Julie Pulmano’s love language is taking cruises. She and her husband, Sherman, met on one and promised they’d be together “for 90 years.” When something happened on another cruise, Sherman reminded Julie of their promise.
“I was going up the stairs on a ship, and I was having chest pain and was short of breath,” Julie says.
Her husband urged her to see a doctor, and Julie learned the cause wasn’t her heart, but her weight.
“I was that person who would be getting ready to go somewhere, and I’d be in the closet, trying to find something that would fit. But nothing looked good on me, so I wouldn’t go,” Julie says. “I’d tell my husband that I wasn’t going and would just cry in the closet instead. I’d plan amazing cruises for six months out and buy cute outfits and start trying to lose weight, but I’d never lose it, and I’d be so sad.”
But knowing her health and longevity were at risk “made me realize I needed to do something,” Julie says.
Achieving her goals
Julie was working as a nurse on the surgical floor of Mayo Clinic at the time. She was struck by the success stories she heard from patients who’d worked with the Mayo Clinic Bariatric Center.
She decided to enter the program herself in 2012 as a candidate for weight-loss surgery. While her husband and children supported her, Julie felt judged by some of her friends, and she left the program.
Julie reentered it in 2024, determined to complete it successfully. She met with Mayo Clinic dietitians, nurses, and a bariatrician. She was cleared for gastric bypass surgery after evaluations, including blood and imaging tests, as well as behavioral, heart, and lung assessments to reduce the risk of complications.
Julie also went to classes before her surgery to learn how to eat properly and exercise. Behavior modification — like focusing on portion size, not plate size, and learning how to meal prep — has been an important factor, she says. Julie drew inspiration and motivation from other patients in the program’s support groups.
Julie credits her outcome — losing 125 pounds and keeping it off — to the strategies she learned in the program.
“Buying into the behavior aspects of the program is what leads to success with bariatric surgery,” says Dr. Steven Bowers, the Mayo Clinic surgeon who performed Julie’s surgery. “Julie is a great example of someone who took to heart the importance of changing your lifestyle, and she’s done extremely well.”
Inspiring others
Julie then transitioned into a new role at Mayo Clinic, joining the Bariatric Center as a nurse. She often shares her personal journey — along with before-and-after photos — to encourage and connect with her patients.
“This is the perfect job for me,” Julie says. “I feel like I’m able to inspire patients. I tell them it’s not easy, but it is worth it. And it will bring them longevity and happiness.”
Seeking professional help for weight loss is about much more than appearance, she says.
“Obviously, it gives your confidence a boost, but it also benefits your health and gives you a better quality of life. You just feel better. Your whole attitude toward life is better.”
Although Julie acknowledges she may be biased as an employee, she says she felt completely confident in the expertise and exceptional patient experience Mayo Clinic provides.
“Mayo Clinic has the highest standards,” Julie says. “They’re so comprehensive. They truly walk alongside you, from start to finish.”
Mayo Clinic offers the full spectrum of professional weight loss support, including medication, non-surgical endoscopic procedures, and surgical options. The team works hand-in-hand with each patient to find the approach that fits their life and goals.
“Joining this program was the best decision I’ve ever made,” Julie says. “My only regret is not doing it sooner, but I hope my story inspires others to get the care they need and deserve.”
To learn more or request an appointment, call 904-953-0892 or visit the Mayo Clinic Bariatric Center website.
