Re: 2 DOC bands???

[Guest guest]

I think it's terrible that the STARBand ortho said that CT " always " does 2 bands

when that's completely untrue and they shouldn't say something they don't know

as fact. Only about 15% of all CT patients combined across the country need a

second band, it just depends on the age and severity of the plagio/brachy, and

their rate of growth. If they suggested 2 bands up front, then he will likely

need 2 bands. More often then not, they can predict ahead of time when a 2nd

band will be needed, but there are times when they think 1 band will be enough

but a 2nd is needed (maybe the baby didn't grow as fast as they thought they

would), and there are even times when they say 1 band is enough but parents push

for a 2nd (measurements are within normal range but the parents want more

improvement).

The reason why only one STARBand is usually necessary is because the foam lining

is a little thicker and can last longer, they report a shelf-life of 6 months

and rarely do babies ever grow out of them. Conversely, DOCBands have a thinner

foam lining and only last about 4 months or until there is no foam left to shave

out (in younger fast growing babies, that could be as early as 6 weeks, but that

might also be all the time needed to achieve a round head). That doesn't mean

that DOCBands are a lesser product because of it, in fact, they have a fantastic

reputation across the board (all of their therapists are trained and overseen by

the head office), they were the first FDA approved band, and I think it's more

than fair to say that a DOCBand can usually achieve the same roundness in 4

months that a STARBand can achieve in 6. Conversely, STARBand orthos can differ

in training and expertise. So even if it's a great product, it can do harm in

the wrong hands, that's why it's important to check into the ortho using it

before you decide to go with them. (How long have they been treating plagio?;

how many plagio patients do they see a week/month/year?; can you speak to a

former patient to get a referral?; etc.)

My son wore 2 DOCBands, but that was because he was 17 months at the beginning

of treatment (so grew at a much slower rate than most babies) and I was grateful

that they gave us the chance to do the 2nd one (I was one of those parents that

wanted more improvement).

So, after that long explanation, the point is that they are projecting up front

that he will need 2 bands, so if that is going to be a financial hardship and/or

deciding factor for you, at least you know now and are not blind-sided or

disappointed later. But again, I advise you to look closely at the STARBand

ortho before committing there as well. If you post your location, maybe someone

has some feedback on that ortho that could be helpful.

Hope that helps answer your question. Good luck!

Jake-3 (DOCBand Grad 9/08)

>

> When we had my son evaluated at CT, they said he may need 2 different bands to

correct his head. My husband called the STARband people today to find out if

they were in network (for our insurance appeal) and they said that CT always

does 2 bands, but they only do one.

>

> Is this the experience that you have had?

>

[Guest guest]

Thanks for your thoughts.  We have already committed to DOCband and are 5 weeks into treatment.  We had an appointment today and they said that at the next appt. we will evaluate for a 2nd band.  I'm hoping we don't need another - just because of the expense.  We are still in limbo with the insurance company.  Apparently, after our appeal, we find that the band is covered, but that CT is considered " out of network " .  But my husband couldn't find anything nearby that was in-network.  So maybe in the end, the cost will not be an issue and we can do 2 bands if needed.

On Mon, Oct 19, 2009 at 9:06 PM, nwilkens2275 <nwilkens2275@...> wrote:

 

I think it's terrible that the STARBand ortho said that CT " always " does 2 bands when that's completely untrue and they shouldn't say something they don't know as fact. Only about 15% of all CT patients combined across the country need a second band, it just depends on the age and severity of the plagio/brachy, and their rate of growth. If they suggested 2 bands up front, then he will likely need 2 bands. More often then not, they can predict ahead of time when a 2nd band will be needed, but there are times when they think 1 band will be enough but a 2nd is needed (maybe the baby didn't grow as fast as they thought they would), and there are even times when they say 1 band is enough but parents push for a 2nd (measurements are within normal range but the parents want more improvement).

The reason why only one STARBand is usually necessary is because the foam lining is a little thicker and can last longer, they report a shelf-life of 6 months and rarely do babies ever grow out of them. Conversely, DOCBands have a thinner foam lining and only last about 4 months or until there is no foam left to shave out (in younger fast growing babies, that could be as early as 6 weeks, but that might also be all the time needed to achieve a round head). That doesn't mean that DOCBands are a lesser product because of it, in fact, they have a fantastic reputation across the board (all of their therapists are trained and overseen by the head office), they were the first FDA approved band, and I think it's more than fair to say that a DOCBand can usually achieve the same roundness in 4 months that a STARBand can achieve in 6. Conversely, STARBand orthos can differ in training and expertise. So even if it's a great product, it can do harm in the wrong hands, that's why it's important to check into the ortho using it before you decide to go with them. (How long have they been treating plagio?; how many plagio patients do they see a week/month/year?; can you speak to a former patient to get a referral?; etc.)

My son wore 2 DOCBands, but that was because he was 17 months at the beginning of treatment (so grew at a much slower rate than most babies) and I was grateful that they gave us the chance to do the 2nd one (I was one of those parents that wanted more improvement).

So, after that long explanation, the point is that they are projecting up front that he will need 2 bands, so if that is going to be a financial hardship and/or deciding factor for you, at least you know now and are not blind-sided or disappointed later. But again, I advise you to look closely at the STARBand ortho before committing there as well. If you post your location, maybe someone has some feedback on that ortho that could be helpful.

Hope that helps answer your question. Good luck!Jake-3 (DOCBand Grad 9/08)

>> When we had my son evaluated at CT, they said he may need 2 different bands to correct his head. My husband called the STARband people today to find out if they were in network (for our insurance appeal) and they said that CT always does 2 bands, but they only do one.

> > Is this the experience that you have had?>

[Guest guest]

,

I'm wondering what kind of improvement you got with each Doc band and how long

Jake wore them. I am considering getting a second band now for my son ,

who is 15 months old and wondering what to expect.

Also, how often did he need fittings? I am thinking maybe not so often, because

of the slow growth. We'd have to travel for a Doc, so this is an issue.

Do you have photos posted? I couldn't find any, but maybe didn't look in the

right place.

Thanks!

> >

> > When we had my son evaluated at CT, they said he may need 2 different bands

to correct his head. My husband called the STARband people today to find out if

they were in network (for our insurance appeal) and they said that CT always

does 2 bands, but they only do one.

> >

> > Is this the experience that you have had?

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Hi -

He wore both DOCBands for the full 16 weeks each and got as much improvement out

of the second band (from 21-24 months old) as he did in the first (from 17-21

months old), about 5 mm in each. He started at about 15 mm and graduated at

about 5 mm (in each of the 3 measurements they take). We went every 3 weeks for

fittings (after the initial one-week check up after first getting each band),

and we had to travel to Charlotte from Raleigh, so it wasn't too bad. His before

and after photos are posted under Jake W. in the Older Plagio Kids photo folder.

Let me know if you have any other questions!

Jake-3 (DOCBand Grad 9/08)

> > >

> > > When we had my son evaluated at CT, they said he may need 2 different

bands to correct his head. My husband called the STARband people today to find

out if they were in network (for our insurance appeal) and they said that CT

always does 2 bands, but they only do one.

> > >

> > > Is this the experience that you have had?

> > >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

,

Thanks for the info. I looked at the pics and was really impressed. I guess

the main thing for you must have been the forehead bulging, and that looks to

have been corrected well (as was the back). I bet you are really glad that you

did it for him.

I know this question has been answered a lot already, but did your son have

trouble getting used to the band? Mine was fine with his, but that was so long

ago that I can't predict how he'd be now.

One more thing: if you get a chance I'd love you to look at my new pics of

P. at the end of the N section, and tell me what you think. The CT

people are keen to band him, but they are not exactly objective.

> >

> > ,

> > I'm wondering what kind of improvement you got with each Doc band and how

long Jake wore them. I am considering getting a second band now for my son

, who is 15 months old and wondering what to expect.

> >

> > Also, how often did he need fittings? I am thinking maybe not so often,

because of the slow growth. We'd have to travel for a Doc, so this is an issue.

> >

> > Do you have photos posted? I couldn't find any, but maybe didn't look in

the right place.

> >

> > Thanks!

> >

[Guest guest]

Hi -

Yes, the forehead bulge was my primary concern, I just had to try to fix it even

a little bit, and we really got amazing results there.

I was nervous about how he was going to do being older, he hated hats, and was

more " set in his ways, " but he only fussed for about the first 15 seconds after

they put it on him and then that was it. Never a peep after that. It got to a

point where he would go and get his band off the table and bring it us to put it

on him, even before his 1 hour was up. And even now, more than a year later, any

time he sees his bands in his closet, he asks if he can put them on.

I have looked at 's pictures and honestly, I think he looks pretty good. I

do see a little bit of extra height (sloping towards the back), but overall the

back is pretty round, rounder than some kids I know actually. To be honest, I'm

not sure where the ortho was getting the 89% from (if I'm remembering your

earlier posts correctly), it seems a little high. Looking really closely, I

think I can also see his wide " points " on either side of his head, but I had to

look for them, and again, I think it's pretty round overall. But it's your

decision obviously. What is CT saying that makes them want to band him again? I

mean, are they gung ho, like " yes, he definitely needs it, " or are they kind of

like, " whatever you want to do. "

I guess I would give the same advice I would give with someone on the fence

about banding at all, it sort of holds true the second time around as well...ask

yourself, if his head stayed exactly this way (as it is today) forever, would

that be okay with me? If the answer is no, then I'd say go for a second band.

One other thing, I think I remember you mentioning that his head actually looks

better wet because of his cowlick. I have that same experience with Jake

sometimes. He wore his bands for 8 months and they messed with his growth

pattern a little (some areas lay down more than others), plus he also has curly

hair, but it doesn't always curl evenly, and quite a few times I've convinced

myself that his head looks worse, but it ends up being his hair that's giving

the fulse impression. So you might just have to try different hair

styles/lengths or whatever, and just focus on what you see when it's wet and in

the tub.

Please keep us posted! Good luck!

Jake-3 (DOCBand Grad 9/08)

> > >

> > > ,

> > > I'm wondering what kind of improvement you got with each Doc band and how

long Jake wore them. I am considering getting a second band now for my son

, who is 15 months old and wondering what to expect.

> > >

> > > Also, how often did he need fittings? I am thinking maybe not so often,

because of the slow growth. We'd have to travel for a Doc, so this is an issue.

> > >

> > > Do you have photos posted? I couldn't find any, but maybe didn't look in

the right place.

> > >

> > > Thanks!

> > >

>

[Guest guest]

Hi,

also has the cowlick that makes his head look worse. We are

wondering if the plagio contributed to the way his hair grew. It is

thicker on the left side, but evening out with time. My older son who

has very mild plagio also has the cowlick. My husband has been trying

to retrain 's hair and I think it is helping.

-Kathy

nwilkens2275 wrote:

Hi -

Yes, the forehead bulge was my primary concern, I just had to try to

fix it even a little bit, and we really got amazing results there.

I was nervous about how he was going to do being older, he hated hats,

and was more "set in his ways," but he only fussed for about the first

15 seconds after they put it on him and then that was it. Never a peep

after that. It got to a point where he would go and get his band off

the table and bring it us to put it on him, even before his 1 hour was

up. And even now, more than a year later, any time he sees his bands in

his closet, he asks if he can put them on.

I have looked at 's pictures and honestly, I think he looks

pretty good. I do see a little bit of extra height (sloping towards the

back), but overall the back is pretty round, rounder than some kids I

know actually. To be honest, I'm not sure where the ortho was getting

the 89% from (if I'm remembering your earlier posts correctly), it

seems a little high. Looking really closely, I think I can also see his

wide "points" on either side of his head, but I had to look for them,

and again, I think it's pretty round overall. But it's your decision

obviously. What is CT saying that makes them want to band him again? I

mean, are they gung ho, like "yes, he definitely needs it," or are they

kind of like, "whatever you want to do."

I guess I would give the same advice I would give with someone on the

fence about banding at all, it sort of holds true the second time

around as well...ask yourself, if his head stayed exactly this way (as

it is today) forever, would that be okay with me? If the answer is no,

then I'd say go for a second band.

One other thing, I think I remember you mentioning that his head

actually looks better wet because of his cowlick. I have that same

experience with Jake sometimes. He wore his bands for 8 months and they

messed with his growth pattern a little (some areas lay down more than

others), plus he also has curly hair, but it doesn't always curl

evenly, and quite a few times I've convinced myself that his head looks

worse, but it ends up being his hair that's giving the fulse

impression. So you might just have to try different hair styles/lengths

or whatever, and just focus on what you see when it's wet and in the

tub.

Please keep us posted! Good luck!

Jake-3 (DOCBand Grad 9/08)

> > >

> > > ,

> > > I'm wondering what kind of improvement you got with each

Doc band and how long Jake wore them. I am considering getting a second

band now for my son , who is 15 months old and wondering what to

expect.

> > >

> > > Also, how often did he need fittings? I am thinking

maybe not so often, because of the slow growth. We'd have to travel for

a Doc, so this is an issue.

> > >

> > > Do you have photos posted? I couldn't find any, but

maybe didn't look in the right place.

> > >

> > > Thanks!

> > >

>