Upper GI and General Surgery

We provide compassionate patient care while using state-of-the-art minimally invasive techniques.

Upper GI and General Surgery

We provide compassionate patient care while using state-of-the-art minimally invasive techniques.

Transfusion-Free Surgery

Learn about our specialized transfusion-free surgical care services and procedures.

Find out more

Complete Care for the Digestive System

Our USC Upper GI and General Surgery Program provides expert surgical care for the digestive tract. Our surgeons are internationally known for their research and clinical skill. Our major service lines include esophageal surgery, gastrointestinal surgery, weight-loss surgery and hernia surgery.

We stay on the forefront of minimally invasive techniques for your safety and comfort. We pioneered many of the minimally invasive techniques for treating:

  • Esophageal cancer
  • Gastric cancer
  • Gastroparesis
  • GERD
  • Hiatal hernias

These methods offer you a lower risk of complications, reduced scarring and a faster, more comfortable recovery.

What Should I Know About Acid Reflux?

Transfusion-Free Surgery

Learn about our specialized transfusion-free surgical care services and procedures.

Find out more
97%

Procedures performed with minimally invasive techniques

2,500

Patient discharges for general surgery per year

73

Esophageal cancer and gastric cancer procedures in 2020 alone

<1

Day average length of stay in the ICU

Why Choose Us for Your Digestive Care

We have one of the highest volumes and best outcomes of complex esophageal and gastric surgeries in Southern California.

We serve as a referral center for complex issues that are not treated often in local hospitals.

Our surgeons have all taken advanced fellowship training.

Our Team

Stuart A. Abel, MD

Accepting new patients
Assistant Professor of Clinical Surgery
Specialties
General Surgery, Bariatric Surgery, Gastrointestinal Surgery  View more
Specialties
Physician Assistant, Foregut Surgery, Gastrointestinal Surgery  View more

Carol J. Chow, NP-C

Accepting new patients
Specialties
Nurse Practitioner, Gastrointestinal Surgery, General Surgery

Allen Ghlandian, MD

Accepting new patients
Assistant Professor of Clinical Surgery
Specialties
General Surgery, Gastrointestinal Surgery
Specialties
Nurse Practitioner, Foregut Surgery, Gastrointestinal Surgery  View more

Caitlin C. Houghton, MD

Accepting new patients
Assistant Professor of Clinical Surgery
Specialties
Minimally Invasive General Surgery, Gastrointestinal Surgery, General Surgery  View more
Specialties
Foregut Surgery, Gastrointestinal Surgery, General Surgery  View more
Specialties
Foregut Surgery, Gastrointestinal Surgery, General Surgery  View more

John C. Lipham, MD

Accepting new patients
Chief, Division of Upper GI and General Surgery
Specialties
General Surgery, Gastrointestinal Surgery, Foregut Surgery
Specialties
General Surgery , Gastrointestinal Surgery, Physician Assistant  View more

Luke R. Putnam, MD

Accepting new patients
Assistant Professor of Clinical Surgery
Specialties
General Surgery, Minimally Invasive General Surgery, Gastrointestinal Surgery  View more

Kamran Samakar, MD

Accepting new patients
Director, Bariatric Surgery Program
Specialties
General Surgery, Bariatric Surgery, Gastrointestinal Surgery  View more

Sharon Shiraga, MD

Accepting new patients
Associate Professor of Surgery, Division of Upper GI and Gen ...
Specialties
General Surgery, Gastrointestinal Surgery, Foregut Surgery
Specialties
Physician Assistant, Bariatric Surgery, General Surgery
Specialties
Bariatric Surgery, General Surgery , Nurse Practitioner

Stuart A. Abel, MD

Accepting new patients
Assistant Professor of Clinical Surgery
Specialties
General Surgery, Bariatric Surgery, Gastrointestinal Surgery  View more

Kamran Samakar, MD

Accepting new patients
Director, Bariatric Surgery Program
Specialties
General Surgery, Bariatric Surgery, Gastrointestinal Surgery  View more
Specialties
Physician Assistant, Bariatric Surgery, General Surgery
Specialties
Bariatric Surgery, General Surgery , Nurse Practitioner

Stuart A. Abel, MD

Accepting new patients
Assistant Professor of Clinical Surgery
Specialties
General Surgery, Bariatric Surgery, Gastrointestinal Surgery  View more

Allen Ghlandian, MD

Accepting new patients
Assistant Professor of Clinical Surgery
Specialties
General Surgery, Gastrointestinal Surgery

Caitlin C. Houghton, MD

Accepting new patients
Assistant Professor of Clinical Surgery
Specialties
Minimally Invasive General Surgery, Gastrointestinal Surgery, General Surgery  View more

John C. Lipham, MD

Accepting new patients
Chief, Division of Upper GI and General Surgery
Specialties
General Surgery, Gastrointestinal Surgery, Foregut Surgery

Luke R. Putnam, MD

Accepting new patients
Assistant Professor of Clinical Surgery
Specialties
General Surgery, Minimally Invasive General Surgery, Gastrointestinal Surgery  View more

Kamran Samakar, MD

Accepting new patients
Director, Bariatric Surgery Program
Specialties
General Surgery, Bariatric Surgery, Gastrointestinal Surgery  View more

Sharon Shiraga, MD

Accepting new patients
Associate Professor of Surgery, Division of Upper GI and Gen ...
Specialties
General Surgery, Gastrointestinal Surgery, Foregut Surgery
Specialties
Physician Assistant, Foregut Surgery, Gastrointestinal Surgery  View more

Carol J. Chow, NP-C

Accepting new patients
Specialties
Nurse Practitioner, Gastrointestinal Surgery, General Surgery
Specialties
Nurse Practitioner, Foregut Surgery, Gastrointestinal Surgery  View more
Specialties
Foregut Surgery, Gastrointestinal Surgery, General Surgery  View more
Specialties
Foregut Surgery, Gastrointestinal Surgery, General Surgery  View more
Specialties
General Surgery , Gastrointestinal Surgery, Physician Assistant  View more

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