Katy General Surgery
Board Certified General Surgeon in Katy, TX
Hernia, Gallbladder and General Surgery on the Grand Parkway, With One Surgeon From First Visit to Follow-Up
A bulge that will not go away, gallbladder attacks after meals, reflux that medicine no longer controls, a lump under the skin or a new cancer diagnosis can all raise the same question: do I need a surgeon? If you live in or near Katy, you can get that answer close to home, and you do not need to know which operation you might need before your first visit.
Surgical Associates of Southern Texas has a full-service general surgery office at 410 W Grand Pkwy S, Suite 4D, Katy, TX 77494. Dr. Murtaza Shakir, board certified in General Surgery and Complex General Surgical Oncology, evaluates and treats hernias, gallbladder disease, appendicitis, reflux, hemorrhoids, skin lesions, slow-healing wounds and cancers that may need surgery. Our goal is skilled surgical care that is minimally invasive whenever possible, so you can recover and get back to your life.
Meet the Surgeon
Dr. Murtaza Shakir, MD, board-certified general surgeon and surgical oncologist 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 hernia repair, gallbladder removal, reflux surgery, skin and soft tissue procedures, and cancer surgery, using open, laparoscopic and robotic techniques
Patient Reviews
What Patients Say About 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 general surgeon in Katy
- What the Katy office treats
- General surgeon or ER?
- Referred or sent from the ER?
- Will I need surgery?
- Meet your surgeon
- Your first visit in Katy
- Open, laparoscopic and robotic
- Surgery and follow-up
- Cancer surgery consultations
- Visiting the Katy office
- Communities we serve
- Insurance and referrals
- Patient reviews
- Why choose us
- Insurance
- Locations
- FAQs
- Schedule a consultation
At a Glance
The Katy Office at a Glance
- Office
- 410 W Grand Pkwy S, Suite 4D, Katy, TX 77494. Get directions to the Katy office.
- 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 by the American Board of Surgery in General Surgery and Complex General Surgical Oncology.
- Conditions treated
- Hernias, gallbladder disease, appendicitis follow-up, reflux and hiatal hernia, hemorrhoids, skin lesions and cysts, slow-healing wounds, and cancers that may need surgery.
- Surgical approaches
- Open, laparoscopic and robotic surgery, with minimally invasive surgery used whenever it is safe and appropriate.
- New patients
- Welcome, with or without a referral. Some insurance plans, often HMO plans, require one.
- Communities served
- Katy, Cinco Ranch, Cross Creek Ranch, Fulshear, Brookshire, Pecan Grove and West Houston.
- Go to the ER for
- Severe or worsening abdominal pain, suspected appendicitis, a hernia that is hard and will not go back in, or fever with yellow skin or eyes. Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.
Your Katy Surgeon
Looking for a General Surgeon in Katy?
Katy patients can see board-certified general surgeon Dr. Murtaza Shakir at our office on the Grand Parkway. The Katy office handles new-patient consultations, second opinions, pre-operative planning and follow-up visits for hernia repair, gallbladder removal and other general surgery, with the same surgeon at every visit.
Many patients come after a referral from a primary care doctor or gastroenterologist. Others arrive after an emergency room or urgent care visit, or after a scan found something that needs a surgeon’s opinion. Some simply call because a symptom has not gone away. The first visit is about finding out what is wrong and what, if anything, needs to be done.
What a General Surgeon Does
A general surgeon diagnoses and operates on conditions of the abdomen and digestive tract, the abdominal wall, the skin and soft tissue, the breast and the hormone-producing glands. Common examples are hernias, gallstones, appendicitis and colon cancer. Dr. Shakir is also board certified in Complex General Surgical Oncology, the specialty focused on the surgical care of cancer. Read more about general surgery and choosing the right general surgeon.
Services in Katy
What Does the Katy Office Treat?
The Katy office offers the same general surgery services as our Sugar Land office. Each card links to a full page with symptoms, treatment options and recovery details.
Hernia Repair
Inguinal, umbilical, ventral, incisional and recurrent hernias, repaired with open, laparoscopic or robotic surgery. Katy patients can start with our hernia surgeon in Katy page or the full hernia repair guide.
Gallbladder Surgery
Evaluation of gallstones and gallbladder attacks, and minimally invasive gallbladder removal. See our gallbladder surgeon in Katy page or the full gallbladder surgery guide.
Appendicitis
Suspected appendicitis needs same-day emergency care. Treatment is usually removal of the appendix, most often laparoscopically, with follow-up at the office. Learn about appendicitis and appendix removal.
Reflux and Hiatal Hernia
Surgical options for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) that persists despite medicine and lifestyle changes. Learn about reflux surgery.
Hemorrhoids
Evaluation of bleeding, itching or bulging hemorrhoids, from home care to office procedures and surgery when needed. Rectal bleeding should always be checked. Learn about hemorrhoid treatment.
Skin Lesions, Lipomas and Cysts
Removal of lumps under the skin that are growing, painful, infected or uncertain, with a biopsy when cancer is a concern. Learn about skin lesion, mass and cyst removal.
Wound Care
Care for slow-healing wounds, including diabetic foot ulcers, venous leg ulcers, pressure sores and surgical wounds that are not closing. Learn about wound care.
Surgical Oncology
Cancer surgery from a surgeon board certified in Complex General Surgical Oncology, planned together with your oncology team. Learn about surgical oncology.
Cancer Conditions
Surgical evaluation of breast cancer, colon and rectal cancer, liver cancer, pancreatic cancer and thyroid and parathyroid cancer.
Not sure which page fits your symptoms? Start with our general surgery overview or the full list of services, or simply call 713-955-9191 and describe what is going on.
Where to Go
When to See a General Surgeon and When to Go to the ER
Book an office visit when a problem may need surgery but is not getting rapidly worse. Most surgical conditions are found this way: a symptom that lingers, a lump you can feel or a test result your doctor wants a surgeon to review. Call the Katy office if you have:
- A bulge in the groin, at the belly button or near an old scar
- Repeated pain in the upper right abdomen after meals, or gallstones found on an ultrasound
- Heartburn or regurgitation that keeps returning despite medicine
- Bleeding, itching or a lump around the anus
- A lump under the skin that is growing, painful or keeps getting infected
- A wound, sore or incision that is not healing
- A scan, biopsy or screening test that shows a mass or possible cancer
- Instructions from an ER or urgent care to follow up with a surgeon
If symptoms are worse than usual but you have none of the emergency signs below, mention it when you call so our staff can advise you.
Go to the Emergency Room Instead If You Have
Go to the ER instead for severe or worsening belly pain, pain moving to the lower right abdomen, a hard hernia bulge that will not go back in, fever, yellow skin or eyes, repeated vomiting, or chest pain. For a medical emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.
Next Steps
Referred by Your Doctor or Told to Follow Up After the ER?
Call the Katy office as soon as you are referred, and tell our staff who sent you and why. A referral from your primary care doctor, gastroenterologist, oncologist or another specialist usually comes with notes and results that help Dr. Shakir prepare. If your plan requires a written referral, ask the referring office to send it before your visit.
If you were treated in a Katy-area emergency room or urgent care, keep your discharge papers; they usually list the diagnosis, the scans performed and how soon to see a surgeon. If your pain returns or worsens before your appointment, go back to the emergency department rather than waiting.
Records That Help at Your First Visit
- ER or urgent care discharge papers
- Ultrasound, CT or MRI reports, and discs if you have them
- Endoscopy, colonoscopy, biopsy and pathology reports
- Recent blood test results
- Operative reports from any previous abdominal surgery
Related reading: the ER found gallstones, what next?, my CT scan showed a hernia and symptoms of acute cholecystitis.
Possible Outcomes
Does Seeing a General Surgeon Mean You Need Surgery?
No. A consultation is not a commitment to an operation. Dr. Shakir explains what he finds, whether surgery is recommended, and what the alternatives are. Most visits end in one of four ways.
Watch and Recheck
Some problems are safe to monitor, such as a small groin hernia with few symptoms, gallstones that cause no symptoms, or a harmless lipoma. You leave with clear signs to watch for and a plan for when to return.
Treatment Without Surgery
Many conditions improve first with other care. Most hemorrhoids settle with fiber, fluids and home treatment, and most reflux is managed with medicine and lifestyle changes before surgery is considered.
More Testing
An ultrasound, CT scan, endoscopy or biopsy may be needed to confirm the diagnosis or plan treatment. Dr. Shakir explains why each test is ordered and how the result could change the plan.
A Plan for Surgery
When an operation is the best option, you discuss the approach, the risks, where it will be done and what recovery looks like. Some problems, such as appendicitis, usually need prompt surgery.
You are welcome to bring a family member and to take time before deciding. Condition-specific answers: when is hernia surgery necessary?, do gallstones always need surgery? and when to consider surgery for acid reflux.
Your Surgeon
Meet Your Katy General Surgeon
Murtaza Shakir, MD
Board-Certified General Surgeon & Surgical Oncologist
General surgery 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
- Hernia repair
- Robotic surgery
- Laparoscopic surgery
- Complex abdominal surgery
- Gallbladder surgery
- Surgical oncology
Named a Houstonia Top Doctor in General Surgery (2026). Learn more about our general surgery services.
What to Expect
What Happens at a General Surgery Consultation in Katy?
Your first visit focuses on a diagnosis and a clear next step. Here is how a typical consultation at the Katy office unfolds.
Second Opinions
If another surgeon has already recommended an operation, you can schedule a second-opinion visit in Katy. Bring your imaging, reports and visit notes so Dr. Shakir can review them before he examines you. Our list of patient resources answers other common scheduling questions.
1. Before You Arrive
Our staff verifies your insurance benefits and lets you know whether your plan needs a referral. You can complete your patient forms ahead of time to shorten check-in.
2. Your Story and Examination
Dr. Shakir asks about your symptoms, medical history, medicines and previous operations, then examines you. Heart and lung conditions, diabetes and blood thinners are part of the picture.
3. Reviewing Your Results
He reviews your imaging, lab work and outside reports with you. If something is missing, he explains which test is needed and why.
4. A Plan You Understand
You leave knowing the likely diagnosis, the options, and what happens next. If surgery is planned, our staff helps schedule it and books your pre-operative and follow-up visits in Katy.
Surgical Approaches
Open, Laparoscopic and Robotic Surgery for Katy Patients
Katy patients have access to open, laparoscopic and robotic surgery, and the approach is matched to the problem rather than the other way around. Minimally invasive surgery is used whenever it is safe and appropriate, because smaller incisions usually mean less pain and a quicker return to normal activity. Open surgery remains the right choice for some operations.
How the Approach Is Chosen
The recommendation depends on your diagnosis, any previous abdominal surgery, your overall health and how urgently treatment is needed. Dr. Shakir explains why he favors one approach and whether a minimally invasive operation might need to be converted to open surgery.
| Feature | Open | Laparoscopic | Robotic-Assisted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Incisions | One incision | Several small incisions | Minimally invasive approach |
| View | Direct view and reach | Thin camera | Enlarged 3-D view |
| Instruments | Reached directly through the incision | Narrow instruments | Controlled by Dr. Shakir from a console |
| Common uses | Complex hernias, emergencies, skin procedures | Gallbladder, appendix, many hernias, reflux | Hernia repair and gallbladder surgery |
Typical patterns only. Dr. Shakir recommends an approach after your exam.
Care Pathway
Where Is Surgery Done, and Which Visits Happen in Katy?
Your clinic visits take place in Katy, and operations are performed at nearby hospitals and surgical centers chosen for the type of procedure and your insurance. Where your care happens depends on the size of the procedure.
Before and After Your Operation
Your pre-operative visit and post-operative checks are held at the Katy office. Our guides to pre-operative care, post-operative care, pain management and enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) explain how to prepare and recover. Call the office for fever, spreading redness or drainage from an incision, or pain your medicine does not control.
In the Office
Some smaller procedures, such as removing certain skin lesions and cysts, can be done with local anesthesia during an office visit. You go home right afterward.
Outpatient Surgery
Many minimally invasive operations, including most hernia repairs and many gallbladder removals, are outpatient. Most patients go home the same day.
Hospital Stay
Larger or urgent operations, such as cancer surgery, complex abdominal wall repairs or surgery for a ruptured appendix, may need one or more nights in the hospital.
Cancer Care
Cancer Surgery Consultations Close to Home
Patients with a suspicious scan, a new cancer diagnosis or a mass that needs a biopsy can be evaluated in Katy by a surgeon board certified in Complex General Surgical Oncology. That certification requires an accredited surgical oncology fellowship; Dr. Shakir completed his two-year fellowship at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.
Cancer treatment is usually a team effort. Dr. Shakir reviews your imaging and pathology, explains whether and when surgery should be part of your plan, and coordinates with your other cancer doctors. Read more in what a surgical oncologist does.
Office Details
Visiting Our Katy Office
Our Katy office is at 410 W Grand Pkwy S, Suite 4D, Katy, TX 77494. All general surgery consultations, second opinions, pre-operative visits and follow-up appointments for Katy-area patients take place here.
Prefer Sugar Land?
The Katy and Sugar Land offices are part of the same practice, with the same surgeon and services. Our Sugar Land office is at 17510 W Grand Pkwy S, Suite 320, Sugar Land, TX 77479. See our Sugar Land general surgeon page or all locations.
Address, Hours and Phone
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
Planning Your Visit
Free surface parking is available at the building. Please arrive a few minutes early for a first visit, or complete your patient forms ahead of time. Wear clothing that allows an easy examination of the area of concern.
Areas Served
General Surgery 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; 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 complete every clinic visit of their surgical care at the Katy office.
Fulshear and Brookshire
Patients from Fulshear and Brookshire are seen at the Katy office. See our general surgeon for Fulshear patients page and hernia and gallbladder care for Richmond and Fulshear.
Pecan Grove
Patients from Pecan Grove can choose the Katy or Sugar Land office, whichever suits their schedule. See our Richmond-area patients page.
West Houston
There is no office inside Houston city limits. Patients from West Houston are seen in Katy or Sugar Land. See our general surgeon for Houston patients page.
Coverage Questions
Insurance and Referrals for Katy General Surgery Patients
Katy patients with many major insurance plans, including participating Aetna, Cigna, UnitedHealthcare and Blue Cross Blue Shield plans, can schedule general surgery consultations at our Katy office. Insurance participation varies by individual plan, so please contact the office and your insurer to confirm network status and benefits before treatment. Some plans, often HMO plans, require a referral from your primary care doctor before a specialist visit.
Carrier information: Aetna, Cigna, UnitedHealthcare and Blue Cross Blue Shield. For other plans, see our insurance information page and the list of accepted plans. Don’t see your plan? Contact our office to verify it.
Why Choose Us
Why Katy Patients Choose Surgical Associates of Southern Texas
Dr. Murtaza Shakir is board certified in General Surgery and Complex General Surgical Oncology and completed a Surgical Oncology fellowship at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.
- The same surgeon from consultation through every follow-up
- Open, laparoscopic and robotic surgery offered
- Smaller incisions whenever safe and appropriate
- Each step explained before any procedure
- Consultations in Katy and Sugar Land
Insurance Coverage
Insurance for General Surgery in Katy
Surgical Associates of Southern Texas accepts many major insurance plans for general surgery consultations and procedures, 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 Our Katy Office
Where is the general surgeon office in Katy?
Surgical Associates of Southern Texas is at 410 W Grand Pkwy S, Suite 4D, Katy, TX 77494. Call 713-955-9191 to schedule.
Do I need a referral to see a general surgeon in Katy?
Not always. Many patients come with a referral, but some insurance plans, often HMO plans, require one before a specialist visit. Check your plan or ask our staff when you call.
What does a general surgeon treat?
A general surgeon treats conditions of the abdomen, digestive tract, abdominal wall, skin and soft tissue, breast and hormone-producing glands. At our Katy office that includes hernias, gallbladder disease, reflux, hemorrhoids, skin lumps, slow-healing wounds and cancers that may need surgery.
What is the difference between a general surgeon and a surgical oncologist?
A surgical oncologist is a surgeon with additional fellowship training and certification in cancer surgery. Dr. Shakir is board certified in both General Surgery and Complex General Surgical Oncology, so he treats both everyday surgical problems and cancers that may need surgery.
Should I call the office or go to the ER for abdominal pain?
Call the office for pain that comes and goes, a lump you can feel, or a test result that needs a surgeon’s review. Go to the nearest emergency department or call 911 for severe or worsening pain, pain with fever or repeated vomiting, a rigid belly, or yellow skin or eyes.
I think I have appendicitis. Should I make an appointment?
No. Suspected appendicitis needs same-day emergency care, so go to the nearest emergency department or call 911. After treatment, you can call our office to arrange follow-up.
Does seeing a surgeon mean I will need an operation?
No. Many visits end with watchful waiting, treatment without surgery or more testing. Dr. Shakir recommends an operation only when its benefits outweigh its risks for you.
Can I have hernia or gallbladder surgery if I live in Katy?
Yes. Dr. Shakir evaluates Katy patients at the Katy office and schedules surgery at a nearby hospital or surgical center if it is recommended. Pre-operative and follow-up visits also take place in Katy. See our Katy hernia and Katy gallbladder pages.
Can a lump, cyst or lipoma be removed in the office?
Often, yes. Many smaller skin lesions and cysts can be removed with local anesthesia during an office visit. Larger or deeper lumps may need a procedure in an operating room, and anything suspicious is sent for a biopsy.
Does the practice accept my insurance?
The practice works with many major plans, including participating Aetna, Cigna, UnitedHealthcare and Blue Cross Blue Shield plans. Coverage varies by plan, so call 713-955-9191 to verify before your visit.
Sources and references
- Specialty Definitions: General Surgery and Complex General Surgical Oncology, American Board of Surgery (ABS)
- Surgeon Qualifications and Certifications, American College of Surgeons (ACS)
- Abdominal Pain, MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine
- Robotic Surgery, MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine
- Healthy Sooner: Patient Information on Minimally Invasive Surgery, 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 severe or worsening abdominal pain, suspected appendicitis, a hernia that will not go back in, or other emergencies, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. Last updated October 16, 2026.
Schedule a General Surgery Appointment in Katy
Meet Dr. Murtaza Shakir at our Katy office, 410 W Grand Pkwy S, Suite 4D, about a hernia, a gallbladder problem or another surgical concern. We serve Katy, Cinco Ranch, Cross Creek Ranch, Fulshear, Brookshire and Pecan Grove. Call 713-955-9191, Monday to Friday, or request an appointment online.
Contact us now