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Sugar Land General Surgery
Board Certified General Surgeon in Sugar Land, TX
Surgical Care for Sugar Land and Fort Bend County
Pain under the right ribs after a meal, a bulge that appears when you stand, a lump that keeps growing, or a scan report that mentions a mass can leave you unsure which doctor to call. For many of these problems the answer is a general surgeon. In Fort Bend County, you can see one close to home, and you do not need to know which operation you might need before your first visit.
Our Sugar Land office at 17510 W Grand Pkwy S, Suite 320 brings board-certified general surgery to families across Fort Bend County. Dr. Murtaza Shakir, board certified in General Surgery and Complex General Surgical Oncology, diagnoses and treats hernias, gallbladder disease, appendicitis, reflux, hemorrhoids, soft tissue lumps, slow-healing wounds and selected cancers. He uses minimally invasive techniques whenever they are appropriate. New patients are welcome.
Meet the Surgeon
Dr. Murtaza Shakir, MD, board-certified general surgeon and surgical oncologist 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 hernia repair, gallbladder removal, appendectomy, reflux surgery, skin and soft tissue procedures, wound care and cancer surgery, using open, laparoscopic and robotic techniques
Patient Reviews
What Patients Say About Their Care 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
- Your Sugar Land surgeon
- Services in Sugar Land
- Office or ER?
- Getting an appointment
- Will I need surgery?
- Meet your surgeon
- Your first visit
- Open, laparoscopic, robotic
- Cancer surgery
- Surgery and follow-up
- Visiting the office
- Communities served
- Insurance and referrals
- Patient reviews
- Why choose us
- Insurance
- Locations
- FAQs
- Schedule a consultation
At a Glance
Sugar Land General Surgery at a Glance
- Office
- 17510 W Grand Pkwy S, Suite 320, Sugar Land, TX 77479. See the Sugar Land office on 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 by the American Board of Surgery in General Surgery and Complex General Surgical Oncology.
- Conditions treated
- Hernias, gallstones and gallbladder disease, appendicitis, reflux and hiatal hernia, hemorrhoids, skin lesions, lipomas and cysts, slow-healing wounds, and breast, colon and rectal, liver, pancreatic and thyroid cancers.
- Surgical approaches
- Open, laparoscopic and robotic surgery, with minimally invasive techniques used whenever they are appropriate.
- New patients
- Welcome. Call directly or ask your doctor to refer you; some insurance plans require a referral first.
- Communities served
- Sugar Land, Richmond, Rosenberg, Stafford, Missouri City and the rest of Fort Bend County.
- Go to the ER for
- Sudden or severe abdominal pain, a hernia that turns hard and painful and will not go back in, fever with belly pain, or yellow skin or eyes. Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.
Your Local Surgeon
Who Is the General Surgeon at Our Sugar Land Office?
Dr. Murtaza Shakir is the general surgeon who sees patients at our Sugar Land office, 17510 W Grand Pkwy S, Suite 320. He is certified by the American Board of Surgery in General Surgery and in Complex General Surgical Oncology. He completed a two-year Surgical Oncology fellowship at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC).
The Sugar Land office is a full general surgery office, not a clinic for a single condition. Consultations, second opinions, pre-operative visits and follow-up care for every service the practice offers can take place here. Our Katy office has the same surgeon, services and scheduling team, so you can use whichever office is easier for you.
What General Surgery Covers
General surgery is broader than many people expect. The American Board of Surgery describes it as focused on diseases of the abdomen and digestive tract, along with the endocrine glands, breast and skin. Day to day, that means hernias, gallbladder disease, appendicitis, reflux, hemorrhoids and lumps under the skin. For a full overview, see our general surgery page.
Why Cancer Training Matters for Everyday Surgery
Dual certification matters for routine operations too. Dr. Shakir’s oncology fellowship at UPMC trained him in complex abdominal operations, and that experience carries over to common procedures such as hernia repair and gallbladder removal.
Our Services
Which Surgical Services Are Offered in Sugar Land?
Every general surgery service the practice offers is available to Sugar Land patients. Each card below is a short summary. Follow its link for symptoms, treatment options and recovery details.
Hernia Repair
Groin, belly button, ventral, incisional and recurrent hernias, repaired with open, laparoscopic or robotic surgery. Start with our Sugar Land hernia surgeon page or the main hernia repair page.
Gallbladder Surgery
Gallstones, gallbladder attacks and an inflamed gallbladder (cholecystitis), usually treated with minimally invasive gallbladder removal. See our Sugar Land gallbladder surgeon page or the main gallbladder surgery page.
Appendicitis
Surgical evaluation and appendectomy, most often done laparoscopically, plus follow-up after an emergency visit. Suspected appendicitis needs the ER first. Read about appendicitis and appendix removal.
Reflux and Hiatal Hernia
Surgical evaluation for heartburn and regurgitation that medicine and lifestyle changes have not controlled. Read about reflux surgery and how fundoplication works.
Hemorrhoids
Treatment options when hemorrhoids keep bleeding, swelling or hurting despite home care. Rectal bleeding should always be checked. Read about hemorrhoid treatment.
Skin Lesions, Lipomas and Cysts
Removal of lipomas, cysts and skin lesions that are growing, painful, infected or need a diagnosis. Read about lesion, mass and cyst removal.
Wound Care
Care for wounds that are slow to heal, including diabetic and venous ulcers and surgical incisions that have not closed. Read about wound care.
Surgical Oncology
Cancer surgery, planned with your oncology team, by a surgeon board certified in Complex General Surgical Oncology. Read about surgical oncology.
Cancer Pages by Type
Not sure which fits? Browse all services or call 713-955-9191.
Know Where to Go
Should You Call Our Sugar Land Office or Go to the ER?
Call our office for problems that have developed over days, weeks or months. Go to the emergency room for symptoms that are sudden, severe or getting worse quickly. Our Sugar Land office is a surgical clinic for scheduled visits, not an emergency facility.
Good reasons to book an office visit include:
- A bulge in the groin, at the belly button or along an old scar
- Repeated pain in the upper right abdomen after meals
- Gallstones, a hernia or a mass mentioned on a scan report
- Heartburn that keeps returning despite medicine
- A lump under the skin that is growing or painful
Go to the Emergency Room Now If You Have
Go to the emergency room for worsening belly pain, a hernia bulge that turns firm or dark and will not go back in, pain moving to the lower right side, fever, yellow skin or eyes, or blood in vomit or stool. For a medical emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.
Helpful reading: when to worry about hernia pain, appendicitis warning signs and gallbladder attack symptoms.
New Patients
How Do You Get an Appointment in Sugar Land?
Call 713-955-9191 to book directly, or ask your doctor to refer you. Many Sugar Land patients are referred by a primary care doctor or gastroenterologist, and some come after an emergency room visit found a hernia or gallstones.
Appointment availability varies. If your doctor or the ER asked you to be seen within a certain time, say so when you call so our team can prioritize accordingly. Some insurance plans require a referral before a specialist visit, and our staff can help you check your plan before you come in.
If Your Doctor Referred You
Ask the referring office to send its notes, lab results and imaging reports before your visit, along with any written referral your plan requires.
If You Were Seen in an Emergency Room
Keep your discharge papers. They usually list the diagnosis, the scans that were done and how soon you should see a surgeon. If your pain returns or worsens before your appointment, go back to the emergency room rather than waiting. Read what to do after the ER finds gallstones.
If You Want a Second Opinion
Bring the imaging, reports and visit notes from the surgeon you have already seen. Dr. Shakir reviews them, examines you and explains whether he agrees with the plan or sees other options.
Surgery or Not
Will Your Sugar Land Visit End in Surgery?
Not necessarily. A consultation is an evaluation, and many patients leave with a plan that does not include an operation, at least not yet. Surgery is recommended when its expected benefit outweighs its risks for you.
Dr. Shakir weighs several questions before making a recommendation:
- How much is the problem affecting you? Ongoing pain, missed work and repeated ER visits change the balance.
- What could happen if you wait? Some conditions stay stable for years, while others tend to cause complications.
- Is the diagnosis certain? If not, more testing comes first.
- How ready is your body for surgery? Heart and lung conditions, diabetes and blood thinners all matter.
- What matters to you? Your priorities and timing are part of the decision.
When Waiting Can Be Reasonable
Gallstones found by chance that cause no symptoms often need no treatment. A small hernia with few symptoms may be watched, although adult hernias do not heal on their own. Most hemorrhoids and most reflux improve first with non-surgical care, and many skin lumps are harmless. Read do gallstones always need surgery? and do hernias go away on their own?
When Surgery Usually Should Not Wait
Appendicitis, an inflamed gallbladder, a hernia that has become trapped, and a cancer that can be removed generally need timely surgery. Dr. Shakir explains the timing that fits your diagnosis and why.
Your Surgeon
Meet Your Sugar Land General Surgeon
Murtaza Shakir, MD
Board-Certified General Surgeon & Surgical Oncologist
General surgery 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 Happens at Your First Visit in Sugar Land?
Your first visit is built around two goals: a likely diagnosis and a clear next step. Most consultations follow the same pattern.
What to Bring
- Photo ID and your insurance card
- A referral, if your plan requires one
- CT, ultrasound or MRI reports, and discs if you have them, including any from an ER visit
- Endoscopy, colonoscopy, biopsy or pathology reports
- A list of your medicines, especially blood thinners
- Operative reports from any earlier surgery
- The questions you want answered before deciding
Our patient resources answer common questions about visits and scheduling.
Before the Visit
Our staff checks your insurance benefits and whether your plan needs a referral. Completing your patient forms ahead of time shortens check-in.
With Dr. Shakir
He asks about your symptoms, health history, medicines and past operations, examines you, and goes over any imaging, lab or biopsy reports with you.
Before You Leave
You know the likely diagnosis, your options and the next step. If surgery is planned, our staff helps schedule it along with your pre-operative and follow-up visits.
Surgical Approaches
Open, Laparoscopic or Robotic Surgery: Which Is Right for You?
The right approach is the one that lets your operation be done safely and well. It depends on your condition, your anatomy, any earlier surgery and your overall health. Dr. Shakir performs all three and uses minimally invasive techniques whenever they are appropriate.
Is Newer Always Better?
No. Robotic and laparoscopic surgery share most of their advantages over open surgery, such as smaller incisions and, for many patients, less pain and a quicker return to normal activity. Neither is automatically better than the other. Compare them in robotic vs open hernia repair and robotic vs laparoscopic gallbladder surgery.
Why a Plan Can Change During Surgery
A minimally invasive operation sometimes has to be finished as an open operation because of scar tissue, inflammation, bleeding or unclear anatomy. That is a safety decision, and Dr. Shakir discusses the possibility with you beforehand.
| Feature | Open | Laparoscopic | Robotic-Assisted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Incisions | Single incision, direct access | A few small incisions | Minimally invasive approach |
| Instruments | Through the incision | Thin camera and narrow instruments | Wristed instruments, magnified 3-D view |
| Common uses | Complex hernias, emergencies, skin procedures | Gallbladder, appendix, groin hernia, reflux | Selected hernia repairs and other operations |
| Recovery | Usually longer | Often outpatient, same day | Often outpatient, same day |
Typical patterns only. Dr. Shakir recommends an approach after your exam.
Cancer Care
Can You See a Cancer Surgeon in Sugar Land?
Yes. Dr. Shakir is board certified in Complex General Surgical Oncology and sees patients with colon, rectal, liver and pancreatic cancer, as well as breast and thyroid cancer, at the Sugar Land office. The American Board of Surgery describes this specialty as caring for patients with cancer, especially rare, unusual or complex cancers.
Cancer treatment is a team effort. Dr. Shakir reviews your imaging and pathology, explains whether and when surgery belongs in your plan, and works with your other cancer doctors.
Learn More About Cancer Surgery
Read about breast cancer, colon and rectal cancer, liver cancer, pancreatic cancer and thyroid and parathyroid cancer. You can also read what a surgical oncologist does and how a liver tumor differs from a cyst.
Care Pathway
Where Is Surgery Done, and Which Visits Stay in Sugar Land?
Your clinic visits, including the consultation, the pre-operative visit and follow-up checks, take place at the Sugar Land office. Operations are performed at nearby hospitals and surgical centers chosen for the type of procedure and your insurance. Our staff tells you where before surgery day.
Recovering at Home
Recovery depends on the operation. After many minimally invasive procedures, people resume light activity within days; larger operations take longer. You receive written instructions for your procedure. Our pre-operative care, post-operative care and Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) pages explain each stage.
Call the office if you develop a fever, spreading redness or drainage at an incision, or pain that your medicine does not control.
Office Procedures
Some smaller procedures, such as removing certain skin lesions and cysts, can be done under local anesthesia during an office visit. You go home right afterward.
Same-Day Surgery
Many minimally invasive operations, including many hernia repairs and planned gallbladder removals, are outpatient. Patients often go home the same day.
Hospital Stay
Larger or urgent operations, such as cancer surgery, complex abdominal wall repair or surgery for a ruptured appendix, may need one or more nights in the hospital.
Office Details
Visiting Our Sugar Land Office
Our Sugar Land office is at 17510 W Grand Pkwy S, Suite 320, Sugar Land, TX 77479. It is open Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and 713-955-9191 reaches the scheduling team for both offices.
Prefer Katy?
Our Katy office at 410 W Grand Pkwy S, Suite 4D, Katy, TX 77494 has the same surgeon, services and scheduling team. Book whichever office suits your schedule. See our Katy general 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
Before You Come In
New patients are welcome. If you can, complete your patient forms before you arrive, and bring your insurance card and any outside records. For coverage questions, see our insurance information.
Areas Served
General Surgery for Fort Bend County Communities
The Sugar Land office serves Sugar Land and neighboring Fort Bend County communities. These are service areas, not separate offices; every Sugar Land visit takes place at 17510 W Grand Pkwy S, Suite 320.
Sugar Land
Sugar Land residents can complete every clinic visit at one local office. See our hernia surgeon and gallbladder surgeon pages for Sugar Land.
Stafford and Missouri City
The practice does not have offices in Stafford or Missouri City. Patients from both cities are seen at the Sugar Land office for evaluation, surgical planning and follow-up.
Richmond and Rosenberg
Patients from Richmond and Rosenberg can choose Sugar Land or Katy. See our Richmond and Rosenberg patient pages, or hernia and gallbladder care for Richmond and Fulshear.
Across Fort Bend County
Patients from anywhere in Fort Bend County are welcome at either office. There is no office inside Houston city limits, so Houston patients are also seen in Sugar Land or Katy; see general surgery for Houston patients.
Coverage Questions
Insurance and Referrals for Sugar Land Patients
The practice accepts many major insurance plans, including participating Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna and UnitedHealthcare plans. Insurance participation varies by individual plan, so please check network status and benefits with our office and your insurer before treatment. If you do not see your plan listed, contact our office to verify it.
Referral rules also depend on your plan. Many plans let you book a surgical consultation directly, while others, often HMO plans, require a referral from your primary care doctor first. Carrier information: Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna and UnitedHealthcare. For other plans, see our insurance page and the list of accepted plans.
Why Choose Us
Why Fort Bend County 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.
- Consultation, pre-op and follow-up at one Fort Bend office
- The same surgeon at every visit
- Open, laparoscopic and robotic surgery, matched to your condition
- Each step explained, with questions answered before and after surgery
- Consultations in Katy and Sugar Land
Insurance Coverage
Insurance for General Surgery in Sugar Land
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 Sugar Land Office
Where is the general surgeon office in Sugar Land?
Surgical Associates of Southern Texas is at 17510 W Grand Pkwy S, Suite 320, Sugar Land, TX 77479. Call 713-955-9191 for appointments, or open the office in Google Maps.
Do I need a referral to see a general surgeon in Sugar Land?
It depends on your insurance. You can call to book directly, but some plans, often HMO plans, require a referral from your primary care doctor. Our staff can help you check your plan.
What does a general surgeon treat?
A general surgeon treats conditions of the abdomen and digestive tract, the abdominal wall, and the skin and soft tissue. Common examples are hernias, gallbladder disease, appendicitis, reflux, hemorrhoids and skin lumps. Dr. Shakir also provides surgical care for several cancers.
Does the Sugar Land office treat hernias and gallstones?
Yes. Hernia repair and gallbladder removal are among the most common reasons patients see Dr. Shakir in Sugar Land. See our hernia surgeon and gallbladder surgeon pages for Sugar Land.
Is a surgical oncologist available in Sugar Land?
Yes. Dr. Shakir is board certified in Complex General Surgical Oncology and sees patients with colon, rectal, liver and pancreatic cancer, among others, at the Sugar Land office. Learn more about surgical oncology.
Should I call the office or go to the ER for belly pain?
Go to the ER for sudden, severe or worsening abdominal pain, especially with fever, vomiting, a rigid belly or a hard hernia bulge. Pain that comes and goes over weeks, such as after meals, is usually best checked at a scheduled office visit.
The ER told me to follow up with a surgeon. What should I do?
Call 713-955-9191 after you are discharged and bring your ER paperwork and imaging reports to the visit. If your symptoms return or get worse before then, go back to the emergency room.
Does seeing a surgeon mean I will need an operation?
No. A consultation is an evaluation. Many patients are treated without surgery, have more tests first or are safely watched, and you can take time to decide.
Is robotic surgery available for Sugar Land patients?
Yes. Dr. Shakir performs open, laparoscopic and robotic surgery. Robotic surgery is not automatically better, so he recommends the approach that suits your condition and history.
Which insurance plans are accepted?
The practice accepts many major insurance plans, including participating Aetna, Cigna, UnitedHealthcare and Blue Cross Blue Shield plans. Participation varies by plan, so please verify your plan before treatment.
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
- When to Use the Emergency Room: Adult, MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine
- Healthy Sooner: Patient Information for 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 sudden or severe abdominal pain, a hernia that is hard and will not go back in, fever with belly pain, yellow skin or eyes, or other emergencies, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. Last updated October 16, 2026.
Schedule a General Surgery Consultation in Sugar Land
Meet Dr. Murtaza Shakir at our Sugar Land office, 17510 W Grand Pkwy S, Suite 320, for a hernia, gallbladder or other surgical evaluation. We serve Sugar Land, Stafford, Missouri City, Richmond and Rosenberg, and new patients are welcome. Call 713-955-9191 or request a consultation online.
Contact us now