First I want to say thank-you to those who replied to my
post and given me some helpful information. On the other
hand, my doctors wrote their letter to my insurance company
3 weeks and I am awaiting their reply. I was told by my
Plastic Surgeon that they may only cover the 700.00 cost of
the Panniculectomy
(http://www.sleepingswan.com/articles...nformation.htm)

My medical conditions are:

Herniated disc
(http://orthopedics.about.com/cs/hern...ptureddisk.htm),
Intertigo (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intertrigo),
Atopic Dermatitis (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atopic_dermatitis),

Is this medical or cosmetic? Still not sure. I am afraid if
the insurance does cover it, will the IRS go by their
decision. Will it be advisable to try and write it off come
tax season. I never been audited in my life and it scares me
for some reason. I file single btw.

"sonata32" <uniden110p[at]yahoo.com> wrote:

- quote -

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"sonata32" <uniden1...[at]yahoo.com> wrote:

- quote -

If a tummy tuck or some liposuction seems in order, the bad
news is that cosmetic medical procedure costs generally
aren't deductible. They are deductible, however, if required
to correct a deformity caused by an accident or disfiguring
disease.

Milt Baker CPA

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sonata32 wrote:

- quote -

Well, Pub 509 states "Generally, you cannot include in
medical expenses the amount you pay for unnecessary cosmetic
surgery. This includes any procedure that is directed at
improving the patient's appearance and does not meaningfully
promote the proper function of the body or prevent or treat
illness or disease."

I don't think this applies to you as the condition you
describe sounds like something that is needed, not the
cosmetic surgery as described. Given that, you should ask if
this is covered by your insurance plan, in which case your
question happily is rendered moot.

If not, keep in mind, this is deductible to the extent it
exceeds 7.5% of your AGI (adjusted gross income) and is then
a schedule A deduction, which you may not use unless you
have enough Sch A items to exceed the standard deduction
($5450 single, $10900 joint). See
http://www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc502.html for more
information. I wish you well.

JOE

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"sonata32" <uniden110p[at]yahoo.com> wrote
- quote -

It doesn't sound like a purely cosmetic procedure to me.
Therefore it would be deductible.

--
Paul A. Thomas, CPA
Athens, Georgia

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Do to my 80 pound weight loss (which I gained all this
weight from medication) My dermatologist, PCP and back
doctor states that I am need of one a tummy tuck because:

1. I use steroids creams and ointments to stop the itching
and infections but eventually my extra skin is being thin
out.

2. My lower back is constantly hurting from the pressure of
the loose tissue and fat.

3. It impedes my job performance because I have to wear a
fanny pack (around my stomach area) for all my instruments
(inspector) that weights 8 pounds.

The cost is 6K for the whole surgery. I am not out to scam
the government. I just want to know if it is possible to
write this off as medical. Thank-you for your time and
advice.

J

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