Lena CaldwellDiscovering that you need to undergo surgery is one of the most overwhelming moments you can go through. I remember when a friend of mine broke us the news that he had undergone a major hernia surgery, and added that the toughest part was finding the right general surgeon.
Afterward, I immediately understood what he said; this decision was a matter of life and death, and the mere thought sent chills down my spine. Various instances zipped through my mind, like “What if my family or I required surgery, and we didn’t know where to look?”
As someone who believes there’s no such thing as over-preparation, I sought my team’s help to identify the best general surgeons in Charlotte. Continue reading if you want to have the best professionals on your speed dial!
What is the average cost of a general surgeon in Charlotte?
General surgeons in Charlotte typically charge $80 to $180 for appointments and consultations, and $9,000 to $20,000 or more for surgical procedures.
- 1. Kristin Wagner, MD, FACS – Surgical Specialists Of Charlotte, P.A.
- 2. Carl Lowe Jr, MD – Novant Health
- 3. Vedra A. Augenstein, MD, FACS – Atrium Health Carolinas Medical Center
- 4. James Antezana, MD – South Charlotte General and Vascular Surgery
- 5. Edward Panzeter, MD – Surgical Specialists of Charlotte
1. Kristin Wagner, MD, FACS – Surgical Specialists Of Charlotte, P.A.
Services: Adrenal tumors, hernia, skin cancers/lesions, gallbladder disease, parathyroid disease
Location: 1918 Randolph Rd STE 300
Contact: +1 704-333-0741
What immediately grabbed our attention about Kristin Wagner, MD, is her 30+ years of experience. Furthermore, she has an impressive educational and training background, having completed her surgical residency at the George Washington University Medical Center.
We were also pleased to learn that she’s a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, a special distinction that reflects world-class ethical and professional standards.
Digging deeper, we were even more impressed to find that she has a wide area of expertise, treating conditions such as hernia, gallbladder disease, adrenal tumors, and skin cancers.
Her previous patients we spoke with also praised Dr. Wagner for making them feel at ease during consultations, with her calm, comforting demeanor. They also shared that her clear communication skills regarding her procedure helped them feel confident before their surgeries.
Finally, we like how she takes the time to provide follow-up check-ins with her patients, whether through consultations or simple texts/emails. It would be great if she could add teleconsultations before surgeries, though.
The absolute best
“Dr Wagner is the absolute best. Very thorough when we met pre-surgery and explained everything in detail.
She has a very calm, confident demeanor, and it really is comforting. I had some issues post-surgery, and never did I imagine a doctor being so attentive. She texts my husband or me every day to see how I am doing.
My comfort was very important to her. Her nurse, Karen, is just as wonderful. So happy this is where I landed for my surgery. Cannot thank them enough.”
Julie White, Google Review
Incredible compassionate
“Dr. Wagner is highly knowledgeable and also incredibly compassionate. She took the time to listen to my concerns, explained the procedure thoroughly, and discussed recovery options in a way that was easy to understand.
Throughout my consultation, Dr. Wagner’s professionalism and dedication were evident, and I felt confident in her expertise. The clinic staff were also friendly and efficient. Overall, I highly recommend Dr. Wagner to anyone seeking top-notch surgical care.”
Shannon Talbert, Google Review
2. Carl Lowe Jr, MD – Novant Health
Services: Robotic surgery, minimally invasive surgery, bariatric surgery, general surgery
Location: 2104 Randolph Rd.
Contact: +1 704-377-3900
Business hours: Monday to Friday: 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
One of the things we liked about Dr. Carl Lowe Jr. is his extensive surgical expertise. Although somewhat limited, we’ve received testimonies from interviewees about how Dr. Lowe helped them with cases such as hernias, appendicitis, and gallbladder disease.
Our confidence grew when we learned he has over 19 years of experience, from his residency at Emory University Hospitals to his current role on the Novant Health surgical team.
Speaking of, Novant Health is equipped with state-of-the-art technology, which also explains Dr. Lowe’s expertise in robotic surgery.
We also want to commend Dr. Lowe for his excellent bedside manner. Our interviewees noted he was genuinely caring, saying they felt heard during consultations and that he gave them confidence before their surgeries.
They also shared how the doctor did a great job of explaining their patients’ conditions and the required surgical procedure. Lastly, we appreciate that Dr. Lowe offers telehealth consultations for patients who prefer remote consultations before surgery.
Couldn’t be happier
“Dr. Lowe is a wonderful doctor who shows genuine concern for his patients. I found him pleasant and more than willing to answer any questions. He instilled confidence in me to select him as the surgeon for my hernia repair.
My surgery went well, and I couldn’t be happier. Thank you, Dr. Lowe.”
William Reardon, Google Review
Absolutely amazing
“I can’t say enough about Dr Lowe. My surgery was performed almost 3 weeks ago. July 28th, 2025. From my consultation to post op appointment, he was absolutely amazing. He provided education on what was wrong and how he was going to repair the issue.
Very reassuring and confident of the services he would be providing. The surgery was successful, and I am so very thankful for this doctor. I highly recommend Dr. Lowe. I’m home recovering nicely. From the bottom of my heart, thank you, Dr. Lowe.”
Sharon Moreau, Google Review
3. Vedra A. Augenstein, MD, FACS – Atrium Health Carolinas Medical Center
Services: Hernia, spleen, adrenal disorders, general surgery
Location: 1025 Morehead Medical Dr, Suite 300
Contact: +1 704-355-1813
Business hours: Monday to Friday: 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Dr. Vedra A. Augenstein was one of our top picks because of her major hospital affiliation with Atrium Health Carolinas Medical Center.
This hospital is known for offering complex surgical care, and it helps that it’s equipped with the latest and most high-tech tools in medicine today. These are leveraged through Dr. Augenstein’s masterful robotic, minimally invasive surgeries.
We also spoke to previous patients, who praised the doctor’s advanced procedures, noting they left smaller scars. Furthermore, they reported that the surgeries were less painful and healed quickly.
Our interviewees also varied in the types of surgery they underwent with Dr. Augenstein, so our confidence in her area of expertise grew. Some of the procedures she had done that caught our attention included abdominal wall reconstruction and esophageal surgeries.
The only downside is that she doesn’t offer telehealth consultations. However, clients have shared that her approach makes in-person meetings worthwhile, as it’s where her comforting, knowledgeable nature shines.
Positive, kind, and very knowledgeable
“Everyone in the office was very kind and explained everything they were doing. They let me ask questions and answered them all. Dr Augustine was very helpful and explained all my options and what I have to do to complete the process.
She was positive, kind, and very knowledgeable. Overall, it was a great experience in her office.”
Patricia Loretto, Google Review
My life has been forever changed
“My quality of life was awful due to a very large hernia from a previous surgery by another doctor. I had three other doctors tell me they wanted my BMI to be below 30, and scheduled another opinion with Dr Augenstein.
Dr Augenstein showed compassion and gently guided me through the process of correcting it. It has been 6 months since surgery, and my life has been forever changed.
I have had more than a dozen abdominal surgeries, and this surgery was the easiest recovery, and healing was pretty quick. Dr Augenstein is a great surgeon! Highly recommend.”
Susan Waterbury, Google Review
4. James Antezana, MD – South Charlotte General and Vascular Surgery
Services: Facial hyperpigmentation, leg numbness, leg pain, varicose veins, laser therapy
Location: 13430 Hoover Creek Blvd.
Contact: 704-459-3028
Business hours: Monday to Friday: 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM
Dr. James Antezana piqued our interest with his extensive vascular surgery procedures, which he combines with his training as a general surgeon. Although it limits his offerings, we still want to include him because of the quality of his treatment.
One of our takeaways from speaking with his previous patients is clear communication skills.
They said Dr. Antezana didn’t shy away from explaining their condition and provided in-depth recommendations that would improve their quality of life after surgery. He would take the initiative to send emails and provide follow-up check-ins after their procedures.
Several people we interviewed also came to Dr. Antezana for severe leg pain and shared that his use of modern technology enabled a less invasive treatment. Furthermore, they shared how quickly their wounds recovered.
We also liked how he offers surgeries that also serve as aesthetic treatments for varicose veins and facial hyperpigmentation.
Skilled and compassionate
“Not only is Dr. Antezana one of the most skilled and compassionate physicians in the area. His office is bar none- everything is in pristine condition, he has much of the new tech at his disposal, and his ambulatory facilities are top-notch.
Lastly, his office staff is exceptional. They were kind, caring, and helped my wife and me navigate our visit with ease. I recommend anyone considering going to his office without hesitation.”
Dhavel Chauhan, Google Review
Caring and knowledgeable
“Dr. Antezana is not only an excellent Dr. But a human being, caring and knowledgeable, always helping me to make me feel better, and the staff is very friendly, they make you feel comfortable and welcome.
Thank you for being so helpful and giving the patient peace of mind, blessings for y’all.”
Malely Cardona, Google Review
5. Edward Panzeter, MD – Surgical Specialists of Charlotte
Services: Hernias, gallbladder, colon, endoscopy, thyroid, and parathyroid disease
Location: 10030 Gilead Rd #245
Contact: +1 704-547-9196
Business hours: Monday to Friday: 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
We wanted to include Dr. Edwartd Panzeter because of his strong skills and experience, even though he doesn’t have as much online feedback as we would like for someone of his tenure.
For starters, clients have shared how their surgeries left them with few, unnoticeable scars, thanks to the doctor’s smaller incisions. Moreover, this meant their hospital stays were much shorter, allowing them to save on ward costs.
We were also surprised that Dr. Panzeter treated them as friends during consultations and explained his procedures thoroughly, which immediately alleviated their fears.
The doctor’s area of specialization is commendable, as they have treated multiple conditions over the years, including hernias and gallbladder diseases. What further cemented our confidence was discovering that he has been doing this for almost 30 years.
It also helped that he’s a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons and a part of Surgical Specialists of Charlotte.
Friendly and easy to speak with
“Dr. Panzeter was amazing. I’m a new patient with him. He got the assignment when it comes to being friendly and easy to speak with.
He answered my questions and addressed my concerns. It was a pleasure meeting with him, and I believe he and his nurse are going to take great care of me.”
Elizabeth Nucci, Google Review
Bedside manner of a best friend
“Dr. Panzeter, or ‘Ed’ as he insists on being referred to, is an excellent combination of skill and professionalism with the bedside manner of a best friend. The nursing and office staff are exceptionally kind and professional as well.
My visit was exceptional, especially considering the difficult and urgent circumstances.”
Greer D, Google Review
