Teddi Mellencamp

Teddi Mellencamp Shares Update After Biggest Surgery In 'Melanoma Journey'

Home / News / Teddi Mellencamp Shares Update After Biggest Surgery In 'Melanoma Journey'

By Melanie VanDerveer on December 27, 2023 at 4:15 PM EST

Teddi Mellencamp is recovering from the "biggest surgery in her melanoma journey" and updated her social media followers on how it went.

The "Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" alum has been keeping her followers in-the-know about her melanoma journey in the hopes of bringing more awareness and reminding people to get their annual skin checks.

Article continues below advertisement

Teddi Mellencamp Recently Had Another Melanoma Surgery

Teddi Mellencamp
Mega

On Tuesday, the 42-year-old podcast host shared a series of Instagram Stories that documented the surgery to have her 13th melanoma removed after trying immunotherapy cream that didn't work.

"I'm out of surgery. Now I'm just waiting to be discharged to the nursing facility," she said in a Story video. "It's pretty painful but I am so grateful that they did such a great job. That back skin is tight. Struggle bus, but I'm hoping they got it all."

Her next Story slide showed her being transported to a nursing care facility for her recovery. She wrote on the Story, "1 drain and a lot of d--- pain but worth it."

Another Story showed her back just before surgery.

Article continues below advertisement
Teddi Mellencamp
Teddi Mellencamp - Instagram Story
Article continues below advertisement

After her surgery while she was waiting to be transported to the nursing facility, the reality star shared a carousel of photos and videos on Instagram with a caption that explains what her surgery entailed. She started off by saying, "Surgery went well!"

"I specifically went through a 'wide excision melanoma, soft tissue defect reconstruction with adjacent tissue rearrangement.' Basically they cut out the area of my shoulder and replaced it with a flap of skin from below on my back (swipe to see the area before surgery). But the pain and discomfort are all worth it," she wrote.

Article continues below advertisement

"The outpouring of love and prayers in the comments and DMs has left me speechless (which is tough). I wish I could respond to everyone but please know I am forever grateful. Please get your skin checked. I promise you do not want to go through this."

Article continues below advertisement

Many of Mellencamp's followers left her messages of love and strength and thanked her for being so transparent during this tough journey.

"I swear we are living parallel lives, mine is today. I’m so glad your surgery went well. Continued prayers and positive vibes ❤️," one follower wrote. Another added, "You did it. ? Thank you for being an example of hope and strength. ❤️ Sending healing ❤️‍? prayers."

Mellencamp's husband, Edwin Arroyave shared an Instagram post ahead of her surgery to share his love and support of his wife and her journey.

Article continues below advertisement

"As Teddi goes in for the biggest surgery in her melanoma journey today, I just wanted to share how her absolute strength through it all has been nothing short of incredible," he wrote. "I know this battle is close to being won, and I cannot wait to see how she continues to impact every person around her. I love you, Mama."

Tons of prayers and loving sentiments poured into the comment section.

Article continues below advertisement

Teddi Mellencamp Shared That She Needed This Most Recent Surgery Last Week

Teddi Mellencamp
Mega

Mellencamp has been sharing her journey from the beginning in the hopes of getting others to stay on top of their skin checks.

She recently shared an update that explained why she needed to have this most recent surgery.

Article continues below advertisement

"Long story short. The immunotherapy treatment did not work on my melanomas. I had a wide excision removal on my most recent melanoma last week to see if it did and sadly it did not. I have been presented with a couple new options and I have decided with my doctors that the best next course of action is have surgery on December 26th to remove a larger portion of problematic area," she wrote.

"I don’t like going under and my anxiety is popping off but I have faith all will be ok and that the reason this is happening to me is because I am able to raise awareness."

She concluded her caption to explain that after surgery when her margins are clear, she will monitor her body closely every three months.

Article continues below advertisement