Teddi Mellencamp showed off a large scar on her back in a new Instagram photo shared Saturday after undergoing the “major surgery” during her battle with melanoma.
The Real Housewives Of Beverly Hills star, 42 – who has been keeping her fans updated during her battle with skin cancer – turned back to the camera and revealed a zigzag-shaped scar on the right side.
In the caption, the TV personality wrote to her 1 million followers: 'Someone just messaged me saying my scar looks like a whale swallowing bubbles. It made me laugh.'
She continued: 'I'm not very artistic, so all I see is a “Z” – what do you see?* *just funny reactions. #skincancerawareness @curemelanoma.'
Several days earlier, Teddi explained that she had “wide excisional melanoma, reconstruction of soft tissue defects with rearrangement of adjacent tissue” after immunotherapy failed.
Teddi Mellencamp, 42, showed off a large scar on her back in a new Instagram photo shared Saturday after undergoing the 'major surgery' during her battle with melanoma
In the caption, the TV personality wrote to her 1 million followers: 'Someone just messaged me saying my scar looks like a whale swallowing bubbles. It made me laugh'; seen earlier this month in Inglewood
Social media users and celebrities jumped to the comments section to share encouraging messages with Mellencamp.
Real Housewives Of Miami star Larsa Pippen wrote, “Sending you lots of love and prayers, honey,” while Adrianna Costa added, “Teddiiiii. Fortunately, you are on the road to recovery. Big love mom .'
Vanderpump Rules alum, Kristen Doute, wrote, “Sending you love and healing, T!” followed by a white heart emoji.
On Wednesday, Teddi took to her main Instagram page to reveal that she had undergone surgery and positively revealed that it “went well.”
Alongside a few photos of the reality star and a short clip she uploaded from her hospital bed, she wrote: “I specifically underwent 'melanoma with wide excision, reconstruction of soft tissue defects with rearrangement of adjacent tissue.'
“Basically they cut out the area of my shoulder and replaced it with a piece of skin from the bottom of my back (swipe to see the area before surgery),” she added, admitting, “But the pain and discomfort are worth it all. '
Mellencamp then told her followers, “The outpouring of love and prayers in the comments and DMs has left me speechless (which is hard). I wish I could respond to everyone, but please know that I am forever grateful.”
The media personality also encouraged her fans, “Please get your skin checked. I promise you don't want to go through this.”
On Wednesday, Teddi took to her main Instagram page to reveal that she had undergone surgery and positively revealed that it “went well.”
Alongside a few photos of the reality star and a short clip she uploaded from her hospital bed, she wrote: “I specifically underwent 'wide excision melanoma, reconstruction of soft tissue defects with rearrangement of adjacent tissue.'
Mellencamp then told her followers, “The outpouring of love and prayers in the comments and DMs has left me speechless (which is hard). I wish I could respond to everyone, but please know that I am forever grateful.”
She uploaded a photo of herself giving a thumbs up to the camera as she recovered in a hospital bed, and also included a 'before' photo of her back before the procedure.
Her skin cancer journey began in March 2022 when her RHOBH co-star Kyle Richards pointed out spots on Teddi's back. Later that same year, in October, she was diagnosed with stage 2 melanoma.
During a recent interview with Good morning America, Mellencamp recalled the conversation with Richards.
“She said, 'Teddi, the spot on your back, one spot looks so different. I'm not going to let you not go to the doctor right now and get it checked out.'
The Real Housewives alum then explained that after trying immunotherapy cream and “clearing over a dozen pimples,” she was “still not clear.”
“There was some initial heartbreak,” Teddi admitted. 'Because you think: 'But I've been through so much. That should have worked…'
After the surgery, the mother of four opened up about her next steps, saying, “I want to start the new year, and I want to keep fighting, I want to keep pushing.”
Earlier this month, the star revealed to her fans that immunotherapy had not worked, explaining in a post: “I had a wide excisional removal on my most recent melanoma last week to see if that worked, and unfortunately it didn't.”
Her skin cancer journey began in March 2022 when her fellow RHOBH co-star, Kyle Richards, pointed out spots on Teddi's back
After the surgery, the mother of four opened up about the next steps, saying: 'I want to start the new year, and I want to keep fighting, I want to keep pushing'
Earlier this month, the star revealed to her fans that immunotherapy had not worked, explaining in a post: “I had a wide excisional removal on my most recent melanoma last week to see if that worked, and unfortunately it didn't.”
“I have been given a few new options and I have decided with my doctors that the best next step is surgery on December 26 to remove more of the problematic area.”
However, she added, “I don't like to go down and my fear disappears, but I have faith that everything will be fine and the reason this is happening to me is because I am able to raise awareness to increase.'
As for what to expect after the procedure, Teddi typed, “After surgery, God willing, we will continue to monitor my body closely every three months.”
'In the meantime, I'm so looking forward to spending Christmas with my loved ones and I hope this is a reminder to book your skin checks for the New Year. .'