Mr Shahid Farid
Consultant General, Hepatobiliary and Liver Transplant Surgeon
Mr Shahid Farid FRCS is a Consultant General, Hepatobiliary and Liver Transplant Surgeon at St James’s University Hospital, Leeds. Privately, he performs high volume of keyhole gallbladder surgery for gallstones and repair of abdominal hernias in Yorkshire, at the Spire Leeds and Methley Park Hospitals and Leeds Nuffield Hospitals. Patients are seen within days and urgent cases operated on within two weeks.
Peer-reviewed Publications
Years Experience
Verified Patient Reviews
Typical Wait to Surgery
Could your pain be gallstones?
Gallstones are one of the most common surgical conditions in the UK. They form when bile in the gallbladder hardens into stones — sometimes the size of a grain of sand, sometimes as large as a golf ball. When they obstruct the bile duct, the pain can be severe and debilitating.
Many patients spend months being investigated or waiting on NHS lists before getting a diagnosis and treatment. With private care through Mr Farid, you can be assessed and treated quickly, with certainty.
Sudden, severe upper-right abdominal pain
Often comes on after eating, particularly fatty foods, and can last minutes to hours.
Pain radiating to the back or right shoulder
A hallmark of biliary colic — the classic gallstone presentation.
Nausea and vomiting
Frequently accompanies gallstone attacks, especially after meals.
Jaundice or yellowing of the skin
Indicates a stone may have passed into the bile duct. Requires prompt assessment.
Bloating and indigestion
Persistent, unexplained digestive discomfort that doesn't resolve with antacids.
Fever and chills
Suggests possible infection of the gallbladder (cholecystitis) — seek urgent review.
Struggling with symptoms?
Private appointments are available at short notice.
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Responds to enquiries within one working day
Initial consultation price for a 20 minute appointment
Finance options available with Spire and Nuffield Health
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An initial consultation with Mr Farid starts from £195. Fixed-price surgery packages are available and a quote will be provided after your consultation. Mr Farid is recognised by all major UK insurers including BUPA, AXA Health, Vitality, Aviva and Cigna — many patients have their surgery fully covered.
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Most patients are seen within a few days of their initial enquiry. Where surgery is recommended, this is typically arranged within two weeks — significantly faster than NHS waiting lists, which currently exceed several months in many areas.
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No. You are welcome to self-refer and contact the practice directly. If you have private health insurance, you should contact your insurer first to obtain a pre-authorisation number.
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Most patients return to light activities within one to two weeks. Those with desk-based jobs typically return to work within this period. Strenuous activity and heavy lifting should be avoided for four weeks. Mr Farid's team provides detailed post-operative guidance tailored to your lifestyle.
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Yes. Mr Farid regularly takes on complex cases including acute cholecystitis, bile duct stones, previous abdominal surgery, obesity, and patients who are immunosuppressed. His hepatobiliary and transplant training makes him particularly well-suited to anatomically challenging cases.
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Laparoscopic (keyhole) surgery uses four small incisions and a camera, resulting in less pain, smaller scars, shorter hospital stay, and faster recovery. Open surgery uses a single larger incision and is now reserved for cases where keyhole surgery is not possible. The vast majority of Mr Farid's patients have keyhole surgery.
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Private surgery is performed at Spire Leeds Hospital. Consultations are available at Spire Leeds Hospital and can also be arranged at other locations. Contact the secretary for details of the most convenient clinic for you.
Your Questions Answered
A specialist in hepatobiliary and general surgery
While gallbladder and liver problems are the most common reason patients come to Mr Farid privately, he offers a full range of general surgical services. These include the assessment of unexplained abdominal pain, liver cysts and benign liver lesions, hernia repair, and specialist second opinions — including for patients with a new diagnosis of liver cancer who want clarity on their options. He also sees patients seeking advice on scar revision following previous abdominal surgery.
Learn about minimally invasive surgery for gallstones
