Kelly Ripa is taking a brief break from Live With Kelly and Mark to heal from a painful surgery.
During the Monday, July 27, episode of ABC’s talk show, Mark Consuelos confirmed his wife was absent as she recovers from gum graft surgery.
“Kelly sends her love,” Consuelos, 55, told guest cohost Kevin Jonas. “There’s a list of things you are not allowed to do. [No] talking, she has to eat soft food, can’t suck out of a straw. You can’t examine it, which means pulling down the lip. Last night, she was like, ‘Can you look?’ And I’m like, ‘I’m not pulling your lip down.’”
According to the Cleveland Clinic, gum graft surgery is a dental procedure for treating thinning gums or gum recession. Recovery usually takes one to two weeks and the goal of the procedure is to reduce one’s risk of severe gum disease.
“Her dentist said five years ago, ‘You could do it in about five years.’ And she said, ‘I didn’t know I would still be on the air in five years,’” Consuelos recalled. “But the one thing about it — she is doing well, doing great — she is not allowed to talk.”
Jonas, 38, jokingly chimed in by adding, “That has to be the hardest thing she has ever done.”
Consuelos agreed that his wife is a great “conversationalist.” At the same time, rules are rules and communication is now mostly done via phone.
“It’s painful,” he added. “But she famously does not feel pain. When she goes into the dentist, she doesn’t use the novocain. But this one hurts, so I know it’s bad.”
The Cleveland Clinic claimed bleeding should subside within the first 24 to 48 hours after the procedure. Swelling will continue for three to four days. Some patients may also develop bruising during recovery, but all those side effects are normal and should subside within the week.
Ultimately, the show must go on, and both Consuelos and Jonas welcomed Common to the program as a guest on Monday.
Both cohosts also discussed a variety of topics, including NBA player LeBron James signing with the Philadelphia 76ers and the debate over family members tracking each other’s locations.
Along the way, both cohosts praised their wives for having a high pain tolerance. (Kevin has been married to wife Danielle Jonas since 2009.)
“They do have kids. They deliver kids,” Consuelos said. “We are not built for that.”
Live With Kelly and Mark airs weekdays. Check your local listings online.
