brachioplasty....when is too soon?

Turns out that my WLS didn't cost as much as I feared...or my insurance covered more of it than expected...and I have about $3000 left in my Flex plan for health care for 2012.  It can be used up until 3/15/ 2013.  If not used by then, I lose the money.

So I"m wondering if it is too soon for me to consider a brachioplasty.  I't's been 7 months since my RNY and I'm down over 90 pounds.  My "I'd be ecstatic goal" is another 30 pounds, but frankly, I doubt I''m going to make that.  I think another 10-20 pounds slowly over the next 6 months is realistic. 

Do those of you who have had the operation (or investigated it) think it would be possible/reasonable to have it done say in mid-Feb....another 8 weeks or so from now? 

In an ideal world, I'd say wait - but if you are going to lose the money, I would go ahead and get it done ...

Thanks.  That's my inclination, but I am not sure if it is actually medically inadvisable, as opposed to simply not optimum.

i was told to wait 1 year before getting surgery of any kind. but i think if I was in this situation. I would get it done. 

I don't see any medical reason why not but then I'm a midwife and not a plastic surgeon LOL!!!!!   The recommendation to wait until you have maintained a stable weight for 6 months + is to ensure you get the optimum result.

Most reputable surgeons recommend 18 months of stable weight before proceeding with plastics.  I'd normally agree, however, if you must use or lose the money I'd definitely not want to see you lose it.  Start calling around and schedule consults.  The surgeon should be able advise you on how to proceed.

Are you certain that that money can be used for something "elective"/"not medically necessary?"

I had the same idea, essentially I was going to put back the maximum allowed amount for 2013 and not use any of it and then do the same for 2014 and have surgery in the grace period at the very beginning of 2014, essentially allowing me to use my contributions from both 2013 and 2014 to pay for surgery even though I hadn't yet made my full contributions for 2014 yet.

I specifically asked the benefits coordinator/administrator if this was going to be an allowed expense (I work for a large  healthcare system) and was told I couldn't use these untaxed contributions to pay for anything elective. Needless to say, I was bummed.

Hopefully that won't be the case for you and you can do it! I'm itching to have my arms done as well but will wait a bit longer to save my pennies and lose a little more weight I guess.

MIchele, I don't believe that's the case...at least not from the IRS tax perspective (in other words, not in the law or regs that allow companies to set up these plans).   It is, however, possible, that the specific terms of your employers' plan limit its use to non-elective surgeries. 

I'm going to double-check with my firm's tax expert and the HR guy.  Will post again with a definitive answer.

Well, well then... maybe my idea will work then if it is an employer regulation and not an IRS one. I just need to convince the hubs to put his pennies aside in his flex plan, earmarked for me -- maybe if I promise to get new bewbies at the same time?!

According to IRS publication 502, cosmetic surgery is specifically excluded from eligible medical expenses.

Lora