Jesus Galarza is easygoing and social, someone who enjoys life and appreciates the little things, like sharing laughs with friends or selecting a sharp outfit. But his current energy and confidence are hard-won. Just a few years ago, the now 30-year-old Long Branch resident was living a very different life, weighed down both physically and emotionally.
From an early age, he battled obesity. By high school, he weighed between 270 and 280 pounds—an especially heavy load for his 5’8″ frame. “I always tried to eat healthy,” he says, “but it was hard when you have all the good stuff in front of you. I was a big fan of Chinese food.”
As he entered adulthood, the scale continued to climb. Poor eating habits persisted, and by his mid-20s, Galarza had reached 375 pounds. The extra weight caused daily discomfort, including persistent back and knee pain, making even simple movements a challenge.
A Life-Changing Encounter and Initial Weight Loss Attempts
In 2015, while attending a conference, Jesus met Dallas Page, a former professional wrestler and current motivational speaker and yoga instructor. Their conversation would prove to be a pivotal moment in his life.
“He told me, ‘Listen, if you don’t change your life and your eating habits now, you’re not going to make it to age 40 because your heart is not going to keep carrying your weight,’” Jesus recalls. “That was a big wake-up call.”
Motivated by the warning, he committed to exercise and managed to shed nearly 40 pounds over the next three years. But he soon realized that physical activity alone wasn’t enough.
“Nothing was really working,” he says. “When you’re big all of your life, you think all you have to do is exercise—but you don’t realize that controlling food intake is just as important.”
Exploring Bariatric Surgery
Encouraged by friends, Jesus began looking into bariatric surgery, a treatment that alters the digestive system to promote weight loss. After researching the procedure, he met with bariatric surgeon Frank Borao, M.D., FACS, FASMBS, director of minimally invasive esophageal and gastric surgery.
After weighing his options with Dr. Borao, Jesus chose to undergo a sleeve gastrectomy, a minimally invasive procedure that removes approximately 75 percent of the stomach. At the time of surgery in September, he weighed 334 pounds.
Jesus is candid about his decision. “I was nervous and scared, but Dr. Borao always told me the truth, presented the facts, and made me feel comfortable. I didn’t know the possible outcome, but he said I had a good chance of succeeding with this procedure.”
Building a Healthy Lifestyle Post-Surgery
Even with surgery, Jesus knew that lasting success required personal commitment. As Dr. Borao reminded him, surgery was a tool—but it was up to him to do the work.
To maintain his weight loss and boost his overall health, he adopted healthier eating habits. He reduced his intake of carbohydrates and sugar and prioritized vegetables and lean proteins, such as chicken and fish. He also made physical activity part of his daily routine.
Jesus is committed to this new way of life. “I’m constantly moving, and when you eat clean, you feel clean,” he states. He walks five to six miles a day and stays active as a member of the custodial staff at Long Branch Public Schools.
A Transformed Life
Today, Jesus weighs a healthy 166 pounds. The transformation has not only changed his appearance but also his energy and confidence.
“I love my lifestyle. I have energy now that I never had,” he says. “I feel great and I fit into the clothes I always wanted to buy.”
Looking back on his journey, he is filled with gratitude for Dr. Borao and the team at Specialty Surgical Associates, who helped guide him to a new life.
“I can’t thank Dr. Borao and his staff enough; they really saved my life.”
