New Year, New Christa: A Success Story from Northwest Medical Center’s Bariatric & Foregut Surgery
1/9/2025
At just 27 years old, Christa Gallegos found herself facing a reality that shook her to her core – she was at her heaviest ever.
"The number on the scale was what scared me. I had never been that big before," Christa says. “It seemed like no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t make lasting progress.”
In addition to the weight, Christa’s general health was spiraling. She struggled with low energy, a diagnosis of fatty liver disease, and a feeling of disconnection from the life she once enjoyed.
Christa knew she had to make a drastic change – not just for herself, but for her two young sons, ages nine and one.
Through her work as a healthcare professional in Safford, Christa heard great things from colleagues and friends about Stephen Burpee, M.D., a board-certified and fellowship-trained general and bariatric surgeon at Northwest Medical Center. Dr. Burpee is known for performing a variety of minimally-invasive bariatric procedures to help patients like Christa return to active, thriving lives.
“That’s when I decided to take a bold step and explore bariatric surgery,” she says. “It wasn’t an easy decision, and I wrestled with feelings of fear, doubt, and uncertainty. Would it work? Was I making the right choice? But as I learned more about the procedure, the support systems in place, and the life-changing results for many others, I realized this was the best option for me.”
Together, Dr. Burpee and Christa decided on a gastric sleeve procedure as her personalized path forward – and Christa felt real hope for the first time.
Six months later, Christa is unrecognizable – not just in terms of her appearance, but in her energy, confidence, and general state of health.
"I have so much more energy to keep up with my boys,” she says. “The compliments are also nice to hear, and I can finally fit into the clothes I’ve been holding on to for years.”
But the surgery was just the beginning. The real work came afterwards – adapting to a new way of eating, learning to listen to her body, and adjusting to life with a smaller stomach.
“There were challenges, of course,” Christa says. “There were ups and downs, days when I felt on top of the world and others when I wanted to give up. But I learned that consistency, not perfection, was the key. I began prioritizing nourishing my body, finding new forms of exercise I enjoyed, and being patient with myself. I made sure to surround myself with supportive people who encouraged me, and I celebrated every victory, no matter how small. Over time, the weight started to come off, but more importantly, my mindset shifted. I stopped seeing food as the enemy and instead focused on fueling my body with the nutrients it needed.”
Today, thanks to Dr. Burpee and his exceptional team, and her own commitment to the process, Christa hasn’t just lost weight – she’s found renewed vitality and joy in a healthier lifestyle she can share with her children.
"The entire experience, from the consultation to the hospital staff, was exceptional," she says. “It was the start of my re-discovering a sense of strength and confidence I hadn’t felt in years.”
To learn more about surgical weight loss at Northwest Healthcare, or to request an appointment, please visit https://www.healthiertucson.com/why-choose-us-bariatrics.
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