RHOBH’s Teddi Mellencamp has opened up about undergoing blepharoplasty to remove excess skin from her eyelids while continuing her fight against cancer. The daughter of rock icon John Mellencamp shared the update on her Instagram Stories on October 13.
Teddi Mellencamp explains her medical clearance
The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills alum addressed the procedure after Beverly Hills-based plastic surgeon Dr. Sarmela Sunder posted graphic footage of it. The 45-year-old reality star explained to her fans that her doctors had approved the surgery.
She said, “My phone is blowing up from upper bleph questions … The things that I can tell you, that I don’t need to keep answering, is, of course, it was fine with my cancer doctors; that’s why I agreed to do it. I was awake. I get my stitches out Thursday. I have immunotherapy Wednesday.”
Dr. Sarmela also shed light on why the former reality star opted for surgery. She explained that Teddi had experienced heavy upper eyelids over the past few years. She noted that weight fluctuations and certain medications can cause skin laxity. Teddi had been unconsciously raising her eyebrows to lift her eyelids, resulting in forehead lines and facial fatigue by the end of the day.
The surgeon added, “She got the ‘all-clear’ and we were able to perform the procedure under local anesthesia. Just like everything else in her life, Teddi handled it like a true champ!”
Teddi was first diagnosed with stage 2 melanoma in 2022. Her cancer progressed to stage 4 by March 2025 after spreading to her lungs and brain. She has undergone multiple surgeries over the years, including operations to remove brain tumors. She shares three children with her estranged husband, Edwin Arroyave: Slate, 14, Cruz, 12, and Dove, 6. She also has a stepdaughter, Isabella Arroyave, from Edwin’s previous marriage to Christina Mecklenburg.
