallbladder attacks, and laparoscopic or robotic gallbladder removal for cholecystitis, bile duct stones and related problems
Patient Reviews
Patient Experiences With Dr. Shakir
Rated 4.9 stars on Google. Real experiences from patients treated in Katy and Sugar Land.
Jump to a section
- At a glance
- Where Houston patients are seen
- Gallstones found on a scan
- Recurring pain after meals
- Conditions treated
- Office visit or ER?
- When to see a surgeon
- Meet your surgeon
- Your consultation
- Laparoscopic, robotic or open
- Surgery day and recovery
- Houston areas served
- Insurance and new patients
- Patient reviews
- Why choose us
- Insurance
- Locations
- FAQs
- Schedule a consultation
At a Glance
Houston Gallbladder Care at a Glance
- Where you are seen
- There is no office inside Houston city limits. Houston patients are seen in Katy (410 W Grand Pkwy S, Suite 4D, Katy, TX 77494) or Sugar Land (17510 W Grand Pkwy S, Suite 320, Sugar Land, TX 77479).
- Hours and phone
- Both offices: Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. One number for both: 713-955-9191.
- Your surgeon
- Dr. Murtaza Shakir, MD, board certified in General Surgery and Complex General Surgical Oncology. He sees patients at both offices.
- Conditions treated
- Gallstones, gallbladder attacks (biliary colic), cholecystitis, bile duct stones, gallstone pancreatitis, biliary dyskinesia and gallbladder polyps that are large or growing.
- Surgery options
- Laparoscopic removal for most patients, robotic surgery in selected cases, and open surgery when a minimally invasive approach is not safe.
- What happens at the office
- Consultation, imaging review, pre-operative visit and follow-up. The operation itself takes place at a hospital or surgical center.
- Houston areas served
- West Houston, the Energy Corridor, Memorial, Westchase, Alief, southwest Houston and the rest of Greater Houston.
- Go to the ER for
- Abdominal pain lasting several hours, fever or chills, yellow skin or eyes, or vomiting that will not stop. Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.
Our Offices
Where Are Houston Gallbladder Patients Seen?
Houston gallbladder patients are seen at our Katy or Sugar Land office, because the practice has no office inside Houston city limits. Both offices are on the Grand Parkway, offer the same gallbladder services and are staffed by the same surgeon, Dr. Shakir.
You choose the office, usually the one easier to reach from home or work. Your consultation, pre-operative visit and follow-up can all stay there.
Katy Office
410 W Grand Pkwy S, Suite 4D
Katy, TX 77494
Often closer for patients from West Houston and the Energy Corridor, as well as Cinco Ranch, Cypress and Fulshear.
Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
713-955-9191
Sugar Land Office
17510 W Grand Pkwy S, Suite 320
Sugar Land, TX 77479
Often closer for patients from southwest Houston, as well as Missouri City, Stafford, Sienna and Richmond.
Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
713-955-9191
Directions to the Sugar Land office • Gallbladder care in Sugar Land
Office details are on our Katy office, Sugar Land office and locations pages.
Imaging Findings
Gallstones Found on Ultrasound or at a Houston ER?
Gallstones on an ultrasound need a surgical opinion when they match your symptoms; gallstones that have never caused symptoms usually do not need removal. Many Houston patients first hear about gallstones from a primary care ultrasound or an emergency room visit. Bring the report, and the images if you have them, so Dr. Shakir can connect what the scan shows with how you feel.
Referred by Your Doctor?
A referral from a primary care doctor or gastroenterologist usually means your gallbladder may need to come out. Call 713-955-9191, mention who referred you, and bring your imaging and blood test results. For background on the stones themselves, see gallstones: symptoms and treatment.
Stones With Symptoms
Attacks of pain in the upper right or upper middle abdomen, often after meals, usually point toward removing the gallbladder. A consultation confirms the link and sets the timing.
Stones Found by Chance
If the scan was done for another reason and you have never had symptoms, watching is usually reasonable. You will learn which symptoms should prompt a call.
After an ER Visit
If an emergency room treated your pain, found gallstones and sent you home, schedule a surgical follow-up and bring your discharge papers. Read what to do after the ER finds gallstones.
Common Symptoms
Recurring Pain After Meals: Could It Be Your Gallbladder?
Pain under the right ribs or in the upper middle abdomen that starts after eating and lasts from about 30 minutes to several hours is a common pattern of gallbladder attacks. It may spread to the back or the right shoulder blade and come with nausea or vomiting. Attacks often follow larger or fatty meals, and many happen in the evening or at night.
Similar pain can come from acid reflux, ulcers and other conditions, so an exam and imaging matter before anyone recommends surgery. If attacks keep coming back, a gallbladder evaluation is the next step. Read more about gallbladder attack symptoms, why gallbladder pain follows meals and how gallbladder problems differ from reflux.
Symptoms Worth a Gallbladder Evaluation
- Two or more episodes of steady pain under the right ribs or in the upper middle abdomen
- Pain that starts within an hour or two of eating
- Pain spreading to the back or right shoulder blade
- Nausea or vomiting during attacks
- Repeated urgent care or ER visits for upper abdominal pain without a clear answer
Conditions Treated
Which Gallbladder Problems Does Dr. Shakir Treat?
Dr. Shakir evaluates and treats the common gallbladder and bile duct problems below. The full medical detail is on our main gallbladder surgery page.
Gallstones
Hardened deposits of bile that form inside the gallbladder. Many people never have symptoms. Stones that cause attacks or complications are usually treated by removing the gallbladder.
Gallbladder Attacks (Biliary Colic)
A gallbladder attack happens when a stone briefly blocks the gallbladder outlet. The pain often settles within hours, but attacks tend to return once they start.
Cholecystitis
Inflammation or infection of the gallbladder, usually because the blockage persists. It causes longer-lasting pain, tenderness and sometimes fever, and usually needs hospital care. The gallbladder is commonly removed during the same hospital stay or soon after. Learn the symptoms of acute cholecystitis.
Bile Duct Stones and Gallstone Pancreatitis
A stone that slips into the common bile duct can cause jaundice, infection or pancreatitis. The duct is often cleared first, commonly with an endoscopic procedure called ERCP, and the gallbladder is removed once the acute problem settles.
Biliary Dyskinesia
Typical gallbladder pain with no stones on ultrasound may come from a gallbladder that does not empty well. A HIDA scan can measure how well it empties. Read about biliary dyskinesia.
Gallbladder Polyps
Growths on the inner wall of the gallbladder, usually found on ultrasound. Most are small and benign. Polyps that are large or growing are a common reason for referral and may be treated by removing the gallbladder.
Know Where to Go
Office Visit or Emergency Room for Gallbladder Pain?
Attacks that come and go, gallstones on a scan and a referral from your doctor are reasons to book an office consultation; constant pain with fever, jaundice or vomiting is a reason to go to the ER. If you are between attacks and feel well, call 713-955-9191 to schedule in Katy or Sugar Land. If you were seen recently for cholecystitis or pancreatitis, mention it when you call.
Gallstone pain can spread in confusing ways; see gallstones and back or shoulder pain.
When Gallbladder Pain Is an Emergency
A stuck gallstone can cause serious infection. Get emergency care for pain lasting several hours, fever or chills, yellow skin or eyes, dark urine or pale stools, or vomiting that will not stop. Do not drive across town to an office visit. For a medical emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.
Timing of Surgery
When Should Gallstones Be Evaluated by a Surgeon?
See a general surgeon when gallstones have caused pain, a trip to the ER, inflammation, pancreatitis or abnormal liver tests, or when your doctor has referred you for a surgical opinion. Once gallstones cause symptoms, attacks tend to return and can lead to complications, so evaluation is usually recommended sooner rather than later.
A consultation does not commit you to surgery. Dr. Shakir explains whether removal is recommended now, can be planned for a convenient time, or is not needed.
Common Reasons for a Referral
- Gallstones with recurring upper abdominal pain
- An ER visit for a gallbladder attack
- Cholecystitis treated with antibiotics
- Gallstone pancreatitis
- A HIDA scan showing poor gallbladder emptying (biliary dyskinesia)
- Gallbladder polyps that are large or growing
Do Gallstones Always Need Surgery?
No. Gallstones that have never caused symptoms usually do not need treatment. Removing the gallbladder is generally recommended when stones cause attacks, inflammation, pancreatitis or bile duct problems. Medicines that dissolve stones are used only in special situations, work slowly and do not stop new stones from forming. Read do gallstones always need surgery?
Your Surgeon
Meet Your Gallbladder Surgeon
Murtaza Shakir, MD
Board-Certified General Surgeon & Surgical Oncologist
Gallbladder care for Houston patients at Surgical Associates of Southern Texas is led by Dr. Murtaza Shakir, who is board certified in General Surgery and Complex General Surgical Oncology.
Board certification
American Board of Surgery: General Surgery and Complex General Surgical Oncology
Medical degree
Aga Khan University
Residency
General Surgery, Riverside Methodist Hospital, Columbus, Ohio
Fellowship
Two-year Surgical Oncology fellowship, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center
Surgical practice includes
Named a Houstonia Top Doctor in General Surgery (2026). Learn more about our general surgery services.
What to Expect
What Happens at a Gallbladder Consultation?
Your first visit answers two questions: is your gallbladder causing the problem, and does it need to come out? The steps are the same at either office.
Bring These to Your Visit
- Photo ID and insurance card
- A referral, if your plan requires one
- Your medicine, supplement and allergy list
- Ultrasound or CT reports, and the images if you have them
- Recent blood test results
- ER or urgent care discharge papers
- A written list of questions
You can complete patient forms before you arrive. Wondering who handles this operation? Read what kind of surgeon removes a gallbladder.
Second Opinions Are Welcome
If a surgeon elsewhere in Houston has already recommended gallbladder removal, you can schedule a second-opinion visit at either office. Bring your imaging, blood tests and visit notes so Dr. Shakir reviews the same information.
Your History and Exam
Dr. Shakir asks about your pain, how it relates to meals, and any fever, jaundice or ER visits. He reviews your medicines, other health conditions and past operations, then examines your abdomen.
Review of Your Imaging and Labs
Ultrasound, CT and blood test results, including those from a Houston hospital or emergency room, are reviewed with you. If something is missing, it can be ordered.
More Tests Only If Needed
A HIDA scan may help when symptoms are typical but no stones are seen. A specialized MRI (MRCP) or endoscopic tests may be used when a bile duct stone is suspected. Many patients need no extra testing.
A Clear Recommendation
You learn whether to remove the gallbladder, how soon, and whether laparoscopic or robotic surgery fits. If you choose surgery, our staff helps with scheduling and any insurance authorization your plan requires.
Surgery Options
Laparoscopic, Robotic or Open Gallbladder Removal?
Most gallbladder removals are done laparoscopically; robotic surgery is used in selected cases, and open surgery is kept for situations where a minimally invasive approach is not safe. All three remove the whole gallbladder, an operation called cholecystectomy. Houston patients have access to all three, and each is explained in depth on our main gallbladder surgery page.
Is Robotic Surgery Better?
Not automatically. Robotic surgery has not been shown to be safer than laparoscopic surgery for gallbladder removal, and some large studies have reported a higher rate of bile duct injury after robotic operations. Dr. Shakir recommends the approach that fits your gallbladder, your anatomy and your health, and explains why. Compare the two in robotic vs. laparoscopic gallbladder surgery.
Risks to Know About
Gallbladder removal is a common and generally safe operation, but every surgery carries risk. Possible problems include bleeding, infection, bile leakage, a stone left in the bile duct, pancreatitis, blood clots and reactions to anesthesia. Injury to the common bile duct is rare but can require further procedures. Dr. Shakir reviews the risks that apply to you before you decide.
| Feature | Laparoscopic | Robotic | Open |
|---|---|---|---|
| Incisions | Three or four small incisions | Similar small incisions | One larger incision under the right ribs |
| Instruments | Camera and slender instruments | Wristed instruments, magnified 3-D view | Through the larger incision |
| Often used for | Most patients | Inflamed or scarred gallbladder, prior surgery | Severe inflammation, scarring, bleeding, unclear anatomy |
| Recovery | Many go home the same day | Generally similar to laparoscopic | Takes longer, often several weeks |
Typical patterns only. Dr. Shakir recommends an approach after your exam.
After Surgery
Where Is Surgery Done, and How Long Is Recovery?
The operation takes place at a hospital or surgical center chosen for your situation and your insurance, and our staff tells you where when surgery is scheduled. Your clinic visits before and after surgery stay at the Katy or Sugar Land office you chose. Many patients go home the same day after an uncomplicated laparoscopic operation; a hospital stay is more likely when the gallbladder is acutely inflamed.
Preparing and Healing at Home
Our pre-operative care guide covers fasting and medicines; do not stop a prescription unless your care team tells you to. Call the office for fever, worsening abdominal pain or swelling, yellow skin or eyes, vomiting that keeps you from eating or drinking, or redness or drainage at an incision. For chest pain or trouble breathing, call 911. See our post-operative care guide, the gallbladder removal recovery guide and foods to eat after gallbladder removal.
The First Few Days
Incision soreness and bloating improve steadily, and walking is encouraged. Shoulder discomfort from the gas used during laparoscopy usually fades within a day or two.
Back to Your Routine
Many patients return to normal routines within about one to two weeks after laparoscopic surgery. Recovery after open surgery takes longer, often several weeks.
Lifting and Diet
Lifting is limited for a short time while the incisions heal. Many people find smaller, lower-fat meals easier at first. You receive written instructions matched to your operation.
Areas Served
Gallbladder Care for West and Southwest Houston
Many of our Houston gallbladder patients live or work on the west and southwest sides of the city. The areas below are service areas, not separate offices. Every visit takes place in Katy or Sugar Land.
West Houston and the Energy Corridor
Patients from West Houston and the Energy Corridor often choose the Katy office at 410 W Grand Pkwy S; Sugar Land is also available.
Memorial
Patients from the Memorial area are welcome at either office; choose the one that fits your commute.
Westchase and Alief
Patients from Westchase and Alief can be seen in Katy or Sugar Land. Our staff can help you pick when you call.
Southwest Houston
Patients from southwest Houston often choose the Sugar Land office at 17510 W Grand Pkwy S, as do neighbors in Missouri City and Stafford.
Looking for other surgical care as a Houston patient? See our general surgeon for Houston patients and hernia surgeon for Houston patients pages.
Coverage Questions
Insurance, Referrals and New Patients
We accept many major insurance plans. Coverage and benefits vary by plan, so please contact the office or your insurer to verify your benefits before your visit. Some plans require a referral or prior authorization before surgery, and our staff can help you understand what is needed. New patients are welcome, with or without a referral.
Plans patients often ask about: Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna and UnitedHealthcare. For other plans, see our insurance information page and list of accepted plans.
Why Choose Us
Why Houston Patients Choose Surgical Associates of Southern Texas for Gallbladder Surgery
Dr. Murtaza Shakir is board certified in General Surgery and Complex General Surgical Oncology and sees Houston gallbladder patients at two nearby offices.
- The same surgeon at every visit, at either office
- Laparoscopic and robotic removal, open surgery when safer
- Honest advice when gallstones can simply be watched
- Come after an ER visit, by referral or on your own
- Consultations in Katy and Sugar Land
Insurance Coverage
Insurance for Gallbladder Surgery
Surgical Associates of Southern Texas accepts many major insurance plans for gallbladder evaluation and surgery, including participating Aetna, Cigna, UnitedHealthcare, and Blue Cross Blue Shield plans. Our office can confirm whether your specific plan participates and whether a referral or prior authorization is needed before your visit.
Coverage, network participation, authorization requirements, and your share of the cost vary by plan. You can also review the insurance accepted for surgical care at our practice.
Aetna, Cigna, UnitedHealthcare, and Blue Cross Blue Shield are only some of the plans we accept. Plan-specific details are on our Aetna, Cigna, UnitedHealthcare, and Blue Cross Blue Shield pages. If your plan is not listed, contact our office and our team will help verify it.
Insurance participation and benefits vary by individual plan. Verification does not guarantee coverage, authorization or payment. Please contact our office and your insurer to verify benefits before treatment.
Our Locations
Two Convenient Fort Bend County Offices
Learn more about our Katy and Sugar Land practices, or view all locations.
Katy Office
410 W Grand Pkwy S, Suite 4D
Katy, TX 77494
Serves: Katy, Fulshear, Richmond, Cinco Ranch and West Houston
Sugar Land Office
17510 W Grand Pkwy S, Suite 320
Sugar Land, TX 77479
Serves: Sugar Land, Richmond, Stafford, Missouri City, Fort Bend County and Southwest Houston
Approximate Drive Times
From West Houston (Energy Corridor): about 15 minutes to Katy, or 25 to 30 minutes to Sugar Land.
From North Houston: about 40 to 50 minutes to either office, depending on traffic.
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions From Houston Gallbladder Patients
Do you have a gallbladder surgery office in Houston?
No. The practice has no office inside Houston city limits. Houston patients see Dr. Murtaza Shakir at our Katy office (410 W Grand Pkwy S, Suite 4D) or our Sugar Land office (17510 W Grand Pkwy S, Suite 320).
What kind of doctor removes the gallbladder?
A general surgeon removes the gallbladder, an operation called cholecystectomy. Most planned removals are done laparoscopically, with robotic surgery used in selected cases.
Do gallstones always require surgery?
No. Gallstones that have never caused symptoms usually do not need treatment. Surgery is generally recommended when gallstones cause attacks, inflammation, pancreatitis or bile duct problems.
A Houston emergency room found gallstones and sent me home. What now?
Call 713-955-9191 to schedule a follow-up consultation in Katy or Sugar Land, and bring your discharge papers, ultrasound and blood test results. If the pain returns and lasts for hours, or you develop fever or yellow skin, go back to the emergency room.
When is gallbladder pain an emergency?
Go to the ER or call 911 for pain lasting more than several hours, fever or chills, yellow skin or eyes, vomiting that will not stop, or pain spreading to the back with vomiting.
How is gallbladder surgery performed?
Under general anesthesia, the surgeon uses a camera and slender instruments through a few small incisions to separate the gallbladder from the liver and remove it. The operation often takes about an hour.
Is gallbladder removal usually laparoscopic?
Yes. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is the standard approach for most planned gallbladder removals. Open surgery is used when a minimally invasive approach is not safe.
When is robotic gallbladder surgery used?
Robotic surgery may be considered in selected cases, such as an inflamed or scarred gallbladder or previous upper abdominal surgery. It is another minimally invasive option, not an automatic upgrade over laparoscopic surgery.
How long is recovery after gallbladder surgery?
Many patients return to normal routines within about one to two weeks after laparoscopic surgery, with lifting limited for a short time. Open surgery takes longer. See our recovery guide.
Does the practice accept my insurance for gallbladder surgery?
The practice accepts many major plans, and patients often ask about Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna and UnitedHealthcare. Coverage varies by plan, so verify your benefits before surgery. See our insurance information.
Sources and references
- Symptoms & Causes of Gallstones, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)
- Treatment for Gallstones, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)
- Laparoscopic gallbladder removal, MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, U.S. National Library of Medicine
- Gallbladder Removal Surgery (Cholecystectomy): Patient Information, Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES)
- Cholecystectomy, patient education brochure, American College of Surgeons
Reviewed by the Review Team at Surgical Associates of Southern Texas.
Medical Disclaimer: This page provides general information and is not a substitute for medical advice. For abdominal pain lasting several hours, fever or chills, yellowing of the skin or eyes, vomiting that will not stop, or other emergencies, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. Last updated October 16, 2026.
Schedule a Gallbladder Consultation
Houston patients from West Houston, the Energy Corridor, Memorial, Westchase, Alief and Southwest Houston can meet Dr. Murtaza Shakir at our Katy or Sugar Land office to learn whether removal now, later surgery or careful watching fits them. New patients are welcome. Call 713-955-9191 or request a consultation online.
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