Kelly Ripa Shares Painful Surgery Ordeal—and How She’s Feeling Now
Kelly Ripa is stepping back from Live with Kelly and Mark for a spell, with celebrity guest hosts covering while she’s away — the show goes on.
At the top of the July 27 broadcast, Mark Consuelos told viewers that Kelly Ripa is off the show this week while she recovers from a gum graft surgery and is under strict doctor’s orders not to talk. With Ripa on vocal rest, Consuelos welcomed guest co-host Kevin Jonas to sit in at the desk.
Consuelos said Ripa had the procedure to address receding gums — something her dentist first urged her to do about five years ago. Despite her reputation for a high pain tolerance (she’s known to skip Novocain at the dentist), he described this recovery as especially rough and said he’s helping her follow the rules at home: soft foods only, no straws, and no tugging her lip to check the healing.
Ripa is on strict vocal rest following a gum graft.
According to Consuelos, Ripa is taking a one-week break and is expected to return to Live with Kelly and Mark once she’s medically cleared. He added that she’s healing well, but the no-talking order stands until her dentist signs off.
Who’s filling in
The show has lined up a rotating slate of guest co-hosts to join Consuelos while Ripa rests:
- July 27–28 — Kevin Jonas
- Later this week — Mila Kunis
- Later this week — Pamela Adlon
- Later this week — Scott Foley
Consuelos said Ripa will be back once her dentist gives the all-clear after this week of recovery.