Kelly Ripa will be absent from “Live with Kelly and Mark” due to “painful” oral surgery, Mark Consuelos revealed on Monday.
“Kelly is sending love,” the actor told viewers while welcoming co-guest host Kevin Jonas.
“Kelly had a little bit, well, not a little bit, a gum graft,” Consuelos explained to viewers about the dental procedure that treats thinning and receding gums, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
“Her dentist told her five years ago, “It will heal in about five years,” said Consuelos, 55. And she joked, “I never thought it would still be on the air five years later!” “
He added that Ripa, also 55, is “fine” and in “great condition” but must follow a long list of recovery instructions, including not talking.
“Wow,” Jonas joked. “That would be the hardest thing she’s ever done.”
The “All My Children” alum said his wife is “very conversational,” but she diligently follows the dentist’s instructions.
“I try to get her to follow rules and follow instructions,” Consuelos said, adding that she can only eat soft foods.
“It hurts,” he said. “But she famously doesn’t feel pain. When she goes to the dentist, she doesn’t use Novocaine. But this hurts, so we know it’s bad.”
Additionally, Ripa has been instructed to refrain from visiting surgery sites.
“Last night, she said, ‘Can I have a look?’ ‘I’m not pulling your lips,'” Consuelos said, explaining that she tilted her head to the floor so he could see.
“So I was like, ‘That’s really cool!’” he said.
Ripa will be absent from the show next week, a spokesperson told People.
Several stars will host in her place, including Mila Kunis on Wednesday, Pamela Adlon on Thursday and Scott Foley on Friday.
Jonas returns to host on Tuesday.
