Dr. Michael Sutker, MD
Surgeon
7777 Forest Ln Suite A 331 Dallas TX, 75230About
Dr. Sutker has been in practice at Medical City Dallas since 2014 and at Medical City McKinney since 2019. He is board-certified in general surgery. Dr. Sutker manages a wide range of surgical diseases. He specializes in treating conditions with minimally invasive techniques utilizing both standard laparoscopy and robotic-assisted laparoscopy. Dr. Sutker has specialty training in the surgical treatment of obesity, acid reflux, esophageal motility disorders, and paraesophageal hernias. He is skilled in the repair of abdominal wall defects, including inguinal, umbilical, ventral, and incisional hernias. Dr. Sutker also enjoys managing emergency surgical situations including gallbladder disease, appendicitis, and diverticulitis.
Dr. Michael Sutker, MD's Videos
Education and Training
MD at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center
Board Certification
American Board of Surgery
Provider Details
Dr. Michael Sutker, MD's Expert Contributions
Patient Education Series | Understanding Pancreatectomy | Michael J. Sutker, MD, FACS
Understanding Pancreatectomy: A Vital Surgical ProcedureA pancreatectomy is a surgical procedure involving the removal of all or part of the pancreas, a vital organ located behind the stomach that plays a crucial role in digestion and blood sugar regulation. This surgery is typically performed to...
Spotlight Video | The 4 Types Of Bariatric Surgery | Michael J. Sutker, MD, FACS
Understanding the 4 Types of Bariatric Surgery for Effective Weight LossBariatric surgery is a specialized form of weight loss surgery designed to assist individuals struggling with severe obesity. Beyond its aesthetic impact, it plays a crucial role in reducing the risk of serious health problems...
Spotlight Video | All About Acid Reflux | Michael J. Sutker, MD, FACS
Michael Jason Sutker, MD, FACS is an Established General & Bariatric Surgeon at His Private Practice, located in Dallas & McKinney, Texas.Dr. Sutker, a board-certified general surgeon, specializes in minimally invasive treatments, particularly robotic-assisted laparoscopy. He established his...
Tips For Weight Loss - By Dr. Michael Sutker
Tip 1 - Do Not Eat After 8 PMMy Recommendation - Many patients consume unnecessary calories late in the day prior to bed. Some patients suffer from Night Eating Disorder. Cutting out these calories can help with weight loss.Tip 2 - Avoid Beverages With CaloriesMy Recommendation - Beverages with...
What Makes Dr. Sutker Stand Out?
Dr. Michael Sutker is the Medical Director of Robotic Surgery and the Chair of the Advanced Clinical Advisory Board at Medical City Dallas Hospital, where he’s been practicing since 2014. There, he is also a member of the General Surgery Performance Improvement and Intensive Care Unit...
Meet Michael Sutker, MD: Dallas's General & Bariatric Surgeon
Dr. Michael Sutker is the Medical Director of Robotic Surgery and the Chair of the Advanced Clinical Advisory Board at Medical City Dallas Hospital, where he’s been practicing since 2014. There, he is also a member of the General Surgery Performance Improvement and Intensive Care Unit...
Minimally Invasive Hernia Repair
Hernias are extremely common, especially in the abdominal area, and could also be present and undetected at birth. They occur when tissue pushes through a muscle’s weak spot.For qualifying patients, minimally invasive hernia repair is a great alternative to more invasive, open hernia repair. The...
Understanding Bariatric Surgery: FAQs
The decision to undergo bariatric surgery is not an easy one.Thinking about undergoing bariatric surgery or know someone who is? Here are some FAQs that might help.When is someone eligible for bariatric surgery?Since there are no two overweight people that are exactly the same, there is no general...
For a diabetic patient with gangrene in one toe, is foot amputation the only option?
With the information provided, it has to say if a foot amputation (or a below knee amputation) is what is being recommended. Gangrene typically does not respond to conservative measures alone such as antibiotics and wound care, and does require an amputation. The amount of infection in the toe and how far it extends up the foot are two factors that are considered when offering an amputation. If the blood supply to the foot is poor, no amount of care in the foot will be sufficient to heal a wound or a toe amputation, leading to a higher amputation in the future. No surgeon offers an amputation lightly or as an easy fix, so I would heed the advice of the surgeon. READ MORE
What is robotic surgery and how does it work?
Robotic surgery is also known as robotic-assisted laparoscopic surgery. The Da Vinci robot made by Intuitive is a special machine that is controlled completely by the surgeon who is sitting at a console. It is a special way to do minimally invasive surgery. Studies have not yet been conclusive as to the full range of benefits, but the thought is that it can decrease post-operative pain and allow the patient to return to work faster. In my extensive use of the technology, I believe that allows me to perform more operations with a minimally invasive technique, rather than performing an open operation with a large incision. Any procedure that can be done with a traditional laparoscopic approach can also be performed using robotic-assistance. At no time does the robot work autonomously; the four arms are always under the control of the surgeon. READ MORE
My pregnant wife has been recommended gall bladder removal surgery. When can we do it?
It is ideal to wait until after the pregnancy to operate. If surgery is necessary, the second trimester (months 4-6) is the best time to operate as it is safest for the baby. Surgery can still likely be done via a minimally invasive approach (laparoscopically). READ MORE
My hernia has developed again. Should I get it operated on?
Is the hernia in your groin or around your belly button? Was mesh placed the first time or was the hernia repaired only with sutures? I would typically recommend a different approach to fixing a hernia the second time. Do you have any risk factors for forming hernias- factors that increase pressure inside your abdomen, such as obesity, a chronic cough from smoking, chronic constipation, or difficulty urinating due to prostate problems? READ MORE
Is diarrhea and pain after a surgery normal?
Post-cholecystectomy dumping can occur in about 1/3 of patients after having their gallbladder removed. The function of the gallbladder is to store bile; bile helps us digest fatty foods in our diet. Without a gallbladder to store the bile, there is a larger amount of bile within the intestinal tract. This leads to irritation of the colon and thus diarrhea. Over time, your body will produce less bile and will become more efficient at absorbing extra bile. The dumping typically resolves within 3 months in 99% of patients. Very rarely, a medication called cholestyramine (Questran) can be prescribed to absorb bile and decrease the diarrhea. READ MORE
Stone in my appendix?
A stone in your appendix is also known as an appendicolith. These can serve as a cause of appendicitis. Do you have right lower quadrant pain? Was this the reason why you had the CT scan? If so, you may need to consider having an appendectomy. READ MORE
Do I need surgery for gallstone removal?
There is a medication called cholestyramine that may cause gallstones to dissolve. The medication is not very effective and can cause as many side effects and symptoms as the gallstones. I typically do not recommend medication as a treatment method. Surgery to remove the entire gallbladder (not just the stones) is the recommend course of treatment for symptoms related to gallstones. READ MORE
With respiratory problem, is it wise to plan gallbladder operation?
Surgery can typically be performed safely, provided that your asthma is optimized. I would visit with your primary care provider, lung doctor, or allergist who manages your asthma prior to your surgery to ensure there are no tests that need to be performed or changes to your medications that need to be made. READ MORE
Can I have sex after 13 days of hernia surgery?
I tell my patients to let pain be your guide. If it hurts, do not do that activity, regardless of whether it is sex, jogging, biking, etc. Do not try to "power through" any activity if it causes discomfort. The hernia is about 90% healed at 2 weeks and 97% healed at 4 weeks. Unless you are trying to injure yourself, it would be hard to disrupt your repair. I would recommend discussing this with your surgeon directly in case there are subtleties to your operation that would require further rest. READ MORE
I have pain in the inguinal hernia surgery wound. Is re-surgery necessary?
There are several reasons to develop pain at the site of a previous inguinal hernia repair. Do you have a bulge? A recurrence of your hernia can cause pain. Nerve entrapment due to the mesh placed at the time of your repair can also cause persistent pain. That may respond to oral medications, injections by a pain specialist, and rarely, surgery to remove the nerve that provides sensation to the skin along where your incision is. Persistent pain occurs in a small percentage of patients. It is most common in patients who had significant pain prior to their surgery. I would discuss your symptoms with the surgeon who performed your operation. READ MORE
Quitting smoking before surgery?
Quitting smoking is good prior to any surgery for a variety of reasons. If you are going to have general anesthesia with a breathing tube, smoking puts you at risk of having respiratory complications. Smoking also puts you at risk for having heart disease, which can manifest unexpectedly during surgery. Lastly, smoking can put you at risk of having wound healing problems. READ MORE
Having my gallbladder removed - will my life be different after?
You should not need to restrict your diet significantly after surgery. About 1/3 of patients will get diarrhea after surgery, especially when eating fatty, greasy, or oily foods. If this does occur, it resolves in 99% of people within 3 months. I have had 1 of my last 200 patients that have had their gallbladder removed require medication for this problem. What was a healthy diet for you before surgery should remain a healthy diet for you after surgery. READ MORE
Off and on lower right abdominal pain
It's uncommon to get chronic symptoms related to your appendix. Typically, patients get sudden onset of pain that does not resolve without treatments (usually surgery). I have seen a few patients get recurrent episodes. A CT scan may be warranted to better evaluate your pain. READ MORE
I had back surgery. Should I see a chiropractor or avoid it?
That question would be better served by asking an orthopedist or a spine surgeon; unfortunately that is not my area of expertise. READ MORE
Nausea after surgery
You should definitely have a discussion with your surgeon and anesthesiologist about your post-operative nausea and vomiting (PONV). A scopolamine patch can be placed 1-3 days prior to surgery. Emend, an anti-emetic, can be prescribed and taken by mouthy on the night before surgery. Steroids can be given during surgery. Narcotics (also known as opiates or pain medications such as hydrocodone, morphine, and hydromorphone) can cause lots of nausea as well. There may be other pain medications that work in conjunction with narcotics to lower the overall dosing of such medications. READ MORE
Can a colostomy bag ever be removed?
It depends on the reason the colostomy was performed, but most (not all) are typically reversible. Surgeons will wait at least 3-6 months prior to considering a reversal of a colostomy. A lot does depend on the type of colostomy and the indication for performing it in the first place. READ MORE
Expert Publications
Data provided by the National Library of MedicineAreas of expertise and specialization
Faculty Titles & Positions
- Medical Director of Robotic Surgery Medical City Dallas Hospital 2016 - 2016
- Chair of the Advanced Clinical Advisory Board Medical City Dallas Hospital - 2016
- Chief of Surgery Medical City Dallas Hospital 2022 - Present
- Trauma Medical Director Medical City Dallas Hospital 2021 - Present
- Section Chief of General Surgery Medical City Dallas Hospital 2019 - 2021
Awards
- Top10MD 2019 Top10MD
- Top10MD 2018 Top10MD
- Top10MD 2017 Top10MD
Professional Memberships
- Texas Association for Bariatric Surgery
- American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery
- Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons
- American College of Surgeons
- American Medical Association
- Obesity Medicine Association
Fellowships
- UC-San Francisco
Fellowships
- Minimally Invasive and Bariatric Surgery, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center
Professional Society Memberships
- Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons, American College of Surgeons, Texas Medical Association, Dallas County Medical Society
What do you attribute your success to?
Good training and availability
Hobbies / Sports
- Spending Time With Family
Dr. Michael Sutker, MD's Practice location
Dr. Michael Sutker, MD's reviews
Write ReviewPatient Experience with Dr. Sutker
- Monica
Doctor Sutker was great and explained everything really well.
- Michael
Absolutely great!
- Ernest bore n
Great
- Morgan
I came in through the Er so had no prior experience with the Dr. He has been very attentive, caring and helpful with all of my questions and concerns.
- Casey
Dr. Sutker is so attentive. He provides exceptional support!
Amazing doctor and staff!
- Michael
Excellent bedside manners. Excellent care
- Dorothy
Great Doctor very professional
- Ronda
He saved my life! What's a better review than that.?
- Dorothy
Excellent care. Excellent bedside manners
- Robert
Helpful
- Nighat
He did good Job
- Damon
Excellent doctor . Kind and understanding. Gave great advice to help my problem.
- Robert
He was fantastic.
- Ana
Excellent
- Carol
Dr. Sutker was very knowledgeable, kind, professional and considerate. He made me feel relaxed and that he cared for me and my anxiety and that I was a person not a number.
- Elliot
I found dr sutker to be very professional but still personable. He answered all of my questions truthfully.
Great :)
- Abba
A bit of a wait but worth it. I felt the doctor really listened and addressed my concerns. Also knowledgeble.
- Phyllis
Good care. Talked me and answered all my questions.
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Media Releases
Get to know General Surgeon Dr. Michael Jason Sutker, who serves patients in Texas.
Dr. Sutker is a board-certified general surgeon who specializes in treating general surgery conditions with minimally invasive techniques, mostly utilizing robotic-assisted laparoscopy. He opened his practice, Michael Sutker, M.D., P.A., at Medical City Dallas in 2014 where he is the Medical Director of the Robotic Surgery Program & Section Chief for General Surgery.
At the beginning of 2019, he started a second office at Medical City McKinney to bring his skills and expertise to that area. Dr. Sutker is also a part of the Surgical Consultants of Dallas, LLC, and he maintains close ties with associate surgeons, including Dr. Sue Jiang, Dr. Christopher Bell, and Dr. Dina Madni.
A Plano, Texas native who graduated from the University of Texas at Austin, Dr. Sutker earned his medical degree from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School in Dallas. He then went on to complete his general surgical internship and residency at the same educational venue. He received additional fellowship training in minimal invasive and bariatric surgery at the University of California, San Francisco Medical Center.
Skilled in the repair of abdominal wall defects, the doctor is board-certified in general surgery by the American Board of Surgery, an independent, non-profit organization located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, founded for the purpose of certifying surgeons who have met a defined standard of education, training, and knowledge.
In addition, he is board-certified in obesity surgery by the American Board of Obesity Medicine, which is a 501 nonprofit, self-appointed physician-evaluation organization that certifies physicians practicing obesity medicine.
Attributing his success to good training and availability, he has received specialty training in the surgical treatment of obesity, gastro-esophageal reflux disease, esophageal motility disorders, paraesophageal hernias, and inguinal and ventral hernias. He also has an extensive practice in emergency general surgery, managing problems such as appendicitis, cholecystitis, diverticulitis, and small bowel obstructions.
Remaining at the forefront of his challenging specialty via memberships with professional organizations, Dr. Sutker is a member of the American College of Surgeons (Fellow), the Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons, the American Medical Association, the Texas Medical Association, the Texas Association for Bariatric Surgery, the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (Fellow), the Dallas County Medical Society, and the Obesity Medicine Association.
He maintains the highest levels of accreditation and pursues ongoing education to stay abreast of the latest trends in the medical field. He also participates in regular continuing medical education and attends local and national conferences to stay abreast of new research and surgical techniques.
General surgery is a surgical specialty that focuses on abdominal contents including the esophagus, stomach, small bowel, colon, liver, pancreas, gallbladder, appendix and bile ducts, and often the thyroid gland. A general surgeon performs a wide range of abdominal surgeries for many forms of intestinal and abdominal wall neoplasms, gallbladder disease, gastric and pancreatic disease. They follow the patient through critical care and surgical recovery all the way to outpatient care.
Among his numerous accolades, Dr. Sutker is the recipient of Patients’ Choice Award (2015, 2016, 2017, 2018), On-Time Doctor Award (2015, 2016, 2017, 2018), and Compassionate Doctor Recognition (2015, 2017).
Outside of practicing medicine, he enjoys spending time with family.
Recommended Articles
- Is Appendicitis a Lifelong Condition?
What is appendicitis?Appendicitis is one of the most common causes of abdominal pain not only in the United States but in the whole world. It is said that in America alone, 5 percent of the population have experienced appendicitis at one point in their lives. In England, 1 in every 13 people had...
- What Are the Risks of Hydrocelectomy
Hydrocelectomy, also called hydrocele repair, is a surgical procedure that aims to remove or repair a hydrocele, a sac of fluid that forms around a testicle, causing swelling and pain.Hydrocelectomy is like all other surgeries—risky, and one may get hurt during the procedure, react to the...
- How to Prepare for a Laparoscopy
OverviewLaparoscopy is a type of endoscopic procedure that will allow doctors to look inside your abdomen using a surgical telescope. The telescope is known as the laparoscope. The laparoscope is equipped with a front camera that transmits the images captured in high definition to a nearby video...
- Gastric Bypass Surgery: The Potential Complications
A gastric bypass surgery is done to achieve weight loss, especially in individuals who are obese and overweight. This type of major abdominal surgery alters the stomach and intestines to limit a person's food intake.Annually, there are more than 200,000 Americans who undergo gastric bypass surgery....
- Hiatal Hernia: Get the Facts
Hernia is formed when an internal organ of the body protrudes into a weak area where it does not belong. Hiatal hernia is a type of hernia which is caused when the stomach protrudes up into the chest through hiatus, an opening in the diaphragm. The diaphragm acts as a separation between chest and...
- Health Benefits of Bariatric Surgery
In simple layman terms, bariatric surgery is weight loss surgery. Its main purpose is the reduction of the fat around the stomach in safe amounts. The weight loss is achieved by use of what is known as a gastric band, or removing a portion of the stomach. The removal of the stomach portion is also...