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Richmond General Surgery
General Surgeon Serving Richmond, TX
Hernia, Gallbladder, Cancer and General Surgery for Richmond Families, With Visits at Our Katy and Sugar Land Offices
Maybe your doctor felt a hernia at a checkup, an ultrasound showed gallstones, or a lump under the skin has started to grow. Each of these is a reason Richmond residents ask for a general surgeon. The first step is a consultation to learn what the problem is and whether surgery would help. Richmond patients are seen at our Katy and Sugar Land offices; there is no office in Richmond itself.
At Surgical Associates of Southern Texas, Dr. Murtaza Shakir is board certified by the American Board of Surgery in General Surgery and Complex General Surgical Oncology. He treats hernias, gallbladder disease, appendicitis, reflux, hemorrhoids, skin lumps, slow-healing wounds and several cancers, using open, laparoscopic and robotic surgery. This page explains which office may suit your part of Richmond, which services are available and how to book. New patients are welcome.
Meet the Surgeon
Dr. Murtaza Shakir, MD, general surgeon and surgical oncologist seeing Richmond patients in Katy and 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 lesion removal, wound care and cancer surgery with open, laparoscopic and robotic techniques
Patient Reviews
What Patients Say About Their Care
Rated 4.9 stars on Google. Real experiences from patients treated in Katy and Sugar Land.
Jump to a section
- At a glance
- Where Richmond patients are seen
- Services for Richmond patients
- What a general surgeon does
- When to see a surgeon
- Office visit or ER?
- Will I need surgery?
- Meet your surgeon
- Questions to ask
- Your consultation
- Surgical approaches
- Surgery and follow-up
- Insurance and referrals
- Patient reviews
- Why choose us
- Insurance
- Locations
- FAQs
- Schedule a consultation
At a Glance
Richmond General Surgery at a Glance
- Richmond office?
- No. Richmond patients are seen in Katy (410 W Grand Pkwy S, Suite 4D, Katy, TX 77494) or Sugar Land (17510 W Grand Pkwy S, Suite 320, Sugar Land, TX 77479).
- Which office
- North Richmond and Pecan Grove: Katy is often convenient. Central Richmond, Greatwood and Rosenberg: Sugar Land is often convenient. Either office is open to every patient.
- Hours and phone
- Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, at both offices. Call 713-955-9191.
- Your surgeon
- Dr. Murtaza Shakir, MD, board certified in General Surgery and Complex General Surgical Oncology.
- What is treated
- Hernias, gallbladder disease, appendicitis, reflux and hiatal hernia, hemorrhoids, skin lesions and cysts, slow-healing wounds, and breast, colon, liver, pancreatic and thyroid cancers.
- Surgical options
- Open, laparoscopic and robotic surgery, matched to your condition and health.
- How to start
- Call the office, request an appointment online, or bring a referral from your doctor or an emergency room. Some plans require a referral.
- Emergency signs
- Sudden severe belly pain, a hard or discolored hernia bulge that will not go back in, fever with abdominal pain, yellow skin or eyes, or repeated vomiting. Call 911 or go to the nearest ER.
Our Offices
Is There a General Surgeon Office in Richmond, TX?
No. Surgical Associates of Southern Texas does not have an office in Richmond, so Richmond patients see Dr. Shakir at our Katy or Sugar Land office. Both offices are on the Grand Parkway, and the same surgeon practices at each.
Where you live in the Richmond area may make one office a little easier to reach. That is only a guide. You can book whichever office suits your schedule, and your visits can stay at the office you choose.
Katy Office
410 W Grand Pkwy S, Suite 4D
Katy, TX 77494
Often convenient for patients in north Richmond and Pecan Grove.
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
Often convenient for patients in central Richmond, Greatwood and Rosenberg.
Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
713-955-9191
Directions to the Sugar Land office • Sugar Land office page
Live in Rosenberg or Fulshear? See our pages for Rosenberg and Fulshear patients, or view all locations.
Our Services
Which Surgical Services Can Richmond Patients Get?
Richmond patients can receive every service the practice offers, at either office. Each summary below links to a full page on symptoms, treatment and recovery.
Hernia Repair
Inguinal, umbilical, ventral, incisional and recurrent hernias, repaired with open, laparoscopic or robotic surgery when repair is advised. See hernia repair and our page on hernia and gallbladder surgery for Richmond and Fulshear patients.
Gallbladder Surgery
Evaluation of gallstones, gallbladder attacks and cholecystitis, and gallbladder removal, usually laparoscopic. See gallbladder surgery and laparoscopic gallbladder removal.
Appendicitis
Suspected appendicitis needs emergency care first. Dr. Shakir provides urgent surgical evaluation, appendectomy and follow-up. Read about appendicitis surgery.
Reflux and Hiatal Hernia
Surgery for heartburn and regurgitation (GERD) or a hiatal hernia when medicine and lifestyle changes no longer help. Read about reflux surgery.
Hemorrhoids
Assessment of bleeding, itching or swollen hemorrhoids, from simple home measures to procedures when needed. Read about hemorrhoid treatment.
Skin Lesions, Lipomas and Cysts
Removal of lumps that are growing, painful, infected or uncertain, with a biopsy when needed. Read about skin lesion, mass and cyst removal.
Wound Care
Care for wounds that are slow to heal, including diabetic and venous ulcers and surgical wounds that have not closed. Read about wound care.
Surgical Oncology
Cancer surgery from a surgeon board certified in Complex General Surgical Oncology, planned with your cancer care team. Read about surgical oncology.
Cancers Treated
For the full specialty overview, see general surgery services. Hernia and gallbladder problems are covered in detail on our hernia and gallbladder surgery for Richmond and Fulshear patients page.
The Specialty
What Does a General Surgeon Do?
A general surgeon diagnoses and treats conditions that may need an operation, especially problems of the abdomen. According to the American Board of Surgery, the specialty centers on diseases of the abdomen and also covers the digestive tract, breast, skin and soft tissue, and endocrine glands such as the thyroid.
In everyday practice, that includes hernias, gallbladder disease, appendicitis and reflux. It also includes lumps under the skin, hemorrhoids and wounds that are not healing. A general surgeon also decides when an operation is not the right answer.
Why Cancer Training Matters
Dr. Shakir is also board certified in Complex General Surgical Oncology, a specialty focused on the surgical care of cancer, including complex and uncommon cancers. He completed a two-year Surgical Oncology fellowship at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Learn more about the role of a surgical oncologist.
Reasons to Book
When Should You See a General Surgeon?
See a general surgeon when a symptom or test points to a problem that may need surgery, or when another doctor asks for a surgical opinion. Richmond patients usually arrive with either a finding that needs review or symptoms that keep coming back.
A Test or Doctor Sent You
- An ultrasound or CT scan found gallstones or a hernia
- An emergency room told you to follow up with a surgeon
- Your primary care doctor or gastroenterologist referred you
- A scan or mammogram showed a mass that needs evaluation
- A biopsy confirmed a cancer that may be treated with surgery
Symptoms Keep Coming Back
- A bulge in the groin, at the belly button or near an old scar
- Upper right belly pain after meals that may spread to the back or right shoulder
- Discomfort when you lift, cough or strain
- Heartburn or regurgitation despite medicine
- Bleeding, itching or a lump around the anus
- A lump under the skin that is growing, sore or keeps getting infected
- A sore or incision that has not healed after several weeks
These guides may help you decide: when is hernia surgery necessary?, gallbladder attack symptoms and choosing the right general surgeon.
Know Where to Go
Should You Call the Office or Go to the Emergency Room?
Call the office when a problem has developed over days, weeks or months and is not rapidly getting worse. Sudden, severe or worsening symptoms need an emergency room first. A hernia that aches after yard work, gallstones seen on an ultrasound or a slowly growing lump can wait for a planned visit; call 713-955-9191.
Our Katy and Sugar Land offices are surgical clinics, not emergency facilities. If an emergency room treats you and recommends a surgeon, call us after discharge and bring your discharge papers and imaging reports. See what to do after the ER finds gallstones.
Go to the ER or Call 911 If You Have
Do not wait for an office visit if you have sudden or worsening belly pain, a hard hernia bulge that will not go back in, pain moving to the lower right side, fever, yellow skin or eyes, or repeated vomiting. For a medical emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.
Surgery or Not
Will Seeing a Surgeon Lead to an Operation?
Not necessarily. A consultation is an evaluation, and many patients leave with a plan that does not involve surgery right away. Dr. Shakir recommends an operation when its likely benefit outweighs its risks for you.
- Hernias: an adult hernia does not heal by itself, but a small one with few symptoms can sometimes be watched.
- Gallstones: silent gallstones often need no treatment; stones that cause attacks or inflammation usually do.
- Reflux: most people improve with medicine and lifestyle changes, and surgery is an option when they do not.
- Hemorrhoids: many flare-ups settle with fiber, fluids and simple care.
- Skin lumps: many are harmless; changing or suspicious ones are removed or biopsied.
Found by Accident on a Scan?
Hernias and gallstones often show up on scans done for something else. Bring the report, and the images if you have them. Dr. Shakir compares the finding with your symptoms before advising treatment. See a CT scan showed a hernia and do gallstones always need surgery?
Your Surgeon
Meet Your General Surgeon
Murtaza Shakir, MD
Board-Certified General Surgeon & Surgical Oncologist
General surgery for Richmond patients at Surgical Associates of Southern Texas 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.
Be Prepared
What Should You Ask a General Surgeon?
A good consultation should leave you knowing what is wrong, what surgery would involve and what happens if you wait. Many Richmond patients find it helpful to bring a short written list. Dr. Shakir takes time to answer questions, and patients often mention in reviews that he explained their procedure in plain language. For more ideas, see top questions to ask your hernia surgeon.
Questions Worth Bringing
- Do I need surgery now, or can this be watched?
- Which approach do you recommend, open, laparoscopic or robotic, and why?
- Will you use mesh, and what kind?
- How long until I can drive, work and lift?
- What symptoms after surgery should make me call you?
- What will my insurance likely require before surgery?
What to Expect
What Happens at a General Surgery Consultation?
Your first visit is meant to give you a diagnosis, a recommendation and enough information to decide. It follows the same steps in Katy and Sugar Land.
What to Bring
- Photo ID and insurance card
- A referral, if your plan requires one
- CT, ultrasound or MRI reports, and discs if you have them
- Emergency room discharge papers, if you were recently seen
- Biopsy, colonoscopy or endoscopy reports
- A list of medicines, especially blood thinners
- Reports from earlier operations
You can fill out patient forms before your visit. Second-opinion consultations are welcome.
Your Story
Dr. Shakir asks about your symptoms, past operations, health conditions and medicines, then examines the area of concern.
Your Results
He reviews any imaging, blood work, endoscopy or biopsy reports you bring, and orders more testing only if it would change the plan.
Your Plan
You hear whether surgery is advised now, later or not at all, which approach fits, and what recovery may look like.
How Surgery Is Done
Open, Laparoscopic or Robotic Surgery: Which Is Right for You?
The right approach depends on your condition, your anatomy, any previous surgery and your overall health. Dr. Shakir performs all three, so the recommendation is based on what fits your situation rather than on one method.
Is Robotic Always the Better Choice?
No. Robotic and laparoscopic surgery share most of the same advantages over open surgery, such as smaller incisions. The goal is a safe, effective operation for you. Compare them in robotic vs open hernia repair and robotic vs laparoscopic gallbladder surgery.
If a Change Is Needed During Surgery
A minimally invasive operation is sometimes converted to an open one because of scar tissue, inflammation, bleeding or unclear anatomy. This is a safety step, and Dr. Shakir discusses the possibility with you beforehand.
| Feature | Open | Laparoscopic | Robotic |
|---|---|---|---|
| Incisions | Single incision over the problem area | A few small incisions | Minimally invasive approach |
| Instruments | Through the incision | Camera and slim instruments | Wristed instruments, magnified 3-D view |
| Common uses | Some hernias, emergencies, complex wall repairs | Gallbladder, groin hernias, appendix, reflux | Ventral, incisional and recurrent hernias |
| Recovery | Usually longer | Often same day for planned surgery | Often same day for planned surgery |
Typical patterns only. Dr. Shakir recommends an approach after your exam.
After You Decide
Where Is Surgery Done, and Where Is Follow-Up?
Where your procedure takes place depends on the operation and your insurance plan. Our staff tells you the location and how to prepare before surgery day. Your office visits before and after surgery take place in Katy or Sugar Land.
Recovery Basics
After many laparoscopic and robotic operations, people return to light activity within days. Larger and open operations take longer, and you receive written instructions for your procedure. Read our pre-operative care, post-operative care and Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) pages. Call us if you develop a fever, redness that spreads, drainage from an incision, or pain that your medicine does not relieve.
Office Procedures
Many smaller procedures, such as removing some skin lesions and cysts, can be done in the office with local anesthesia.
Same-Day Surgery
Many planned minimally invasive operations, including most gallbladder removals and many hernia repairs, allow patients to go home the same day.
Hospital Care
Cancer operations, complex hernia repairs and urgent surgery, such as for a ruptured appendix, may need a hospital stay of one or more days.
Coverage Questions
Insurance and Referrals for Richmond Patients
The practice accepts many major insurance plans, including participating Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna and UnitedHealthcare plans. Coverage depends on your specific plan, so please verify your benefits before surgery. Our staff helps you gather what your insurer needs for authorization. Some plans, often HMO plans, require a referral from your primary care doctor before a surgical visit.
Carrier pages: Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna and UnitedHealthcare. For other plans, see our insurance page.
Why Choose Us
Why Richmond Patients Choose Surgical Associates of Southern Texas
Dr. Murtaza Shakir is board certified in General Surgery and Complex General Surgical Oncology and sees Richmond patients at two offices on the Grand Parkway.
- Surgical Oncology fellowship at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center
- One practice for hernias, gallbladder, reflux, skin lumps and more
- Questions answered and the procedure explained before surgery
- Honest advice when watching and waiting is safe
- Consultations in Katy and Sugar Land
Insurance Coverage
Insurance for General Surgery
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 From Richmond Patients
Does Surgical Associates of Southern Texas have an office in Richmond?
No. Richmond patients see Dr. Murtaza Shakir at the Katy office (410 W Grand Pkwy S, Suite 4D, Katy, TX 77494) or the Sugar Land office (17510 W Grand Pkwy S, Suite 320, Sugar Land, TX 77479).
What conditions does a general surgeon treat?
General surgeons care for problems of the abdominal wall, digestive organs, skin and soft tissue that may need an operation. Common examples are hernias, gallbladder disease, appendicitis, reflux, hemorrhoids, skin lumps and slow-healing wounds.
Does Dr. Shakir perform cancer surgery?
Yes. Dr. Shakir’s second board certification is in Complex General Surgical Oncology. He operates on selected breast, colon and rectal, liver, pancreatic and thyroid cancers and plans treatment with your oncologists. See surgical oncology.
I think I have appendicitis. Should I book an appointment?
No. Suspected appendicitis needs emergency care, so go to the nearest emergency room or call 911. Dr. Shakir can see you for follow-up after the emergency visit.
When should I go to the ER instead of calling the office?
Go to the ER for sudden or severe belly pain, a hard or discolored hernia bulge that will not go back in, fever with abdominal pain, yellow skin or eyes, or repeated vomiting. Symptoms that come and go over weeks are usually best checked at an office visit.
If I see a surgeon, will I have to have surgery?
No. Many conditions are first managed with medicine, lifestyle changes or monitoring. Dr. Shakir recommends surgery only when he expects the benefit to outweigh the risk for you.
Does Dr. Shakir offer robotic surgery?
Yes. He performs open, laparoscopic and robotic surgery. Robotic surgery is often useful for ventral, incisional and recurrent hernias, but it is not automatically better, and the approach is chosen for your condition.
Can a lump or cyst be removed in the office?
Many small skin lesions and cysts can be removed in the office with local anesthesia. Larger or deeper lumps may need a procedure elsewhere. See skin lesions, masses and cysts.
Do I need a referral to see a general surgeon?
It depends on your insurance. Some plans, often HMO plans, require a referral from your primary care doctor. Our staff can help you check before your visit.
Will the office help with insurance authorization?
Yes. Our staff helps you gather what your insurer needs for authorization before surgery. Coverage depends on your plan, so please verify your benefits.
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 or discolored and will not go back in, heavy bleeding, or other emergencies, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. Last updated October 16, 2026.
Schedule a General Surgery Consultation
Richmond patients from Pecan Grove, Greatwood, Rosenberg and across Fort Bend County can meet Dr. Murtaza Shakir at our Katy or Sugar Land office about a pain, bulge, lump or scan finding. New patients are welcome. Call 713-955-9191, Monday to Friday, or request an appointment online.
Contact us now