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Teddi Mellencamp Just Shared Graphic Photos And Video Of Her Neck Lift Surgery

Photo credit: Paul Archuleta - Getty Images
Photo credit: Paul Archuleta - Getty Images

Teddi Mellencamp Arroyave is opening up about her decision to get a neck lift—and addressing critics at the same time.

The former Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star, 40, talked about her surgery in her Instagram Stories, even going so far as responding directly to someone who wasn't impressed by her news. "So I'm going through my DMs doing a little work for Two Ts in a Pod, and someone sent me a message. I want you guys to read it and let me know your thoughts," she said, before sharing the message.

It reads: "Ur a public figure trying to help women [lose] weight yet [you’re] getting a face lift to remind those of us who need one who can't afford one how ugly we are Thanku."

"I am being transparent with my journey," Teddi wrote back, per the screenshot. "Would you prefer I lie and pretend the loose skin on my neck disappeared? That's not who I am. You want to only follow people that show themselves through a filtered version of themselves then I am not the person to follow."

She continued, “(Btw, this has nothing to do with going all in on your life - I changed my life 7 years ago and am proud of that and will continue sharing and helping others achieve their goals.” She then asked her followers: “Do you appreciate me being open about my journey or would you rather I just pretend I did nothing?"

While fans may be divided, everyone still has a ton of questions about why Teddi got a neck lift, and what the procedure entails in the first place. Here’s what you need to know.

Photo credit: Teddi Mellencamp - Instagram
Photo credit: Teddi Mellencamp - Instagram

What is a neck lift?

First, the medical name is a "platysmaplasty." A neck lift is a surgical procedure that removes excess skin and fat from around your jaw line, according to the Mayo Clinic. The surgery is intended to make your jaw more defined and give you a younger-looking neck.

A neck lift can be done with sedation and local anesthesia—where only part of your body feels numb—or under general anesthesia, the Mayo Clinic explains. It’s usually done in conjunction with liposuction, where the surgeon makes a small incision behind each ear and under your chin. The surgeon will then use equipment to suction fat from the jawline and under the chin.

Then, the surgeon tightens the muscles in the neck and removes extra skin and fat. After closing the incisions, a pressure dressing is placed around the person’s head and underneath the chin. (That's what you're seeing in Teddi's pics.)

The whole procedure can take several hours.

Why did Teddi get a neck lift?

Teddi shared in her IG Stories that she felt “insecure” about how her neck looked from the side (but said she was fine with how it looked from the front). She also shared photos of her neck from both sides.

Photo credit: Teddi Mellencamp - Instagram
Photo credit: Teddi Mellencamp - Instagram

What is recovery like?

After a neck lift, you’ll likely need to wear a special garment that compresses your neck and helps reduce swelling, per the Mayo Clinic. It can take several weeks or even months for the swelling and bruising to go away and up to six months for the incision lines to fade.

How much does a neck lift cost?

The cost of a neck lift varies depending on where you live and who performs it. But the average cost of a neck lift is around $5,774, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS). Keep in mind, that number doesn’t include the cost of anesthesia, operating room facilities, or other related fees. So…the final tab is likely much more than that.

What are the health risks associated with a neck lift?

Because this is surgery, there are always going to be risks associated with it, especially when going under anesthesia. The ASPS lists several of the risks associated with neck lifts, including bleeding, facial asymmetry, infection, numbness or impact on skin sensation, persistent pain, nerve injury to the lower lip, scarring, and a rare but serious risk of deep venous thrombosis with cardiac or pulmonary sequelae. The list goes on.

It seems like Teddi is doing good so far. She told fans she’s healing well after her surgery.

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