Gallbladder Surgery • Houston • Katy • Sugar Land
Gallbladder Surgeon Serving Houston, TX
Gallstones, Gallbladder Attacks & Minimally Invasive Removal
If gallstones or repeated gallbladder attacks have sent you to the ER or kept you from eating normally, Dr. Murtaza Shakir can evaluate you and remove the gallbladder when surgery is the right answer. He is a board-certified general surgeon at Surgical Associates of Southern Texas and performs most gallbladder removals laparoscopically, with robotic surgery available in selected cases.
Houston patients are seen at our Katy and Sugar Land offices on the Grand Parkway.
Double Board Certified
American Board of Surgery: General Surgery and Complex General Surgical Oncology.
Fellowship Trained
Two-year Surgical Oncology fellowship at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC).
Houstonia Top Doctor
Recognized by Houstonia Magazine among Houston’s top general surgeons.
Katy & Sugar Land Offices
Two offices on the Grand Parkway serving Greater Houston.
What Kind of Surgeon Performs Gallbladder Removal?
A general surgeon typically performs gallbladder removal, also called cholecystectomy. Most planned gallbladder removals are done with minimally invasive laparoscopic techniques through a few small incisions, and robotic surgery is used in selected cases depending on the clinical situation.
A gastroenterologist or your primary care doctor may diagnose gallstones first, and many patients are referred to Dr. Shakir from Houston-area emergency rooms after an attack.
Return to the ER Right Away If You Have
- Fever or chills with abdominal pain
- Yellowing of the skin or the whites of the eyes
- Pain in the upper right or middle abdomen lasting more than a few hours
- Repeated vomiting or inability to keep fluids down
- Dark urine or pale, clay-colored stools
I Went to the ER and They Found Gallstones. What Now?
If the ER sent you home, the usual next step is an appointment with a general surgeon within the next few days to weeks. Gallstones that have already caused an attack are likely to cause more, and repeated attacks raise the risk of inflammation, infection and pancreatitis.
Bring your discharge paperwork, lab results and ultrasound or CT report. Read the full guide. Dr. Shakir will confirm whether the gallbladder is the source of your pain and, if so, discuss timing for removal.
Do Gallstones Always Need Surgery?
No. Gallstones found by chance that never cause symptoms usually do not need removal. Surgery is typically recommended when the gallbladder is causing problems.
Recurring Attacks
Episodes of upper right or mid-abdominal pain, often after meals, that can spread to the back or right shoulder.
Cholecystitis
Inflammation or infection of the gallbladder, which often requires surgery during or soon after the hospital stay.
Gallstone Pancreatitis
When a stone irritates the pancreas, the gallbladder is usually removed to prevent a repeat episode.
Bile Duct Stones
Stones that slip into the common bile duct may need an additional procedure before or alongside surgery.
Poorly Functioning Gallbladder
Typical gallbladder pain without stones, with a HIDA scan showing poor emptying, sometimes called biliary dyskinesia.
Polyps
Larger or growing gallbladder polyps may be removed along with the gallbladder as a precaution.
What Happens During Laparoscopic Gallbladder Removal?
Laparoscopic cholecystectomy removes the gallbladder through several small incisions using a camera and slender instruments. It is performed under general anesthesia and often takes about an hour, though timing varies with inflammation and anatomy.
Many patients go home the same day. In a small number of cases, severe inflammation or scarring requires converting to an open operation for safety. Robotic surgery offers another minimally invasive option in selected patients. Laparoscopic removal • Robotic gallbladder surgery
What Is Recovery Like After Gallbladder Removal?
Most people feel noticeably better within the first week and return to normal routines within about one to two weeks after laparoscopic surgery. Dr. Shakir gives you instructions tailored to your operation and job.
Eating Again
Most patients resume a normal diet gradually. Some notice looser stools after fatty meals for a few weeks. Recovery details
Activity
Walking starts the day of surgery. Heavier lifting is limited briefly while the small incisions heal.
Life Without a Gallbladder
Bile flows directly from the liver to the intestine, and the vast majority of people live normally without a gallbladder.
Meet Your Gallbladder Surgeon
Dr. Murtaza Shakir is a double board-certified general surgeon and surgical oncologist who performs laparoscopic and robotic gallbladder surgery for patients across Greater Houston.
- American Board of Surgery certification in General Surgery and Complex General Surgical Oncology
- General Surgery residency at Riverside Methodist Hospital, Columbus, Ohio
- Surgical Oncology fellowship at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center
- Recognized by Houstonia Magazine among Houston’s top general surgeons
Where Are Houston Gallbladder Patients Seen?
Houston patients are seen at the practice’s Katy or Sugar Land office, both on the Grand Parkway. There is no office inside Houston city limits.
Katy Office
410 W Grand Pkwy S, Suite 4D
Katy, TX 77494
Convenient for patients from West Houston, Cinco Ranch, Fulshear and Cypress.
Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
(713) 955-9191
Sugar Land Office
17510 W Grand Pkwy S, Suite 320
Sugar Land, TX 77479
Convenient for patients from Southwest Houston, Stafford, Missouri City and Richmond.
Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
(713) 955-9191
Many Major Insurance Plans Accepted
We accept patients with many major insurance plans, including participating Aetna, Cigna, UnitedHealthcare and Blue Cross Blue Shield plans.
AetnaCignaUnitedHealthcareBlue Cross Blue ShieldOther Insurance Plans Accepted
What Gallbladder Patients Say
★★★★★
“I had severe pain and was in the ER 5 times in 2 months with no definitive diagnosis. Dr. Shakir looked at my various test results and realized my gall bladder needed to come out. Once he removed it I felt so much better.”
Rick Rogers · Gallbladder surgery
★★★★★
“My gastroenterologist referred me to Dr Shakir as an option for my gallbladder removal, and I’m so glad he did… He did the robotic laparoscopic removal and the incisions look amazing.”
Lydia Dennis · Robotic gallbladder removal
★★★★★
“I have been experiencing excruciating pain on and off for the last 6 months. I was diagnosed with gallstones… he removed my gallbladder and I haven’t had any issues since.”
Kristin Stoever · Gallbladder surgery
Gallbladder Questions From Houston Patients
Is there a gallbladder surgeon near me in Houston?
Dr. Murtaza Shakir, a board-certified general surgeon, evaluates Houston patients for gallbladder surgery at Surgical Associates of Southern Texas in Katy and Sugar Land. The practice has no office inside Houston city limits.
Can gallbladder pain go away on its own?
A single gallbladder attack often settles within a few hours, but gallstones that have caused symptoms tend to cause more attacks. Pain that lasts longer than several hours or comes with fever or jaundice needs urgent medical care.
How long should I wait for surgery after a gallbladder attack?
It depends on how severe the attack was. Inflamed gallbladders are often removed during the same hospital stay, while patients with uncomplicated attacks are usually scheduled electively after a consultation. Dr. Shakir will advise on timing for your situation.
Is robotic gallbladder surgery better than laparoscopic surgery?
Both are minimally invasive and both remove the gallbladder through small incisions. Laparoscopic surgery is the standard approach for most patients, and robotic surgery may be chosen in selected cases.
Can I live normally without a gallbladder?
Yes. The liver continues to make bile, which flows directly into the intestine. Most people have no long-term problems, although some notice changes in digestion after fatty meals, usually temporary.
Does insurance cover gallbladder removal?
Coverage depends on your plan, medical necessity and authorization rules. The practice accepts many major insurance plans, including participating Aetna, Cigna, UnitedHealthcare and Blue Cross Blue Shield plans. Verify your insurance
Can the same surgeon also treat a hernia?
Yes. Dr. Shakir treats both gallbladder disease and hernias, and patients sometimes discuss both problems at the same consultation. Hernia care for Houston patients
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Request a Gallbladder Consultation
Bring your ER records or imaging and meet Dr. Shakir in Katy or Sugar Land to find out whether gallbladder removal is right for you.
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.