General Surgeon • Patient Education
Can One General Surgeon Treat Both Hernia and Gallbladder Problems?
It is not unusual to learn about two problems at once. A CT scan done for gallbladder pain mentions a small hernia, or a hernia evaluation turns up gallstones on the ultrasound. Patients often wonder whether they need two different specialists, and whether both problems can be fixed at the same time.
By the surgical team at Surgical Associates of Southern Texas · Updated September 30, 2026
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Hernia and gallstones at the same time?
Review both problems in one consultation with Dr. Murtaza Shakir, board-certified general surgeon. Call now, or send us your details and our team will call you back.
THE SHORT ANSWER
Yes. Hernia repair and gallbladder removal are both core operations for a general surgeon, so one surgeon can evaluate and treat both. Whether they are done in a single operation or separately depends on the hernia type, how urgent each problem is, and your overall health. A common example is repairing a small umbilical hernia during laparoscopic gallbladder removal.
Why Does One Surgeon Handle Both?
General surgery training covers the abdominal wall and the organs of the abdomen. Hernias involve the abdominal wall; the gallbladder is an abdominal organ. Board-certified general surgeons such as Dr. Murtaza Shakir perform both operations regularly, often with the same minimally invasive laparoscopic and robotic tools.
Seeing one surgeon means one consultation, one person who understands your whole abdomen, and a single plan for timing.
Can Both Be Done in the Same Operation?
Sometimes. Small umbilical hernias are frequently repaired during laparoscopic gallbladder removal, because one of the small incisions is often placed at the belly button. Other combinations depend on the details:
- Large ventral or incisional hernias may be better repaired separately, after the gallbladder is out
- An inflamed or infected gallbladder usually takes priority, and hernia repair with mesh may be postponed
- Groin hernias are in a different part of the abdomen and are often repaired as a separate procedure
Your surgeon weighs the benefits of one anesthesia and one recovery against the safest way to handle each problem.
Dealing With a Hernia and Gallstones?
Dr. Murtaza Shakir can review both at one consultation in Katy or Sugar Land.
Which Problem Is Treated First?
Generally the more urgent problem comes first. Repeated gallbladder attacks, cholecystitis or gallstone pancreatitis usually take priority over a stable, painless hernia. A hernia that is painful, growing or at risk of trapping bowel may move up the list. The plan is individual, and Dr. Shakir explains the reasoning at the consultation.
What Else Does a General Surgeon Treat?
Beyond hernias and gallbladder disease, general surgeons commonly treat appendicitis, skin lesions and cysts, hemorrhoids and reflux that needs surgery. Dr. Shakir is also board certified in Complex General Surgical Oncology and treats selected colon, liver and pancreatic cancers. See general surgery services.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a hernia and gallbladder be fixed at the same time?
In selected cases, yes, most often a small umbilical hernia repaired during laparoscopic gallbladder removal. Larger or separate hernias are often treated in a second operation.
Is recovery longer if both are done together?
It can be slightly longer, depending on the hernia repaired. Your surgeon will explain expected recovery for the combined plan.
Do I need two consultations?
No. One consultation with a general surgeon can cover both problems, as long as you bring any imaging and records related to each.
Will insurance cover both procedures?
Coverage depends on your plan and medical necessity. The practice accepts many major insurance plans, and the staff can help with authorization. Insurance information.
Key Takeaway
A single general surgeon can evaluate and treat both hernias and gallbladder disease. Whether they are combined into one operation depends on the hernia, the urgency of the gallbladder problem and your health.
Sources and Further Reading
- Hernia, MedlinePlus
- Gallbladder Diseases, MedlinePlus
- Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy, StatPearls (NCBI Bookshelf)
This article is general education, not personal medical advice. For severe abdominal pain, fever with abdominal pain, or yellowing of the skin or eyes, seek emergency care.
Meet the Surgeon
Dr. Murtaza Shakir is a board-certified General Surgeon and is board certified in Complex General Surgical Oncology. He earned his medical degree at Aga Khan University, completed General Surgery residency at Riverside Methodist Hospital in Columbus, Ohio, and a two-year Surgical Oncology fellowship at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. He sees patients at Surgical Associates of Southern Texas in Katy and Sugar Land.
Related Reading and Care
Request a Surgical Consultation
Bring your imaging and records and review both problems with Dr. Shakir in Katy or Sugar Land.
This page provides general information and is not a substitute for medical advice. For severe abdominal pain or other emergencies, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. Last updated September 30, 2026.