Teddi Mellencamp defends cosmetic surgery during cancer treatment

Teddi Mellencamp, a former ‘Real Housewives of Beverly Hills’ star, has addressed public scrutiny regarding her decision to undergo an upper blepharoplasty, or eyelid lift, while undergoing treatment for stage 4 melanoma.

Mellencamp shared that the procedure was performed by Beverly Hills plastic surgeon Dr. Sarmela Sunder under local anesthesia. Addressing criticism on Instagram, Mellencamp stated that her oncology team had cleared her for the surgery. She noted that the procedure was a personal choice she had considered for some time due to skin laxity on her upper lids.

Mellencamp has been battling melanoma since 2022. Her condition progressed to stage 4 in March 2025 after the cancer metastasized to her lungs and brain. While she reported in October 2025 that scans showed the cancer was gone, she noted that achieving full remission is a multi-year process.