Teddi Mellencamp defends undergoing plastic surgery procedure during stage 4 cancer treatment

Teddi Mellencamp revealed she underwent plastic surgery to remove excess skin from her eyelids as she continues to undergo treatment for stage 4 cancer.

The “Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” alum shared she went under the knife for an upper blepharoplasty via her Instagram Stories Tuesday.

“Of course, it was fine with my cancer doctors, that’s why I agreed to do it,” she reassured viewers before detailing how she “was awake” during the procedure.

Teddi Mellencamp shared she underwent an upper blepharoplasty as she continues to recover from stage 4 cancer. Instagram/Teddi Mellencamp
The reality star (seen here before the surgery) took to her Instagram Stories Tuesday to share she went under the knife to remove excess eyelid skin. Instagram/drsarmelasunder

“I get my stitches out Thursday,” Mellencamp, 45, continued. “I have immunotherapy Wednesday.”

The Bravo alum also gave a peek at her recovery, showing herself with a bag of ice over her eyes during immunotherapy.

Additionally, Beverly Hills-based plastic surgeon Dr. Sarmela Sunder shared a behind-the-scenes look at the reality star’s procedure, including before and after shots.

“Teddi had noticed that the skin of her upper lids had been weighing heavily on her over the past couple of years,” Sunder captioned a video via Instagram.

Mellencamp (seen here after the surgery) told viewers that she received approval from her oncologists before the cosmetic procedure. Instagram/drsarmelasunder
Mellencamp (seen above) shared she was awake during the procedure. Instagram/drsarmelasunder

“For a lot of people, fluctuations in weight (due to natural causes, pregnancy, prolonged steroid use, medications) can lead to skin laxity,” the surgeon continued, explaining that Mellencamp was eyeing the procedure for a while but “wanted to wait until she was medically cleared for it by her oncologists.”

“She got the ‘all-clear’ and we were able to perform the procedure under local anesthesia,” Sunder added. “Just like everything else in her life, Teddi handled it like a true champ!”

Mellencamp, meanwhile, was diagnosed with stage 2 melanoma in 2022. The Bravolebrity’s cancer progressed to stage 4 around March 2025 when doctors discovered it had spread to her lungs and brain.

Over the years, she has undergone several surgeries, including to remove brain tumors.

“I get my stitches out Thursday,” the “Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” alum (seen here in April) said. teddimellencamp/Instagram
Mellencamp (seen here in February) was diagnosed with cancer in 2022. teddimellencamp/Instagram

In October 2025, the reality star gave an update on her health battle, revealing the cancer was “gone,” but it would take time for her to be in remission fully.

“The way the [doctors] said it works, it’s like one year, then two years, then at three years you’re allowed to be considered … in remission,” she said. “But that was huge news.”

Since then, Mellencamp has been focusing on her mental recovery in therapy, trying to find peace, happiness and joy, she told Page Six in February.

Mellencamp (seen here) has since undergone several surgeries. teddimellencamp/Instagram
Last October, Mellencamp (seen above) shared the cancer was “gone.” teddimellencamp/Instagram

Mellencamp has also candidly shared the reality of recovery, admitting in a vulnerable Instagram video in June that she has found herself paralyzed by anxiety at times.

“They added in a new medication on Monday and I guess it’s just hitting me really weird,” she said.

As she recovers, Mellencamp has started dating an “older” man after her separation from her estranged husband, Edwin Arroyave. The exes, who are not yet divorced, share kids Slate, 13, Cruz, 11, and Dove, 6.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *