Teddi Mellencamp Arroyave Reveals Large Scar Following Surgery to Remove Melanoma

'The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills' alum revealed her 13th diagnosis of the disease back in September

Teddi Mellencamp Arroyave is documenting the latest in her melanoma journey.

The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills alum, 42, posted a photograph on Instagram Saturday that showed a significant scar on her back, following surgery to remove the cancer.

“Someone just messaged me that my scar looks like a whale swallowing bubbles. It made me laugh," Mellencamp Arroyave — who shared that she had been diagnosed with her 13th melanoma in the past year back in September — began the post, before asking followers to share what they saw in the image of her scar.

“I am not very artistic so I see a just see a 'Z'— what do you see?* *funnyresponsesonly,” she added, including a hashtag for "#SkinCancerAwareness" and tagging "@curemelanoma."

Related: Teddi Mellencamp Starts Immunotherapy Following Latest Melanoma Diagnosis

In the comments section of her post, Mellencamp Arroyave's followers and friends were quick to respond with positive statements.

“I see a badass 🔥❤️,” wrote The Real Housewives of Orange County star Emily Simpson, while Bachelor alum Kailtyn Bristowe shared a similar sentiment, commenting, “I see a bad ass woman.”

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Earlier this week, Mellencamp Arroyave shared a photograph of herself in the hospital on Instagram, detailing that her surgery "went well," before explaining the procedure to her followers.

"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 explained.

The reality star then thanked her followers and friends for the support they have shown her through her latest experience with the disease.

Related: Teddi Mellencamp Arroyave Matches Outfits with Her Family on Thanksgiving: 'We Chose Beige'

"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." Mellencamp Arroyave wrote.

"Please get your skin checked. I promise you do not want to go through this.#skincancerawareness #melanomaawareness," she concluded the post.

In November, Mellencamp Arroyave revealed that the immunotherapy treatment she had been undergoing for the melanoma had not been effective and that doctors were increasing her dosage.

"Now that the noise has died down and I can focus on the important things like my family and my health, I wanted to give a little update since so many of you have been asking," she began her Instagram caption.

Mellencamp Arroyave continued, "My initial prescription of immunotherapy wasn’t working, so my doctor upped the dosage. And now we are seeing some movement. So in two weeks I will have a doctor’s visit and we will see how effective it has been."

"Thank you for all of your prayers and messages. Couldn’t do it without y’all,” she concluded the post.

Mellencamp Arroyave has experienced 12 prior Melanona cases, having first been diagnosed with a stage 2 melanoma in October 2022.

In December of that year, she spoke to PEOPLE about how having the disease had inspired her to speak out and warn others to maintain vigilance when it comes to seeing new spots appear on their skin, as well as sticking to doctor's appointments.

"Skin checks are essential," the star said at the time. "We've seen how quickly it can turn from one melanoma to 12. So when your doctor says, 'See you in three months,' it's three months."

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