Re: New here and in Charlotte, NC

[Guest guest]

Welcome!

You are starting the process at a great age. If it's decided that he

does need a band, you should get fantastic correction. We live in

Raleigh and traveled to Charlotte to go to CT and absolutely loved

them. You'll be in great hands there. I painted the band myself,

many times, and it wasn't hard at all, if you want to give it a shot

yourself. Not sure of anyone in the area who could paint it for you.

Please let us know how your eval goes, and feel free to contact me

with any questions you may have.

Good luck!

Jake-2 (DOCBand Grad 9/19/08)

Jordan-4.5

>

> My son is 4 months old and just got referred to get a consult at

CT in a few weeks, I have so

> many questions and glad I found this group. first of all I was

really upset as I have rotated

> him , done tons of tummy time ect so I am just trying to figure

this all out. Any advice is

> great- our Pedi just told us to get it checked out and the earlier

the better so I am hoping

> that is true we have an appt in a week for an evaluation.

>

> 1. does anyone live in Charlotte, NC and have you used CT?

> 2. What is the success rate of the DOC band?

> 3. does anyone know people who decorate helmets in Charlotte?

>

>

> Thanks!

>

[Guest guest]

Hi, I am new here, too, and I live in Charlotte. Our pediatrician

sent us to CT, and my daughter just got her DOC band a couple days

ago. It's a done deal, and that's fine -- she needs cranial

remolding -- but I have to say that I tried and tried to find other

places to go to in Charlotte to compare and couldn't find any on my

web searching...until we had signed up with and paid CT. Since then,

I have heard about Level Four Pediatrics (they do the STAR band) and

Carolina Kinder Therapy (not sure which band they do but the woman

who runs it came out of CT). I don't know about their practices or

their differences from CT, but I WISH I had asked my pedi for other

referrals in the beginning so I could have had the opportunity to

compare and make an informed decision for myself, especially because

our insurance is refusing to pay for this. As we were starting this

process, I honestly felt like my daughter needed this, my back was up

against the wall, and CT was the only game in town. For my own

situation and peace of mind, I just have to think that I love our

pedi and trust him and that he would refer us to the best place. I

can't change it now. The people at CT have been very nice and do

come highly recommended. But I will always wonder about the other

places!

As for getting the band painted, CT gave me several contacts. A

couple of them are too far from us -- Denver and Mt. Holly, and the

lady in Charlotte who does them is booked solid with her business and

can't do it right now. So looks like I am painting it myself. There

are files floating around somewhere that tell you how to do it.

Didn't mean to ramble. Hope some of this is helpful. Good luck with

your decision!

Alison

>

> My son is 4 months old and just got referred to get a consult at CT

in a few weeks, I have so

> many questions and glad I found this group. first of all I was

really upset as I have rotated

> him , done tons of tummy time ect so I am just trying to figure

this all out. Any advice is

> great- our Pedi just told us to get it checked out and the earlier

the better so I am hoping

> that is true we have an appt in a week for an evaluation.

>

> 1. does anyone live in Charlotte, NC and have you used CT?

> 2. What is the success rate of the DOC band?

> 3. does anyone know people who decorate helmets in Charlotte?

>

>

> Thanks!

>

[Guest guest]

Hey, I also live in Charlotte! I was also referred to CT for my son's plagio. They were great. However, just like most people, my insurance denied coverage. UHC said CT was out of network but Hanger Orthotics was in network. So I contacted Hanger and set up a consult. I thought they were great. My son has been in his Hanger helmet now for a little over 4 weeks and we have seen amazing correction. He will likely only have to wear his helmet for a total of 8 weeks. UHC covered 100% as well so we are getting the results and not paying anything out of pocket!! Hope this helps.

Lyndsi

From: alisonn98 <alisonn98@...>Plagiocephaly Sent: Saturday, December 6, 2008 7:32:21 AMSubject: Re: New here and in Charlotte, NC

Hi, I am new here, too, and I live in Charlotte. Our pediatrician sent us to CT, and my daughter just got her DOC band a couple days ago. It's a done deal, and that's fine -- she needs cranial remolding -- but I have to say that I tried and tried to find other places to go to in Charlotte to compare and couldn't find any on my web searching... until we had signed up with and paid CT. Since then, I have heard about Level Four Pediatrics (they do the STAR band) and Carolina Kinder Therapy (not sure which band they do but the woman who runs it came out of CT). I don't know about their practices or their differences from CT, but I WISH I had asked my pedi for other referrals in the beginning so I could have had the opportunity to compare and make an informed decision for myself, especially because our insurance is refusing to pay for this. As we were starting this process, I honestly felt like my

daughter needed this, my back was up against the wall, and CT was the only game in town. For my own situation and peace of mind, I just have to think that I love our pedi and trust him and that he would refer us to the best place. I can't change it now. The people at CT have been very nice and do come highly recommended. But I will always wonder about the other places!As for getting the band painted, CT gave me several contacts. A couple of them are too far from us -- Denver and Mt. Holly, and the lady in Charlotte who does them is booked solid with her business and can't do it right now. So looks like I am painting it myself. There are files floating around somewhere that tell you how to do it.Didn't mean to ramble. Hope some of this is helpful. Good luck with your decision!Alison>> My son is 4 months old and just got referred to get a consult at CT in a few weeks, I have so > many questions and glad I found this group. first of all I was really upset as I have rotated > him , done tons of tummy time ect so I am just trying to figure this all out. Any advice is > great- our Pedi just told us to get it checked out and the earlier the better so I am hoping > that is true we have an appt in a week for an evaluation.> > 1. does anyone live in Charlotte, NC and have you used CT?> 2. What is the success rate of the DOC band?> 3. does anyone know people who decorate helmets in Charlotte?> > > Thanks!>

[Guest guest]

We are actually driving up to Charlotte from Atlanta on Thursday to

get a second opinion for our just-about-to-be-6-month-old son

from Cranial Technologies. They've come highly recommended, so we

think it's worth the long drive up. We have had the STARband for just

two weeks now and are having a heck of a time trying to get it to fit

properly.

Like the previous poster, I wish I had known there were options a few

weeks ago when we were told would need a helmet. I don't believe

our insurance (United Health Care) is going to cover this (it's still

pending after being declined once), so we may have just wasted $3,300

on the first helmet. Who knows. All I know is I'll feel much better

after having gotten that second opinion, you know? I'm craving facts.

In my research gathering, this is what I've found. (I'm sure those

with more experience on this can shed some more light.)

Orthotists who use the STARband all get their helmets from a company

called Orthomerica in Orlando. They take a laser scan of your child's

head at their office and those measurements are sent to Orlando to

make the helmet. The helmet comes in usually a week to 10 days later

and then the orthotist does the fine tuning, making adjustments to the

foam on the inside. So basically your helmet is only as good as the

orthotist you're seeing.

Cranial Technologies, on the other hand, employs their own orthotists.

Instead of the scan, they make a cast of your child's head, which they

then use to make the band. The band looks different to me than the

helmet does. It seems more custom-fitting on the outside, the part you

can see, and smaller somehow. (Since 's helmet keeps twisting, I'm

hoping the funny shape of the DOCband might be a better fit for him.)

The orthotists at CT then do the fine tuning and adjustments to the

band there at their offices.

I think both of the options are good ones, it's just a matter of which

is better for your child. Like I said before, I wish I had listened to

and learned about both technologies before selecting one for .

Since there is no Cranial Technologies office in Atlanta, so I didn't

think I had a choice. Really I just want to do what's best for .

It could very well be the STARband we already have (after a few more

adjustments), but I want to know ALL the facts before we make a final

choice.

Good luck to you and keep us posted.

> >

> > My son is 4 months old and just got referred to get a consult at CT

> in a few weeks, I have so

> > many questions and glad I found this group. first of all I was

> really upset as I have rotated

> > him , done tons of tummy time ect so I am just trying to figure

> this all out. Any advice is

> > great- our Pedi just told us to get it checked out and the earlier

> the better so I am hoping

> > that is true we have an appt in a week for an evaluation.

> >

> > 1. does anyone live in Charlotte, NC and have you used CT?

> > 2. What is the success rate of the DOC band?

> > 3. does anyone know people who decorate helmets in Charlotte?

> >

> >

> > Thanks!

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Just two minor corrections...Not all STARBand orthos use or have

access to the STARScanner for scanning the image of the head. So

some STARBand orthos would use the old fashioned casting method. I

think it depends on the size of the practice and how many plagio

babies they treat. And just keep in mind that a lot, if not all,

STARBand-using orthos do not specialize in just head remolding. They

typically work with other orthotic and prosthetic devices and may

not treat or have much experience with plagio.

Also, Cranial Tech now uses a Digital Surface Imaging (DSi) system,

so they do scan now and no longer use the casting method (except for

their 3 or 4 licensed or franchise offices that run semi-

independently, although all of those bands are still made at CT

headquarters in Arizona).

Just wanted to clear that up. Thanks!

Jake-2 (DOCBand Grad 9/19/08)

Jordan-4.5

> > >

> > > My son is 4 months old and just got referred to get a consult

at CT

> > in a few weeks, I have so

> > > many questions and glad I found this group. first of all I was

> > really upset as I have rotated

> > > him , done tons of tummy time ect so I am just trying to

figure

> > this all out. Any advice is

> > > great- our Pedi just told us to get it checked out and the

earlier

> > the better so I am hoping

> > > that is true we have an appt in a week for an evaluation.

> > >

> > > 1. does anyone live in Charlotte, NC and have you used CT?

> > > 2. What is the success rate of the DOC band?

> > > 3. does anyone know people who decorate helmets in Charlotte?

> > >

> > >

> > > Thanks!

> > >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Just an FYI - Hanger used to do the casting as CT still does - but they have now

gone to

the laser as it is more accurate and less traumatic for the child then having a

casting done.

But, my orthotist told me they could still do a plaster cast if we preferred. -

Meg

> > >

> > > My son is 4 months old and just got referred to get a consult at CT

> > in a few weeks, I have so

> > > many questions and glad I found this group. first of all I was

> > really upset as I have rotated

> > > him , done tons of tummy time ect so I am just trying to figure

> > this all out. Any advice is

> > > great- our Pedi just told us to get it checked out and the earlier

> > the better so I am hoping

> > > that is true we have an appt in a week for an evaluation.

> > >

> > > 1. does anyone live in Charlotte, NC and have you used CT?

> > > 2. What is the success rate of the DOC band?

> > > 3. does anyone know people who decorate helmets in Charlotte?

> > >

> > >

> > > Thanks!

> > >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Thanks, !! This is good to know. So much to learn! On Sat, Dec 6, 2008 at 10:37 AM, <nwilkens2275@...> wrote:

Just two minor corrections...Not all STARBand orthos use or have

access to the STARScanner for scanning the image of the head. So

some STARBand orthos would use the old fashioned casting method. I

think it depends on the size of the practice and how many plagio

babies they treat. And just keep in mind that a lot, if not all,

STARBand-using orthos do not specialize in just head remolding. They

typically work with other orthotic and prosthetic devices and may

not treat or have much experience with plagio.

Also, Cranial Tech now uses a Digital Surface Imaging (DSi) system,

so they do scan now and no longer use the casting method (except for

their 3 or 4 licensed or franchise offices that run semi-

independently, although all of those bands are still made at CT

headquarters in Arizona).

Just wanted to clear that up. Thanks!

Jake-2 (DOCBand Grad 9/19/08)

Jordan-4.5

> > >

> > > My son is 4 months old and just got referred to get a consult

at CT

> > in a few weeks, I have so

> > > many questions and glad I found this group. first of all I was

> > really upset as I have rotated

> > > him , done tons of tummy time ect so I am just trying to

figure

> > this all out. Any advice is

> > > great- our Pedi just told us to get it checked out and the

earlier

> > the better so I am hoping

> > > that is true we have an appt in a week for an evaluation.

> > >

> > > 1. does anyone live in Charlotte, NC and have you used CT?

> > > 2. What is the success rate of the DOC band?

> > > 3. does anyone know people who decorate helmets in Charlotte?

> > >

> > >

> > > Thanks!

> > >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Casting is very accurate, but messy and babies don't like it. Nearly

all the CT offices do digital scanning now though also. Scanning can

be very accurate too. Hanger, Star and docband all use somewhat

different scanning technologies. The band is constructed in the

company's facility (hanger, CT, orthomerica), but your ortho/clinician

will do the initial fitting and follow up adjustments, so their skill

level is very important.

-christine

sydney, almost 3 yrs, starband grad

> > > >

> > > > My son is 4 months old and just got referred to get a consult

at CT

> > > in a few weeks, I have so

> > > > many questions and glad I found this group. first of all I was

> > > really upset as I have rotated

> > > > him , done tons of tummy time ect so I am just trying to figure

> > > this all out. Any advice is

> > > > great- our Pedi just told us to get it checked out and the

earlier

> > > the better so I am hoping

> > > > that is true we have an appt in a week for an evaluation.

> > > >

> > > > 1. does anyone live in Charlotte, NC and have you used CT?

> > > > 2. What is the success rate of the DOC band?

> > > > 3. does anyone know people who decorate helmets in Charlotte?

> > > >

> > > >

> > > > Thanks!

> > > >

> > >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

One more thing I just thought to add, my son was casted for his

first band at CT and scanned for his second one (they installed the

DSi that very week), and both were a perfect fit.

Jake-2 (DOCBand Grad 9/19/08)

Jordan-4.5

> > > >

> > > > My son is 4 months old and just got referred to get a

consult at CT

> > > in a few weeks, I have so

> > > > many questions and glad I found this group. first of all I

was

> > > really upset as I have rotated

> > > > him , done tons of tummy time ect so I am just trying to

figure

> > > this all out. Any advice is

> > > > great- our Pedi just told us to get it checked out and the

earlier

> > > the better so I am hoping

> > > > that is true we have an appt in a week for an evaluation.

> > > >

> > > > 1. does anyone live in Charlotte, NC and have you used CT?

> > > > 2. What is the success rate of the DOC band?

> > > > 3. does anyone know people who decorate helmets in Charlotte?

> > > >

> > > >

> > > > Thanks!

> > > >

> > >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

also i wouldnt say scanning is always more accurate than casting the scan they did of my son at hanger was not very thorough at all

On Sat, Dec 6, 2008 at 1:32 PM, <nwilkens2275@...> wrote:

One more thing I just thought to add, my son was casted for his first band at CT and scanned for his second one (they installed the DSi that very week), and both were a perfect fit.

Jake-2 (DOCBand Grad 9/19/08)Jordan-4.5> > > >> > > > My son is 4 months old and just got referred to get a

consult at CT > > > in a few weeks, I have so > > > > many questions and glad I found this group. first of all I was > > > really upset as I have rotated > > > > him , done tons of tummy time ect so I am just trying to

figure > > > this all out. Any advice is > > > > great- our Pedi just told us to get it checked out and the earlier > > > the better so I am hoping > > > > that is true we have an appt in a week for an evaluation.

> > > > > > > > 1. does anyone live in Charlotte, NC and have you used CT?> > > > 2. What is the success rate of the DOC band?> > > > 3. does anyone know people who decorate helmets in Charlotte?

> > > > > > > > > > > > Thanks!> > > >> > >> >>

-- -household executive, maid, chef (ok thats a stretch), taxi driver, domestic engineer or, best of all, just " mommy "

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1088463/Why-time-forget-pushchair-sling-baby-sleep.htmlhttp://midscbwers.blogspot.com/

[Guest guest]

Thank you for all the great advice! I knew about the hanger place as well. I have a friend in IL who use CT for their 7 month old and had great results so I will let you know how the appt goes- it is on the 16th. However I had a pedi nurse tell me she has never seen so many helmet's as there are in Charlotte, not sure about that but one thing I wish is that with this back sleeping that they tell new moms that are leaving the hospital to rotate ect in the 2nd and 3rd month- I started at the end of the 2nd as I did not know- now really sure if it would make a difference it might just be the way his head is developing but I swear I read every book while I was preggo and never saw anything about that and all I knew was never to sleep my baby on his tummy and I have the fear of god in me

about SIDS so just think peds and hospitals need to give better info to new parents as I do think the sleeping on your back is great but they need to educate the importance of rotating ect. I know they say tons of tummy time and we do that but there still should be more info about rotating I had a friend tell me about that.. This person also told me she wonders if the ped offices here are getting a kickback of some sort from CT- I don't really see that happening but I wonder if you went to an ORTHO that does not make bands (seel them) would you still get the same evaluation? In the end it does not matter- we will do whatever we need to to help our little boy- I will be interested to see what his measurements are ect. At first I feel guilt, like could I have done something different? So I kindda beat myself up for a few days but now it is what it is and I will do whatever it takes to make sure my baby is healthy- he is the love

of our lives!Thanks for all the great advice and keep it coming :-)From: <nwilkens2275@...>Plagiocephaly Sent: Saturday, December 6, 2008 1:32:04 PMSubject: Re: New here and in Charlotte, NC One more thing I just thought to add, my son was casted for his first band at CT and scanned for his second one (they installed the DSi that very week), and both were a perfect fit. Jake-2 (DOCBand Grad 9/19/08) Jordan-4.5 > > > > > > > > My son is 4 months old and just got referred to get a consult at CT > > > in a few weeks, I have so > > > > many questions and glad I found this group. first of all I was > > > really upset as I have rotated > > > > him , done tons of tummy time ect so I am just trying to figure > > > this all out. Any advice is > > > > great- our Pedi just told us to get it checked out and the earlier > > > the better so I am hoping > > > > that is true we have an appt in a week for an evaluation. > > > > > > > > 1. does anyone live in Charlotte, NC and have you used CT? > > > > 2. What is the success rate of the DOC band? > > > > 3. does anyone know people who decorate helmets in Charlotte? > > > > > > > > > > > > Thanks! > > > > > > > > > >

[Guest guest]

you make great points- just sharing what some people have raised to me. I will go into the appt with an open mind as, I myself wore a brace in HS for Scoliosis and if I could do that in HS- with how mean kids are this is nothing ha ha! I just want to have all my research and questions ready for the appt:-) and I am so glad to hear how many people are getting great results- that makes me feel all the better.Does Regression ever happen after banding- reason I ask is he is 4 months now so would hate for that to happen.Thanks!From: <nwilkens2275@...>Plagiocephaly Sent: Saturday, December 6, 2008 8:17:26 PMSubject: Re: New here and in Charlotte, NC They aren't getting a kickback, but the doctors in Charlotte ARE band friendly and do refer a lot of babies to Cranial Tech, but I think that's because it's a proven product and the doctors have seen great results time and

time again. It's sounds like you will head into the evaluation with an open mind, which is great. Although CT is specialized in banding and do make money from selling their product, so does Orthomerica and Hanger and any other band company and ortho out there (the ortho has to get paid for his time somehow), it's just a matter of whether the money comes out of pocket or through an insurance claim. It's a medical product and you can't get one without a prescription, so I don't see it as them selling a product since you wouldn't be there in the first place if it weren't for a doctor's recommendation. I see it as any other medical product, test, prescription or doctors visit that may or may not be covered by insurance. Plus, if they constantly banded babies who didn't need it, they wouldn't have the great reputation they do. Just my 2 cents for anyone who is interested!

Jake-2 (DOCBand Grad 9/19/08) Jordan-4.5 > > > > > > > > > > My son is 4 months old and just got referred to get a > consult at CT > > > > in a few weeks, I have so > > > > > many questions and glad I found this group. first of all I > was > > > > really upset as I have rotated > > > > > him , done tons of tummy time ect so I am just trying to > figure > > > > this all out. Any advice is > > > > > great- our Pedi just told us to get

it checked out and the > earlier > > > > the better so I am hoping > > > > > that is true we have an appt in a week for an evaluation. > > > > > > > > > > 1. does anyone live in Charlotte, NC and have you used CT? > > > > > 2. What is the success rate of the DOC band? > > > > > 3. does anyone know people who decorate helmets in Charlotte? > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Thanks! > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >