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Teddi Mellencamp Arroyave Confirms Dove's Neurosurgery Was a Success
The RHOBH cast member has "so much gratitude" after the procedure.
Teddi Mellencamp Arroyave confirmed that daughter Dove's neurosurgery has been completed and was a success after she was diagnosed with Lambdoid Craniosynostosis.
“Thank you for all your prayers. Baby Dove had a successful surgery. So much gratitude to her amazing surgeons Dr. Danielpour and Dr. Urata and all the loving nurses that will continue to help us care for her as she recovers. We are forever grateful," The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills cast member confirmed on Instagram Stories on Thursday, according to Page Six.
Days before she confirmed Dove had a successful surgery, Teddi noted of the tot's post-op recovery process, “Most likely she will probably need to wear a helmet for a year after as well.”
According to the Mayo Clinic, Lambdoid Craniosynostosis "is a birth defect in which one or more of the fibrous joints between the bones of your baby's skull (cranial sutures) close prematurely (fuse), before your baby's brain is fully formed. Brain growth continues, giving the head a misshapen appearance."
In an episode of her podcast, Teddi Tea Pod With Teddi Mellencamp, released before she confirmed the surgery had taken place, Teddi opened up why she wanted to share the news with everyone.
"I started thinking ‘I don’t know why I want to share this, I don’t know if I want to share this solely because I want to hear other people’s stories or because I want people not to go through the same exact situation that I did, where they weren’t prepared or didn’t know what to look for or whatever it may be.’ But it was a combination of both — I think I truly needed the support," she said. "But I also wanted to be transparent about what’s going on because a big part of who I am is someone who wants to be open and authentic with what’s going on in my life."
In the same podcast episode, she also addressed how she felt before the surgery: "I feel like I have a lot of nerves, I’m trying my best to stay focused on staying calm as I possibly can for her."
She added, "It’s one of those things — you know, I’ve been through surgery a couple of times with Slate, but she’s older so she’s talking you through what’s going on, what her emotions are. I don’t really know what to expect."
Dove was born back in February. She is Teddi’s third child with husband Edwin Arroyave, following 7-year-old daughter Slate and 5-year-old son Cruz. She is also a stepmother to 11-year-old Isabella, Edwin’s daughter from a previous relationship.
RHOBH airs Wednesdays at 9/8c. Catch up with the season now through the Bravo app.
Below Teddi opens up more about her life as a mom in a recent interview with The Daily Dish.