Graduation Day!

Lawson graduated from his DOC band on 3-14-12. Truthfully, he didn't wear it much the last week because there was a mix up at the clinic we use for his 7 week appointment (their fault), and we didn't get to have an adjustment. I knew his exit was coming up, and we were happy with is head shape, so we didn't make him wear it. Well, I didn't. Practical Chris reminded me daily that we had paid for the band and he should wear it. I'm really not sure it would have made much of a difference...

Now for the results! First, let me say, we are so so so grateful to Cranial Technologies and Lawson's therapist Cindy for all of their work with us. We were skeptical about the band at first, but looking at the results we couldn't be happier with our decision. We know it was the right one and Lawson will benefit from this is the long run. If you or anyone you know ever finds yourself with a little one with Plagiocephaly, I would HIGHLY recommend Cranial Technologies and the DOC band. We looked at the Star Band as well (Star Cranial), and we felt that the overall results weren't going to be as good as with DOC band. We had to pay more since insurance doesn't cover the DOC band (it does cover STAR), but we knew that going in. Obviously we'll never know for sure, but we feel like we made the right decision!

The photos below show Lawson's progress. The photos on the left are from 12-21 (3 weeks before being fit for the band), and on the right are from 3-14 (Exit appointment after 8 weeks of wear).

Not much difference from the front or back. The others show more. I just think his little face is precious, ha! :)

These probably show the most- look at how his head isn't flat or "coned" anymore! He had a huge slope on the front of his head and it flattened out in back (that's the Plagiocephaly part). The band didn't push the growth back in (that's impossible for a head bone), but it forced more growth in the other areas (front and back) that made his head look more proportioned. :) I think these photos show that he looks MUCH different and has a better overall head shape.


This one also shows quite a bit. The bottom set are supposed to show facial asymmetry, but he never had much of that, so they aren't very telling. The top set of photos show the actual reason that we even decided to get the band. The flat spot in the back right of his head (Brachiocephaly) really bothered us. It made his head look "out of round" and just funny, lol! I am so so so pleased with the difference the band has made! Just so you can see how AWESOME the difference is, I edited the photos below for you... :)
The front looks kind of funny because my selection tool wasn't on high sensitivity, so ignore that. The important part is the back! You can clearly see the misshape of his head before the band and how the band has made that virtually disappear!

Overall, the band was great for us! It never bothered Lawson (in fact, when we would take it off for bathtime and cleaning, he would shake his head and reach for it like he missed it, ha!). He got the band at 4 months 2 weeks and got it off at 6 months 1 week. He only had to wear it for 8 weeks. For the results he received in just 8 weeks, we are thrilled! We are so glad we chose to do it earlier so that he wouldn't have to wear it for long and he won't remember it. I know I keep saying how happy we are, but really, that's how happy we are with the results, ha!

Thanks Cranial Technologies! We will miss our weekly appointments with Miss Cindy! :)