06/08/2026
💙"I feel like a better parent now," she says. "I can run, play and keep up with Camden. I'm more active and engaged — and that means everything to me."💙
After becoming a parent, Emily Chalstrom, a medical administrative assistant in the Gastrointestinal Diagnostic Unit at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, found herself struggling to maintain her energy and sense of balance.
Then a Co-workers success sparked hope! ✨
"I ran into a co-worker who looked fantastic," she remembers. "When I asked what she had done, she told me she had an endoscopic weight-loss procedure. I said right then, 'I need to look into this.'"
That procedure was an endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty, a minimally invasive, outpatient option performed by Mayo Clinic's Metabolic and Bariatric Endoscopy Program. Using an endoscope inserted through the mouth, physicians place sutures to reduce the size of the stomach, helping patients feel more satisfied with much smaller meals and making significant weight loss more achievable. The procedure requires no incisions or hospital stay, and most patients return to work within a few days.
Through lifestyle changes and making good choices, since her procedure, Emily has lost significant weight and, even more importantly, regained her energy, confidence and joy. 😃
"With the weight loss, I feel awesome," she says. "I'm healthier, I love being outside, and I feel 100% better."
Thank you, Emily, for allowing us to share your incredible journey!!
Read the full story of Emily's journey below!
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"I was having a hard time with my weight, and I was also dealing with depression and anxiety," she recalls. "After having my son, Camden, I gained more weight and just didn't feel like myself anymore."
Like many working parents, Emily wanted to be active and engaged in her child's life, but fatigue and low motivation made it difficult.
"I wanted to be the kind of parent who could run and play without feeling winded," she says. "I wanted to keep up with Camden."
Co-worker's success sparked hope
Emily's turning point came through a simple workplace conversation.
"I ran into a co-worker who looked fantastic," she remembers. "When I asked what she had done, she told me she had an endoscopic weight-loss procedure. I said right then, 'I need to look into this.'"
That procedure was an endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty, a minimally invasive, outpatient option performed by Mayo Clinic's Metabolic and Bariatric Endoscopy Program. Using an endoscope inserted through the mouth, physicians place sutures to reduce the size of the stomach, helping patients feel more satisfied with much smaller meals and making significant weight loss more achievable. The procedure requires no incisions or hospital stay, and most patients return to work within a few days.
"It was an outpatient procedure — no hospital stay — and I was back to work in just a few days," Emily says. "It was truly the jump-start I needed."
Building new habits and confidence
While endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty offered the momentum she was looking for, Emily emphasizes that long-term success takes continued effort.
"The procedure was a starter," she explains. "You still have to put in the work — exercise, eat healthier, and make good choices every day. But having that extra help made all the difference."
Since her procedure, Emily has lost significant weight and, even more importantly, regained her energy, confidence and joy.
"With the weight loss, I feel awesome," she says. "I'm healthier, I love being outside, and I feel 100% better."
Reconnecting with what matters most:
For Emily, the most meaningful part of her journey is how it's changed her day-to-day life as a parent.
"I feel like a better parent now," she says. "I can run, play and keep up with Camden. I'm more active and engaged — and that means everything to me."
Are you interested in minimally invasive weight loss options and life changing results? Learn more here--> https://careinfo.mayoclinic.org/MNBariatricEndoscopy
