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Katy Gallbladder Care
Gallbladder Surgeon in Katy, TX
Dr. Murtaza Shakir: Gallstones, Gallbladder Attacks and Laparoscopic or Robotic Gallbladder Removal
If you live in or near Katy and have gallstones, recurring pain under the right ribs after meals, or a recent diagnosis of cholecystitis, you can see a board-certified gallbladder surgeon close to home. Consultations, imaging review, pre-operative visits and follow-up all take place at our Katy office on the Grand Parkway.
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 covers what Katy patients need to know: the office, the conditions treated, when to call us and when to go to the ER, and what a consultation involves. For the full medical background, see our main gallbladder surgery page.
Meet the Surgeon
Dr. Murtaza Shakir, MD, general surgeon and gallbladder specialist in Katy, 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 laparoscopic and robotic gallbladder removal for gallstones, gallbladder attacks, cholecystitis and related bile duct 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
- A gallbladder surgeon close to home
- Gallstones on ultrasound or a referral
- Conditions treated in Katy
- Gallbladder surgeon or ER?
- Do gallstones always need surgery?
- Meet your surgeon
- Your Katy consultation
- Laparoscopic and robotic surgery
- Surgery day and recovery
- Visiting the Katy office
- Communities we serve
- Insurance and referrals
- Patient reviews
- Why choose us
- Insurance
- Locations
- FAQs
- Schedule a consultation
At a Glance
Katy Gallbladder Care at a Glance
- Office
- 410 W Grand Pkwy S, Suite 4D, Katy, TX 77494. Get directions to the Katy office.
- Hours
- Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Call 713-955-9191.
- Your surgeon
- Dr. Murtaza Shakir, MD, board certified in General Surgery and Complex General Surgical Oncology.
- Conditions treated
- Gallstones, gallbladder attacks (biliary colic), acute and chronic cholecystitis, bile duct stones, gallstone pancreatitis, biliary dyskinesia and gallbladder polyps.
- Surgery options
- Laparoscopic gallbladder removal for most patients, robotic surgery in selected cases, and open surgery when a minimally invasive approach is not safe.
- What happens in Katy
- Consultation, imaging review, pre-operative visit and follow-up. Surgery is performed at nearby hospitals and surgical centers.
- Communities served
- Katy, Cinco Ranch, Cross Creek Ranch, Fulshear, Brookshire, Richmond, Pecan Grove and West 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.
Care Close to Home
Why See a Gallbladder Surgeon in Katy?
Seeing a gallbladder surgeon in Katy keeps every clinic visit close to home. The path from a first attack to a decision about surgery often runs through several steps: a primary care visit, an ultrasound, sometimes an emergency room trip, and then a surgeon. At our Katy office, the surgical consultation, pre-operative visit and follow-up all happen in one place, with the same surgeon from the first visit to the last.
Many Katy patients arrive after an urgent care or ER visit for upper abdominal pain, told that the ultrasound shows gallstones and to “follow up with a surgeon.” That follow-up is what the Katy office is for. Dr. Shakir confirms whether the gallbladder is the cause, explains whether it should come out, and plans the safest approach.
Who We See at the Katy Office
- Patients with gallstones found on ultrasound or CT
- Patients with recurring gallbladder attacks after meals
- Patients referred after an ER visit for cholecystitis or pancreatitis
- Patients with bile duct stones, including after an ERCP procedure
- Patients with biliary dyskinesia on a HIDA scan
- Patients with gallbladder polyps that need evaluation
- Patients who want a second opinion before surgery
- Patients interested in a minimally invasive or robotic approach
Next Steps
Gallstones on Ultrasound or a Referral From Your Doctor or the ER?
If gallstones match your symptoms, the next step is a surgical consultation; if they were found by chance and you feel fine, removal is usually not needed. What to do next depends on how the stones were found and who sent you.
Gallstones Found on Ultrasound
If an ultrasound found gallstones and you have had upper right abdominal pain, nausea or attacks after meals, schedule a gallbladder consultation. Stones found by chance that have never caused symptoms usually do not need treatment. Dr. Shakir reviews the ultrasound report alongside your symptoms and explains whether removal is recommended. Bring the report, and the images if you have them. Learn more about gallstone symptoms and treatment.
Signs gallstones may be causing trouble:
- Pain under the right ribs or in the upper middle abdomen
- Attacks after heavy or fatty meals
- Pain spreading to the back or right shoulder blade
- Nausea or vomiting with the pain
- Repeated ER or urgent care visits for abdominal pain
Referred by Your Primary Care Doctor, GI Doctor or the ER
A referral usually means another doctor thinks your gallbladder may need to come out, and the next step is a surgical consultation. Call the Katy office at 713-955-9191, mention who referred you, and bring any imaging, lab results and ER paperwork. At the visit, Dr. Shakir confirms the diagnosis and explains whether laparoscopic or robotic surgery fits. If surgery is planned, our team coordinates scheduling and insurance authorization. If the ER treated an attack and sent you home, read what to do after the ER finds gallstones.
Conditions Treated
Which Gallbladder Conditions Are Treated at the Katy Office?
Dr. Shakir evaluates and treats common gallbladder and bile duct problems at the Katy office. Each condition is explained in more depth on its own page or on our main gallbladder surgery page.
Gallstones
Hard, pebble-like deposits that form in the gallbladder from bile. Most cause no symptoms and are simply watched. Stones that cause attacks or complications are usually treated by removing the gallbladder. Read gallstones: symptoms and treatment.
Gallbladder Attacks (Biliary Colic)
Episodes of steady pain in the upper right or upper middle abdomen, often after a meal and often with nausea. An attack may last from about 30 minutes to several hours. Read about gallbladder attack symptoms.
Cholecystitis
Inflammation of the gallbladder, usually caused by a stone blocking its outlet. Acute cholecystitis causes constant pain, tenderness and often fever, and usually needs hospital care. The gallbladder is commonly removed during that hospital stay or soon after. Learn the symptoms of acute cholecystitis.
Bile Duct Stones and Gallstone Pancreatitis
A stone can slip into the common bile duct and cause jaundice, infection or pancreatitis. These problems are managed together with gastroenterology, often with an endoscopic procedure to clear the duct, followed by gallbladder removal once the acute problem settles.
Biliary Dyskinesia
Typical gallbladder pain with a normal ultrasound may come from a gallbladder that does not empty well. A HIDA scan can check gallbladder function. Read about biliary dyskinesia.
Gallbladder Polyps
Growths on the inner wall of the gallbladder, usually found on ultrasound. Most are small and benign. Depending on size, growth and other findings, a polyp may be watched with repeat ultrasound or treated by removing the gallbladder.
Considering surgery and want to compare the techniques? See laparoscopic gallbladder removal, robotic gallbladder surgery and our guide to robotic vs. laparoscopic gallbladder surgery.
Where to Go
When to See a Gallbladder Surgeon and When to Go to the ER
Most gallbladder problems are not emergencies, and the right first step is an office consultation. Call 713-955-9191 to schedule if you have:
- Two or more episodes of typical gallbladder pain
- Pain under the right ribs after meals, with or without nausea
- Gallstones found on ultrasound or CT, with symptoms
- A recent ER or urgent care visit for a gallbladder attack
- A past episode of cholecystitis, gallstone pancreatitis or abnormal liver tests
Gallbladder symptoms can resemble acid reflux and other stomach problems. Compare gallbladder problems and acid reflux, and read why gallbladder pain often follows meals and how it can spread to the back or shoulder.
Go to the Emergency Room for These Signs
Gallstones can cause serious infection. Seek emergency care for severe upper right belly pain or pain lasting hours, fever or chills, yellow skin or eyes, dark urine or pale stools, or vomiting that will not stop. For a medical emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.
Timing of Surgery
Do Gallstones Always Need Surgery?
No. Gallstones that have never caused symptoms usually do not need treatment. Removing the gallbladder is generally recommended once gallstones cause attacks or complications, because attacks tend to come back and can become more serious, such as cholecystitis, a blocked bile duct or pancreatitis.
Medicines that dissolve gallstones help only a small group of patients, work slowly, and stones can return. The decision rests on your symptoms, exam, imaging, blood tests and overall health, not simply on whether a scan shows stones. Dr. Shakir explains whether surgery is advisable now, later or not at all. Read more in do gallstones always need surgery?
Your Surgeon
Meet Your Katy Gallbladder Surgeon
Murtaza Shakir, MD
Board-Certified General Surgeon & Surgical Oncologist
Gallbladder care at our Katy office 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 in Katy?
Most patients arrive with an ultrasound already done. The consultation confirms the diagnosis, checks for complications and sets a plan, and most patients leave knowing what comes next.
What to Bring
- Photo ID and your insurance card
- Your referral, if your plan requires one
- A list of your medicines, supplements and allergies
- Ultrasound or CT reports, and the images if you have them
- Recent blood test results
- Records from any ER or urgent care visits
- Your questions, written down
An ultrasound before your appointment is helpful but not required. New patient paperwork is on our patient forms page.
Second Opinions
If another surgeon has already recommended gallbladder surgery, you are welcome to schedule a second-opinion visit. Bring your imaging, blood tests and visit notes.
1. History and Examination
Dr. Shakir asks about your pain, its link to meals, and any fever, jaundice or ER visits. He reviews your health, medicines and previous operations, and examines your abdomen.
2. Ultrasound and Blood Tests
Existing imaging is reviewed at the visit. If an ultrasound or liver blood tests are missing, they are arranged locally and reviewed with you at the Katy office.
3. Further Testing If Needed
A HIDA scan may be ordered when symptoms are typical but no stones are seen. MRCP (a specialized MRI) or endoscopic ultrasound may be used when a bile duct stone is suspected. Not every patient needs extra tests.
4. Your Surgical Plan
Dr. Shakir explains whether to remove the gallbladder, how soon, and whether laparoscopic or robotic surgery is the better fit. If you decide on surgery, our staff helps schedule it, reviews pre-operative instructions and books your follow-up in Katy.
Surgery Options
Laparoscopic and Robotic Gallbladder Removal for Katy Patients
Most Katy patients who need their gallbladder removed have a laparoscopic operation; 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. The medical name is cholecystectomy, and each technique is described in detail 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. Read 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, wound infection, bile leakage, a stone left in the bile duct, pancreatitis, blood clots and reactions to anesthesia. Injury to the common bile duct is a rare but known risk of any gallbladder removal and can require further procedures. Dr. Shakir reviews the risks that apply to you before surgery.
| Feature | Laparoscopic | Robotic | Open |
|---|---|---|---|
| Incisions | Three or four small incisions | Similar small incisions | One larger incision under the right ribs |
| Instruments | Camera and narrow instruments | Wristed instruments, magnified 3-D view | Through the larger incision |
| Often used for | Most patients | Inflamed or scarred gallbladder, prior surgery | Severe inflammation, bleeding or unclear anatomy |
| Going home | Most go home the same day | Recovery generally similar | Recovery takes longer |
Typical patterns only. Dr. Shakir recommends an approach after your exam.
Surgery and Recovery
Where Is Surgery Done, and What Is Recovery Like?
Your clinic visits are in Katy, and the operation is performed at a nearby hospital or surgical center chosen for your situation and insurance. Most patients having uncomplicated minimally invasive surgery go home the same day. An overnight stay is more likely after surgery for an acutely inflamed gallbladder.
A Typical Recovery Timeline
- First few days: incision soreness and bloating that improve steadily; walking is encouraged from the first evening
- Showering: usually after 24 to 48 hours
- Diet: small, low-fat meals for the first week, then a gradual return to normal eating
- Desk work: often within three to seven days
- Lifting: usually limited to about 15 pounds for two weeks
- Normal diet and full activity: usually within two to four weeks
Recovery after open surgery takes longer, often four to six weeks. Follow-up is at the Katy office one to two weeks after surgery, and questions during recovery are welcome by phone. See our week-by-week recovery guide and foods to eat after gallbladder removal.
Before Surgery
- Follow the fasting and medication instructions in our pre-operative care guide
- Tell the team about blood thinners, diabetes medicines and supplements
- Arrange an adult driver for the day of surgery
- Plan a few days of light duty at home
- Stock easy, low-fat foods for the first week
Do not stop a prescription medicine unless your care team tells you to.
When to Call After Surgery
Call the office if you have a fever, worsening abdominal pain or swelling, yellow skin or eyes, vomiting that keeps you from eating or drinking, redness or drainage from an incision, or pain your medicine does not control. For trouble breathing, chest pain or another emergency, call 911. Our post-operative care guide has more detail.
Office Details
Visiting Our Katy Office
Our Katy office is at 410 W Grand Pkwy S, Suite 4D, Katy, TX 77494, on the Grand Parkway (State Highway 99). Gallbladder consultations, imaging review, pre-operative visits and follow-up appointments are all held here.
Prefer Sugar Land?
Dr. Shakir also sees gallbladder patients at 17510 W Grand Pkwy S, Suite 320, Sugar Land, TX 77479. You can choose whichever office is more convenient. See our Sugar Land gallbladder surgeon page or all locations.
Address and Hours
Surgical Associates of Southern Texas
410 W Grand Pkwy S, Suite 4D
Katy, TX 77494
Hours: Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Phone: 713-955-9191
Before You Arrive
Free surface parking is available at the building. Please arrive a few minutes early for your first visit, or fill out your patient forms ahead of time. More details are on our Katy office page.
Areas Served
Gallbladder Care for Patients Near Katy
The Katy office serves patients from Katy and nearby communities on the west side of Greater Houston. These are service areas, not separate offices; all Katy-area visits take place at 410 W Grand Pkwy S.
Katy, Cinco Ranch and Cross Creek Ranch
Patients from Katy, Cinco Ranch and Cross Creek Ranch can be seen at our Katy office for consultation, pre-operative care and follow-up.
Fulshear and Brookshire
Patients from Fulshear and Brookshire are seen at the Katy office. Learn more on our Fulshear patients page and gallbladder care for Richmond and Fulshear.
Richmond and Pecan Grove
Patients from Richmond and Pecan Grove can choose the Katy or Sugar Land office. See our Richmond patients page.
West Houston
There is no office inside Houston city limits. Patients from West Houston are seen in Katy or Sugar Land. See gallbladder care for Houston patients.
Patients also come to the Katy office from farther away, including Cypress and Sealy. See our Cypress patients page.
Coverage Questions
Insurance and Referrals for Katy Gallbladder Patients
The practice works with many major insurance plans, and our staff verifies your benefits before your visit. Coverage depends on your specific plan, so please call with your insurance card ready. Many plans let you schedule a surgical consultation without a referral, but some plans, such as many HMO plans, require one. Many plans also require prior authorization for gallbladder surgery, and our team helps coordinate it.
Information for specific carriers: Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna and UnitedHealthcare. For other plans, see our insurance information page and the list of accepted plans.
Why Choose Us
Why Katy Patients Choose Surgical Associates of Southern Texas for Gallbladder Surgery
Dr. Murtaza Shakir is board certified in General Surgery and Complex General Surgical Oncology, with fellowship training that included liver and bile duct surgery.
- Laparoscopic and robotic removal, open surgery when safer
- Training for inflamed gallbladders and bile duct stones
- Clinic visits in Katy, no drive into central Houston
- Honest advice: silent gallstones are usually watched
- Consultations in Katy and Sugar Land
Insurance Coverage
Insurance for Gallbladder Surgery in Katy
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 About Gallbladder Care in Katy
Where is the Katy gallbladder surgery office?
The office is at 410 W Grand Pkwy S, Suite 4D, Katy, TX 77494, on the Grand Parkway (State Highway 99). Call 713-955-9191 to schedule.
Do I need a referral to see a gallbladder surgeon in Katy?
Many insurance plans do not require a referral for a surgical consultation, but some HMO plans do. New patients are welcome with or without a referral, and our office can tell you what your plan needs.
Should I call the office or go to the ER for gallbladder pain?
Call the office for attacks that come and go or gallstones found on a scan. Go to the nearest emergency department or call 911 for pain lasting several hours, fever or chills, yellow skin or eyes, or vomiting that will not stop.
My gallstones were found by chance and I have no symptoms. Do I need surgery?
Usually not. Gallstones that cause no symptoms are generally watched. Dr. Shakir will explain the exceptions and which symptoms to watch for.
Does Dr. Shakir do robotic gallbladder surgery for Katy patients?
Yes. Both laparoscopic and robotic gallbladder removal are offered. The approach is chosen by the condition of your gallbladder and your health; robotic surgery is not automatically the better option.
Can I go home the same day?
Most patients do after uncomplicated minimally invasive surgery. An overnight stay is more likely after surgery for an acutely inflamed gallbladder.
How long is recovery after gallbladder removal?
Most patients go home the same day, return to desk work within about a week, and resume a normal diet and full activity within two to four weeks. See our recovery guide.
What are the risks of gallbladder surgery?
Gallbladder removal is generally safe, but risks include bleeding, infection, bile leakage and, rarely, injury to the common bile duct. Dr. Shakir reviews the risks that apply to you before surgery.
Can I get a second opinion about gallbladder surgery?
Yes. You can schedule a second-opinion consultation at the Katy office. Bring your imaging, blood tests and any notes from the surgeon you have already seen.
Does the practice accept my insurance?
The practice works with many major plans, including participating Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna and UnitedHealthcare plans. Coverage varies by plan, so call 713-955-9191 to verify before your visit.
Sources and references
- Definition & Facts for Gallstones, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)
- 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 in Katy
Have gallstones, repeated pain after meals, or been told to see a surgeon after an ER visit? Schedule an evaluation with Dr. Murtaza Shakir at our Katy office, 410 W Grand Pkwy S, Suite 4D. We serve Katy, Cinco Ranch, Cross Creek Ranch, Fulshear and Brookshire. Call 713-955-9191 or request a consultation online.
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