Kelly Ripa’s Recovery from Gum Surgery

Kelly Ripa’s recent dental surgery has temporarily halted her presence on daytime TV. Known for her lively on-air personality, Ripa is currently recovering from a gum graft surgery that left her unable to speak. Her husband and co-host Mark Consuelos shared the update on Monday’s show with guest Nick Jonas.

Consuelos explained that Ripa underwent the procedure to address thinning gums, a common reason for gum graft surgery. He mentioned that Ripa’s dentist had advised her to have the surgery five years ago, which Ripa humorously considered unlikely given her thoughts on her career longevity.

“Her dentist said five years ago, ‘You can do it in about five years,’” Consuelos recalled. “And she joked, ‘I didn’t think I’d still be on the air in five years!’”

The recovery process demands Ripa to refrain from speaking, which Consuelos acknowledged as challenging for her. Jonas quipped about this, lightening the mood by noting the difficulty of staying silent for someone as talkative as Ripa.

Describing Ripa’s recovery, Consuelos noted that while the pain is significant, the struggle mainly lies in getting Ripa to adhere to her doctor’s instructions and avoid inspecting her healing gums.

“Last night she was like, ‘Can you look?’ I’m like, ‘I’m not pulling your lip down,’” Consuelos said. “So I’m down there like, ‘It looks great!’”

Not usually one to shy away from dental discomfort, Ripa typically opts out of using novocaine. However, this particular procedure has been notably painful, underscoring its seriousness.

Jonas and Consuelos discussed the resilience of women, sharing anecdotes about their own experiences with their wives’ extraordinary pain tolerance.

“Well, they do have kids. They deliver kids,” Consuelos added. “We’re not built for that.”

Ripa is anticipated to return to the show after a week’s recovery, as confirmed by a show representative. Her absence highlights the surgery’s impact on the charismatic TV host.