Brave Teddi Mellencamp seen for first time since undergoing brain surgery to remove tumors

Teddi Mellencamp stepped out in Los Angeles on Tuesday, marking her first public appearance since undergoing emergency brain surgery last month.

The 43-year-old Real Housewives of Beverly Hills alum was spotted grabbing lunch with Kyle Richards and a friend, just days after sharing a heartbreaking health update in which she revealed doctors had discovered more tumors on her brain.

Dressed in a white cardigan with green stripes and matching green pants, Mellencamp held onto her friends’ arms as they left a frozen yogurt shop. 

She kept a low profile with a baseball cap pulled low and oversized dark sunglasses shielding her face.

The mom of three has openly documented her health battle since doctors discovered tumors in February after weeks of severe headaches, recently sharing a raw moment of having staples removed from her head. 

Her outing also comes as she continues to navigate the fallout from her split with estranged husband Edwin Arroyave.

Last Wednesday, Teddi broke her silence on her health woes and revealed that doctors have now found more tumors on her brain and that ‘the fight is not over.’

The statement included a selfie from her hospital bed with a shaved head, along with a scan of her tumors.

‘I am so grateful for the incredible surgeons, doctor, and nurses who made my surgery a success and my recovery process comfortable,’ she posted to her Instagram.

‘In full transparency, more tumors were removed than expected: 4 in total. This fight is not over, but that round has been won.’

‘The laughter, support, and patience of my kids, my family, and my closest friends is one gift with which words cannot properly express my gratitude.

‘As I move on to the next steps in my treatment, I just wanted to say thank you to everybody for the outpouring of love and prayers. I see them, and they’re definitely helping me stay strong.’

Teddi underwent emergency surgery last month to remove recently-discovered brain tumors.

In a statement posted to her Instagram at the time, Teddi revealed the tumors were discovered following ‘several weeks’ of ‘severe and debilitating headaches.’

The Bravo alum revealed she would be having two tumors removed that day, with the remaining ‘smaller tumors’ to be ‘dealt with via radiation at a later date.’

Her brain tumors were discovered just three years after Teddi announced that she was diagnosed with stage II melanoma – the most dangerous form of skin cancer.

She has undergone a total of sixteen procedures to remove the melanomas.

While it’s unclear what type of tumor has been discovered, skin cancer can spread to the brain and cause brain tumors, known as brain metastasis.

‘For the last several weeks I’ve been dealing with severe and debilitating headaches. Yesterday the pain was unbearable and required hospitalization,’ Teddi said in her statement.

‘After a CT scan and MRI, doctors found multiple tumors on my brain, which they believed have been growing for at least 6 months.

‘Two of the tumors will be surgically removed today – the remaining smaller tumors will be dealt with via radiation at a later date. 

‘I am blessed to be surrounded by my children, family, friends, doctors, nurses, and surgeons who are doing everything possible to get me back into better health.

‘Thank you everybody who has reached out, and to everyone who has supported me along this journey.’

Since undergoing emergency surgery, some of Teddi’s loved ones have taken to social media to give brief updates on the star’s recovery.

Her estranged husband Arroyave shared that he was planning on visiting Teddi in the hospital with their daughters.

Teddi and Edwin share three children Slate, 12, Cruz, 10, and Dove, four. She is also stepmother to his daughter Bella, 15, from a previous relationship.

While taking a selfie with Slate and Bella, Edwin typed out, ‘On our way to visit mom.’

In a separate post, he also sent gratitude to the prayers from fans and wrote: ‘Our family is thankful to everybody for your continued prayers and well wishes. Teddi is beyond grateful for the outpouring of love while she continues to recover.’

Teddi’s sister, Justice, also gave a heartwrenching update alongside a photo of herself sitting next to her sibling who rested in a hospital bed.

She penned, ‘Watching a loved one suffer is horrific. I’ve tried to get back to everyone who has reached out & I know Teddi will share her journey when she is ready. She is by far the strongest person I know.

‘So many emotions as I travel home today but her village is the best one I’ve ever seen and I’m so grateful for them (prayer hands emoji). Your prayers are everything. Thank you.’

In the wake of Teddi’s emergency surgery, a source recently told DailyMail.com that her divorce with Edwin is currently ‘off the table.’

‘Right now, Edwin’s focus is on her recovery and the divorce is off the table. It is no longer being discussed. His concern is that she gets better.’

The insider added, ‘The surgery was successful, and she is expected to return to the home she shared with Edwin and their three children. They are going to help Teddi recover.’

Shortly after her procedure, Edwin took to social media to share that he had never seen Teddi in ‘so much pain.’

He wrote, ‘All I will say right now is surgery went well. That said, I’ve never seen @teddimellencamp in so much pain. She’s finally getting some needed rest. I know she is so grateful for the outpouring of love.’