Re: Torn on Decision

[Guest guest]

I felt the same way as you. My daughter has more brachy then plagio. So

even if it's mild I want to do everything I can to give her the best

head shape I could. I don't ever want to look back and say I wish I

had. I know it will be tough, but in a few months it will be done,

she'll never remember but will have a nice head. I have a flat head and

wish it wasn't.

HTH,

Marina

[Guest guest]

I had a highly-respected neurosurgeon tell me that helmet's were

a " waste of money, " a pediatrician tell me that helmets were " a

crock, " and a craniofacial surgeon tell me that he wouldn't band my

son because of his age, and I STILL went through with banding. My

gut was SCREAMING at me that this was my last chance to do something

about my son's head, and I just couldn't ignore it any longer. At 16

months old, my son's asymmetry measured 15mm and I consider it

severe (his forehead bossing is what bothers me the most, and I've

seen photos of babies who were banded with much less bossing, if any

at all. I know I'm probably biased, but seriously, it's bad). I know

it was worse when he was 3-4 months old, but never had him measured

because I listened to the doctors. It only got marginally (and I

mean a very small margin) better over the year. I knew I would

regret not banding him if I let this last opportunity pass me by. I

already regret not doing something about it sooner. He's been

wearing his DocBand for a month and we're seeing results, so I'm

happy that I went through with it. I just hope we hit a growth spurt

soon and see a bigger change.

I know I keep putting emphasis on my son's age in almost every post

I make, but I just think it needs to be pointed out that doctors are

not always right, it won't " work itself out " or " round out on its

own, " at least not by the time they're 2. My son is proof of that.

And if I can save one mom a year of anguish (or more if they don't

band at all and regret it later), then I've done my job.

Good luck with your decision!

Jake-18m (tort resolved/rt plagio/DocBand 2/11/08)

Jordan-4

>

> I've had a very tough day. I visited the specialist at Hanger

today, who said that my daughter

> 's assemetry was 15 mm. The Hanger specialist didn't want to

say severe or moderate,

> just that she would qualify for a helmet. As I've been visiting

the site, someone said that

> 15+mm was considered severe. However, before this appointment,

when I went to see the

> referring physician, he acted like she was a non-issue and he said

she was considered a mild

> case. Being someone that is wishy-washy, I am completely torn

about what to do. I don't

> know whether to hold more weight to an actual physician, or a

helmet specialist. Who's

> evaluation do I put more weight on? I feel like I'm getting

conflicting information and it's very

> frustrating! Is there anyone out there who did not band their

child and then regretted it, or

> felt the decision was ok? I worry about little things, like her

being able to wear a ponytail in

> her hair and not feel awkward about it. I just want to make the

best decision for her now, and

> don't know how big of an impact it will be on her later. Thanks

for letting me vent.

>

[Guest guest]

Sorry, I totally ranted about my own situation and forgot to say

that I'm sorry you've had a hard day, and I hope the decision comes

easier for you. Trust me, I know it's a tough one. It just makes me

so mad that doctors blow us off! I know that we're not dealing with

a truly serious medical condition here (thank goodness!!!), and it

might seem " just cosmetic, " but when you're dealing with potential

ridicule or self-esteem issues of a beloved child that you carried

in your womb for 9 months and brought into this already crazy world,

I just don't want to hear " don't worry about it! "

There I go again. I'm done ranting for today. Sorry again.

Jake-18m (tort resolved/rt plagio/DocBand 2/11/08)

Jordan-4

> >

> > I've had a very tough day. I visited the specialist at Hanger

> today, who said that my daughter

> > 's assemetry was 15 mm. The Hanger specialist didn't want to

> say severe or moderate,

> > just that she would qualify for a helmet. As I've been visiting

> the site, someone said that

> > 15+mm was considered severe. However, before this appointment,

> when I went to see the

> > referring physician, he acted like she was a non-issue and he

said

> she was considered a mild

> > case. Being someone that is wishy-washy, I am completely torn

> about what to do. I don't

> > know whether to hold more weight to an actual physician, or a

> helmet specialist. Who's

> > evaluation do I put more weight on? I feel like I'm getting

> conflicting information and it's very

> > frustrating! Is there anyone out there who did not band their

> child and then regretted it, or

> > felt the decision was ok? I worry about little things, like her

> being able to wear a ponytail in

> > her hair and not feel awkward about it. I just want to make the

> best decision for her now, and

> > don't know how big of an impact it will be on her later. Thanks

> for letting me vent.

> >

>

[Guest guest]

You go girl!!!! I think you made the right decision. And your right, doctors are not always right. My new motto, "Go with your gut, it's never wrong." Like when you were a kid and new you were doing something wrong in your gut, your gut was always right, right? OK, needed some comic relief. Sorry. But truely, I think that it is a hard decision to make but it is your decision as a mother, not the doctors. See what the physician says when you show him the measurements. He will probably have no problem agreeing that getting the band is a good decision.nwilkens2275 <nwilkens2275@...> wrote: I had a highly-respected neurosurgeon tell me that helmet's were a "waste of money," a pediatrician tell me that helmets were "a crock," and a craniofacial surgeon tell me that he wouldn't band my son because of his age, and I STILL went through with banding. My gut was SCREAMING at me that this was my last chance to do something about my son's head, and I just couldn't ignore it any longer. At 16 months old, my son's asymmetry measured 15mm and I consider it severe (his forehead bossing is what bothers me the most, and I've seen photos of babies who were banded with much less bossing, if any at all. I know I'm probably biased, but seriously, it's bad). I know it was worse when he was 3-4 months old, but never had him measured because I listened to the doctors. It only got marginally (and I mean a very small margin)

better over the year. I knew I would regret not banding him if I let this last opportunity pass me by. I already regret not doing something about it sooner. He's been wearing his DocBand for a month and we're seeing results, so I'm happy that I went through with it. I just hope we hit a growth spurt soon and see a bigger change.I know I keep putting emphasis on my son's age in almost every post I make, but I just think it needs to be pointed out that doctors are not always right, it won't "work itself out" or "round out on its own," at least not by the time they're 2. My son is proof of that. And if I can save one mom a year of anguish (or more if they don't band at all and regret it later), then I've done my job.Good luck with your decision!Jake-18m (tort resolved/rt plagio/DocBand 2/11/08)Jordan-4>> I've had a very tough day. I visited the specialist at Hanger today, who said that my daughter > 's assemetry was 15 mm. The Hanger specialist didn't want to say severe or moderate, > just that she would qualify for a helmet. As I've been visiting the site, someone said that > 15+mm was considered severe. However, before this appointment, when I went to see the > referring physician, he acted like she was a non-issue and he said she was considered a mild > case. Being someone that is wishy-washy, I am completely torn about what to do. I don't > know whether to hold more weight to an actual physician, or a helmet specialist. Who's > evaluation do I put more weight on? I feel like I'm getting conflicting information and it's very >

frustrating! Is there anyone out there who did not band their child and then regretted it, or > felt the decision was ok? I worry about little things, like her being able to wear a ponytail in > her hair and not feel awkward about it. I just want to make the best decision for her now, and > don't know how big of an impact it will be on her later. Thanks for letting me vent.>

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[Guest guest]

I totally agree. Kids are ruthless. Even if you have a good looking kid and everything is perfect, kids will find a way to pick on each other, ya know. I think I've already said this but it's hard enough being a kid without any added things to make it harder. I'm ranting as well but I guess it's because it is a very frustrating situation and you just want everything to be OK. I've never loved anyone or anything in my life more than my son so when I discuss something that has to do with him, I am passionate about it as are you mothers. Bravo!!!nwilkens2275 <nwilkens2275@...> wrote: Sorry, I totally ranted about my own situation and forgot to say that I'm sorry you've had a hard day, and I hope the decision comes easier for you. Trust me, I know it's a tough one. It just makes me so mad that doctors blow us off! I know that we're not dealing with a truly serious medical condition here (thank goodness!!!), and it might seem "just cosmetic," but when you're dealing with potential ridicule or self-esteem issues of a beloved child that you carried in your womb for 9 months and brought into this already crazy world, I just don't want to hear "don't worry about it!" There I go again. I'm done ranting for today. Sorry again.Jake-18m (tort resolved/rt plagio/DocBand 2/11/08)Jordan-4> >> > I've had a very tough day. I visited the specialist at Hanger > today, who said that my daughter > > 's assemetry was 15 mm. The Hanger specialist didn't want to > say severe or moderate, > > just that she would qualify for a helmet. As I've been visiting > the site, someone said that > > 15+mm was considered severe. However, before this appointment, > when I went to see the > > referring physician, he acted like she was a non-issue and he said > she was considered a mild > > case. Being someone that is wishy-washy, I am completely torn > about what to do. I don't > > know whether to hold more weight to an actual physician, or a

> helmet specialist. Who's > > evaluation do I put more weight on? I feel like I'm getting > conflicting information and it's very > > frustrating! Is there anyone out there who did not band their > child and then regretted it, or > > felt the decision was ok? I worry about little things, like her > being able to wear a ponytail in > > her hair and not feel awkward about it. I just want to make the > best decision for her now, and > > don't know how big of an impact it will be on her later. Thanks > for letting me vent.> >>

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[Guest guest]

At 15 mm I would definitely band. Our doc (cranio facial plastic

surgeon) recommends banding at 10 mm or above. Some band at lower

numbers. ALso you may want to look at her face in the mirror where

facial asymmetry is more noticeable - that might help you decide if

she does have it.

Many doctors are anti-banding. Honestly I just think they are

ignorant. However I have been in this group for nearly 2 years and can

tell you about countless parents who are so glad they banded. Also

many who found out about banding too late, or who believed their

doctor that it would correct itself by age 2 or 3 (when banding

doesn't work) only to find it wasn't the case.

Banding is so much easier than it seems like when you're starting. It

really isn't a big deal once you take the plunge. If you look at the

before and after pics in the photos section, I'm sure you'll find

someone that started off like your child and now has a lot rounder

head. It really does work. I know it is a tough decision, but having

been there I wouldn't hesitate to do it again for a second.

-christine

sydney 2 yrs starband grad

>

> I've had a very tough day. I visited the specialist at Hanger today,

who said that my daughter

> 's assemetry was 15 mm. The Hanger specialist didn't want to say

severe or moderate,

> just that she would qualify for a helmet. As I've been visiting the

site, someone said that

> 15+mm was considered severe. However, before this appointment, when

I went to see the

> referring physician, he acted like she was a non-issue and he said

she was considered a mild

> case. Being someone that is wishy-washy, I am completely torn about

what to do. I don't

> know whether to hold more weight to an actual physician, or a helmet

specialist. Who's

> evaluation do I put more weight on? I feel like I'm getting

conflicting information and it's very

> frustrating! Is there anyone out there who did not band their child

and then regretted it, or

> felt the decision was ok? I worry about little things, like her

being able to wear a ponytail in

> her hair and not feel awkward about it. I just want to make the best

decision for her now, and

> don't know how big of an impact it will be on her later. Thanks for

letting me vent.

>

[Guest guest]

I agree...many doctors don't say you should band. My pediatrician said our son was borderline when she gave us the referral and considered his plagio to be mild. However; after receiving the measurements we found out his asymmetry was 20mm...severe! The improvement the first band made in 3 months was fantastic. He just started his second band at 9mm - which we could have passed on, but it was such a quick three months we decided to move forward with the second.

Staci

-----Original Message-----From: Plagiocephaly [mailto:Plagiocephaly ]On Behalf Of christineashokSent: Sunday, March 16, 2008 12:40 PMPlagiocephaly Subject: Re: Torn on Decision

At 15 mm I would definitely band. Our doc (cranio facial plasticsurgeon) recommends banding at 10 mm or above. Some band at lowernumbers. ALso you may want to look at her face in the mirror wherefacial asymmetry is more noticeable - that might help you decide ifshe does have it.Many doctors are anti-banding. Honestly I just think they areignorant. However I have been in this group for nearly 2 years and cantell you about countless parents who are so glad they banded. Alsomany who found out about banding too late, or who believed theirdoctor that it would correct itself by age 2 or 3 (when bandingdoesn't work) only to find it wasn't the case. Banding is so much easier than it seems like when you're starting. Itreally isn't a big deal once you take the plunge. If you look at thebefore and after pics in the photos section, I'm sure you'll findsomeone that started off like your child and now has a lot rounderhead. It really does work. I know it is a tough decision, but havingbeen there I wouldn't hesitate to do it again for a second.-christinesydney 2 yrs starband grad>> I've had a very tough day. I visited the specialist at Hanger today,who said that my daughter > 's assemetry was 15 mm. The Hanger specialist didn't want to saysevere or moderate, > just that she would qualify for a helmet. As I've been visiting thesite, someone said that > 15+mm was considered severe. However, before this appointment, whenI went to see the > referring physician, he acted like she was a non-issue and he saidshe was considered a mild > case. Being someone that is wishy-washy, I am completely torn aboutwhat to do. I don't > know whether to hold more weight to an actual physician, or a helmetspecialist. Who's > evaluation do I put more weight on? I feel like I'm gettingconflicting information and it's very > frustrating! Is there anyone out there who did not band their childand then regretted it, or > felt the decision was ok? I worry about little things, like herbeing able to wear a ponytail in > her hair and not feel awkward about it. I just want to make the bestdecision for her now, and > don't know how big of an impact it will be on her later. Thanks forletting me vent.>