Board-certified surgeons Dr. Philip Leggett and Dr. Seeyuen Lee pair decades of minimally invasive expertise with a simple promise — the smallest intervention that solves the problem, and the fastest possible return to the life you were living.
Dr. Leggett & Dr. Lee is built around a simple idea — that the best surgery is the one that disrupts your life the least. Dr. Leggett and Dr. Lee weigh every option before they operate, reach for the least invasive approach that will solve the problem, and explain the plan in language that actually makes sense. From a routine colonoscopy to a complex reflux repair, every case is shaped around you.
Every recommendation is one we’d give a member of our own family. If your condition can be managed without surgery, we’ll tell you. If an operation is the right call, we’ll explain why — and show you exactly what we’re seeing — before anything is scheduled.
From your first consultation through recovery, Dr. Leggett and Dr. Lee handle your care personally. You won’t be handed off to someone who’s never met you — the surgeon who plans your procedure is the surgeon who performs it.
Laparoscopic, robotic, and incisionless techniques mean smaller incisions, less pain, and a shorter recovery. We choose the approach that gets you home — and back to normal — as quickly as it safely can.
Chronic heartburn, regurgitation, and trouble swallowing are more than an inconvenience. We offer the full range of reflux care — from non-surgical options to laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication for lasting relief — and start with the least invasive one that fits.
Hiatal, inguinal, umbilical, and ventral hernias rarely improve on their own. We repair them with state-of-the-art minimally invasive techniques built to lower your risk of recurrence and speed your recovery.
When gallstones or an infected gallbladder are causing pain, minimally invasive removal resolves the problem and prevents serious complications. Most patients go home the same day.
For patients living with obesity and related conditions like type 2 diabetes, weight loss surgery can be life-changing. We offer both medical and surgical options and help you find the one that fits your health and your goals.
Screening saves lives. We perform colonoscopy for colon cancer screening and diagnosis, along with upper endoscopy (EGD) to evaluate reflux, ulcers, and other digestive concerns.
From the colon to the thyroid, we bring laparoscopic, robotic, and incisionless approaches to procedures that once required large incisions and long hospital stays.
A Houston native, I've built my career around advancing minimally invasive surgery — work that's taken me around the world as a lecturer and author, and kept me right here at home caring for the community I grew up in. My approach hasn't changed: understand the whole person, choose the least invasive path that solves the problem, and get you back to your life.
Medical degree — University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston
Residency — Ochsner Clinic, New Orleans
Experience — 35+ years
Focus — Minimally invasive & bariatric surgery
Board-certified in laparoscopic and bariatric surgery, Dr. Lee specializes in robotic and minimally invasive techniques. Beyond the operating room, she helps train the next generation of surgeons as associate program director of the Minimally Invasive Surgery Fellowship at Houston Northwest and a clinical assistant professor at UTHealth/McGovern Medical School.
Medical degree — Tulane University School of Medicine
Residency — LSU Health, New Orleans
Fellowship — Minimally Invasive Surgery, UTHealth Houston
Memberships — FACS, SAGES, ASMBS
Four principles the practice is built around. Every patient's experience flows from these.
We treat conservatively first. If your problem can be solved without an operation, that's the plan we'll recommend — full stop.
You're cared for directly by Dr. Leggett and Dr. Lee, from consultation through recovery - not passed between providers who've never met you.
Laparoscopic, robotic, endoscopic, and incisionless techniques mean smaller incisions, less pain, and a faster return home.
As home to one of the country's longest-running minimally invasive surgery fellowships, we hold ourselves to the standard we teach — and stay current with the techniques we pass on.
If your question isn't answered here, contact us and we'll walk you through it.
We accept most major insurance plans. Call our office and we'll verify your benefits before your consultation, so there are no surprises.
Not always. For conditions like acid reflux, we often start with non-surgical treatment. If surgery turns out to be the best path, we'll explain exactly why before scheduling anything.
Instead of one large incision, we operate through a few small ones using a camera and specialized instruments — and in some cases, no incision at all. For most patients that means less pain and a faster recovery.
It depends on the procedure, but minimally invasive approaches generally mean shorter hospital stays and a quicker return to normal activity than open surgery. We'll give you a realistic timeline for your specific case.
Yes. We provide both medical and surgical weight loss options and will help you understand which approach best fits your health and your goals.
Our surgeons are affiliated with Houston Healthcare Northwest (HCA) and Northwest Surgery Center Red Oak.
Every case here starts with a conversation — no pressure, no surprises. Whether you're coming in for a screening colonoscopy or weighing a bigger decision, we'll take the time to understand what's going on and walk you through every option before anything is scheduled.
Monday – Friday: 9 AM – 5 PM