oh my, shut them down????!!  thats very scary.  what were the symptoms?  i'm glad you are ok.  please take care.

it depends if the doctor has a package deal or not. In the first 90 days you are covered under global insurance so any fill in 90 days should be covered. 
I had blue cross and they paid for my fills. I had Cigna and they wouldn't pay for my conversion from the band to rny...but they paid for my doctor appt part of the visit...not the fill. The doc accepted the $ and didn't bill me the diffrerence.
I however, would consider your 2 hour commute for aftercare with the band. It is much more than with the RNY.   I am speaking from experience for I now have had both.  And sometimes with the band you get a fill and in a day, two or even two weeks you are so tight you can't even swallow your spit.  A 2 hour commute could make for difficulty.  Also, you might not "get' a fill when needed due to the commute and possibility of needing a subsequent unfill.  I know people who are local to the doc and consider what is the next week...kid stuff, work travel, etc and if they knwo they can't get back to the doc the next week.....just in case....they don't get a fill.
So...the 2 hour commute should also be a decision in your surgery choice.
Joan

Ok.  I had surgery on july 18th 2008, just rounding out 3 months.  my weight lose has pretty much stopped moving.  i lost 1 lb last week.  1 lb the week before.  and so on.  i'm losing my pep, i think.  i've been working out 3-4 days a week.  i'm trying my hardest to get at least 60 grams of protein today.  the only thing i'm having a problem with is getting my fluids in.  yestereday was the beginning of me  jumping on that horse again and really trying.  i'm down 70lbs since the week before surgery.   any feedback would be helpful. thanks so much!  jen.

 I had the vertical sleeve on the 11th of August.  Have not experienced the numbness but can SO RELATE TO THE LACK OF ENERGY.  Getting very slightly better each week.  Dietician said it is just because we are consuming so few calories, that's why your body gets tired so quickly.  Could barely do anything but move around the house for the first 3 weeks post op.  Even since then, I need to rest at regular intervals.  Good luck with it all, things will improve each day. Wendy

I was told yes, but you need read up on the medical requirements.

i would phone the medicare people. I am in same boat.