TJ's DOC Band Journey

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Welcome to our webpage documenting TJ's Journey with his DOC Band. If you have any questions, please feel free to e-mail me!

When our pediatrician first suggested that TJ had plagiocephaly, we were confused and very upset. However, we tried to deal with it the best we could. After having a CT Scan to make sure TJ didn't have something more severe, we were off to Cranial Technologies in Atlanta to have a casting done for TJ's head so that he could wear a DOC Band to correct the Plagiocephaly. We decided almost immediately that this is the best thing for TJ as we had tried to reposition him to encourage the flat spot on the back of his head to round out. We had very little success after two months of repositioning. So, TJ was set to wear the DOC Band for about 16 weeks, and eneded his journey with a nice round head.

The "plagio" was caused, I believe, by the fact that he was in his bouncy seat for most of the time in his first few months of life because of the Reflux he suffered from. Without being able to sit up on his own, that was the only way we had to keep him upright. TJ hated tummy time, and this was another contributing factor to the flattening. TJ also suffers from Torticollis. I believe this was partially because of his position in the uterus before birth, and again, partially because he was constantly in the bouncy seat. We use neck exercises to help TJ stretch out his neck, which have worked, but TJ will probably always have a slight tilt.

I hope you find the following information useful. If you have any questions about our experience, or would like a little reassurance, please feel free to e-mail me!

The first set of photographs are TJ's before and after photos. The "before" photos were taken on February 4, 2004 (TJ was almost 7 months old), and the "after" photos were taken on June 4, 2004 (at almost 11 months old). Our treatment was slightly longer than first anticipated because the Torticollis started to cause additional flat spots on his head. After two weeks of highly aggressive neck exercises, there was no more evidence of this problem and the DOC Band therapy could continue. He wore the DOC Band during this time, but no adjustments were made until that was corrected.

We are very happy with the results from wearing the DOC Band. You can see the biggest difference in the second set of pictures on the second row. You can clearly see the newly rounded head. The asymmetry and flatness of the head that existed before have been greatly improved with the therapy.

TJ's DOC Band Treatment Process

The Casting - 2/4/04

TJ's first appointment at Cranial Tech was to take a cast of his head so that the makers at Cranial Tech could create the DOC Band specifically for TJ's head. The makers actually make what looks like a head on a stick (affectionaly referred to as the headsicle). This headsicle is a mold of his head at the time of casting and is used for comparison at eat visit.

The following pictures were taken at the casting. This process was very fast and TJ was okay with it while they did the front portion because we were able to give him a bottle. After they sat him up to do the back portion, he was very upset because he wasn't able to drink from his bottle. The basic process for the procedure is actually quite simple. They slipped a sort of stocking over his head and cut a hole for his nose and mouth. Then, plastering strips were placed across his forehead and then long strips were place above that, running from ear to ear. After that set after a minute or so, they sat him up and proceeded to do the back of the head in the same fashion. The two portions were separate from each other because they used a vaseline barrier to keep the front and back sections from sticking together. After his treatment was completed, another casting was made so that acomplete set of "Before and After" molds exist. Simply click on a picture to enlarge it.

The Fitting - 2/18/04

We made our way back to Cranial Technologies on for his fitting two weeks after the casting. The process began with the technician putting the band on TJ and then she left the room for him to wear it for 15 minutes. During that time, TJ pretty much adjusted to the band! TJ was hungry and tired at the time of the appointment, so he was a little grumpy, but he had little to no problem with the band. The tech then came back to check to see if there were areas of the band that seemed to bother the skin, and since there were no visible spots we were able to leave without any immediate adjustments. We stayed in Atlanta that night so that we could check back with technician the next morning.

The technician told us that the band would fit a little loose because with the first week, the band is a tad bit big on the children. So, we had to readjust it at times, but after a week of wearing it, it pretty much stays put. He did have some spots that were very red after wearing the band and the technician shaved out some space where the spots were and the continued redness was remedied. We were also told to expect TJ to sweat a lot in the first three or so days, and that this was normal. TJ is already a hot natured child, so the sweating was extreme at times, but our little trooper didn't seem to mind at all. Within the first week, TJ's sweating wasn't much of a problem... but the band CAN and WILL soak up the sweat and smell (like stinky feet) so it is important that it was cleaned with alcohol frequently.

The following pictures are set chronologically, from left to right. The pictures taken at Cranial Technologies (the first three) were within a 5 minute span, so you can truly see just how quickly he adjusted to the band. We all thought we would be in for a long night with TJ, but he wasn't phased by any of this - even being away from home! He slept through the entire night without any worries. We are all so very proud of TJ for being so tolerant to the DOC Band and all the trips back and forth to Atlanta! You can click on a picture to enlarge it.

A Very Happy DOC Band Baby!

TJ wore the band 23 hours a day. During the first weekend, the band was off a little more often because we were painting it and it needed time to dry. Decorating the band was along process, and I tried to decorate it at night after his bath and when he was playing so that he only has to be without it for an hour. The themed decoration is based on Eric Carle's book, The Very Hungry Caterpillar. That was Tim's favorite book as a child and it is fitting for a boy!

In the first picture (from the left) you see the pressing down of the band on one side causing what is commonly known as "Angry Eye." This is simply caused by the fact that babies have fatty deposits on their foreheads and sometimes the band catches it, causing the lowering of one eye lid. This usually only happens to TJ when he is looking upwards. I actually think it is cute!! Clearly, in the picture next to it, you can see that the band fits well and he is very happy and isn't bothered by wearing it! You can see from his early morning bed head (last two pictures) that he wore the DOC Band at night without any problems!

Cleaning the DOC Band

As I mentioned earlier, the DOC Band can take a life of its own when it comes to the way it smells. We found the best way to clean the doc band was with alcohol (as suggested by Cranial Tech), combined with the use of cotton balls and an old toothbrush. The cotton balls can give the band a nice rub down, but for the dingy spots, scrubbing with a toothbrush that has been dipped in alcohol will get most of the dinge out. The cleaner you keep the DOC Band, the less your child's head will stink from it! Consider yourself lucky if your child has to wear it in a cooler climate!

Decorating the DOC Band

There was no way I could have done what I did in just one night. If you plan on decorating your DOC Band, make sure you have the time it takes to do what you need to do. Like I mentioned before, it took me many night of doing a little at a time, but I think it was worth it! Considering the fact that he wore the Band for almost 4 months, it was well worth the time and effort it took to decoarate it. However, you live and learn... and I learned that if I were to ever go through this again, I would never paint the whole thing. It chipped at the edges, and I found myself making a lot of touch-ups. If we have another child go through this, I will use stickers to decorate, and a laquer to protect them!

I used regular craft paint that comes in small fifty cent bottles. I purchased them at Michael's craft store, but you can get them at Wal-Mart. I also used a clear laquer that came in the same sized bottle. After letting the paint dry, I coated it with one to two coats of laquer after each round of painting. After the whole Band was laquered a few times, I only needed to laquer the spots that I touched up or painted over. You can also laquer over stickers to keep them in place.

Here is the final product, which took about a month or more to complete - but that is a perfectionist for you!

June 4, 2004 ~ The DOC Band Comes Off!

The DOC Band Finally came off on June 4th! We are happy with the results and most of all, we are relieved that the ordeal is over with! Our 3.5 hour drives each way back and forth to Atlanta every other week was very tiring and very exhausing for TJ. Of course, now that TJ is walking around, he has more chances to bump his head on all the things he was protected from before! The Band certainly helped protect his head during the time he was learning to walk!

Here are some pictures of the last day with the DOC Band. We did another casting of TJ's head so that there would be a record of the final result in case we have concerns about anything in the future.

A Visible Change

In the pictures below, you will see the DOC Band on the headsicle. This is the view from the top, and you can see just how much TJ's head grew into the band. During each visit, the technician shaved out more room in the back for TJ to grow into. It is the empty space between the band and the mold that show where the growth of his head took place and just how much growth actually occurred. If there was any doubt before, this comparison really put things in perspective.

A few parents have written me to ask about the way the Band shifts across the head. TJ's band shifted to the left somewhere around half-way through treatment. However, after an adjustment, the band never shifted more than it was allowed to. The point that comes down in the front can shift as much all the way to the beginning of the eyebrow, but anything beyond that should be of some concern. Please talk to your technician if you see the Band shift more than what they consider to be normal.

Other parents have wondered about insurance. We have Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama and it was my understanding that they had paid for every patient referred by our pediatrician BEFORE our treatment, and BCBS of Alabama had not denied anyone from Alabama seeking treatment at Cranial Tech in Atlanta BEFORE us. We have had a horrible time trying to get the band approved. It was Mid-August before they finally denied our appeal to their original denial of coverage filed back in February. It was stated that TJ had no functional deformity. I disagree, and have serious doubts over their customer service, but I digress. Since the cost of the band was $3000 out of pocket, plus the cost of travel to and from appointments was so incredibly high, we can actually deduct it from our taxes when we file in 2005. So, for those of you who are denied for coverage, look into the tax laws to see if you too can use it as a tax deduction.

If you have any questions about our experience, or would like to chat about your experience with another parent, feel free to e-mail me. There is also a very new forum on The Parent Station's website where you can find me. Yahoo has a very good group, too - their resources are wonderful - but I found their format extremely hard to read.

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