Re: Needing reassurance from STARband users

[Guest guest]

Becky,

We have A LOT of STARband parents here who have gotten excellent

results. It all depends on the ortho. Experience is a MUST. The more

the better. Do you know how many babies this ortho has banded

successfully?

>

> My son was casted yesterday for his STARband. He'll be 6 1/2 months

> old by the time he's actually wearing it. Seems like I've seen more

> postive feedback about DOCbands than STARbands. I know the key is the

> experience of the orthotist. Since CT does nothing but these bands

> and their experience is so great, it would've been great if we could

> have used them to get a DOCband. Unfortunately, the closest clinic is

> over 8 hours away roundtrip and my son HATES riding in the car.

> Couldn't see making that trip every week for 4-5 months. I also had a

> very scary experience on a small passenger airplane once so using

> their " angel flight " program wasn't really an option for us. The

> STARband clinic is local, only 20 minute drive. Our orthotist,

> physical therapist, and pediatrician are all literally less than 1/4

> mile from each other. The physical therapist we have been seeing has

> an excellent reputation and she seems confident with the orthotist who

> will be working with my son while he is in the STARband. One concern

> is the STARband is only one of dozens of orthotics and prosthetics

> made by this clinic. There is only one orthotist in the clinic who

> does STARbands, although he does a lot of other things too. My friend

> used this same clinic and orthotist for her son's STARband and he had

> a great experience with great results. Hopefully, the STARband will

> work as well for our son. Just wish I had more confidence. I know

> that in general, DOCband orthotists have so much experience and that's

> the thing that keeps gnawing away at me the most. Sometimes I feel

> like I'm choosing convenience over quality because I don't want to

> make that 8-hour drive every week or two when he needs an adjustment.

> Knowing how much he hates riding in his car seat, he'd probably cry 6

> of the 8 hours. Guess I'm looking for some reassurance. Sorry for

> the long post.

>

> Becky

>

[Guest guest]

Becky,

We have A LOT of STARband parents here who have gotten excellent

results. It all depends on the ortho. Experience is a MUST. The more

the better. Do you know how many babies this ortho has banded

successfully?

>

> My son was casted yesterday for his STARband. He'll be 6 1/2 months

> old by the time he's actually wearing it. Seems like I've seen more

> postive feedback about DOCbands than STARbands. I know the key is the

> experience of the orthotist. Since CT does nothing but these bands

> and their experience is so great, it would've been great if we could

> have used them to get a DOCband. Unfortunately, the closest clinic is

> over 8 hours away roundtrip and my son HATES riding in the car.

> Couldn't see making that trip every week for 4-5 months. I also had a

> very scary experience on a small passenger airplane once so using

> their " angel flight " program wasn't really an option for us. The

> STARband clinic is local, only 20 minute drive. Our orthotist,

> physical therapist, and pediatrician are all literally less than 1/4

> mile from each other. The physical therapist we have been seeing has

> an excellent reputation and she seems confident with the orthotist who

> will be working with my son while he is in the STARband. One concern

> is the STARband is only one of dozens of orthotics and prosthetics

> made by this clinic. There is only one orthotist in the clinic who

> does STARbands, although he does a lot of other things too. My friend

> used this same clinic and orthotist for her son's STARband and he had

> a great experience with great results. Hopefully, the STARband will

> work as well for our son. Just wish I had more confidence. I know

> that in general, DOCband orthotists have so much experience and that's

> the thing that keeps gnawing away at me the most. Sometimes I feel

> like I'm choosing convenience over quality because I don't want to

> make that 8-hour drive every week or two when he needs an adjustment.

> Knowing how much he hates riding in his car seat, he'd probably cry 6

> of the 8 hours. Guess I'm looking for some reassurance. Sorry for

> the long post.

>

> Becky

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Becky,

I know how you feel. I felt as though I needed reassurance about

using a STARband also. I live in Minnesota and I would've had to

travel out of state to get a DOCband. My daughter has been in her

STARband since Jan.31 and I think her head is rounding out pretty

good. I really like our orthos. Like yours they also do other

prosthetics. Since you know someone who has been to this ortho and

recieved good results that is a good thing and hopefully somewhat

reassuring. You are doing the right thing; don't feel guilty about

not making the 8 hour trip especially since your little guy hates

being in the car. I am sure your son will come out of his STARband

with a wonderfully round head!!!! Good Luck!!

Isabelle 7 mos STARband 1/31/06

--- In Plagiocephaly , " becky31410 " <becky31410@...>

wrote:

>

> My son was casted yesterday for his STARband. He'll be 6 1/2

months

> old by the time he's actually wearing it. Seems like I've seen

more

> postive feedback about DOCbands than STARbands. I know the key is

the

> experience of the orthotist. Since CT does nothing but these bands

> and their experience is so great, it would've been great if we

could

> have used them to get a DOCband. Unfortunately, the closest

clinic is

> over 8 hours away roundtrip and my son HATES riding in the car.

> Couldn't see making that trip every week for 4-5 months. I also

had a

> very scary experience on a small passenger airplane once so using

> their " angel flight " program wasn't really an option for us. The

> STARband clinic is local, only 20 minute drive. Our orthotist,

> physical therapist, and pediatrician are all literally less than

1/4

> mile from each other. The physical therapist we have been seeing

has

> an excellent reputation and she seems confident with the orthotist

who

> will be working with my son while he is in the STARband. One

concern

> is the STARband is only one of dozens of orthotics and prosthetics

> made by this clinic. There is only one orthotist in the clinic who

> does STARbands, although he does a lot of other things too. My

friend

> used this same clinic and orthotist for her son's STARband and he

had

> a great experience with great results. Hopefully, the STARband

will

> work as well for our son. Just wish I had more confidence. I know

> that in general, DOCband orthotists have so much experience and

that's

> the thing that keeps gnawing away at me the most. Sometimes I feel

> like I'm choosing convenience over quality because I don't want to

> make that 8-hour drive every week or two when he needs an

adjustment.

> Knowing how much he hates riding in his car seat, he'd probably

cry 6

> of the 8 hours. Guess I'm looking for some reassurance. Sorry for

> the long post.

>

> Becky

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Becky,

I know how you feel. I felt as though I needed reassurance about

using a STARband also. I live in Minnesota and I would've had to

travel out of state to get a DOCband. My daughter has been in her

STARband since Jan.31 and I think her head is rounding out pretty

good. I really like our orthos. Like yours they also do other

prosthetics. Since you know someone who has been to this ortho and

recieved good results that is a good thing and hopefully somewhat

reassuring. You are doing the right thing; don't feel guilty about

not making the 8 hour trip especially since your little guy hates

being in the car. I am sure your son will come out of his STARband

with a wonderfully round head!!!! Good Luck!!

Isabelle 7 mos STARband 1/31/06

--- In Plagiocephaly , " becky31410 " <becky31410@...>

wrote:

>

> My son was casted yesterday for his STARband. He'll be 6 1/2

months

> old by the time he's actually wearing it. Seems like I've seen

more

> postive feedback about DOCbands than STARbands. I know the key is

the

> experience of the orthotist. Since CT does nothing but these bands

> and their experience is so great, it would've been great if we

could

> have used them to get a DOCband. Unfortunately, the closest

clinic is

> over 8 hours away roundtrip and my son HATES riding in the car.

> Couldn't see making that trip every week for 4-5 months. I also

had a

> very scary experience on a small passenger airplane once so using

> their " angel flight " program wasn't really an option for us. The

> STARband clinic is local, only 20 minute drive. Our orthotist,

> physical therapist, and pediatrician are all literally less than

1/4

> mile from each other. The physical therapist we have been seeing

has

> an excellent reputation and she seems confident with the orthotist

who

> will be working with my son while he is in the STARband. One

concern

> is the STARband is only one of dozens of orthotics and prosthetics

> made by this clinic. There is only one orthotist in the clinic who

> does STARbands, although he does a lot of other things too. My

friend

> used this same clinic and orthotist for her son's STARband and he

had

> a great experience with great results. Hopefully, the STARband

will

> work as well for our son. Just wish I had more confidence. I know

> that in general, DOCband orthotists have so much experience and

that's

> the thing that keeps gnawing away at me the most. Sometimes I feel

> like I'm choosing convenience over quality because I don't want to

> make that 8-hour drive every week or two when he needs an

adjustment.

> Knowing how much he hates riding in his car seat, he'd probably

cry 6

> of the 8 hours. Guess I'm looking for some reassurance. Sorry for

> the long post.

>

> Becky

>

[Guest guest]

Hello. I wanted to tell you not to feel bad or like you are choosing

convenience over quality. The STARband IS a quality product as long

as it's in the hands of an experienced Orthotist. There have been

MANY people out there who have used the STARband with wonderful

results. The reason why you see all the posts on the DOC is because

there are a lot of people out there who live near a CT and/or are

willing/able to travel to CT. CT is the " leader " in the business of

cranial banding because of the uniform training of their employees,

but there are many other facilities that do cranial bands with great

care and success (ie: STARband, Hanger, etc). We used Hanger for our

Daughter and had a wonderful experience. Had there been a closer CT,

I may have used them... but it really wasn't an option for us, due to

the travel etc. You need to do what works for you. As long as you

feel comfortable with your Orthotist and he/she has experience, I'm

sure that you will be very pleased.

Good luck and keep us updated.

Jen

(19.5 mo), tort resolved, Hanger Band Grad

(4 years)

--- In Plagiocephaly , " becky31410 " <becky31410@...>

wrote:

>

> My son was casted yesterday for his STARband. He'll be 6 1/2 months

> old by the time he's actually wearing it. Seems like I've seen more

> postive feedback about DOCbands than STARbands. I know the key is

the

> experience of the orthotist. Since CT does nothing but these bands

> and their experience is so great, it would've been great if we could

> have used them to get a DOCband. Unfortunately, the closest clinic

is

> over 8 hours away roundtrip and my son HATES riding in the car.

> Couldn't see making that trip every week for 4-5 months. I also

had a

> very scary experience on a small passenger airplane once so using

> their " angel flight " program wasn't really an option for us. The

> STARband clinic is local, only 20 minute drive. Our orthotist,

> physical therapist, and pediatrician are all literally less than 1/4

> mile from each other. The physical therapist we have been seeing

has

> an excellent reputation and she seems confident with the orthotist

who

> will be working with my son while he is in the STARband. One

concern

> is the STARband is only one of dozens of orthotics and prosthetics

> made by this clinic. There is only one orthotist in the clinic who

> does STARbands, although he does a lot of other things too. My

friend

> used this same clinic and orthotist for her son's STARband and he

had

> a great experience with great results. Hopefully, the STARband will

> work as well for our son. Just wish I had more confidence. I know

> that in general, DOCband orthotists have so much experience and

that's

> the thing that keeps gnawing away at me the most. Sometimes I feel

> like I'm choosing convenience over quality because I don't want to

> make that 8-hour drive every week or two when he needs an

adjustment.

> Knowing how much he hates riding in his car seat, he'd probably

cry 6

> of the 8 hours. Guess I'm looking for some reassurance. Sorry for

> the long post.

>

> Becky

>

[Guest guest]

Hello. I wanted to tell you not to feel bad or like you are choosing

convenience over quality. The STARband IS a quality product as long

as it's in the hands of an experienced Orthotist. There have been

MANY people out there who have used the STARband with wonderful

results. The reason why you see all the posts on the DOC is because

there are a lot of people out there who live near a CT and/or are

willing/able to travel to CT. CT is the " leader " in the business of

cranial banding because of the uniform training of their employees,

but there are many other facilities that do cranial bands with great

care and success (ie: STARband, Hanger, etc). We used Hanger for our

Daughter and had a wonderful experience. Had there been a closer CT,

I may have used them... but it really wasn't an option for us, due to

the travel etc. You need to do what works for you. As long as you

feel comfortable with your Orthotist and he/she has experience, I'm

sure that you will be very pleased.

Good luck and keep us updated.

Jen

(19.5 mo), tort resolved, Hanger Band Grad

(4 years)

--- In Plagiocephaly , " becky31410 " <becky31410@...>

wrote:

>

> My son was casted yesterday for his STARband. He'll be 6 1/2 months

> old by the time he's actually wearing it. Seems like I've seen more

> postive feedback about DOCbands than STARbands. I know the key is

the

> experience of the orthotist. Since CT does nothing but these bands

> and their experience is so great, it would've been great if we could

> have used them to get a DOCband. Unfortunately, the closest clinic

is

> over 8 hours away roundtrip and my son HATES riding in the car.

> Couldn't see making that trip every week for 4-5 months. I also

had a

> very scary experience on a small passenger airplane once so using

> their " angel flight " program wasn't really an option for us. The

> STARband clinic is local, only 20 minute drive. Our orthotist,

> physical therapist, and pediatrician are all literally less than 1/4

> mile from each other. The physical therapist we have been seeing

has

> an excellent reputation and she seems confident with the orthotist

who

> will be working with my son while he is in the STARband. One

concern

> is the STARband is only one of dozens of orthotics and prosthetics

> made by this clinic. There is only one orthotist in the clinic who

> does STARbands, although he does a lot of other things too. My

friend

> used this same clinic and orthotist for her son's STARband and he

had

> a great experience with great results. Hopefully, the STARband will

> work as well for our son. Just wish I had more confidence. I know

> that in general, DOCband orthotists have so much experience and

that's

> the thing that keeps gnawing away at me the most. Sometimes I feel

> like I'm choosing convenience over quality because I don't want to

> make that 8-hour drive every week or two when he needs an

adjustment.

> Knowing how much he hates riding in his car seat, he'd probably

cry 6

> of the 8 hours. Guess I'm looking for some reassurance. Sorry for

> the long post.

>

> Becky

>

[Guest guest]

Becky,

We have many Starband parents here that have seen wonderful results.

Just look in our before and after photos. Not everyone can get to a

certain clinic and sometimes insurance dictates what we can do also.

Like you said the key is the ortho and it sounds like your ortho has

a good reputation and you are lucky enough to know someone personally

who has been happy with thier results, so I don't see the need for

you to feel overly concerned about using the Starband at this

facility. You should definitely not feel like you are settling, be

confident in your decision. You did the research on the clinic, got

reference from your therapist, and ask someone who personally used

the clinic all with good feedback. Good Luck and let us know how the

fitting goes.

CAROLG

--- In Plagiocephaly , " becky31410 " <becky31410@...>

wrote:

>

> My son was casted yesterday for his STARband. He'll be 6 1/2 months

> old by the time he's actually wearing it. Seems like I've seen more

> postive feedback about DOCbands than STARbands. I know the key is

the

> experience of the orthotist. Since CT does nothing but these bands

> and their experience is so great, it would've been great if we could

> have used them to get a DOCband. Unfortunately, the closest clinic

is

> over 8 hours away roundtrip and my son HATES riding in the car.

> Couldn't see making that trip every week for 4-5 months. I also

had a

> very scary experience on a small passenger airplane once so using

> their " angel flight " program wasn't really an option for us. The

> STARband clinic is local, only 20 minute drive. Our orthotist,

> physical therapist, and pediatrician are all literally less than 1/4

> mile from each other. The physical therapist we have been seeing

has

> an excellent reputation and she seems confident with the orthotist

who

> will be working with my son while he is in the STARband. One

concern

> is the STARband is only one of dozens of orthotics and prosthetics

> made by this clinic. There is only one orthotist in the clinic who

> does STARbands, although he does a lot of other things too. My

friend

> used this same clinic and orthotist for her son's STARband and he

had

> a great experience with great results. Hopefully, the STARband will

> work as well for our son. Just wish I had more confidence. I know

> that in general, DOCband orthotists have so much experience and

that's

> the thing that keeps gnawing away at me the most. Sometimes I feel

> like I'm choosing convenience over quality because I don't want to

> make that 8-hour drive every week or two when he needs an

adjustment.

> Knowing how much he hates riding in his car seat, he'd probably

cry 6

> of the 8 hours. Guess I'm looking for some reassurance. Sorry for

> the long post.

>

> Becky

>

[Guest guest]

Becky,

We have many Starband parents here that have seen wonderful results.

Just look in our before and after photos. Not everyone can get to a

certain clinic and sometimes insurance dictates what we can do also.

Like you said the key is the ortho and it sounds like your ortho has

a good reputation and you are lucky enough to know someone personally

who has been happy with thier results, so I don't see the need for

you to feel overly concerned about using the Starband at this

facility. You should definitely not feel like you are settling, be

confident in your decision. You did the research on the clinic, got

reference from your therapist, and ask someone who personally used

the clinic all with good feedback. Good Luck and let us know how the

fitting goes.

CAROLG

--- In Plagiocephaly , " becky31410 " <becky31410@...>

wrote:

>

> My son was casted yesterday for his STARband. He'll be 6 1/2 months

> old by the time he's actually wearing it. Seems like I've seen more

> postive feedback about DOCbands than STARbands. I know the key is

the

> experience of the orthotist. Since CT does nothing but these bands

> and their experience is so great, it would've been great if we could

> have used them to get a DOCband. Unfortunately, the closest clinic

is

> over 8 hours away roundtrip and my son HATES riding in the car.

> Couldn't see making that trip every week for 4-5 months. I also

had a

> very scary experience on a small passenger airplane once so using

> their " angel flight " program wasn't really an option for us. The

> STARband clinic is local, only 20 minute drive. Our orthotist,

> physical therapist, and pediatrician are all literally less than 1/4

> mile from each other. The physical therapist we have been seeing

has

> an excellent reputation and she seems confident with the orthotist

who

> will be working with my son while he is in the STARband. One

concern

> is the STARband is only one of dozens of orthotics and prosthetics

> made by this clinic. There is only one orthotist in the clinic who

> does STARbands, although he does a lot of other things too. My

friend

> used this same clinic and orthotist for her son's STARband and he

had

> a great experience with great results. Hopefully, the STARband will

> work as well for our son. Just wish I had more confidence. I know

> that in general, DOCband orthotists have so much experience and

that's

> the thing that keeps gnawing away at me the most. Sometimes I feel

> like I'm choosing convenience over quality because I don't want to

> make that 8-hour drive every week or two when he needs an

adjustment.

> Knowing how much he hates riding in his car seat, he'd probably

cry 6

> of the 8 hours. Guess I'm looking for some reassurance. Sorry for

> the long post.

>

> Becky

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Becky, You have already received a lot of feedback on this but I

would just like to add that my son started wearing his STARband one

week ago tomorrow and we are AMAZED at the difference it has already

made. I don't think you should have any reservations whatsoever

given your situation.

--- In Plagiocephaly , " becky31410 " <becky31410@...>

wrote:

>

> My son was casted yesterday for his STARband. He'll be 6 1/2 months

> old by the time he's actually wearing it. Seems like I've seen more

> postive feedback about DOCbands than STARbands. I know the key is

the

> experience of the orthotist. Since CT does nothing but these bands

> and their experience is so great, it would've been great if we could

> have used them to get a DOCband. Unfortunately, the closest clinic

is

> over 8 hours away roundtrip and my son HATES riding in the car.

> Couldn't see making that trip every week for 4-5 months. I also

had a

> very scary experience on a small passenger airplane once so using

> their " angel flight " program wasn't really an option for us. The

> STARband clinic is local, only 20 minute drive. Our orthotist,

> physical therapist, and pediatrician are all literally less than 1/4

> mile from each other. The physical therapist we have been seeing

has

> an excellent reputation and she seems confident with the orthotist

who

> will be working with my son while he is in the STARband. One

concern

> is the STARband is only one of dozens of orthotics and prosthetics

> made by this clinic. There is only one orthotist in the clinic who

> does STARbands, although he does a lot of other things too. My

friend

> used this same clinic and orthotist for her son's STARband and he

had

> a great experience with great results. Hopefully, the STARband will

> work as well for our son. Just wish I had more confidence. I know

> that in general, DOCband orthotists have so much experience and

that's

> the thing that keeps gnawing away at me the most. Sometimes I feel

> like I'm choosing convenience over quality because I don't want to

> make that 8-hour drive every week or two when he needs an

adjustment.

> Knowing how much he hates riding in his car seat, he'd probably

cry 6

> of the 8 hours. Guess I'm looking for some reassurance. Sorry for

> the long post.

>

> Becky

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Becky, You have already received a lot of feedback on this but I

would just like to add that my son started wearing his STARband one

week ago tomorrow and we are AMAZED at the difference it has already

made. I don't think you should have any reservations whatsoever

given your situation.

--- In Plagiocephaly , " becky31410 " <becky31410@...>

wrote:

>

> My son was casted yesterday for his STARband. He'll be 6 1/2 months

> old by the time he's actually wearing it. Seems like I've seen more

> postive feedback about DOCbands than STARbands. I know the key is

the

> experience of the orthotist. Since CT does nothing but these bands

> and their experience is so great, it would've been great if we could

> have used them to get a DOCband. Unfortunately, the closest clinic

is

> over 8 hours away roundtrip and my son HATES riding in the car.

> Couldn't see making that trip every week for 4-5 months. I also

had a

> very scary experience on a small passenger airplane once so using

> their " angel flight " program wasn't really an option for us. The

> STARband clinic is local, only 20 minute drive. Our orthotist,

> physical therapist, and pediatrician are all literally less than 1/4

> mile from each other. The physical therapist we have been seeing

has

> an excellent reputation and she seems confident with the orthotist

who

> will be working with my son while he is in the STARband. One

concern

> is the STARband is only one of dozens of orthotics and prosthetics

> made by this clinic. There is only one orthotist in the clinic who

> does STARbands, although he does a lot of other things too. My

friend

> used this same clinic and orthotist for her son's STARband and he

had

> a great experience with great results. Hopefully, the STARband will

> work as well for our son. Just wish I had more confidence. I know

> that in general, DOCband orthotists have so much experience and

that's

> the thing that keeps gnawing away at me the most. Sometimes I feel

> like I'm choosing convenience over quality because I don't want to

> make that 8-hour drive every week or two when he needs an

adjustment.

> Knowing how much he hates riding in his car seat, he'd probably

cry 6

> of the 8 hours. Guess I'm looking for some reassurance. Sorry for

> the long post.

>

> Becky

>