**Kelly Ripa Takes a Break from Talk Show Following Gum Graft Surgery**
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/kelly-ripa-show-022526-4546e4320d994a56955b689522966684.jpg)
Television host Kelly Ripa is currently recuperating from gum graft surgery, a procedure she has long been advised to undergo to combat receding gums. The Emmy-winning presenter will be absent from her weekday talk show, *Live with Kelly and Mark*, for one week as she follows her dentist’s recovery guidelines.
On the latest episode of the show, co-host Mark Consuelos informed viewers about Ripa’s absence and provided some insight into her condition. He expressed that she was under strict orders not to speak during her recovery period. “Kelly sends her love,” Consuelos stated as he welcomed guest co-host Kevin Jonas to the show. “She had a little bit — well, it’s not a little — she had a gum graft surgery.”
A gum graft is a widely performed dental procedure aimed at addressing issues related to receding or thinning gums by transferring healthy tissue to cover exposed tooth roots. According to the Cleveland Clinic, this surgery can significantly alleviate tooth sensitivity and protect against further gum recession while enhancing overall oral health. Mark revealed that Ripa had been advised to consider the procedure five years prior. “Her dentist said five years ago, ‘You can do it in about five years,'” he noted. Ripa, renowned for her humour, responded at the time, “I didn’t think I’d still be on the air in five years!”
Consuelos conveyed that Ripa was “doing well” following her surgery, although she is required to adhere strictly to a comprehensive list of recovery instructions. Chief among these is the necessity of refraining from talking for a duration of time, a challenge for the talk show veteran known for her conversational style.
Laughing, Kevin Jonas remarked, “Wow. That’s got to be the hardest thing she’s ever done,” to which Consuelos agreed. He explained his role in ensuring that Ripa complies with the prescribed recovery protocol, which includes restrictions on food and beverage consumption. Soft foods are on the menu, while straws are strictly off-limits to minimise discomfort and assist with healing.
Despite the recommendations, Ripa’s curiosity about her condition led her to ask Consuelos to inspect her surgical site. “Last night she was like, ‘Can you look?’ I’m like, ‘I’m not pulling your lip down,’” Consuelos recalled, playfully mimicking her head tilt to allow him a peek without causing her discomfort. “So I’m down there like, ‘It looks great!’”
When asked by Jonas whether Ripa’s recovery had been painful, Consuelos did not hold back. “Yeah, it’s painful,” he admitted. Notably, Ripa is known for her high pain tolerance; she typically forgoes anaesthesia during dental procedures. However, Consuelos acknowledged that this particular surgery has been quite challenging for her.
Jonas commented on a similar experience with his own wife, Danielle, who also possesses a high pain threshold. “I’ll be like, ‘Are you in pain?’ She’s like, ‘I’m fine!’ Come to find out her foot’s, like, falling off,” he jested. In response, Consuelos noted, “Well, they do have kids. They deliver kids. We’re not built for that.”
Official sources from *Live with Kelly and Mark* confirmed that Ripa is expected to be absent from the show for the next week, with guest co-hosts lined up to fill in during her recovery. Kevin Jonas is set to make another appearance as a guest host in the coming days, with further substitutions anticipated as Ripa continues her healing process.
Fans of the show can keep up with updates on Ripa’s recovery and enjoy a diverse lineup of guest hosts in her absence. *Live with Kelly and Mark* airs weekdays as part of a syndicated programme, allowing viewers to check local listings for broadcast details.