'Australia's Next Top Model's Cassi Van Den Dungen's baby has surgery

Former Australia's Next Top Model contestant Cassi van den Dungen has revealed that her 6-month-old baby recently had to undergo surgery.

The 19-year-old, who turned down the opportunity to be an international model after coming second in the reality television show, gave birth to Drake last year but she and boyfriend Brad Saul were devastated to discover that their son needed multiple operations to correct a cleft lip and palate.

Van den Dungen told the Herald Sun: "It has been an adventure. The best part has been seeing him smile. The first time he smiled it's like, 'It's not that bad, he can still smile, he's still happy'."

The model admitted that it was "a bit scary and hard" finding out that Drake would need surgery and also may have hearing problems.

However, van den Dungen added: "After the first day he was smiling already, and laughing and playing with his feet, and back to normal.

"You've just got to look on the good side - he's perfect in every way - he just needs a bit of surgery."

Drake's first operation involved making his lip and nose as symmetrical as possible, while the second surgery that will close his palate will be performed in about six months.

Van den Dungen said that being a mum is currently taking up all of her time, but revealed that she hopes to get some Melbourne-based modelling work soon.

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