What does a general surgeon do?
A general surgeon is a doctor trained to operate on many parts of the body, most often the belly. They treat problems like hernias, gallbladder disease, and appendicitis.
Last updated November 11, 2026
Find general surgeons near you
When people see one
- A hernia that is growing or painful
- Gallstones or gallbladder pain
- Appendicitis or another belly problem that needs an operation
- A lump or growth that needs to be removed or biopsied
How it differs
Orthopedic surgeon: An orthopedic surgeon operates on bones, joints, and muscles. A general surgeon operates mainly on the belly, skin, and soft tissue.
On 2027 Colorado plans
Do you need a referral? On some plans. 37 of the 148 2027 plans need a referral from your primary care provider to see a specialist: Kaiser Permanente's 29 plans (you may self-refer to certain specialists) and Denver Health (Elevate)'s 8 plans (self-referral allowed for OB-GYN and outpatient mental health care). The other 111 don't, according to each plan's 2027 summary of benefits. Confirm in the plan's summary of benefits.
What a visit costs (the plan's filed "Specialist Visit" benefit, in network, before any extra savings on silver plans):
- Bronze: $100 to $140 a visit on 10 of 56 plans; on the other 46, you pay toward your deductible or a share of the bill.
- Silver: $50 to $90 a visit on 44 of 58 plans; on the other 14, you pay toward your deductible or a share of the bill.
- Gold: $50 to $90 a visit on 26 of 30 plans; on the other 4, you pay toward your deductible or a share of the bill.
In-network care costs less. Out-of-network visits on an HMO or EPO usually aren't covered except in an emergency.
In Colorado
Public records list 702 general surgeons at 309 Colorado locations.
- Denver County: 44 locations
- Arapahoe County: 32 locations
- El Paso County: 28 locations
- Douglas County: 25 locations
- Adams County: 24 locations
- Boulder County: 24 locations
Counties with the fewest: Yuma (1), Summit (1), Prowers (1), Otero (1), Lincoln (1). 22 counties have none.
Questions to ask the office
- Do I need a referral from my primary care doctor?
- Which 2027 plans and network names do you take?
- Which hospital or surgery center would the operation be at, and is it in my network?
- Will the surgeon, the assistant, and the anesthesia team each bill separately?