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Sugar Land Hernia Care
Hernia Surgeon in Sugar Land, TX
Dr. Murtaza Shakir: Hernia Repair for Sugar Land and Fort Bend County
A bulge at the belly button, a groin ache that builds through the day, or a hernia spotted on a CT scan done for another reason are common reasons Sugar Land patients call us. You can have it checked by a board-certified surgeon without leaving Fort Bend County, at our office on the Grand Parkway.
Dr. Murtaza Shakir, board certified in General Surgery and Complex General Surgical Oncology, repairs groin, umbilical, ventral, incisional and recurrent hernias using open, laparoscopic and robotic techniques. This page covers the practical side of hernia care in Sugar Land: the office, the hernias treated, when to call us and when to go to the ER, and what your visit involves. The medical detail on each hernia type lives on our main hernia repair page and its supporting pages.
Meet the Surgeon
Dr. Murtaza Shakir, MD, general surgeon and hernia specialist in 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 open, laparoscopic and robotic repair of groin, umbilical, ventral, incisional and recurrent hernias
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
- Hernia care in Fort Bend
- Hernias treated in Sugar Land
- Call us or go to the ER?
- Repair now or wait?
- Meet your surgeon
- Your Sugar Land consultation
- Open, laparoscopic or robotic
- Surgery day and recovery
- Visiting the Sugar Land office
- Communities we serve
- Insurance and referrals
- Patient reviews
- Why choose us
- Insurance
- Locations
- FAQs
- Schedule a consultation
At a Glance
Sugar Land Hernia Care at a Glance
- Office
- 17510 W Grand Pkwy S, Suite 320, Sugar Land, TX 77479. Open the Sugar Land office in Google Maps.
- Hours and phone
- 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.
- Hernias treated
- Inguinal and femoral (groin), umbilical, ventral, incisional and recurrent hernias.
- Repair options
- Open, laparoscopic and robotic repair, chosen for your hernia, your health and any earlier surgery.
- Visits in Sugar Land
- Consultation, imaging review, pre-operative visit and follow-up. Surgery takes place at nearby hospitals and surgical centers.
- Communities served
- Sugar Land, Missouri City, Stafford, Richmond, Rosenberg and the rest of Fort Bend County.
- Go to the ER for
- A hernia that is suddenly painful, firm or discolored and will not go back in, especially with vomiting or fever. Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.
Local Hernia Care
Fort Bend County's Hernia Surgeon
Sugar Land patients can have a hernia diagnosed, planned and followed up by the same board-certified surgeon in their own county. Hernia care is rarely a single visit. It usually means a consultation, sometimes a scan, a pre-operative check, the operation itself and one or two follow-up appointments. Having every clinic visit at one Sugar Land office keeps that process simple.
Patients reach us in different ways. Many are referred by a primary care physician or gastroenterologist after a bulge is found on examination, or after a hernia shows up on a CT scan ordered for something else. Others come in on their own after weeks of groin aching or a belly button that has started to push out. Either way, the first visit has the same purpose: confirm the diagnosis and decide together whether, when and how to repair it.
Reasons Patients Book a Sugar Land Visit
- A new bulge in the groin, at the belly button or along the abdomen
- A hernia reported on an ultrasound or CT scan, with or without symptoms
- Groin pain or pressure that worsens with lifting, coughing or long hours on your feet
- A bulge along the scar from an earlier abdominal operation
- A hernia that has returned after a previous repair
- A referral from a Fort Bend County primary care doctor, gastroenterologist, urgent care or emergency department
- A second opinion before agreeing to surgery
Conditions Treated
Hernia Types Treated at the Sugar Land Office
Every common adult hernia can be evaluated and treated through the Sugar Land office. Each type has its own detailed page; the summaries below are deliberately brief. Not sure what you are feeling? Read about the warning signs of a hernia.
Inguinal Hernia
A bulge or ache in the groin that tends to worsen with standing and lifting. It can be repaired with an open, laparoscopic or robotic approach, and both sides can be fixed in one operation when needed. See inguinal hernia repair.
Umbilical Hernia
A bulge at or near the belly button, often after pregnancy or weight change. Small defects may be closed with stitches; larger ones are usually reinforced with mesh. See umbilical hernia repair.
Ventral and Incisional Hernia
A bulge through the front of the abdomen or at the site of an earlier incision. CT imaging often helps plan the repair, and mesh is usually placed within the layers of the abdominal wall. See ventral and incisional hernia repair.
Recurrent Hernia
A hernia that has come back after an earlier repair. Prior records are reviewed, and the new repair is often approached from a different tissue plane than the first. See recurrent hernia repair.
Femoral hernias, which sit just below the groin crease and are more common in women, are also evaluated and are usually repaired promptly. Many of these hernias can also be repaired robotically; see robotic hernia repair and robotic ventral hernia repair. For the full medical overview of every hernia type, visit our main hernia repair page.
Where to Go
Hernia Symptoms: Call Our Sugar Land Office or Go to the ER?
Call our office for a hernia that is uncomfortable but stable; go to the ER for one that is suddenly painful, stuck or discolored. Most hernias are not emergencies. A bulge that comes and goes, a dull ache, or discomfort mainly during activity can safely be evaluated at a scheduled Sugar Land appointment. Call 713-955-9191 to book a visit if:
- You see or feel a bulge in the groin, at the belly button or near a scar
- The bulge pushes out when you stand or strain and flattens when you lie down
- Your groin feels heavy, achy or burning after lifting or a long day
- A known hernia is slowly getting larger or more bothersome
- You have new pain or a bulge where a hernia was repaired before
- A scan or your doctor has found a hernia you did not know about
If the hernia is more tender than usual or harder to push back in, but you have none of the emergency signs below, mention it when you call so our staff can arrange the right timing. For more guidance, read when to worry about hernia pain and should I see a surgeon for hernia pain?
Signs of a Hernia Emergency
Get emergency care if a hernia becomes suddenly painful, firm or larger, will not go back in, or turns red or dark, especially with vomiting, fever, a swollen belly or no passing of gas or stool. For a medical emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.
Timing of Repair
Does Your Hernia Need Surgery Now?
Not always right away, but surgery is the only treatment that closes a hernia. An adult hernia does not heal on its own. For some men with a small groin hernia that causes few or no symptoms, careful watching is a safe option, with a clear list of changes that should prompt a call.
Repair is usually advised when a hernia hurts, grows, is hard to push back in or gets in the way of work or exercise. Groin hernias in women and femoral hernias are generally repaired once found, because they carry a higher risk of becoming trapped. A hernia found on a CT scan without symptoms is not automatically an operation; Dr. Shakir examines you and explains which path makes sense. Read more in my CT scan showed a hernia: do I need surgery? and when is hernia surgery necessary?
Your Surgeon
Meet Your Sugar Land Hernia Surgeon
Murtaza Shakir, MD
Board-Certified General Surgeon & Surgical Oncologist
Hernia care at our Sugar Land 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 to Expect at a Hernia Consultation in Sugar Land
Most Sugar Land hernia consultations take 30 to 45 minutes and end with a diagnosis and a plan. Dr. Shakir takes a history, examines you, reviews any scans and talks through your options before you leave. The visit typically covers:
- An examination of the groin and abdominal wall while you stand and lie down
- A check of both sides when the hernia is in the groin
- Review of any ultrasound or CT you already have, or arranging one locally if needed
- Whether to repair the hernia now or watch it
- Which technique, open, laparoscopic or robotic, fits your hernia, and why
- Whether mesh will be used and what kind
- Anesthesia, same-day discharge and where the operation will take place
- A recovery timeline matched to your job and activities
- Insurance verification and scheduling help before you leave
What to Bring to Your Visit
- A photo ID and your insurance card
- A referral, if your plan requires one
- Your medication list, including blood thinners and supplements, and any allergies
- Reports or discs from earlier ultrasound or CT scans
- Operative notes from any previous hernia or abdominal surgery
Loose, comfortable clothing makes the examination easier. You can complete new patient paperwork in advance from our patient forms page, and our list of questions to ask your hernia surgeon can help you prepare.
Second Opinions and Repeat Hernias
Patients who have been told elsewhere that they need hernia surgery, or whose hernia has returned after a repair, are welcome to book a second-opinion visit. Bring your earlier operative reports and imaging so Dr. Shakir can see exactly what was done and plan from there.
Repair Options
Open, Laparoscopic, or Robotic for Sugar Land Patients
Dr. Shakir performs all three techniques, so the choice rests on your hernia rather than on the tools available. Hernia type and size, previous abdominal surgery, overall health and your return-to-work goals all shape the recommendation. The full comparison is on our main hernia repair page; here is the short version.
The Mesh Decision
Most adult hernia repairs use mesh, because reinforcing the weak area lowers the chance of the hernia coming back. Repair with stitches alone remains reasonable for some small hernias. You will know before surgery whether mesh is planned, what type, and where it will sit. To compare approaches in more depth, read laparoscopic versus open hernia repair and robotic versus open hernia repair.
| Feature | Open | Laparoscopic | Robotic |
|---|---|---|---|
| Incisions | One incision over the hernia | A few small incisions | Small incisions |
| Tools and view | Direct repair through one incision | Camera and slim instruments | Wristed instruments, magnified 3-D view |
| Mesh | Usually used | Placed behind the abdominal wall | Placed within the wall |
| Often chosen for | First-time one-sided groin or small umbilical | Both groins, or recurrence after open repair | Ventral, incisional and complex hernias |
Typical patterns only. Dr. Shakir recommends an approach after your exam.
Surgery and Recovery
Surgery Day and Recovery for Sugar Land Patients
Your office visits stay in Sugar Land, and the operation is performed at a nearby hospital or surgical center selected according to your insurance and the type of repair. Nearly all hernia operations are outpatient, so most patients go home the same day. Larger abdominal wall repairs may call for a short hospital stay.
How Recovery Usually Goes
- First days: soreness that eases day by day; walking starts on the day of surgery
- Office or desk work: often about one week
- Physical work: usually two to four weeks, and longer after a large ventral or incisional repair
- Heavy lifting: usually restricted for four to six weeks after most repairs
Your own timeline depends on the hernia, the technique and what your work involves. A work note with restrictions is provided when you need one. For detail, see our hernia recovery timeline, time off work after hernia surgery and when you can work out again.
Our patient guide to hernias and hernia surgery answers 20 common questions.
Preparing and Following Up
Follow our pre-operative instructions for fasting and medicines, and our post-operative care guide once you are home. Your post-operative check takes place at the Sugar Land office. Call 713-955-9191 if you develop a fever, spreading redness or drainage at an incision, or pain that your medicine does not control.
Office Details
Visiting Our Sugar Land Office
Our Sugar Land office is at 17510 W Grand Pkwy S, Suite 320, Sugar Land, TX 77479, on the Grand Parkway (State Highway 99). Hernia consultations, imaging review, pre-operative visits and follow-up appointments are all held here.
Closer to Katy?
Dr. Shakir also sees hernia patients at 410 W Grand Pkwy S, Suite 4D, Katy, TX 77494. You are welcome to use whichever office is easier for you. See our Katy hernia surgeon page or all locations.
Address, Hours and Phone
Surgical Associates of Southern Texas
17510 W Grand Pkwy S, Suite 320
Sugar Land, TX 77479
Hours: Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Phone: 713-955-9191
On the Day of Your Visit
Free parking is available at the building. Plan to arrive a few minutes early for a first visit, or complete your patient forms ahead of time. Information on all the services offered at this location is on our Sugar Land office page.
Areas Served
Hernia Care Across Fort Bend County
The Sugar Land office serves patients from Sugar Land and the surrounding Fort Bend County communities. These are the areas we serve, not separate offices; every Sugar Land visit takes place at 17510 W Grand Pkwy S.
Sugar Land
Sugar Land residents can complete every clinic step, from first consultation to final follow-up, at the Suite 320 office. For other general surgery needs, see our general surgeon in Sugar Land and gallbladder surgeon in Sugar Land pages.
Missouri City and Stafford
Patients from Missouri City and Stafford are seen at the Sugar Land office for hernia evaluation, pre-operative care and follow-up.
Richmond and Rosenberg
Patients from Richmond and Rosenberg can be seen in Sugar Land or, if it suits them better, at our Katy office. See our Richmond and Rosenberg patient pages and hernia care for Richmond and Fulshear.
Elsewhere in Fort Bend and Houston
Patients from across Fort Bend County are welcome. There is no office inside Houston city limits, so Houston patients are seen in Sugar Land or Katy. See hernia care for Houston patients.
Coverage Questions
Insurance and Referrals for Sugar Land Hernia Patients
The practice works with many major insurance plans, and our staff checks your benefits before your visit. Because coverage varies from plan to plan, please have your insurance card ready when you call. Many plans allow you to book a surgical consultation directly, while some, including many HMO plans, need a referral from your primary care doctor first.
Carrier-specific information: Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna and UnitedHealthcare. For other plans and general coverage questions, see our insurance information page and the list of accepted plans.
Why Choose Us
Why Choose Surgical Associates of Southern Texas for Hernia Repair in Sugar Land?
Dr. Murtaza Shakir is board certified in General Surgery and Complex General Surgical Oncology and treats routine and recurrent hernias for patients across Fort Bend County.
- Open, laparoscopic and robotic repair, matched to your hernia
- Consultation, imaging review and follow-up stay in Sugar Land
- Second opinions welcome, including hernias that came back
- Return-to-work plans matched to your daily activities
- Consultations in Katy and Sugar Land
Insurance Coverage
Insurance for Hernia Surgery in Sugar Land
Surgical Associates of Southern Texas accepts many major insurance plans for hernia 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 Hernia Care in Sugar Land
Where is the Sugar Land hernia office?
The office is at 17510 W Grand Pkwy S, Suite 320, Sugar Land, TX 77479, on the Grand Parkway (State Highway 99). Call 713-955-9191 to schedule, or open it in Google Maps.
When is hernia pain an emergency rather than an office visit?
Call the office for a bulge that comes and goes or a dull ache. Go to the nearest emergency department or call 911 for a hernia that is suddenly painful, firm or discolored and will not go back in, especially with vomiting or fever.
A CT scan showed a hernia, but I have no symptoms. Do I need surgery?
Not necessarily. Some small, painless hernias can be watched safely. Dr. Shakir will examine you and explain whether observation or repair is the better choice for you.
Can I have robotic hernia surgery as a Sugar Land patient?
Yes. Robotic, laparoscopic and open repair are all offered. The recommendation depends on your hernia, any previous surgery and your overall health.
How quickly can I get an appointment?
New patients are usually seen within a few days. If your hernia has become more painful or harder to push back in, tell our staff when you call; if you have emergency signs, go to the nearest emergency department.
Do I need a referral to see a hernia surgeon in Sugar Land?
Often not, although some plans, including many HMO plans, require one. Our office checks your benefits before your visit and can tell you what your plan needs.
How long will I be off work after hernia repair?
Desk work often resumes in about a week, and physical work in two to four weeks, longer after large ventral or incisional repairs. A work note with restrictions is provided.
Do you repair hernias that came back after surgery elsewhere?
Yes. Bring the operative report from your earlier repair, plus any scans, to the visit. Learn more about recurrent hernia repair.
Can women be treated for groin hernias at the Sugar Land office?
Yes. Groin hernias are less common in women and can be harder to diagnose, and they are usually repaired once found because of a higher risk of becoming trapped. Read about inguinal hernia symptoms in women.
Does the practice accept my insurance?
Many major plans are accepted, 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, or see our insurance information.
Sources and references
- Hernia, MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine
- Inguinal Hernia, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)
- Adult Inguinal and Femoral Groin Hernia Repair, American College of Surgeons
- Inguinal Hernia Repair Surgery: Patient Information, Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES)
- Ventral Hernia Repair Surgery: Patient Information, Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES)
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 a hernia that is suddenly painful, firm or discolored and will not go back in, severe abdominal pain, or other emergencies, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. Last updated October 16, 2026.
Schedule a Hernia Consultation in Sugar Land
Have a groin or abdominal bulge, pain with lifting, or a hernia found on a scan? Schedule an evaluation with Dr. Murtaza Shakir at our Sugar Land office, 17510 W Grand Pkwy S, Suite 320. We serve Sugar Land, Missouri City, Stafford, Richmond and Rosenberg. Call 713-955-9191 or request a consultation online.
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