Today’s very sad😭news!! Deon Derrico shares big tragedy & heartbreaking news about his son Diez, 7, neurological sequelae after brain surgery

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Deon gave an update on his son Diez’s condition following skull surgeryCredit: TLC

DOUBLING Down With the Derrico’s star Deon Derrico updated fans on his son Diez’s recovery following skull surgery.

The four-year-old underwent surgery to have his elongated skull reshaped earlier this year.

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The toddler made an appearance in Deon’s Instagram Live video on Sunday where the father-of-14 assured fans that Diez was doing “really well” since the procedure.

After the reality star teased viewers with the feast that he was in the process of cooking, he scanned the camera over towards his son.

The proud dad encouraged his youngest child to talk to the camera: “Say, ‘hey.’ Say ‘happy Sunday morning!’,” he said as Diez echoed back.

“He said ‘happy Sunday morning,’ say, ‘I love you,’ requested Deon, in which his son abliged.

Deon then went on to provide updates on Diez’s condition following his skull surgery.

“For those of you who want to know, Diez’s head is doing really well,” reported Deon.

The TV star placed his hand on top of Diez’s head as he continued with a status update.

“You see that? That’s Diez’s little head,” he said tracing the boy’s multiple scars with his fingers.

It’s going really good. Everyone’s been asking ‘how’s Diez? How’s Diez’s head?’ That’s Diez’s head,” Deon said while instructing his son to turn his head to give viewers a better look.

He then told followers that the healing process “takes about a full year,” which will be in January.

“He’s doing pretty good, though. He’s healing really well,” Deon concluded.

SCARY DIAGNOSIS

On a previous episode of the show, it was revealed that Diez’s head was below the average size.

“The average head should be 80 cm. They don’t even want it to be 70 — that’s considered low. His is 65,” Deon said.

“The skull fused too fast and if it fused too fast, that means it’s just growing the length, but it’s not growing the normal width.”

According to the Sydney West Physio, it is very common for babies’ heads to be elongated at birth but it is typically more symmetrical within six weeks.

Since Diez is already four, it means his head never properly shifted into a symmetrical position after Deon’s wife Karen gave birth.

THE PROCEDURE

On the July 13 episode, Diez’s doctor explained the procedure to the parents on a video call.

“We take the skin and we peel the front part forward this way and then we take the back part and we peel it back that way.”

“And so then the top of his head is exposed.” Touching the top part of the skull, the doctor said “this part of the skull will come off.”

Once the part of the skull is removed, they then cut it into pieces.

“And then we take the bone off and then we reshape his skull back into a more rounded shape,” the doctor continued.

“We make it less long, and we make it wider on the sides and his skull will be like a normal-looking skull.”

BIG UPDATE 2025

Fans of Doubling Down With the Derricos are heartbroken today as Deon Derrico shares devastating news about his 7-year-old son, Diez, who has been urgently hospitalized due to neurological sequelae linked to his previous brain surgery.

According to Deon, young Diez began showing sudden concerning symptoms at home—weakness, headaches, and episodes of disorientation—prompting the family to rush him to the emergency room. Doctors quickly admitted him for further evaluation as they work to determine the cause of these post-surgery complications.

Deon described the ordeal as “every parent’s worst nightmare,” asking fans to lift Diez in prayer as specialists monitor his condition closely. The father of 14 has always been transparent about Diez’s medical challenges, but this latest development has left the family shaken and deeply emotional.

Fans across social media are flooding the Derricos with support, praying for strength, protection, and a full recovery for the brave little boy.