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Southwest Surgical Associates is celebrating 30 years. Learn more.
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Southwest Surgical Associates

A Private Medical Practice & Colorectal Surgeons serving the Greater Houston area with locations in Southwest Houston, Sugar Land, Katy, Memorial City, Downtown, Pearland, and Cypress

Southwest Surgical Associates Celebrates 30 Years

 
The last 30 years have been filled with growth, expansion, and challenges that have been met! The physicians of Southwest Surgical Associates are dedicated to providing the Houston and surrounding communities with the high-quality and compassionate care for which they are known. All SWSA surgeons are Board Certified by the American College of Surgeons, and they pride themselves on offering state-of-the art surgical techniques that are minimally invasive to allow for recovery in the shortest time possible.
 
Founded in 1993, Dr. John Fisher and his then partner Dr. Kleinman joined Dr. Tasdemiroghu “Dr. Tas” and Dr. Henry Holle to create Southwest Surgical Associates. Although the others have retired, one founding partner, Dr. Fisher, is still in practice with the group today. The group was named Southwest Surgical Associates since the main office was located at Memorial Hermann Southwest Hospital where Dr. Holle had served as the Chief of Staff for many years.
 
The group expanded to six surgeons in 1995 with the addition of Dr. Robert Hillery (still practicing) and Dr. Wayne Matzelle (retired 2008).
 
Between 1997 and 2001, the group would grow to 10 surgeons with the addition of Dr. Thomas Wylie Moore in 1997 (retired 2019), Dr. Guillermo Ponce de Leon in 1998, Dr. Charles Aramburo in 2000, and Dr. Michael Todd Wood in 2001. The Methodist Sugar Land clinic would also open in 1998. The surgeons had privileges at MH Southwest, Methodist Sugar Land, and Fort Bend Medical Center during this time.
 
In 2006, Dr. Holle retired and Dr. Kelly Dempsey was brought in to take over his practice which was comprised primarily of breast patients. Dr. Dempsey would be the first female surgeon brought into the group and she would successfully lead The Breast Center of Fort Bend which would later be rebranded as The Breast Center of Southwest Surgical Associates. Also in 2006, Fort Bend Medical Center closed, and Memorial Hermann Sugar Land Hospital opened, giving SWSA an opportunity for a new clinic at MH Sugar Land.
 
In 2009, the group saw a need for general surgeons in Katy and Dr. Buckminster Farrow was recruited to spearhead that expansion.  The Katy market grew quickly and resulted in the recruitment of three surgeons in 2010; general surgeons Dr. Joey Bluhm and Dr. Rick Ngo along with Dr. Liz Lee who would specialize in breast surgery. A clinic at Memorial Hermann Memorial City Hospital would also open in 2010.
 
2014 was another busy recruitment year when we added Dr. Anne Le, the first dedicated colorectal surgeon to the group. Dr. Arlene Ricardo also joined the group as a breast surgeon after being in solo practice for many years. And Dr. W. Clay Albrecht was added support the general surgery team along I-10.
 
With the news that Memorial Hermann would be building a new hospital in the Pearland area, the group recruited Dr. Eddie Lambert in 2015 to expand into that market. Dr. Lucrecia Trabanino Sta. Ana returned to Houston in 2015 and became the dedicated colorectal surgeon along I-10.
 
2016 was yet another year in which we added three surgeons and expanded into a new market for the group… Downtown Houston. Drs. E. Leon Etter, Amanda Garza, and Adrienne Floyd had existing practices at St. Joseph Medical Center, but they joined the SWSA fold and expanded their own practices into the Pearland area.
 
2017 brought two new general surgery associates; Dr. Robert Shirley who would concentrate his practice in the Sugar Land and Richmond/Rosenburg areas and Dr. Shakir who would help support the I-10 team. And as Memorial Hermann opened their new facility in Cypress in 2017, Drs. Bluhm and Sta. Ana added clinic time there to expand their practices to that market.
 
Dr. John Abdelsayed joined the group in 2020 to support the surgeons along the 59 corridor. Despite starting during “Covid Year” he quickly became busy and made a great addition to the group.
 
In 2022, Dr. Megan Bowen joined the general surgery team along I-10 and is the newest addition to the SWSA Family.
 
“Experienced, compassionate, and innovative” aptly describe the team at Southwest Surgical Associates, who after 30 years continue to pursue their mission of improving each person’s quality of life by offering the highest level of surgical care in the state. 
 
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Michael T. Wood, MD, FACS
Managing Partner
Improving the quality of life of our community by offering the highest-level surgical care in Texas
On behalf of the 20 physicians of Southwest Surgical Associates, I want to welcome you to our practice! Providing better health through surgical excellence is the foundation of Southwest Surgical Associates. For over 25 years, we have provided the advanced, compassionate surgical care that has helped thousands in the Houston and surrounding area live longer, healthier, happier lives. Our experience includes a variety of surgical methods such as minimally invasive laparoscopic techniques that let us screen, diagnose and treat many health disorders with smaller incisions for a faster, less painful recovery. Again, we thank you for the opportunity to participate in your care.
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9
Convenient Clinics
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13
Hospitals Served
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18
Surgeons
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29
Years in Practice
Our mission at Southwest Surgical Associates is to improve the quality of life of our community by offering the highest-level surgical care in Texas.
We recognize that every patient has a unique situation for which we provide exceptional care and treatment that is as individualized as they are.

✔ At Southwest Surgical you will experience warm, caring smiles at the front desk and nurses
✔ We believe that the best surgical care is obtained through the relationship and collaboration of patients, staff, and physicians.
We Value Your Family's Health & Your Time
If you’ve ever felt that medical care has become too much about business and not enough about you, you’ve probably never visited Southwest Surgical Associates. Here, you’ll be surrounded by compassion and attentiveness from the moment you enter. At Southwest Surgical you will experience warm, caring smiles at the front desk and nurses who call you by name and treat you like family. Moments like these will make you realize that old-fashioned, personalized medical care isn’t gone; it’s right here… along with today’s state-of-the-art treatment methods.
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Accepted Insurance

Below is a summary listing of the plans with which one or all of the physicians of Southwest Surgical Associates participate. Although SWSA makes every effort to be in-network as a group with the majority of the insurance plans, not all SWSA physicians are in-network at this time. 
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Post Op Instructions

The most common post-operative issues are discussed in the instructions below. If you do not see post-operative instructions for your surgical procedure or if you have questions that are not addressed in the post-operative instructions, please contact our office.
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Financial Forms

Making financial arrangements for your medical care can be daunting for those without insurance coverage. The business office personnel at Southwest Surgical Associates can assist you with making a payment plan or other financial arrangements. 
"Can I just say ``MAGNANIMOUS`` describes this beam of light sent to us during this time of vulnerability/ignorance and feeling of defeat. I am in awe of her bedside manner, knowledge and patience. YOU'RE AMAZING."
Verified Patient
"He is a great doctor for me. He is straight forward and down to earth. He performed my Gastric Sleeve and was amazing. I don’t need to be babied just get the job done and efficiently and he got it done. His staff works hard getting everything done and is very busy because he is a good doc. Just need to be patient and they will get everything done you need."
Verified Patient
"Dr. Shirley removed metal from my shin on my right leg, Perfect outcome. Another Dr. had attempted this surgery and failed. Highly recommend."
Verified Patient
"Dr Wood took a lot of time to explain my problem and what I can expect. He was very proffessional. He is also very personable and explained my problem in a way I could understand. I highly recommend him."
Verified Patient
“Dr. Lambert is a very dedicated, professional, and highly skilled surgeon. He listens to my concerns before the surgery, and took care of me during the process.”
Verified Patient
“Dr. Albrecht is a great surgeon with a wonderful bedside manner. He took the time to explain my procedure and answer my questions. I never felt rushed in his office. I am two weeks post-surgery (laparoscopic cholecystectomy) and doing great! Recovery has been quick and without any complications. So grateful that I chose Dr. Albrecht as my surgeon!”
Verified Patient
"I will HIGHLY recommend Dr. Garza she’s the sweetest she answered all my concerns was patient and gentle. She helped me out a lot. Her staff is also wonderful the lady’s in the front were very nice to me and assisted me well. Her nurse assistant as well very helpful and very nice I give them all 10 stars if I could! They took their time to assist me. I will be coming back and recommending y’all’s office!"
Verified Patient
"I had a pleasant experience with Dr. Aramburo. He explained my procedure easily and was caring enough to make sure I understood how everything was going to go. On the day of the surgery, he double-checked to make sure I didn’t have any additional questions and made sure I was as comfortable as possible."
Verified Patient
"I was referred to Dr. Farrow for a recent surgery. Dr. Farrow is a kind doctor who answered my many questions and took great care of me The office staff did a great job taking care of all the logistics including scheduling, billing, and pre-op instructions."
Verified Patient
"Doctor Ricardo, If right now I am here just because of you, You saved my life and gave me hope, I came to you after one I can't even call Doctor destroyed me with her opinion, then I found you, I love you for what you did for me and after first visiting you I was strong enough to say I will not die because I will beat this with your help, This 5 star is nothing for you I wish I could able to bring you all-star in the sky!"
Verified Patient
Memorial Hermann Cypress
Southwest Surgical Associates 27700 Northwest Fwy, Suite 330 Cypress, TX 77433
713-772-1200
Memorial Hermann Katy
Southwest Surgical Associates 23920 Katy Fwy, Suite 410 Katy, TX 77494
713-772-1200
Memorial Hermann Sugar Land
Southwest Surgical Associates 17510 W Grand Pkwy S, Suite 490 Sugar Land, TX 77479
713-772-1200
Methodist Sugar Land Clinic
Southwest Surgical Associates 16651 Southwest Fwy, Suite 360 Sugar Land, TX 77479
713-772-1200
HCA Pearland
Southwest Surgical Associates 10970 Shadow Creek Pkwy, Suite 220 Pearland, TX 77584
713-772-1200
Memorial Hermann Southwest
Southwest Surgical Associates 7777 Southwest Fwy, Suite 810 Houston, TX 77074
713-772-1200
Memorial Hermann - Memorial City
Southwest Surgical Associates 915 Gessner Road, Suite 670 Houston, TX 77024
713-772-1200
Greater Heights Clinic
Southwest Surgical Associates 1431 Studemont Street, Suite 600 Houston, TX 77007
713-772-1200
St. Joseph Clinic
Southwest Surgical Associates 1315 St. Joseph Pkwy, Suite 1708 Houston, TX 77002
713-772-1200