Guest guest Posted December 16, 2002 Report Share Posted December 16, 2002 Angie- From what you have posted before it seems as though you have a knowledgable orthotist. Lots of people have great success with the STARband. These " horror stories " happen when the orthos working with them have no idea of what they are doing and basically shouldn't be permitted to work with them. Sounds like Jenna's plagio is correcting well! That is what matters Dane's mom DOC Grad > I am feeling so bad for the Starband horror stories. We seem to be > having good luck with ours. I have seen improvement in Jenna in the > 2 months she has had it. The improvement seems to have slowed but I > think that is because she has improved so much at the beginning. > > I hope she hits some growth spurts soon. I have a very experienced > orthosist who has been doing helmets for many years. > > I guess my problem is when I hear of the bad stories it makes me > worry. I start wondering if she would have had better and quicker > improvement with the Docband. I am happy with Jennas improvements > but she still has a spot I am concerned about. It is on the top, > right of the back of her head. I was told it is one of the last > spots to round out. I also feel her ears are still missaligned. > > She is probably suppose to be done at the end of January. I just > wonder why they think she will be done then if we still have these > issues. > > I guess it is parents nature to question things. We all want the > same thing. We want the best for our kids and they deserve the best! > > Angie and Jenna (Starbanded at 9 months 10/21) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 18, 2002 Report Share Posted December 18, 2002 Angie, You've already gotten great responses on this, so I would just second it- if you are seeing results, that's your proof in the pudding that the STARband is working for you. As Marci said, there are probably many more STARband success stories that we do not hear about- some members join after they have the helmet to figure out why there child seems to be having problems. We also have parents that use locally made helmets that work well (Marci's )- so the crux of the matter lies in the skill of the ortho. If you are not seeing results in 3 months, and I would say even 2, that would concern me (not you, just generally speaking). Even with the DOC band, we as concerned parents are looking out for each other, is this right, does this seem ok, etc., that's the beauty of this group- we can watch out for each other. But, it can also reak havoc on your nerves hearing of stories that you hope will not become your own. Take everything in stride, always remember that your ortho, your situation is unique, take notes, but don't feel that it necessarily applies to your situation unless you see some red flags come up that strike way to close to home. You have already seen improvement, so I think your on the right path- keep on your toes and your ortho will be forced to keep on his/hers as well. Good luck and wishing you continued success! ' Mom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 8, 2003 Report Share Posted January 8, 2003 I have a 9 month old daughter who was diagnosed w/ Plagiocephaly. The STARband was recommended. I have a few questions: 1)How many hours a day does your child wear the abnd? I was told 23 hours. I am wondering if she can wear it 18 hours and still have some result? 2)Did you child have successful hair growth? 3)Does the helmet get real hot? We live in So. FL and are getting ready to have some hot summer days. What do you think? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 8, 2003 Report Share Posted January 8, 2003 Hi & welcome to our group! The key to success or failure with any product, is finding a trained or experienced orthotist. Be sure to thoroughly interview your potential STARband ortho - ask for before & after photos of babies he has treated, asked how many he's treated and even ask for references. Let me answer your other qustions below: > 1)How many hours a day does your child wear the abnd? I was told 23 > hours. I am wondering if she can wear it 18 hours and still have > some result? A) To obtain the best & maximum amt of correction, it is very important to have your daugher wear the band the full 23 hrs a day - this will capture every possible amt of correction with every growth spurt your daughter will receive while wearingher band. > 2)Did you child have successful hair growth? A) My daughter's hair grew as much in the helmet as before, she's always had a ton of hair, the band didn't interfere with her hair growth one bit. > 3)Does the helmet get real hot? We live in So. FL and are getting > ready to have some hot summer days. What do you think? A) The child will sweat while wearing the band, esp. for the first week or 2, the sweating is profuse usually. The sweat will decrease once her body temp adjusts to wearing her new band. She'll still sweat (who doesn't sweat in FL!! holy cow is it hot & humit there!). Dress her lighter than usual, that will help. Good luck with all of this. Please keep us posted! Debbie Abby's mom DOC Grad MI Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 8, 2003 Report Share Posted January 8, 2003 My daughter started wearing her Starband on 10/21 (9 months old). She hasn't had to much sweating with her helmet. She is wearing it through cooler months in Missouri. Orthomerica who makes the Starband says to have your child wear it 23 hours a day. Jenna's hair has actually grown faster since banded. She tolerates wearing her band wonderfully. We have never had a problem with her wearing it 23 hours. Orthomerica gives you a schedule of easing your child into wearing it 23 hours. Good luck with your decision! Angie and Jenna STARband > I have a 9 month old daughter who was diagnosed w/ Plagiocephaly. > The STARband was recommended. > I have a few questions: > 1)How many hours a day does your child wear the abnd? I was told 23 > hours. I am wondering if she can wear it 18 hours and still have > some result? > 2)Did you child have successful hair growth? > 3)Does the helmet get real hot? We live in So. FL and are getting > ready to have some hot summer days. What do you think? > > > For more plagio info Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 8, 2003 Report Share Posted January 8, 2003 Hello and welcome to the group! As with virtually all bands and helmets they are to be worn 23 hours a day. In order to take advantage of growth spurts and such it really is necessary to keep the band on 23 hours a day as a rule of thumb. That's not to say that occassionally the rules can't be bent, but those instances should be exceptions. My daughter actually grew a great deal of hair while she wore her helmet. She definitely didn't have any trouble in that department. The spot that had been rubbed bald by her preference for one head direction actually filled in very nicely while she wore her helmet. The bands do cause some sweating as the baby's body temp adjusts to the band. This usually decreases over the first few weeks. In the meanwhile simply plan to remove the band and wipe baby's head and band off thoroughly every few hours or as needed. Best of luck with your decision. We'd love to hear more of your baby's plagio story. Marci (Mom to ) Oklahoma > I have a 9 month old daughter who was diagnosed w/ Plagiocephaly. > The STARband was recommended. > I have a few questions: > 1)How many hours a day does your child wear the abnd? I was told 23 > hours. I am wondering if she can wear it 18 hours and still have > some result? > 2)Did you child have successful hair growth? > 3)Does the helmet get real hot? We live in So. FL and are getting > ready to have some hot summer days. What do you think? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 28, 2003 Report Share Posted January 28, 2003 Angie: Please don't feel bad for posting this. You are correct and we are thrilled to hear of STARband success stories. My Abby also had a bad STARband experience, which of course I will always be upset over, but everyone's ultimate goal is a rounder head for our babies. I am very happy the STARband has helped as many children and families as it has, that's what our babies deserve Now that being said, I really hope we won't start a STARband vs DOCband war here, which I know you had NO intentions of doing and I really appreciate your post. It's not a battle anyone will win, kind of like republican vs. democrat Thanks for your post Angie. Debbie Abby's mom STARband drop out & DOCgrad MI > I first want to say I am not choosing one product over the other. I > am not familiar with the DOCband. I know many of you have it and > have had excellent results. I am thrilled for all of you! > > My daughter Jenna wore and had excellent correction with her > STARband. It is what the Medical Director of the Cleft > Palate/Craniofacial Clinic prescribed. He works at a highly > reccommended Childrens hospital in the area. > > I know other members have children who have or are wearing > STARbands. They are also receiving great correction according to > their posts. > > I don't agree on totally downgrading a product or company that is and > has helped many babies. The STARband has been the answer to Jenna's > plagio. It isn't for others. > > Some people choose or are forced to choose (do to availability) local > helmets, DOCbands, STArbands, etc. > > Don't get me wrong. I would be angry, upset, etc. If I had such a > bad experience with a product. Especially since this is our children > we are talking about. I would change orthotists too if they seemed > unhelpful and unknowledgable. If they couldn't get their act > together I would call the main company and talk to them also. > > I guess what I am rambling about is I don't think it is fair to put > down the STARband. It as well as other bands has helped many > babies. I am thrilled for everyone who are getting results weather > it is local, DOCband or STARband. > > I am sorry for those of you who have had terrible experiences. I > think it is unfortunate and unfair to you and your baby. But I also > think it is unfair to put down a whole product that has helped so > many. I am very lucky to have had a very experienced orthotist. I > talked to her at length before casting and banding Jenna. > > Sorry I rambled but I felt like I needed to express my feelings as > well. > > Angie and Jenna (STARband grad 1/21/03) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 28, 2003 Report Share Posted January 28, 2003 Hi Angie, I don't think anyone is putting down the STARband as a product. We've all said that it is just as good as the DOCband. Some have complained about the orthotists using the STARband, not the STARband. Niki one of the mods had great success with not one STARband but two! The STARband isn't a bad product, it just HAS to be used by someone with experience. > I first want to say I am not choosing one product over the other. I > am not familiar with the DOCband. I know many of you have it and > have had excellent results. I am thrilled for all of you! > > My daughter Jenna wore and had excellent correction with her > STARband. It is what the Medical Director of the Cleft > Palate/Craniofacial Clinic prescribed. He works at a highly > reccommended Childrens hospital in the area. > > I know other members have children who have or are wearing > STARbands. They are also receiving great correction according to > their posts. > > I don't agree on totally downgrading a product or company that is and > has helped many babies. The STARband has been the answer to Jenna's > plagio. It isn't for others. > > Some people choose or are forced to choose (do to availability) local > helmets, DOCbands, STArbands, etc. > > Don't get me wrong. I would be angry, upset, etc. If I had such a > bad experience with a product. Especially since this is our children > we are talking about. I would change orthotists too if they seemed > unhelpful and unknowledgable. If they couldn't get their act > together I would call the main company and talk to them also. > > I guess what I am rambling about is I don't think it is fair to put > down the STARband. It as well as other bands has helped many > babies. I am thrilled for everyone who are getting results weather > it is local, DOCband or STARband. > > I am sorry for those of you who have had terrible experiences. I > think it is unfortunate and unfair to you and your baby. But I also > think it is unfair to put down a whole product that has helped so > many. I am very lucky to have had a very experienced orthotist. I > talked to her at length before casting and banding Jenna. > > Sorry I rambled but I felt like I needed to express my feelings as > well. > > Angie and Jenna (STARband grad 1/21/03) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 28, 2003 Report Share Posted January 28, 2003 Trust me I don't want I war. I feel so bad that abby and (I think it is) had a bad experience. I too would always be upset. Nothing in life is more precious than our kids. Trust me I would have been furious. I just want everyone to know that babies can achieve great results in the STARband as well as the Docband and Local helmets. Jenna has graduated. The reason I am still in the group is the same reason as other people. I want every baby to receive great correction. I believe they can in any of the bands. I just wanted to voice my opinion on the great results we received. I am not trying to wage or win a war. We are all on the same team and fighting the same war. The war to help our kids and educate the Dr's and community about plagiocephaly. Angie and Jenna (hoping for rounding heads for all our babies) Re: STARband > Angie: > > Please don't feel bad for posting this. You are correct and we are > thrilled to hear of STARband success stories. > > My Abby also had a bad STARband experience, which of course I will > always be upset over, but everyone's ultimate goal is a rounder head > for our babies. I am very happy the STARband has helped as many > children and families as it has, that's what our babies deserve > > Now that being said, I really hope we won't start a STARband vs > DOCband war here, which I know you had NO intentions of doing and I > really appreciate your post. It's not a battle anyone will win, kind > of like republican vs. democrat > > Thanks for your post Angie. > > Debbie Abby's mom STARband drop out & DOCgrad > MI > > > I first want to say I am not choosing one product over the other. > I > > am not familiar with the DOCband. I know many of you have it and > > have had excellent results. I am thrilled for all of you! > > > > My daughter Jenna wore and had excellent correction with her > > STARband. It is what the Medical Director of the Cleft > > Palate/Craniofacial Clinic prescribed. He works at a highly > > reccommended Childrens hospital in the area. > > > > I know other members have children who have or are wearing > > STARbands. They are also receiving great correction according to > > their posts. > > > > I don't agree on totally downgrading a product or company that is > and > > has helped many babies. The STARband has been the answer to > Jenna's > > plagio. It isn't for others. > > > > Some people choose or are forced to choose (do to availability) > local > > helmets, DOCbands, STArbands, etc. > > > > Don't get me wrong. I would be angry, upset, etc. If I had such a > > bad experience with a product. Especially since this is our > children > > we are talking about. I would change orthotists too if they seemed > > unhelpful and unknowledgable. If they couldn't get their act > > together I would call the main company and talk to them also. > > > > I guess what I am rambling about is I don't think it is fair to put > > down the STARband. It as well as other bands has helped many > > babies. I am thrilled for everyone who are getting results weather > > it is local, DOCband or STARband. > > > > I am sorry for those of you who have had terrible experiences. I > > think it is unfortunate and unfair to you and your baby. But I > also > > think it is unfair to put down a whole product that has helped so > > many. I am very lucky to have had a very experienced orthotist. I > > talked to her at length before casting and banding Jenna. > > > > Sorry I rambled but I felt like I needed to express my feelings as > > well. > > > > Angie and Jenna (STARband grad 1/21/03) > > > For more plagio info Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 28, 2003 Report Share Posted January 28, 2003 Angie- First of, you don't need to apologize! Nobody is putting the STARband down. Results speak to the fact that it is a great product, but only in the right hands. It is wonderful that the STARband has been a great option for parents who didn't have the option to go with the DOC for fianancial or geography reasons. The problem with the STARband is that Orthomerica doesn't require extensive training to work with them. I don't think they even require that weekend class in which Ethan's orthotist didn't even learn it was an active band. That is where the problem lays. If each STARband ortho had someone supervising and assisting them with the first few bands, then these problems would be resolved. Good intentions are no substitute for experience! Many people, yourself included, have been thrilled with their orthotist. I applaud each and every parent and orthotist who sees a child successfully complete band therapy. I often think of the parents who haven't found these websites and don't know to ask the difficult questions to see if their ortho is experienced. I wouldn't have known to ask about experience level. I think another problem lies in the fact that we don't have that many vocal parents of successful STARgrads here in our group. I am so excited you are sticking with us Dane's mom DOC Grad > I first want to say I am not choosing one product over the other. I > am not familiar with the DOCband. I know many of you have it and > have had excellent results. I am thrilled for all of you! > > My daughter Jenna wore and had excellent correction with her > STARband. It is what the Medical Director of the Cleft > Palate/Craniofacial Clinic prescribed. He works at a highly > reccommended Childrens hospital in the area. > > I know other members have children who have or are wearing > STARbands. They are also receiving great correction according to > their posts. > > I don't agree on totally downgrading a product or company that is and > has helped many babies. The STARband has been the answer to Jenna's > plagio. It isn't for others. > > Some people choose or are forced to choose (do to availability) local > helmets, DOCbands, STArbands, etc. > > Don't get me wrong. I would be angry, upset, etc. If I had such a > bad experience with a product. Especially since this is our children > we are talking about. I would change orthotists too if they seemed > unhelpful and unknowledgable. If they couldn't get their act > together I would call the main company and talk to them also. > > I guess what I am rambling about is I don't think it is fair to put > down the STARband. It as well as other bands has helped many > babies. I am thrilled for everyone who are getting results weather > it is local, DOCband or STARband. > > I am sorry for those of you who have had terrible experiences. I > think it is unfortunate and unfair to you and your baby. But I also > think it is unfair to put down a whole product that has helped so > many. I am very lucky to have had a very experienced orthotist. I > talked to her at length before casting and banding Jenna. > > Sorry I rambled but I felt like I needed to express my feelings as > well. > > Angie and Jenna (STARband grad 1/21/03) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 28, 2003 Report Share Posted January 28, 2003 Thanks! I am just thrilled for every baby who has received correction. That's all I want is for the babies to receive good correction! Thanks for all your replies and moral support you have given to me. Angie and Jenna Re: STARband > Angie- > First of, you don't need to apologize! > Nobody is putting the STARband down. Results speak to the fact that > it is a great product, but only in the right hands. > It is wonderful that the STARband has been a great option for > parents who didn't have the option to go with the DOC for fianancial > or geography reasons. > The problem with the STARband is that Orthomerica doesn't require > extensive training to work with them. I don't think they even > require that weekend class in which Ethan's orthotist didn't even > learn it was an active band. That is where the problem lays. If > each STARband ortho had someone supervising and assisting them with > the first few bands, then these problems would be resolved. Good > intentions are no substitute for experience! > Many people, yourself included, have been thrilled with their > orthotist. I applaud each and every parent and orthotist who sees a > child successfully complete band therapy. > I often think of the parents who haven't found these websites and > don't know to ask the difficult questions to see if their ortho is > experienced. I wouldn't have known to ask about experience level. > I think another problem lies in the fact that we don't have that > many vocal parents of successful STARgrads here in our group. I am > so excited you are sticking with us > > Dane's mom DOC Grad > > > > > I first want to say I am not choosing one product over the other. > I > > am not familiar with the DOCband. I know many of you have it and > > have had excellent results. I am thrilled for all of you! > > > > My daughter Jenna wore and had excellent correction with her > > STARband. It is what the Medical Director of the Cleft > > Palate/Craniofacial Clinic prescribed. He works at a highly > > reccommended Childrens hospital in the area. > > > > I know other members have children who have or are wearing > > STARbands. They are also receiving great correction according to > > their posts. > > > > I don't agree on totally downgrading a product or company that is > and > > has helped many babies. The STARband has been the answer to > Jenna's > > plagio. It isn't for others. > > > > Some people choose or are forced to choose (do to availability) > local > > helmets, DOCbands, STArbands, etc. > > > > Don't get me wrong. I would be angry, upset, etc. If I had such > a > > bad experience with a product. Especially since this is our > children > > we are talking about. I would change orthotists too if they > seemed > > unhelpful and unknowledgable. If they couldn't get their act > > together I would call the main company and talk to them also. > > > > I guess what I am rambling about is I don't think it is fair to > put > > down the STARband. It as well as other bands has helped many > > babies. I am thrilled for everyone who are getting results > weather > > it is local, DOCband or STARband. > > > > I am sorry for those of you who have had terrible experiences. I > > think it is unfortunate and unfair to you and your baby. But I > also > > think it is unfair to put down a whole product that has helped so > > many. I am very lucky to have had a very experienced orthotist. > I > > talked to her at length before casting and banding Jenna. > > > > Sorry I rambled but I felt like I needed to express my feelings as > > well. > > > > Angie and Jenna (STARband grad 1/21/03) > > > For more plagio info Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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