Were is all my Chattanoogians at?

[downsdc 0]

I got my insurance to pay for my upper-GI (they discovered a hiatal hernia, which Dr. Ponce is going to fix), and the labwork yesterday was submitted to my insurance company. But I don't think my insurance would pay for the adjustments, since they are associated with my gastric surgery, which is specifically excluded in my company insurance policy with BCBS TX.

They told us yesterday that they don't post how much your band contains on the Realize Band website because people get fixated on that. I don't really care as long as I get to the correct restriction. And I don't want them putting a half cc in at a time just to stretch the process out to make more money. since they are only charging me $50 selfpay the first year for adjustments, hopefully they won't do that.

[*slim* 2]

I doubt it. I got 2.2 cc in the first adjustment. I know that because at my 2nd adjustment, Dr. Ponce told me that he was adding 1 cc to give me a total of 3.2 cc. I think I am close to good restriction, just not close enough to wait it out. I am terrified that I am going to start gaining weight because I am so hungry.

[Carrie_C 9]

When were you banded, Carrie?

I was banded in May by Dr. Paynter.

They have never told me how much they put in my band. I ask once and Brooke said that they don't tell so people don't get fixated on it. But I really don't care. It is a big deal to some people, though. But everyone is different. I have had very good restriction with just a small amount of Fluid. But it takes more for others. One of the nurses said that guys usually need fewer fills than women just because of how we are built different. So maybe you won't need many fills to get to good restriction. I think it also depends on where you carry your weight. I carry very little in my stomach. Mine is mostly in my legs. I think the more fat you carry around your stomach, the more fills you will need because as you lose fat around your stomach, the band will get looser.

[downsdc 0]

I carry most of my weight around my stomach.

My wife and I are going to the GBI support group meeting this Tuesday nite. It will be before my surgery (1/26).

[Carrie_C 9]

That's good. I don't go to the support meetings because it is too far for me.

[*slim* 2]

I carry most my weight around my stomach too. I haven't been to one of the support group meetings. They start not long after I get off from work. It would be hard for me to make it from downtown to their office in time. Let me know how it is though. I have wondered about it.

[Mink 0]

Has anybody requested a statement on everything paid to the GBI. I was self pay and would like to claim the surgery on my taxes. I should have saved all the receipts but didnt. Who should I ask for.

[downsdc 0]

Johnna is gone, so I guess you would just call and ask. The issue is whether or not the Lap-Band is considered cosmetic surgery by the IRS. I have a CPA friend so I'll ask him if it can be deducted. Also, you can only deduct the amount over 7.5% of your adjusted gross income. You also have to itemize deductions.

[Carrie_C 9]

I'm pretty sure you can claim it on taxes. I don't think it is considered cosmetic.

[downsdc 0]

I hope I can for 2009, since I'm self-pay. Unfortunately the $1000 surgery deposit and $250 consult fee I paid in 2008 aren't enough to be over the 7.5% threshold this year.

[downsdc 0]

Mink found her answer on another thread:

Hi Mink,

The entire amount you spent on your banding would be deductible as medical expense. The actual extent of the deductibility depends on your personal tax situation...in general, medical expenses over and above 7.5% of your taxable income are deductible.

Unless you get audited, there's no need to supply any documentation or details about what your medical expenses consisted of. It's always advisable to keep receipts and notes about anything you'll be deducting, ever, but that's just good practice in general.

__________

I'm planning on asking for a detailed receipt from GBI just in case I get audited. On another post the IRS asked someone (in a letter) for more detailed info and then it was fine.

[Carrie_C 9]

I went to the IRS website and it said any surgery that is medically necessary and treats any disease, including obesity is considered a deduction. If it were only to improve your looks, it would be considered plastic surgery and it wouldn't be counted, like a Tummy Tuck or something.

[Mink 0]

How about motel room and gas. I live 300 miles away and have over $800 in expences. I wanted to do my own taxes but this might be a little more than I can handle. I do itemize and have for years. I just hate to go to local HR Block I live in a very small town.

[Carrie_C 9]

Yes, you can claim motel and mileage expenses. Here is the link if you want to read it.

http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p502.pdf

[Mink 0]

Thanks for the link