About United General Surgery

United General Surgery was established as a division of United Medical Doctors in 2015 and has since grown into additional surgical specialties such as colorectal and bariatric surgery. Specializing in minimally-invasive and robotic surgical techniques, United General Surgery strives to ensure the highest level of patient satisfaction through expedited recoveries and minimal pain.

Our Mission

We are dedicated to providing unparalleled comprehensive, cutting-edge surgical care to patients and are proud to offer our patients unparalleled surgical care. Our surgeons specialize in minimally-invasive and robotic surgery, affording you the opportunity to recover faster with minimal pain.

Our practice strives to demonstrate compassion while maintaining high reliability as we aim to fulfill a superior patient-centered experience. We thank you for the opportunity to be a part of your healthcare team.

Conditions Treated

  • Abscess: Anorectal & Intestinal
  • Anal Fissure
  • Anal & Intestinal Cancer
  • Cholelithiasis
  • Colon & Rectal Cancer
  • Crohn’s Disease
  • Diverticulitis
  • Fecal Incontinence
  • Fistula
  • Gallbladder Disorders
  • Gastric Cancer
  • GERD
  • Hemorrhoids
  • Hernias (All)
  • Intestinal Obstruction
  • Lumps & Bumps
  • Morbid Obesity
  • Ulcerative Colitis
  • Urinary Incontinence
  • Varicose Veins

Procedures Offered

Our surgeons treat both anal fissures, which are small tears in the thin, moist tissue that lines the anus, and fistulas, which is an infected tunnel between the skin and the anus, utilizing minimally-invasive techniques.

An anal fissure is a small tear in the thin, moist tissue (mucosa) that lines the anus. An anal fissure may occur when you pass hard or large stools during a bowel movement.

Axonics Therapy is an effective solution for treating symptoms of overactive bladder (including urinary urgency incontinence), bowel (fecal) incontinence and urinary retention that provides gentle stimulation to the nerves that control the bladder and bowel, which can restore normal control and result in symptom improvement.

Breast surgeries such as a lumpectomy and masectomy, are done utilizing minimally-invasive surgical techniques.

Our surgeons utilize the most advanced surgical techniques to perform Cholecystectomy, which is to surgically remove the gallbladder. Removal of the gallbladder is one of the most frequently performed procedures.

Dr. Matthew Schultzel utilizes the most advanced minimally-invasive surgical techniques for all colon and rectal cancer cases.

Dr. Schultzel offers the most advanced minimally invasive surgical techniques for treating colorectal cancer, using both robotics and advanced laparoscopics; including the single incision technique (SILS).

The surgical removal of part or the entire stomach is done utilizing the most minimally-invasive surgical techniques for optimal outcomes.

Multiple surgical procedures are offered for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

Dr. Schultzel offers advanced approaches to the treatment of hemorrhoids including non-surgical therapy with rubber band ligation.

Our surgeons offer advanced, minimally-invasive techniques for the repair of hernias, including robotically. They treat and repair all hernias (hiatal, inguinal, incisional, parastomal, umbilical and ventral).

Dr. Leong is proud to offer the LINX procedure for GERD, which is done by a small laparoscopic incision in the patient’s abdomen and positions the LINX device around the esophagus, just above the stomach, to control the gastroesophageal reflux (GERD).

Dr. Leong performs Nissen fundoplication, also referred to as a Lap Nissen, which is a laparoscopic procedure performed for patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

Dr. Leong offers multiple surgical procedures for obesity through his bariatric surgery division, from gastric bypass surgery, gastric banding and sleeve gastrectomy.

Ostomy, which is a surgery to create an opening from an area inside the body to the outside to treat certain diseases of the digestive or urinary systems, and ostomy care, are offered.

PD catheter, the only type of dialysis access used for PD, is placed through your abdomen and into the peritoneal space through the peritoneal membrane—the thin membrane that lines your abdominal wall.

It is a device that is usually placed under the skin in the right side of the chest. It is attached to a catheter (a thin, flexible tube) that is threaded into a large vein above the right side of the heart called the superior vena cava.

The most common procedure for ulcerative colitis is pelvic pouch or ileal pouch anal anastomosis (IPAA). Your surgeon takes out your colon and rectum and fashions a new rectum, called a J-pouch, out of your small intestine.

Vein stripping is a surgical procedure done under general or local anaesthetic to aid in the treatment of varicose veins and other manifestations of chronic venous disease.

Where Our Surgeons Operate

Our surgeons operate in our out-patient surgical centers, United Surgery Centers, in Temecula and Encinitas, as well as at area hospitals in both Riverside and San Diego Counties. Featured here is United Surgery Center – Temecula, our largest state-of-the-art out-patient surgery center.

Area hospitals that our surgeons are credentialed at include Sharp Memorial Hospital, Scripps Memorial Hospital – Encinitas, Temecula Valley Hospital, Corona Regional Medical Center and more.

Cutting-Edge Treatments & Techniques

We are proud to offer cutting-edge and innovative therapies and treatments for a variety of conditions and diseases.

Axonics Neuromodulation for Fecal & Urinary Incontinence

Axonics Therapy is an effective solution for treating symptoms of overactive bladder (including urinary urgency incontinence), bowel (fecal) incontinence and urinary retention. This therapy is clinically proven to help people regain bladder and bowel control. Dr. Daniel Burgess, one of our skilled General Surgeons at United Medical Doctors, is proud to offer Axonics as a therapy for patients suffering from fecal and urinary incontinence.

LINX Reflux System for GERD

The LINX® Reflux Management System is a laparoscopic, fundic-sparing anti-reflux procedure indicated for patients diagnosed with Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD).

The LINX system is a small flexible band of interlinked titanium beads with magnetic cores designed to restore the body’s natural barrier to reflux in patients with GERD. The LINX® Reflux Management System (LINX device) consists of a series of titanium beads, each with a magnetic core, connected together with titanium wires to form a ring shape. The LINX device is surgically implanted around the lower end of the esophagus. It is used to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in patients who continue to have GERD symptoms despite the use of medical therapy (acid pills such as proton pump inhibitor medications) for the treatment of their reflux.

What the LINX Is

The LINX device is implanted around the lower esophageal sphincter (a sphincter is a muscle that surrounds and closes a bodily opening) to strengthen a weak sphincter. Using the device helps to prevent the contents of the stomach from backing up into the esophagus (reflux). By restricting the flow of stomach contents into the esophagus, the patient will improve their heartburn symptoms and reflux (regurgitation) and may no longer require medicines to treat these symptoms.

How the LINX Works

Even though the LINX device helps to prevent stomach contents from flowing back into the esophagus, it does not prevent movement of food or liquids down the esophagus into the stomach. When the patient swallows, the pressure in the esophagus increases and the magnetic beads move apart on the titanium wires. As the beads move apart, the magnetic force decreases. This separation of the beads allows food or liquids to pass normally into the stomach. After the food or liquids have passed into the stomach, the magnetic beads return to the closed position.

Da Vinci Robotic Surgery

Dr. Matthew Schultzel is the highest volume robotic general and colorectal surgeon in Southern California and specializes in surgically removing large masses with very small incisions. The result? Quicker recovery, decreased pain and improved cosmetic outcome.

While Dr. Matthew Schultzel’s area of expertise is minimally invasive colorectal surgery, his passion for treating the whole patient is what sets him apart. With a concierge-style practice that prioritizes compassionate, personalized care, he is also one of the only surgeons in Southern California that provides the combined skills of a specialty surgeon and a gastroenterologist with unparalleled results.

Our General Surgery Team

Our Locations

La Jolla

4150 Regents Park Row, Ste. 345, La Jolla, CA 92037

Ph: (858) 207-3117 | Fax: (951) 698-0272

Encinitas

477 N. El Camino Real, Ste. C204, Encinitas, CA 92024

Ph: (858) 207-3117 | Fax: (951) 698-0272

Murrieta

28078 Baxter Rd., Ste. 530, Murrieta, CA 92563

Ph: (858) 207-3117 | Fax: (951) 698-0272

Temecula

31469 Rancho Pueblo Rd., Ste. 101, Temecula, CA 92592

Ph: (951) 303-3718 | Fax: (951) 698-0272

What Our Patients Say

Dr. Schultzel is a life saver. He is one of the very few Dr. who took my wife's (age 33) case seriously enough to act fast . The sense of urgency of Dr. Schultzel is outstanding . The wait period of a cancer patient could seriously worsen the situation. On July 24th we got the biopsy report that my wife has colorectal cancer. Dr. Schultzel saw her the next day on July 25th and scheduled for surgery on Aug 3rd. He understood the importance of each cancer patient to have surgery asap . After the surgery I have reviewed the procedure of the surgery with 6 other Drs. from UCSD, UCLA and other oncologists in San Diego and everyone said that Dr. Schultzel did an outstanding surgery to my wife and left no trace or evidence of cancer in my wife's body. There may be 100s of colorectal surgeon in the market, but we are thankful enough to pick Dr. Schultzel for his attention to details for the best surgery outcome. Sometimes you have to leave certain things to the surgeon if the SURGEON YOU CAN TRUST. Thank you Dr. Schultzel and his dedicated team for curing my wife.

Sabbir H.

Google Review
Dr. Leong has been my surgeon since June 2017 when he evaluated my small bower obstruction and found it necessary conduct a resection. Dr. Leong is recommended with the highest, possible level of confidence in his abilities and manner. Dr. Leong was then and continues to provide a full and clearly stated explanation of my condition, has provided consult to other doctors during other bowel obstructions, and took the time to provide information on my condition to an outside agency when requested. On one occasion Dr. Leong, made a personal call to my home to verify my condition.

Tom B.

Healthgrades Review
Dr. Schultzel is an amazing doctor -- comforting, empathetic and well trained. I was able to navigate his website and learn more about him and his practice, and setup the appointment easily. His bedside manner was warm and optimistic. Overall experience was excellent and I felt well cared for. I would recommend Dr. Schultzel to family and friends.

Vanessa L.

Google Review
Dr. Leong was a referral from my Primary Care doctor for a procedure. First impression; how warm and friendly he is. Dr. Leong takes time to discuss the procedure in depth, continuously asking if I had questions. The day of the procedure went smoothly. My follow up appointment-amazing. Healing time [was] uneventful. Pain overall expected. Incisions healed easily. Dr. Leong remains professional, available & willing to answer. I don’t believe this procedure could have gone any better than it did.

M. C.

Healthgrades Review
My experience was outstanding from start to finish. Dr. Schultzel took the time to explain everything to me very thoroughly, and he answered all of my and my wife's questions. Between my initial appointment and the surgery date, he and his staff provided me with very detail instructions, and they made themselves available should we have any questions that we may not have thought of during one of my appointments. My surgery (gall bladder removal) was done laparoscopically and I was able to go home the same day! Recovery was a breeze. After the surgery, the level of care never waned - Dr. Schultzel and his staff were very attentive. I can't think of any areas in which they could improve, and I highly recommend them for anyone who may need GI care.

David G.

Yelp Review

Request an Appointment

To schedule an appointment, please call our office directly or request an appointment online through the button below.

Temecula – (951) 303-3718
Murrieta | Encinitas | La Jolla – (858) 207-3117

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