Teddi Mellencamp, the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills alum, recently chose an upper blepharoplasty, or upper eyelid lift, with Beverly Hills facial plastic surgeon Dr. Sarmela Sunder. The procedure removed excess skin from her upper lids. It was performed under local anesthesia, and only after her oncologists gave her the all-clear. Teddi shared the experience with her followers, and her story was picked up by outlets including LittleThings and Us Weekly.
For Dr. Sunder, a double-board-certified facial plastic surgeon and one of the few women in her specialty in Beverly Hills, it was a chance to help a patient feel more like herself after a demanding few years. In this blog, Dr. Sunder's approach to eyelid surgery frames what Teddi's procedure involved, why upper lids grow heavy, how local anesthesia works for this surgery, and what recovery typically looks like.
What Procedure Did Teddi Mellencamp Have?
Teddi had an upper blepharoplasty, a surgery that removes and re-drapes excess skin on the upper eyelids. Dr. Sunder shared behind-the-scenes footage on Instagram in mid-October, showing Teddi awake and comfortable under local anesthesia. Teddi later described the experience to her followers as "easy peasy."
According to Dr. Sunder, the heaviness had been building for a couple of years. In her words, Teddi "had noticed that the skin of her upper lids had been weighing heavily on her." The changes affected her day-to-day life in a few specific ways:
- A heavy, tired feeling. The extra skin left her face and forehead feeling fatigued by the end of the day.
- Makeup that wouldn't stay put. Eye makeup kept transferring onto the upper part of her lid.
- A gradual change she couldn't ignore. The skin laxity had developed slowly over time rather than appearing overnight.
Why Does Upper Eyelid Skin Become Heavy?
Upper eyelid heaviness usually comes from skin that has lost elasticity and begun to fold over the lid. Clinicians call this dermatochalasis, meaning laxity or redundancy of the eyelid skin and muscle, as described in StatPearls' clinical review of upper eyelid blepharoplasty. Cleveland Clinic notes that skin naturally loses some of its bounce with age, which allows extra skin to collect around the eyelids.
Age isn't the only factor. As Dr. Sunder explained in her post about Teddi, fluctuations in weight can also loosen this delicate skin, whether they stem from natural causes, pregnancy, prolonged steroid use, or other medications. Because eyelid skin is among the thinnest on the body, even subtle changes can show up as a heavier, more tired look.
Sometimes the brow plays a role, too. A descending brow can push tissue down onto the lid and mimic excess eyelid skin. Dr. Sunder evaluates both areas during consultation, and our blog on upper eyelid surgery vs. brow lift explains how she tells the two apart.
Can Upper Blepharoplasty Be Performed Under Local Anesthesia?
Yes. For many patients, an upper blepharoplasty on its own can be performed with local anesthesia, just as Teddi's was. A StatPearls review of blepharoplasty describes local anesthetic with epinephrine as a valuable tool for the procedure and notes it may be performed in an office-based setting. Cleveland Clinic adds that anesthesia for eyelid surgery may include a local anesthetic, numbing eye drops, and sometimes a sedative.
With local anesthesia, the eyelid area is numbed while you stay awake and relaxed. Teddi confirmed to her followers that she was awake for the procedure, and she shared an update soon after it was complete.
Local anesthesia isn't the right fit for everyone, though. Dr. Sunder considers your health history, comfort level, and whether you're combining your eyelid lift with other procedures, such as a brow lift, before recommending an approach. That decision is always made together during your consultation.
Why Medical Clearance Comes Before Elective Surgery
Elective surgery should only move forward once a patient's overall health supports it. Teddi wanted her eyelid lift for some time, but Dr. Sunder chose to wait. "We wanted to wait until she was medically cleared for it by her oncologists," Dr. Sunder explained. Once Teddi received the all-clear, the procedure went ahead.
This kind of coordination is a standard part of responsible care. Cleveland Clinic notes that patients need an eye exam and a checkup before blepharoplasty to confirm they're healthy enough for surgery, and should share every medication and supplement they take. For patients managing an ongoing medical condition, that often means input from the physicians who know their case best.
Timing matters as well. Teddi's procedure was planned around her existing treatment schedule, with her stitches coming out the same week as other appointments. Every patient's situation is different, which is why Dr. Sunder never treats medical clearance as a formality. If you're managing a health condition, she'll want to hear from your care team before recommending a plan.
What Is Recovery Like After Upper Eyelid Surgery?
Most patients feel ready to return to their usual routine within one to two weeks of eyelid surgery, according to Cleveland Clinic, though complete healing takes a few months. Teddi's own recovery followed a familiar path, from cold compresses (she iced with a pink mask from Dr. Sunder's office) to a quick stitch-removal visit a few days later.
Here is what the early weeks generally involve:
- The first few days: Bruising and swelling are expected. Cold compresses help keep both in check and ease discomfort.
- Around one week: Stitches typically stay in for about a week before removal, unless dissolvable sutures are used.
- The following weeks: Swelling continues to soften, and your eyes may feel dry for a few weeks. Lubricating drops or ointment can help.
- Over the next few months: The incision, hidden in the natural crease of the upper lid, continues to fade as your results settle.
Dr. Sunder provides personalized aftercare instructions and follows each patient closely. Contact her office right away if you notice bleeding, severe swelling or pain, or any change in your vision. To see the kind of refreshed, natural results upper eyelid surgery can deliver, visit Dr. Sunder's upper blepharoplasty gallery or learn more on her eyelid lift page.
Choosing a Refresh for Yourself
Wanting to look and feel like yourself is reason enough to explore eyelid surgery. When some followers suggested she didn't need the procedure, Teddi answered simply: "But I want it!" Her response captures something Dr. Sunder hears often from patients. The goal isn't to become someone new. It's to stop looking tired when you feel anything but.
That idea sits at the heart of Dr. Sunder's Aging Gracefully philosophy, which treats aesthetic care as a form of self-care. With upper eyelid surgery, her artistic eye focuses on harmony: removing just enough skin to open and brighten the eyes while preserving their natural shape and expression. The result should look rested and refreshed, never overdone, so friends notice you look wonderful without being able to say why.
Every face is a distinct canvas, and every plan Dr. Sunder creates is tailored to the person in front of her. For Teddi, that meant a precise, focused procedure timed thoughtfully around the rest of her life. For you, it might look different, and that's exactly the point.
Considering an Eyelid Lift? Dr. Sarmela Sunder Is Here to Help
If heavy upper lids leave you looking more tired than you feel, a consultation with Dr. Sarmela Sunder is a thoughtful first step. A double-board-certified facial plastic surgeon, Dr. Sunder studied at Johns Hopkins University, earned her medical degree at Cornell University Weill Medical College, and served as Chief Resident at Stanford. Today, she is one of the few female facial plastic surgeons in Beverly Hills, and patients, including recognizable names, seek her out for her artistry, discretion, and compassionate care.
During your visit, Dr. Sunder will assess your eyelids and brows, listen to your goals, and coordinate with your other physicians when your health history calls for it. From there, she'll design an approach that honors your features and fits your life.
Schedule a Consultation with Dr. Sunder at her Rodeo Drive practice, or call (424) 478-9362 to begin your journey.
This information is provided for educational purposes only and does not replace a consultation with a board-certified facial plastic surgeon. Outcomes, risks, and suitability vary from patient to patient. Details about Teddi Mellencamp's procedure are drawn from her and Dr. Sunder's public social media posts and published media coverage.
Sources
- Cleveland Clinic. Blepharoplasty (Eyelid Surgery).
- StatPearls, National Library of Medicine. Upper Eyelid Blepharoplasty.
- StatPearls, National Library of Medicine. Blepharoplasty.
- LittleThings. Teddi Mellencamp Says 'I Want It' As She Defends Getting An Eye Lift During Cancer Treatment.
- Us Weekly. Teddi Mellencamp Gets Plastic Surgery Amid Cancer Treatment.
