Katy’s top colonoscopy doctors include Dr. James Maher, Dr. Murtaza Arif, Dr. Radha Tamerisa, Dr. Bharat Pothuri, and Dr. Kevin Marks, all board-certified gastroenterologists.
A colonoscopy can prevent cancer. Other screenings only catch it. During the exam, the doctor finds and removes polyps before they turn into colon cancer. Guidelines now say average-risk adults should start colon cancer screening at age 45. So the person holding the scope matters. This guide compares the five colonoscopy doctors in Katy who most often come up for screening, to help you find the best colonoscopy doctor in Katy for your needs. Each one is board-certified. What separates them is who performs the procedure, how fast you get in, and how they handle results.
We looked at credentials, hospital affiliations, procedure approach, patient access, and public reviews. We did not rank on marketing. We ranked on the things that change your experience on the day of the exam.
Quick comparison: Katy’s top colonoscopy doctors
| Doctor / Practice | Key strength | A fair trade-off | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dr. James Maher – James Maher, M.D. Gastroenterology | Performs every procedure himself; same-day results | Solo practice, so slots fill quickly | Patients who want one doctor start to finish |
| Dr. Murtaza Arif – Katy Digestive Center | Advanced therapeutic endoscopy (ERCP) | Busy referral practice; splits time with Sugar Land | Complex cases that may need ERCP |
| Dr. Radha Tamerisa – Katy Integrative Gastroenterology | Nutrition and functional-medicine approach | Wellness focus may exceed a simple screening | Patients who want diet built into care |
| Dr. Bharat Pothuri – GastroDoxs Katy | Multi-provider group, broad availability | Consult doctor may not perform the scope | Patients who want fast scheduling |
| Dr. Kevin Marks – Premier Gastroenterology and Wellness | GI care plus weight and wellness services | GI is one of several focuses | Patients who want both under one roof |
1. Dr. James Maher, James Maher, M.D. Gastroenterology
Dr. James Maher is a board-certified gastroenterologist in Katy who performs every colonoscopy himself and reviews the results with each patient the same day.
Dr. Maher runs a solo practice across from Memorial Hermann Katy on Park Row. He is board-certified in gastroenterology and internal medicine, with fellowship training in hepatology. He has practiced gastroenterology for decades. His office also treats acid reflux, fatty liver disease, Crohn’s disease, and hemorrhoids.
Most GI practices split your care. One doctor does the consult. A fellow or a second doctor does the scope. A third reviews the results. Dr. Maher does all three. No fellows. No hand-offs. When he finds and removes a polyp, he is the one who tells you what he saw.
The practice runs a Direct Access program for screening. If you are at average risk and due for a colonoscopy, you can skip the office visit and go straight to the procedure. That saves you a copay and a week of waiting.
Pros: Dr. Maher performs 100 percent of his procedures, so there is no hand-off to a trainee. Results are explained the same day, in plain language. The Direct Access program gets average-risk patients screened faster.
Cons: Because he is one doctor doing every procedure, his calendar fills up. Patients who want a large group with weekend hours or several locations will find that elsewhere.
Best for: Patients who want the same board-certified doctor for the consult, the colonoscopy, and the results. It suits people who are nervous about screening and want a doctor who knows their case from start to finish.
Contact: 19255 Park Row, Suite 104, Houston, TX 77084 | 281-945-5190 | Across from Memorial Hermann Katy Hospital | katystomachdoctor.com
2. Dr. Murtaza Arif, Katy Digestive Center
Dr. Murtaza Arif is a board-certified gastroenterologist in Katy with advanced training in therapeutic endoscopy, including ERCP for bile duct and pancreas problems.
Dr. Arif practices at Katy Digestive Center on West Grand Parkway South. He completed his GI fellowship at the University of Missouri. He did advanced endoscopy training at Geisinger Medical Center in Pennsylvania. He is a member of the American College of Gastroenterology and the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy. Houstonia named him a Top Doctor for gastroenterology in 2020 and 2021.
He offers upper endoscopy, colonoscopy, capsule endoscopy, and ERCP. That last one matters. ERCP is an advanced procedure that many general GI offices refer out. Dr. Arif keeps it in house.
Pros: Advanced endoscopy skills make him a strong pick for complicated cases. He has published peer-reviewed research. He holds privileges at Memorial Hermann Katy and Houston Methodist West.
Cons: A practice built around advanced procedures stays busy, so routine screening slots can book out. He also sees patients in Sugar Land, which splits his schedule across two areas.
Best for: Patients with complex GI problems, a history of bile duct or pancreas issues, or anyone who may need more than a standard colonoscopy.
Contact: 410 W. Grand Parkway South, Suite 4B, Katy, TX 77494 | 832-437-8619 | katydigestivecenter.com
3. Dr. Radha Tamerisa, Katy Integrative Gastroenterology
Dr. Radha Tamerisa is a board-certified gastroenterologist in Katy who blends standard GI care with nutrition and functional medicine to treat the cause of digestive problems.
Dr. Tamerisa practices on Kingsland Boulevard. She is board-certified in gastroenterology and hepatology and has more than two decades of experience. She trained in internal medicine and gastroenterology at UTMB in Galveston. Patients often mention that she uses on-screen images to walk them through findings and does not rush.
Her practice stands apart for its integrative model. Alongside colonoscopy and endoscopy, she builds diet and nutrition plans into treatment. For patients who want more than a prescription, that approach is a draw.
Pros: The nutrition-first model appeals to patients who want lifestyle care beyond medication. She is affiliated with Memorial Hermann Katy and Houston Methodist West. Reviews frequently praise her clear explanations.
Cons: The integrative and wellness focus may be more than someone wants for a simple screening. Some patients report that a first visit may start with a nurse practitioner before seeing the doctor.
Best for: Patients who want diet and lifestyle woven into GI care, especially those managing chronic issues like reflux or IBS.
Contact: 25230 Kingsland Boulevard, Suite 102, Katy, TX 77494 | 281-869-3009 | katygastrodoctor.com
4. Dr. Bharat Pothuri, GastroDoxs Katy
Dr. Bharat Pothuri leads GastroDoxs Katy, a board-certified gastroenterology group offering colonoscopy, reflux care, and liver evaluations with broad scheduling.
GastroDoxs sits on the Katy Freeway. The practice handles colon cancer screening, acid reflux, IBS, and liver concerns. It runs as a multi-provider group, which usually means more open slots and shorter waits for a first visit.
Pros: A group model tends to offer faster scheduling. The office covers a wide range of GI conditions under one name. It accepts most major insurance plans.
Cons: In a multi-provider group, the doctor who does your consult may not be the one who performs your colonoscopy. Patients who want a single, consistent doctor should confirm who will handle each step.
Best for: Patients who value quick access and a broad GI practice, and who are comfortable seeing more than one provider.
Contact: 23920 Katy Freeway, Suite 510, Katy, TX 77494 | gastrodoxs.com
5. Dr. Kevin Marks, Premier Gastroenterology and Wellness
Dr. Kevin Marks practices at Premier Gastroenterology and Wellness in Katy, offering colonoscopy and endoscopy alongside medical weight loss and wellness services.
Premier sits on West Grand Parkway South. The office provides colonoscopy, upper endoscopy, and capsule endoscopy. It also offers medical weight loss, GLP-1 programs, and other wellness services. For patients who want GI care and weight support in one place, that mix is the appeal.
Pros: You can pair a colonoscopy with weight and wellness care at one office. The practice offers a full set of endoscopy services. Scheduling covers screening and diagnostic needs.
Cons: The wellness menu is broad, so GI is one of several focuses. Patients who want a specialist office that does only gastroenterology may prefer a narrower practice.
Best for: Patients who want digestive care and weight or wellness support handled together.
Contact: 521 W. Grand Parkway South, Katy, TX 77494 | 281-392-0425 | kevinmarksmd.com
How we ranked Katy’s colonoscopy doctors
We ranked Katy’s colonoscopy doctors on credentials, who performs the procedure, patient access, hospital affiliation, and public review patterns, not on advertising.
Board certification and training
Every doctor here is a board-certified gastroenterologist. We checked fellowship training and any advanced endoscopy skills.
Who performs the procedure
This is the factor patients ask about most and hear about least. We noted whether the listed doctor does the scope or whether a group may assign another provider.
Patient access
We looked at scheduling models, screening programs like Direct Access, and how many locations split a doctor’s time.
Hospital affiliation
Privileges at Memorial Hermann Katy or Houston Methodist West mean a doctor can manage care if a procedure finds something serious.
Reviews
We read public ratings for patterns, not single comments. Dr. Maher holds a 4.69 out of 5 rating across 71 reviews on Zocdoc as one example of verifiable feedback.
Do you need a colonoscopy in Katy?
If you are 45 or older and have never been screened, a colonoscopy is the test to book.
It is the only screening that removes precancerous polyps during the same exam. Colon cancer is showing up in younger adults too. Do not wait on symptoms like bleeding, a change in bowel habits, or ongoing belly pain.
Choosing the best colonoscopy doctor in Katy comes down to who performs your exam and how quickly you get results. Dr. James Maher performs every colonoscopy personally and reviews the results with you the same day. Average-risk patients can often skip the office visit through the Direct Access program. Call 281-945-5190 or book online to schedule your screening.
Frequently asked questions
Who is the best colonoscopy doctor in Katy, TX?
Katy has several strong board-certified options. Dr. James Maher stands out for performing every colonoscopy himself and reviewing results the same day, with no hand-off to a trainee. The best choice depends on your needs. For a single doctor start to finish, patients often pick Dr. Maher. For advanced procedures like ERCP, Dr. Arif is a strong option. For nutrition-focused care, Dr. Tamerisa fits well.
At what age should I get a colonoscopy?
Most people at average risk should start colon cancer screening at age 45. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force sets the age at 45. The American Cancer Society agrees. If you have a family history of colon cancer or symptoms like bleeding, you may need to start sooner. Ask a gastroenterologist.
How much does a colonoscopy cost in Katy?
A screening colonoscopy is often covered in full by insurance when you are at average risk and due for the exam. Costs rise if a polyp is removed or the exam is diagnostic rather than screening. Check with your insurer and the office before your appointment.
Does the same doctor perform my colonoscopy and review my results?
Not always. At many group practices, one provider does the consult and another performs the procedure. Dr. James Maher performs every colonoscopy himself and explains the results the same day. If continuity matters to you, ask each office who does what.
How should I prepare for a colonoscopy?
You will follow a bowel prep the day before, which clears the colon so the doctor can see clearly. That means a liquid diet and a prescribed laxative drink. Your doctor’s office gives you exact steps. Arrange a ride home, since you cannot drive for the rest of the day after sedation.
How often do I need a colonoscopy?
If your colonoscopy is normal and you are at average risk, you usually wait 10 years for the next one. If the doctor finds and removes polyps, you may return in three to five years. Your result decides the interval.
