After 6 years at a stable weight and working to improve my body fat percentage, I've decided to go with plastic surgery to remove the excess skin. I went for a consultation/seminar yesterday and learned that recently many patients have been able to deduct some of the cost of their plastic surgery after massive weight loss from their taxes. The surgeon has had patients successful use a medical deduction under Publication 502 (expenses over 7.5 % of adjusted gross income). Reading over the publication it says that most plastic surgery is NOT deductible unless it's for reconstruction. I'm guessing the "reconstruction" clause is what body contouring is falling under.
Does anyone have any experience with this deduction?
I had the surgery but didn't try to take the deduction because of the 7.5% of AGI requirement. I don't know the position the IRS is taking on skin removal surgery, whether they'll allow it as reconstructive surgery or consider it cosmetic. If it's important to you to get the deduction, you could call the IRS or do some research into the regs and private letter rulings for that provision.
I had the surgery but didn't try to take the deduction because of the 7.5% of AGI requirement. I don't know the position the IRS is taking on skin removal surgery, whether they'll allow it as reconstructive surgery or consider it cosmetic. If it's important to you to get the deduction, you could call the IRS or do some research into the regs and private letter rulings for that provision.
Good advice. I'll contact the IRS as the potential saving make it very important to me. I did find a ruling from 1996. Can't post the link (yet) but if you google "al-murshidi weight loss medical expense" it should be in the top 10 hits. I'm also going to ask about the documentation and preparation of those former patients who got the deduction.
Body Contouring Cost as a Tax Deduction?
Congrats to you too! We need a nice big piece of cake to celebrate 
KIDDING! 
