Mari JuarezMost of us don’t have a go-to general surgeon on speed dial. When the need arises, it’s usually a frantic Google search for “best general surgeon near me” and a whole lot of crossed fingers.
But choosing the right surgeon truly matters and makes all the difference. You want someone highly skilled and experienced, yes, but also reassuring, approachable, and able to put you at ease from the first consultation to recovery.
To save you from spiraling into endless reviews and second-guessing, we’ve rounded up Oklahoma’s most trusted general surgeons whom patients consistently praise and actually swear by. Read on!
How much do general surgeons in Oklahoma City charge?
In Oklahoma City, a visit to a general surgeon usually starts at around $150 to $200 if you’re paying out of pocket. Follow-up visits usually run about $120 to $165.
Surgical procedure costs, however, can depend widely on complexity, your insurance coverage, and whether the surgery is performed at a hospital or an outpatient surgical center.
For example, gallbladder surgery can range from $1,250 to over $10,000, hernia repairs often cost $5,500 to over $8,000, and minor skin or tissue procedures fall between $500 and $2,000.
1. Ryan F. Wicks, M.D. FACS
Address: 3366 Northwest Expy Bldg. D, Suite 800
Phone:
- Clinic: +1 405-713-9935
- Specialty Care Scheduling Office (for new patients): +1 405-553-0500
Business hours: Monday to Friday – 8am to 5pm
Dr. Wicks is a board-certified general surgeon with INTEGRIS Health Baptist Medical Center and INTEGRIS Health Medical Group and Colorectal Surgery team, one of OKC’s largest locally-owned healthcare systems.
Hence, they’re a great pick if you’re looking for comprehensive care, from routine check-ups to general surgical care. Plus, he accepts major insurance plans.
As with any large hospital, wait times may be longer than in smaller facilities, and staff experiences can vary. That said, we still think that the breadth of care and expertise available outweighs these little inconveniences.
Moreover, Dr. Wicks has earned multiple honors, including the Outstanding General Surgery Resident in Trauma Award, and holds several certifications while being an active member of respected medical organizations.
He’s not just textbook brilliant, as he’s proven his hands-on expertise with over 15 years of experience. His specializations include hernia repairs, laparoscopic surgeries, foregut and anti-reflux procedures, and benign biliary surgeries, like gallbladder disease.
Extremely knowledgeable, caring, passionate
“Dr. Wicks and staff are amazing. I can not say enough good things about Dr. Wicks. He is extremely knowledgeable, caring, passionate about his job and very friendly. I won’t let anyone but Dr. Wicks operate on me. Highly recommended!!!!!!!”
Postoperative recovery is good with minimal discomfort
“Dr. Wicks performed a successful hernia repair surgery for me. During the examination he thoroughly explained the issue and the resolution. He is a good listener as he took the necessary time to patiently answer our inquiries. This led me to feel comfortable with the prescribed procedure. My post operative recovery is good with minimal discomfort.”
2. Timothy Eldridge, MD
Address: 608 NW 9th St #6200
Phone: +1 405-232-4211
Business hours: Monday to Friday – 8am to 4:30pm
If extensive expertise is at the top of your priority list when looking for a general surgeon, you’ll definitely want to meet Dr. Eldrige. In fact, he earned the title of Oklahoma Top Doctor in 2021.
He practices at SSM Health St. Anthony Hospital, where scheduling appointments online and paying bills is simple. Another plus is that he accepts major insurance plans, and SSM Health also offers financial assistance, which is worth checking to see if you qualify.
But here’s the hitch: his office hours are limited to weekdays, and with no telehealth options, booking a visit can be a little tricky. Even then, we think that the wealth of experience that Dr. Eldrige has more than makes up for it.
He brings over 30 years of hands-on expertise, specializing in hiatal hernia repairs, gallbladder removal, surgical oncology, laparoscopic reflux procedures, minimally invasive gastrointestinal surgery, and surgical oncology.
So nice and cares about his patients
“Dr. Eldridge is so nice and cares about his patients. He explains everything you need to know in detail and makes sure you understand and taken care of. I’m so glad I was referred to him and the same day I realized he had done surgery on my mom and dad so in my opinion he is the best and I got extremely lucky. I recommend anyone that needs services that are in his expertise. Surgery is scary and he really did a great job at easing my nerves.”
Best at explaining your procedure and answering any and all questions
“FANTASTIC SURGEON! I trust him and could not ask for better care! I would recommend him to anyone that asked and tell them not to worry that he and GOD have you!——He is the best at explaining your procedure and answering any and all questions. He makes you feel very at ease about what is happening!”
3. Jared Lepley, DO
Address: 535 NW 9th St #330
Phone: +1 405-772-8605
Business hours: Monday to Friday – 8am to 4:30pm
An Okie through and through, Dr. Lepley is a second-generation physician at SSM Health St. Anthony Hospital who takes a modern approach to general surgery, specializing in robotic-assisted as well as hybrid and minimally invasive surgeries.
He earned his bachelor’s in biology and medical science from the University of Oklahoma and his medical degree at OSU’s College of Osteopathic Medicine, where he was actively involved in professional studies and lectures.
We also like that his commitment to the field goes beyond the classroom. He’s an active member of several professional medical organizations, like the American Medical Association and the American Osteopathic Association, among others.
But you know what is limited? Weekday office hours are until 4:30 pm, and no telehealth options, which can make scheduling a visit a little challenging.
The upside: scheduling appointments and paying bills are simple. Plus, major insurance plans are accepted, and the hospital even offers financial assistance if you qualify.
Procedure went well, exactly as discussed
“Procedure went well, exactly as discussed. The nursing team day of the procedure were Absolutely Amazing, Friendly, Informative and On Top of Everything.”
Took very good care of me and kept me comfortable
“Had a surgery September 5. Dr came in to check on me and asked if I had any questions. Told me how they would do the surgery asked again if a I had any questions. The staff and surgery team took very good care of me and keeped me comfortable.The staff was very nice, very tentative,very professional, and great about helping with things I needed and comfortable after surgery. Dr. Lipley did a good surgery some pain but not as much as I thought there would be.”
4. Christopher D. Carey, M.D., FACS
Address: 3366 Northwest Expy Bldg. D, Suite 800
Phone:
- Clinic: +1 405-713-9935
- Specialty Care Scheduling Office (for new patients): +1 405-553-0500
Business hours: Monday to Friday – 8am to 5pm
You’ll find Dr. Carey at INTEGRIS Health Medical Group and Colorectal Surgery, one of the state’s biggest locally-owned healthcare providers. They handle everything, from routine visits to general surgical care,
Dr. Carey specializes in laparoscopic, endocrine, hernia, and melanoma surgery, along with dialysis access, making him a versatile pick if your case overlaps multiple specialties.
Larger hospitals can mean longer wait times and varying staff experiences, but the convenience of the INTEGRIS Health network more than makes up for it.
Through the patient portal or mobile app, you can access medical records, manage appointments, pay bills, and even set up payment plans, all in one place. Plus, major insurance plans are accepted.
We also like how calm and compassionate Dr. Carey is, helping patients feel reassured. In fact, he even received the Harwell Wilson Award at Vanderbilt for his dedication to patient care, research, and teaching.
Going back to him was a must
“Dr Carey repaired an inguinal hernia on my left side in 2019 and it’s been great ever since. Now I need repair surgery on the right side. Going back to him was a must.”
Shannon McNamar, Google Review
Exceptionally meticulous
“I saw Dr. Christopher Carey in his office last week. He was exceptionally meticulous in his approach to my problem. He was very courteous and addressed my concerns to my full satisfaction. He answered all of my questions and explained, in full details, what my medical problem was, the tests to be done followed by the appropriate surgical procedure. His office personnel were great and made me feel very comfortable during my visit. I would very strongly recommend Dr.Carey.”
5. Svein Holsaeter, MD
Address: 608 NW 9th St #6200
Phone: +1 405-232-4211
Business hours: Monday to Friday – 8am to 4:30pm
Looking for a general surgeon with serious experience? Meet Dr. Holsaeter. With more than 40 years of surgical experience, he’s one of the region’s most seasoned surgeons and even earned an Oklahoma Top Doctor award in 2020.
Earlier in his career, he served at the 654th Medical Group at Tinker Air Force Base. Today, he’s located in SSM Health St. Anthony Hospital, specializing in hernia surgery and repair, cholecystectomy, and laparoscopic surgeries.
Another plus? Aside from English, he also speaks German and Norwegian as he is originally from Norway. This makes him a helpful choice for multilingual patients.
Though we were quite bummed that they don’t offer telehealth options, so appointments are in-person only. And with office hours only until 4:30 pm on weekdays, scheduling will need extra planning.
It’s also worth noting that they accept major insurance plans. The cherry on top? The hospital even offers financial assistance if you qualify.
Great person and very skilled physician
“I actually had Dr. Holsaeter in 2017 for a right ingunal hernia. When I needed my left side hernia completed i felt so fortunate to find that he is still with SSM. Great person and very skilled physician. Really enjoyed the staff as well.”
amazing through my whole procedure
Amazing through my whole procedure
“Dr. Holsaeter is the absolute BEST! He has been amazing through my whole procedure and every follow up visit over the last seven months!!The whole team he has with him has been great every visit! Highly recommend him and his team!”
