David May, DO

Meet David May, DO

Fellowship-Trained Minimally Invasive and Bariatric Surgeon in Santa Fe

Facing surgery is stressful enough without wondering whether there's a less invasive way to get the same result. Dr. David May is a fellowship-trained general and bariatric surgeon providing minimally invasive surgical care at CHRISTUS Health in Santa Fe, New Mexico. He earned his Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine from the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine, completed his general surgery residency at Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center, and pursued additional fellowship training in minimally invasive bariatric and foregut surgery at Geisinger Medical Center — one of the nation's high-volume surgical training programs. That fellowship prepared him specifically for the laparoscopic and minimally invasive techniques that define his practice today: smaller incisions, less pain, and faster recovery for patients undergoing procedures ranging from hernia repair to weight-loss surgery. Dr. May speaks English, Spanish, and French, and brings more than a decade of surgical experience to the Santa Fe community.

Career at a Glance

• Fellowship-trained in minimally invasive bariatric and foregut surgery at Geisinger Medical Center
• 11–20 years of experience in general and bariatric surgery
• Board-certified by the American Osteopathic Association
• Trilingual — fluent in English, Spanish, and French
• Active member of the Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES), the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS), and the American College of Osteopathic Surgeons

Clinical Role and Leadership

Dr. May serves as a general and bariatric surgeon at the CHRISTUS Health Surgical Associates clinic in Santa Fe, where he evaluates, diagnoses, and surgically treats conditions affecting the abdomen, gastrointestinal tract, and related structures. His fellowship training in minimally invasive and foregut surgery gives him particular depth in procedures that can be performed laparoscopically — reducing the physical toll of surgery and helping patients return to normal activity sooner. For patients in Santa Fe who need bariatric surgery, hernia repair, gallbladder removal, or upper GI procedures, Dr. May provides fellowship-level expertise locally.

He provides specialized surgical care for conditions such as:

• Obesity and weight-related health conditions, including obstructive sleep apnea, diabetes, and high blood pressure
• Gallstones and cholecystitis (gallbladder inflammation)
• Ventral hernia and other abdominal wall hernias
• Upper gastrointestinal conditions requiring endoscopic evaluation or surgical intervention
• Foregut disorders affecting the esophagus and stomach
• Conditions requiring colon surgery
• High cholesterol and metabolic conditions related to weight

What You Can Expect from Care with Dr. May

Patients consistently describe Dr. May as someone who explains conditions clearly, listens carefully, and brings a calm, thorough approach to every surgical consultation. Whether you're exploring weight-loss surgery or need a hernia repaired, his goal is to make sure you understand your condition, your options, and what to expect before, during, and after surgery.

You can expect:

• A thorough evaluation of your condition and an honest assessment of whether surgery is the right option
• A clear, detailed explanation of the recommended procedure — including how minimally invasive approaches may benefit your recovery
• A surgical plan tailored to your specific health needs, goals, and risk factors
• Attentive follow-up care to monitor your healing and adjust your recovery plan as needed
• A surgeon who speaks your language — English, Spanish, or French — so nothing is lost in translation during critical conversations about your care

Minimally Invasive Surgical Approach

Dr. May's fellowship in minimally invasive bariatric and foregut surgery at Geisinger Medical Center prepared him to perform a wide range of procedures using laparoscopic techniques — which use small incisions, a camera, and specialized instruments rather than large open incisions. For patients, this typically means less post-operative pain, shorter hospital stays, reduced scarring, and a faster return to daily life. His procedural scope includes gastric sleeve surgery for patients pursuing surgical weight loss, laparoscopic hernia repair for abdominal wall defects, laparoscopic gallbladder removal, and upper GI endoscopy to evaluate and treat conditions of the esophagus and stomach.