Teddi Mellencamp Arroyave Reveals What’s Next For Dove After Neurosurgery

The RHOBH mom is opening up about the post-op recovery plan for her daughter.

By Michelle Regalado Jul 25, 2020, 11:29 AM ET

Photo: Teddi Mellencamp/Instagram

Shortly after confirming that her five-month-old daughter, Dove, will need to undergo neurosurgery this month, Teddi Mellencamp Arroyave is opening up about the planned procedure and the recovery plan on Instagram.

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The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills cast member took to her Instagram Stories to share more details about the operation, just two weeks after revealing that Dove has been diagnosed with Lambdoid Craniosynostosis and will "undergo neurosurgery at the end of the month."

In response to a follower’s question of whether the infant will have “endoscopic surgery with helmet therapy or more open surgery,” the mom of three explained, “It is the more open surgery, the one with the zigzag scarring.”

Teddi also revealed what her daughter’s post-op recovery process will entail, stating, “They said most likely she will probably need to wear a helmet for a year after as well.”

View this post on Instagram
Dealing with anxiety, especially when in the âpublic eye,â isnât easy; and going into July itâs at an all-time high. I was torn as to whether I should share this information, but as someone who tries to be as transparent as possible, and knowing I have a platform to reach others in similar situations, I would like to update you all. Our sweet baby Dove was diagnosed with Lambdoid Craniosynostosis and has to undergo neurosurgery at the end of the month. We are so grateful to have an amazing team of doctors and surgeons who have caught this early and will be working on her. Originally, like Cruz before her, we thought Dove had Torticollis and would likely need a doc band for re-shaping. Instead a CT scan showed Lambdoid Craniosynostosis (Lambdoid craniosynostosis is a very rare type of non-syndromic craniosynostosis and occurs when one of the lambdoid sutures at the back of the head fuses before birth). The recovery is about a week in the hospital and a couple weeks at home with a very high success rate. So although we are filled with nerves as neurosurgery sounds scary, we have our faith that she will be ok. Please keep baby Dove in your prayers and if you have had a child with this same surgery, please let me know below, as I would love any additional insight and support. Sending ð to you all.
A post shared by Teddi Mellencamp Arroyave (@teddimellencamp) on Jul 6, 2020 at 11:32am PDT

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."

Teddi previously opened up about how her family is maintaining a positive attitude throughout Dove's diagnosis. “Although we are filled with nerves as neurosurgery sounds scary, we have our faith that she will be ok,” she wrote. “Please keep baby Dove in your prayers and if you have had a child with this same surgery, please let me know below, as I would love any additional insight and support. Sending [heart emoji] to you all."

RHOBH returns with an all-new episode on Wednesday, July 8 at 9/8c. Catch up with the season now through the Bravo app.